Furries - Not Entirely Human?

[Grey Day for Elcia]

They are biologically human.

However, their state of mind says otherwise. Like those who have gender confusion, these individuals can't seem to identify themselves as being part of the human species.

With that in mind however I have met very few furries who grasped onto the animal culture in full. Even CatMan who has gone through many, many surgeries in order to transform him into a tiger still holds onto his basic functions as a human being. A home, basic cooking, and a fairly normal lifestyle.

there is also a clear difference of people who actually FEEL like they are not human, and another set who just wishes that they were of a different species. In psychology and especially when taking polls and such this can be confused, and there are many different cases where there are less people who actually believe.

Of course there's disorders such as Delusions of Grandeur, so I suppose there might be quite a bit of people out there who might really think they are part animal, and the brain synopsis would match their beliefs.

You made a bit of a plunder with your English there.

"Like those who have gender confusion, these individuals can't seem to identify themselves as being part of the human species."

I know what you meant, but people with GID see themselves as perfectly human

Thanks for weighing in ^^

Erk, you're right. xD Damn lack of focus~

You posted some beautiful cosplay earlier, so I'll let this one slide

 

[SaetonChapelle]

They are biologically human.

However, their state of mind says otherwise. Like those who have gender confusion, these individuals can't seem to identify themselves as being part of the human species.

With that in mind however I have met very few furries who grasped onto the animal culture in full. Even CatMan who has gone through many, many surgeries in order to transform him into a tiger still holds onto his basic functions as a human being. A home, basic cooking, and a fairly normal lifestyle.

there is also a clear difference of people who actually FEEL like they are not human, and another set who just wishes that they were of a different species. In psychology and especially when taking polls and such this can be confused, and there are many different cases where there are less people who actually believe.

Of course there's disorders such as Delusions of Grandeur, so I suppose there might be quite a bit of people out there who might really think they are part animal, and the brain synopsis would match their beliefs.

You made a bit of a plunder with your English there.

"Like those who have gender confusion, these individuals can't seem to identify themselves as being part of the human species."

I know what you meant, but people with GID see themselves as perfectly human

Thanks for weighing in ^^

Erk, you're right. xD Damn lack of focus~

You posted some beautiful cosplay earlier, so I'll let this one slide

Yayy!!! My fashion abilities in the fantasy world has saved me!!!
My Masters in psychology is dealing with OCD and Schizophrenia, although I would love to continue looking in on such things as these. Any articles you found dealing with any forms of brain scans or electrical synopsis of these people?

 

[Grey Day for Elcia]

I really can't fathom any serious parallel to GID. I can understand how a mix up in regards to mind and body could possibly happen to someone in regards to gender, but when it comes to species that's clearly impossible unless it's just some kind of delusion.

Well, we are animals ourselves, having evolved alongside and with every other species on Earth, we even possess some of the same brain makeup as our very early cousins, the reptiles--the small portion of the brain above the stem dates back to our reptile days and serves little purpose nowadays, only activating in very extreme situations.

With this in mind, I find it very believable that someone's brain could tell them they are something they aren't.

 

[loa]

Sometimes I like drawing anthromorphic things and apparently, for some people, that means I am a "furry" now.
Others regard people who like to dress up in animal mascot-ish suits as "furries" but I wouldn't necessarily call the twerp in the goofy costume running through disneyland a "furry".
Again others call zoophiles "furries" but that's not what all furries are.
Nor would all zoophiles identify as "furry".
I think.
I'm not sure having a "strong connection with an animal" is what all furries have, given that I have been called one and really have no such thing.

It's an unprecise term that really has no meaning to me.

 

[Grey Day for Elcia]

They are biologically human.

However, their state of mind says otherwise. Like those who have gender confusion, these individuals can't seem to identify themselves as being part of the human species.

With that in mind however I have met very few furries who grasped onto the animal culture in full. Even CatMan who has gone through many, many surgeries in order to transform him into a tiger still holds onto his basic functions as a human being. A home, basic cooking, and a fairly normal lifestyle.

there is also a clear difference of people who actually FEEL like they are not human, and another set who just wishes that they were of a different species. In psychology and especially when taking polls and such this can be confused, and there are many different cases where there are less people who actually believe.

Of course there's disorders such as Delusions of Grandeur, so I suppose there might be quite a bit of people out there who might really think they are part animal, and the brain synopsis would match their beliefs.

You made a bit of a plunder with your English there.

