Seeking An Interview for a research paper!!!!

[Furcuriosity]

I'm a little unsure if posting this is allowed but I am seeking a few interviews with actual members of this community for a research paper I am currently writing on subcultures. I realize that this may seem as a slight invasion of your communities privacy but since my research has begun I have come to the conclusion that the media is generally biased and I would like to learn from members of the community myself. I promise to quote you accurately and honestly and you will be allowed to proof read my paper before it is submitted. If this isn't the proper place to post this I ask that someone points me in the correct direction. Thank you, and I hope to hear from some of you soon!!!!!

[kiindling]

Hey hey, if you need someone to interview, I am here c:
Just PM moi ^^


I wrote an article a while back for a creative writing assignment about curries, and although I didn't quote anyone or do any interviews, it really is a very interesting subject to study c:

[Vortex Cynbel]

I am also available too :p PM me with the details.

[Fable]

I wouldn't mind being interviewed

I am also curious is this for some sort of school or college work?

[MrRazot]

Just as a word of caution to all members:


Do not send ANY personal information.
- Emails
- Phone numbers
- Addresses
- Any indication of where you may be located


This sort of thing crops up very often and it's important to be weary. You don't know who you are talking to and they will always try to communicate to you with the pretence of harmless research to "clear any misconceptions about the fandom".
Whether this is legitimate or not and what they do with the information is of no concern to me, however you, the member, are of a great importance to the forums, the staff and me.
Please be careful. There's a reason Uncle Kage gave up on promoting the fandom.

[Furcuriosity]

It is for a college research paper, I will be happy to provide proof of the paper requirements to all participants. I do NOT need your personal information (a user name is considered acceptable to my professor).  As stated previously not only will you be able to see the interview transcript but I will provide you a copy of the paper as well before I submit it. I will try and respond to all those that are willing within the next 24 hours to set up a time when I can provide questions.


(The paper is on Subcultures in America and The United Kingdom) I think it is safe to assume that members of this community are part of a subculture correct? I do understand Why you would be skeptical of any outsiders intentions and that is why I am willing to provide any credentials you deem necessary before interviewing.
 
I will not need ANY personal information either, only demographics that YOU want to supply will be in my paper

I would like to thank those that responded again and I will get in contact with you as soon as possible

[Michen_S]

You can PM me if you want. I'd be happy to help.

[Ventus Fall]

I agree with you wholly on this one, Razot.

I saw this and while this might be a genuine person simply wanting help, seeing how there are already so many responses, I want to add something.

There is a way to communicate to others. If you do go ahead with these kind of interviews, remember:
1) Talk about what the fandom is. "Being interested in cartoon animals." (For example.)
2) Talk postively; As in do not be "negative" when speking (e.g. "We are not this"). A word such as 'not' can be easily missed or be removed.
3) Most often? Keep it general.
4) If you don't want to continue? You're a free person and can quit at any time.


There are longer videos on Uncle Kage ranting about the media. As Razot said, there is a reason (reasons) he just gave up on trying to put in a good word for the fandom.
The media, especially the larger well-known ones will do what they do best: Sell news.
Anything that is weird is bad and they will promote it as such.

Uncle Kage - Furries in the Media

[Trinity_Zane]

hmm, quite intriguing. however our subculture is rather complicated. you'll find this fandom has shallow ends while others are rather deep. hope your research paper goes well. cheers!


Sincerely,
Cloud Titan at your service

[Vortex Cynbel]

Um so I was wondering what's going on with this project?


Has anyone been informed/interviewed yet?

[kiindling]

Nope
Probably a scam or something

[Bricket]

Being academic from spirit I would love to participate.
However the moment I spot a suspicious question I'm out

[Furcuriosity]

Sorry its taken longer to respond than anticipated. Im going to post the questions in this thread and anyone who wants to participate can answer them via pm.


1.       How long have you been a part of the Furrie community?
2.       What Majority of the time do you spend in your costume (if you wear one)?
3.       Do your close friends and family know you are a Furrie?
4.       I’m starting to see that there are quite a few conventions dealing with the Anthropomorphic community, have you ever attended any of these?
5.       Are you currently in a romantic relationship? If so is your partner a participant in your Anthropomorphic interests?
6.       What is your highest level of education completed? (I’m asking this because a study suggested that 75% of your community has a bachelor’s degree or higher)
7.       When I started my research, I was under my assumption that this was some sort of sexual fetish, on the contrary I am realizing that this is not necessarily the case. What are your thoughts and feelings about how people conceive your community as some sort of sexually deviant group? (Again, do not answer if this makes you uncomfortable, I am just trying to clear up any misperceptions I may have had. The Vanity Fair article from years ago, portrayed Furries as sex driven maniacs and I don’t think that this is true after doing some research)
8.       Do you make your own costumes? Or do you purchase them?
9.       What exactly is “yiffing” (it seems to be interpreted differently)
10.   Is there a variation between “full time” and “weekend warrior” furries?
11.   What exactly is a “fur pile”?
If there is anything else, you would like to add please do so. I am fascinated with your community from a completely non-judgmental standpoint and am very curious to learn as much as possible. Modern society’s media seems to portray things that aren’t mainstream “norms” as creepy and deviant but I feel that we all have certain interests and behaviors that could be perceived the same way to some. I want you to know that from my point of view you as a community should be proud of being able to express yourselves in such a creative and interesting manner. Again, thank you so much for your time and I look forward to hearing from you!!!

[Vortex Cynbel]

For some reason I feel this research has been made to make our fandom look bad in the eyes of the people.


What caught my attention was that question about what a fur pile is.. I didn't seem to recognise this term neither Ventus did (which is considerably more time in this fandom than me). I don't think I will be participating in this thing you doing.


Although I have a few questions. Can you mention for which university this research takes place? Can we have someone's name that handles the results or someone that supervises the whole thing?


I personally would not participate but I still want to see if this is legit so other people who might be interested can still participate.

[Ventus Fall]

I'm stating the same concerns as Vortex. I think it would be very good if you can show us some credentials

Not to sound mean or anything, but while you seem to say you're not judgmental, there is so much more the community is about than 'yiffing' or a 'fur pile'.
I think and honestly believe it's a darn shame these are the type of questions you seem to focus on about the furry fandom. The furry fandom is huge and about a lot of various things and I think if you truly want to represent the furry fandom from a good standpoint, that you focus on what the fandom truly is about. Which is simply having an interest in cartoon animals and fantasy critters.

I am also very curious what studies you are referring to, because to my knowledge most of the furry community is not even of age to have a bachelor's degree to begin with?