December 31, 2019 ▸ Psychology

Episode 442: Furries: Cosplay, Community, or Confusion?

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On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we talk about Furries. This group is a unique type of fandom (not unlike Trekkies or avid sports fans, according to researchers) who dresses like anthropomorphic animals and create strong communities both online and in the real world. Even though the media would have you believe being a Furry is a sexual fetish, that is far from the truth. The majority of Furries are into it for the social aspects and inclusion in a welcoming group; indeed, few actually have furry sex.

So when did this all start? The formal group known as Furries began in the early 1980s, thanks to a comic book called Albedo Anthropomorphics. It was a sci-fi piece about a portion of outer space in which humanoid mammals were the dominant species. This lead to a role playing game and early web chat rooms, and then Furries were born. They held their first conference, Confurence, in 1989 in California, and the movement has only grown ever since.

So who are the Furries? According to research by Furscience.com, it is mostly white males in their mid-twenties. But the group is very diverse and welcoming. If fact, the group has stronger leanings toward LGTBQ than most groups, and it makes the group very inclusive.

A lot goes in to being a Furry. First, there is the Fursona. This is the personal that they take on either online or in person at conferences and meet ups. Then, there is the Fursuit. This is the costume that is worn by the Furry, though many can’t afford one (they can often run between $5000 and $10,000). And though it isn’t the main point for most Furries, there is actual Furry sex going on. They call it Yiffing, and it often involves a Mursuit, which is a suit you can have sex in.

So, what is the psychology of being a Furry? What do the experts think the difference is between a sports fan and a Furry? Why is being a Furry more popular for millennials? Do Furries mostly date other Furries? What can we learn from Furries to make our own lives better, and do you want to watch Majira Strawberry eat a cherry? If so, listen, laugh, learn.

Visit Our Sources:

https://furscience.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Fur-Science-Final-pdf-for-Website_2017_10_18.pdf

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animals-and-us/201707/what-s-the-deal-furries
https://www.vox.com/2014/12/10/7362321/9-questions-about-furries-you-were-too-embarrassed-to-ask

https://nypost.com/2016/05/06/inside-the-life-of-a-furry/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furry_fandom

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/bjmq9d/how-the-furry-community-became-a-safe-space-for-youth

https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/14/us/furries-culture/index.html

https://furscience.com/whats-a-furry/

https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2016/feb/04/furry-fandom-subculture-animal-costumes

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-are-furries_n_6342184

https://en.wikifur.com/wiki/Furry

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/furry-fandom-tiktok-gen-z-midwest-furfest-924789/