Editing 471: Aversion Fads

{{comic
| number    = 471
| date      = September 3, 2008
| title     = Aversion Fads
| image     = aversion_fads.png
| titletext = Hey, are you friends with any hamsters? This kite needs a passenger.
}}

==Explanation==

Here, we see [[Cueball]] and his Cueball-like friend, who are grossed out that there is a {{w|furry}} (noted by the kid's fox ears and tail) near them. These people most likely have bought into the stereotype of furries, and as such, are showing their disgust towards what they perceive the fandom to (wrongly) be. [[Megan]] then calls for the furry to help her with her kite. The way this turns out, she also thinks that furries are "weird as hell", but she is also irritated by the fact that a lot of people on the Internet are involved with a lot of weird things that may gross out or otherwise offend the general population, yet the Internet in general frequently mocks furries for engaging in essentially the same things. This hypocrisy bothers her, so she takes whatever opportunity she has to defend furries, who are, after all, people of the Internet.

Hearing this, the furry brings up {{w|The Lion and the Mouse|the fable of the lion and the mouse}} (from {{w|Aesop}}). This fable talks about a lion who spares a mouse from being eaten, since the mouse's promise that he would repay the lion gave the lion a good laugh. In the story, the lion later gets caught in a trap and the mouse chews through the cords, freeing the lion. The furry now has a debt to repay Megan, but before we can get to that Megan curtails the simile. She assumes that the furry will perceive the story to be about animal bondage relationships, and be aroused by such, although it should be noted that this will very likely NOT arouse the furry. 

In the title text, Megan realizes that her kite needs a passenger. So, she asks the furry if he has any hamster friends. Being a furry, this could be either real hamsters (which could be tied to the kite), or people with hamster fursonas (who would probably be too large to be tied to the kite and remain buoyant). This may be a reference to [[20: Ferret]].

===Further Explanation Regarding Furries===

The term "{{w|Furry|Furries}}" can mean a lot of things, though all related, involving stylized artwork of animals (typically anthropomorphic cartoon or anime animals). We will be looking at a specific definition here, the most commonly criticized, the people who create an animal persona (fursona) version of themselves. These furries often create "fursuits" (costume versions of their character) and roleplay and cosplay their character while wearing their fursuits. Sometimes they will wear partial fursuits, which can consist of any part of the fursuit, such as ears and tails. Contrary to popular belief, furries are not bestial, and there is a distinction between the furry fandom and the furry sexuality. Unfortunately, it appears that Randall has bought into the media's stereotype of furries, assuming furries are all entirely sexual. It should be noted that while less than 1% of furries are bestial, around 90% of the furry fandom does partake in the more sexual aspect of the fandom, directing their fetishism primarily towards cartoon anthropomorphic animals, often incorporating far weirder fetishes into the sexuality (such as paw fetishism, coprophilia, vore, and macro/micro). This isn't to say the furry fandom is entirely comprised of the furry fetish. Many fursuiters who publicly fursuit are doing it moreso to show off the cuteness of their character, and to cuddle with other furries, rather than be an exhibitionist of their fetish. It should be noted, however, that at furry conventions, there are individuals who do wear fursuits with zippers at the crotch (known as murrsuits) for the obvious use. Said people rarely wear their murrsuits in public, and if they do so, their character usually wears clothing. If you see a fursuiter in public, kindly do not react as the people in this comic have reacted, nor react how [[Megan]] reacts assuming they're partaking in their fetish and that any mention of animals will turn them on. It is no different than publicly cosplaying, and while a bit childish, is almost every time, not a sexual thing for the furry, who even if a sexual furry, will typically keep their fetish to themselves, other furries, and furcons. Instead, try asking them for a picture, or completely ignoring them. Unfortunately, the media often misrepresents and misunderstands things {{Citation needed}}, and have done so with the furry fandom, too.

==Transcript==
:[Two Cueball-like guys stand together as a young guy dressed up with small ears and a tail approaches.]
:Cueball: Oh God, a furry. Don't let it touch you.

:[The furry hears someone call out to him.]
:Off-screen: Hey, kid.

:[Megan is seen preparing a kite to be flown.]
:Megan: Forget those assholes. Come help me.

:[The furry begins to help Megan set up the kite.]
:Furry: Thanks. So you're cool with furries?

:[The two are now standing far appart the furry with the kite and the line going over to Megan.]
:Megan: Well, I think your fetish is weird as hell. It just bothers me how you're this designated Internet punching bag among people who are otherwise down with weird fetishes. So I stick up for you when I can.

:[The kite now successfully up in the air and Megan pulls the line with both hands moving backwards.]
:Furry: Well, thanks. I owe you one.
:Megan: It's no big deal.

:[Megan stops some distance from the fury holding the line with one hhand. The fury lift one hand up apologising.]
:Furry: No, this is like the lion and the mouse.
:Megan: ...Listen, can we pick a comparison less likely to turn you on?
:Furry: Sorry.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Multiple Cueballs]]
[[Category:Furries]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]