FurryNetwork - Artwork Protection Clause

by Crassus

https://support.furrynetwork.com/topics/1026-proposed-a...

Note: The post is still awaiting moderator approval, but here's what I wrote:

Proposed: A TOS Resolution - That Art on FurryNetwork Be Protected from Exclusion Due to Individuals' Artistic Taste

____________________

"

If the true meaning of furry you wish to understand
You must think in terms of paw and not hand
You must release your mentality from society's cage
For furry prefurs no race, sex, persuasion or age

You must sort through the hype and the exploitation
Because to be furry needs no justification
It is to reach out and embrace the unknown
To be surrounded by friends and yet still be alone

It is not a gimmick or a political movement
It's nothing so pretentious as a method of improvement
It's only to seek solace in the presence of friends
For when one is furry, the search never ends

From the poem "Furry" by Croc O'Dile, 1995
http://www.tigerden.com/poem.html

Performed by Fairlight, Redlouts, and Eisfuchs in the song "Furry Art" from Furry Fantasies II: Original Soundtrack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoYxuhCN0cs

Those words were written when this fandom was still in its infancy, and I think it is extremely important that we do not forget them today when we are growing so rapidly in numbers. We cannot forget the values and principles in which allowed us to find a home.

• This fandom was based on valuing freedom of artistic expression over money.
• This fandom was based on inclusion—not exclusion.
• This fandom was based on peace, love, tolerance and acceptance of others—not fear, loathing, intolerance or hatred.

It is not acceptable for a social network website which aims to Unite the fandom to ignore these principles; and it is not acceptable that any art be excluded due to any particular individual's taste, regardless of public pressure or threats. It is an inadequate reason to ban any form of art simply someone may find it distasteful or offensive.

Therefore, I propose a resolution that art uploaded on FurryNetwork be protected from censorship or exclusion based on these merits.

What say ye?

Viewed:	65 times
Added:	7 years, 10 months ago 28 May 2016 21:50 CEST

7 Comments on this Journal

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DjijeyHellfire

7 years, 10 months ago

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Sounds pretty good, do hope it gets approved.

TenshiCat

7 years, 10 months ago

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You're spot on! We must stay true to what furry is meant to be!

df01

7 years, 10 months ago

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Good point, i agree

Klandagi

7 years, 10 months ago

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I both agree and disagree.

Yes, the fandom has inclusion as one of its inspirations, but, not everyone likes every aspect of the fandom. And some, for professional reasons, find they must distance themselves from 'certain members of the fandom.' It is reasonable, in my opinion, for those who want to avoid certain content, to have a place they may go and not see it. It is also reasonable, in my opinion, that those who wish to see such content have a place where it is available.

This is not, in my opinion, segregation. It is freedom of association, and it's counterpart: freedom of disassociation. Both things have a place in the real world.

Crassus

7 years, 10 months ago

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@ Klandagi

I would agree with you if the nature of the site was like FA or Weasyl where it's just an art depository with profile pages. FurryNetwork was built to be much broader. It's a social networking site. Groups are being planned.. Mini communities. Additionally, user identities can be partitioned by multiple characters per user. So one character could be totally disassociated with another, and there would be no need to broadcast one's art into the public eye.

A good example of a model that works is Tapestries MUCK. People agree to abide by a philosophy of live and let live when they sign up for a character. The place is resolved to be one of respect, tolerance and acceptance. If you go into a privately-owned public venue, you need to abide by that venue's rules (so long as those rules do not interfere with the rules of the MUCK). Places like the EEE allows public sex between underaged characters. If you don't want to associate with them, you don't go there. No one's forcing you to. This is exactly how groups and networks would have functioned on FN.