"Like those who have gender confusion, these individuals can't seem to identify themselves as being part of the human species."

I know what you meant, but people with GID see themselves as perfectly human

Thanks for weighing in ^^

Erk, you're right. xD Damn lack of focus~

You posted some beautiful cosplay earlier, so I'll let this one slide

Yayy!!! My fashion abilities in the fantasy world has saved me!!!
My Masters in psychology is dealing with OCD and Schizophrenia, although I would love to continue looking in on such things as these. Any articles you found dealing with any forms of brain scans or electrical synopsis of these people?

No, sorry. The sources deal entirely with surveys and dialog between various researchers and psychologists. So, yeah, it's all psychology at this point and not in any way medical. I imagine funding is basically non-existent and there's really no rush to look into it as furries aren't an at risk group, so it will be very slow going.

So, first you post beautiful cosplay, then I find out you look super cute, and now you tell us you're doing your masters in psychology? You must have been snapped up by some lucky individual pretty quick, lol.

 

[Vuliev]

I really can't fathom any serious parallel to GID. I can understand how a mix up in regards to mind and body could possibly happen to someone in regards to gender, but when it comes to species that's clearly impossible unless it's just some kind of delusion.

Well, they're both identity disorders--one (SID) would just be more complex and more difficult to work around.

 

[Grey Day for Elcia]

I really can't fathom any serious parallel to GID. I can understand how a mix up in regards to mind and body could possibly happen to someone in regards to gender, but when it comes to species that's clearly impossible unless it's just some kind of delusion.

Well, we are animals ourselves, having evolved alongside and with every other species on Earth, we even possess some of the same brain makeup as our very early cousins, the reptiles--the small portion of the brain above the stem dates back to our reptile days and serves little purpose nowadays, only activating in very extreme situations.

With this in mind, I find it very believable that someone's brain could tell them they are something they aren't.

At best that would be a kind of weak explanation for certain extinct species that are along the lines of apes. And even then that's rather unconvincing. Certainly wouldn't apply to any furry I've heard of.

I'm not saying that SID (oh god, that's really close to the acronym for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome :/) is legit or wholly medical. Just that I imagine it could well be founded in fact.

Failing that, yeah, a delusional state brought on by any number of things (from escapism caused by abuse or bullying, to sexual confusion) is entirely possible, I would think.

 

[CAPTCHA]

While I can't comment of the sexuality thing (seems a bit weird to me), I can understand the feeling of wanting to be an animal and free from social pressures and responcibilities. I'm sure most people just feel like going feral at some point. It wouldn't be the only genetic hang up humans have from our hunter-gatherer days. Social evolution happen a lot faster than physical evolution after all.

 

[Doclector]

Well, I happen to live with one that I consider to be less than human, but that has nothing to do with his hobby. It has everything to do with his terrible hygene (sp? it's been a damn long time since I've even had to mention such a term) awful manners, and general dickishness.

I know not all furries are like that, hell I used to be on a site where some of the smartest and kindest were furries, but I'd be lying if I said the experience of living with the insufferable prick for the better part of the year hadn't left a negative mark.

Back to the topic, I think perhaps such an issue may be far further spread. In this age of promotion of the "perfect human" it's easy for people to consider themselves not that human at all. Hell, I don't act like a human, I certainly don't look much like one is supposed to look, and I very much doubt my thoughts are similiar to my fellow man, so general observational logic would suggest I'm not completely human, or at least, not a normal one.

I guess sometimes one may wish they were not part of the human race, such can be their cruelty. Of course, there are times where one would very much like to be a part of it as well. It's an interesting subject, and it touches upon a lot to the open mind. I mean yes, if one was to consider oneself to be non human, are we to treat such a person? Is there any harm in it, or would the escape from it cause yet more harm? Which leads us to question who we are to dictate exactly what a "sane mind" is, and thus what reality is.

And it is at this point I realise my own ability to take a single train of thought far further than the tracks itself, or rather how far people are willing to read.

 

[SaetonChapelle]

They are biologically human.

However, their state of mind says otherwise. Like those who have gender confusion, these individuals can't seem to identify themselves as being part of the human species.

With that in mind however I have met very few furries who grasped onto the animal culture in full. Even CatMan who has gone through many, many surgeries in order to transform him into a tiger still holds onto his basic functions as a human being. A home, basic cooking, and a fairly normal lifestyle.

there is also a clear difference of people who actually FEEL like they are not human, and another set who just wishes that they were of a different species. In psychology and especially when taking polls and such this can be confused, and there are many different cases where there are less people who actually believe.

Of course there's disorders such as Delusions of Grandeur, so I suppose there might be quite a bit of people out there who might really think they are part animal, and the brain synopsis would match their beliefs.

You made a bit of a plunder with your English there.

"Like those who have gender confusion, these individuals can't seem to identify themselves as being part of the human species."

I know what you meant, but people with GID see themselves as perfectly human

Thanks for weighing in ^^

Erk, you're right. xD Damn lack of focus~

You posted some beautiful cosplay earlier, so I'll let this one slide

Yayy!!! My fashion abilities in the fantasy world has saved me!!!
My Masters in psychology is dealing with OCD and Schizophrenia, although I would love to continue looking in on such things as these. Any articles you found dealing with any forms of brain scans or electrical synopsis of these people?

No, sorry. The sources deal entirely with surveys and dialog between various researchers and psychologists. So, yeah, it's all psychology at this point and not in any way medical. I imagine funding is basically non-existent and there's really no rush to look into it as furries aren't an at risk group, so it will be very slow going.

So, first you post beautiful cosplay, then I find out you look super cute, and now you tell us you're doing your masters in psychology? You must have been snapped up by some lucky individual pretty quick, lol.

bummers! Ah well. Yeah, I dont suppose anyone is rushing to put money into such a study just yet.
I have been however doing a base study on the microchips that England has been creating that can grant an individual renewed memories. The long term effect (assuming that cloning is available) they plan in either transference of memory into a clone, or cyberspace. Here's just a base page but there's hundreds. Ive become quite fascinated.
http://www.wired.com/medtech/health/news/2004/10/65422?currentPage=all

And nope. Not quite. xD I usually go solo's to cons and not many people share my video game loving, comic geek, cosplaying self. Guess it's a bit much for people.

 

[Grey Day for Elcia]

While I can't comment of the sexuality thing (seems a bit weird to me), I can understand the feeling of wanting to be an animal and free from social pressures and responcibilities. I'm sure most people just feel like going feral at some point. It wouldn't be the only genetic hang up humans have from our hunter-gatherer days. Social evolution happen a lot faster than physical evolution after all.

Mmm. A lot faster.

What part of the sexuality aspect do you find weird?

 

[Vuliev]

I really can't fathom any serious parallel to GID. I can understand how a mix up in regards to mind and body could possibly happen to someone in regards to gender, but when it comes to species that's clearly impossible unless it's just some kind of delusion.

Well, they're both identity disorders--one (SID) would just be more complex and more difficult to work around.

One isn't recognized so that's a premature comparison. And my point was that one clearly has an element that is purely non-biological.

First bit is true, I'm just pointing out how you can compare the two (and I don't feeling like saying "Hypothetically" every sentence. ) But, as Elcia pointed out, the concept of SID isn't too hard to grasp--it would be a regression of sorts towards previous evolutionary behaviors, I suppose. Obviously, I have no idea how or why that would happen, or how the brain creates the feeling of a particular animal (something I think you're trying to get at) but to say that SID can't be a biological thing doesn't make sense. The mind is (quite obviously) a biological thing, and it does some pretty crazy shit when its jimmies are rustled.

 

[Grey Day for Elcia]

They are biologically human.

However, their state of mind says otherwise. Like those who have gender confusion, these individuals can't seem to identify themselves as being part of the human species.

With that in mind however I have met very few furries who grasped onto the animal culture in full. Even CatMan who has gone through many, many surgeries in order to transform him into a tiger still holds onto his basic functions as a human being. A home, basic cooking, and a fairly normal lifestyle.

there is also a clear difference of people who actually FEEL like they are not human, and another set who just wishes that they were of a different species. In psychology and especially when taking polls and such this can be confused, and there are many different cases where there are less people who actually believe.

Of course there's disorders such as Delusions of Grandeur, so I suppose there might be quite a bit of people out there who might really think they are part animal, and the brain synopsis would match their beliefs.

You made a bit of a plunder with your English there.

"Like those who have gender confusion, these individuals can't seem to identify themselves as being part of the human species."

I know what you meant, but people with GID see themselves as perfectly human

Thanks for weighing in ^^

Erk, you're right. xD Damn lack of focus~

You posted some beautiful cosplay earlier, so I'll let this one slide

Yayy!!! My fashion abilities in the fantasy world has saved me!!!
My Masters in psychology is dealing with OCD and Schizophrenia, although I would love to continue looking in on such things as these. Any articles you found dealing with any forms of brain scans or electrical synopsis of these people?

No, sorry. The sources deal entirely with surveys and dialog between various researchers and psychologists. So, yeah, it's all psychology at this point and not in any way medical. I imagine funding is basically non-existent and there's really no rush to look into it as furries aren't an at risk group, so it will be very slow going.

So, first you post beautiful cosplay, then I find out you look super cute, and now you tell us you're doing your masters in psychology? You must have been snapped up by some lucky individual pretty quick, lol.

bummers! Ah well. Yeah, I dont suppose anyone is rushing to put money into such a study just yet.
I have been however doing a base study on the microchips that England has been creating that can grant an individual renewed memories. The long term effect (assuming that cloning is available) they plan in either transference of memory into a clone, or cyberspace. Here's just a base page but there's hundreds. Ive become quite fascinated.
http://www.wired.com/medtech/health/news/2004/10/65422?currentPage=all

And nope. Not quite. xD I usually go solo's to cons and not many people share my video game loving, comic geek, cosplaying self. Guess it's a bit much for people.

I just met you and you're already trying to blow my mind up? Sheesh.

You're single? Oh damn. My day just got a little brighter. *moves into flirting mode* I mean, er, um.. I'm sorry to hear that.

[small][small]lol[/small][/small]

 

[Grey Day for Elcia]

Well, I happen to live with one that I consider to be less than human, but that has nothing to do with his hobby. It has everything to do with his terrible hygene (sp? it's been a damn long time since I've even had to mention such a term) awful manners, and general dickishness.

I know not all furries are like that, hell I used to be on a site where some of the smartest and kindest were furries, but I'd be lying if I said the experience of living with the insufferable prick for the better part of the year hadn't left a negative mark.

Back to the topic, I think perhaps such an issue may be far further spread. In this age of promotion of the "perfect human" it's easy for people to consider themselves not that human at all. Hell, I don't act like a human, I certainly don't look much like one is supposed to look, and I very much doubt my thoughts are similiar to my fellow man, so general observational logic would suggest I'm not completely human, or at least, not a normal one.

I guess sometimes one may wish they were not part of the human race, such can be their cruelty. Of course, there are times where one would very much like to be a part of it as well. It's an interesting subject, and it touches upon a lot to the open mind. I mean yes, if one was to consider oneself to be non human, are we to treat such a person? Is there any harm in it, or would the escape from it cause yet more harm? Which leads us to question who we are to dictate exactly what a "sane mind" is, and thus what reality is.

And it is at this point I realise my own ability to take a single train of thought far further than the tracks itself, or rather how far people are willing to read.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I'm glad you took it off the tracks--it was an interesting read.

Sorry about your roommate

 

[Grey Day for Elcia]

I really can't fathom any serious parallel to GID. I can understand how a mix up in regards to mind and body could possibly happen to someone in regards to gender, but when it comes to species that's clearly impossible unless it's just some kind of delusion.

Well, we are animals ourselves, having evolved alongside and with every other species on Earth, we even possess some of the same brain makeup as our very early cousins, the reptiles--the small portion of the brain above the stem dates back to our reptile days and serves little purpose nowadays, only activating in very extreme situations.

With this in mind, I find it very believable that someone's brain could tell them they are something they aren't.

At best that would be a kind of weak explanation for certain extinct species that are along the lines of apes. And even then that's rather unconvincing. Certainly wouldn't apply to any furry I've heard of.

I'm not saying that SID (oh god, that's really close to the acronym for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome :/) is legit or wholly medical. Just that I imagine it could well be founded in fact.

Failing that, yeah, a delusional state brought on by any number of things (from escapism caused by abuse or bullying, to sexual confusion) is entirely possible, I would think.

Well I can't really imagine how it would be well founded in fact unless the description is that it's some kind of delusion =/

Sadly, with little reason for anyone to fund greater research into the area, information will be slow and questionable in nature for a long time to come, meaning you or I may never know.

But hey, we should be getting hoverboards soon, right?

 

[Vuliev]

Well I can't really imagine how it would be well founded in fact unless the description is that it's some kind of delusion =/

Well, yeah, that's what Gerbasi and her peers are trying to find out. I mean, calling something a "disorder" generally implies a delusion of some kind.