I had a lengthy discussion last night about people who become popular within the fandom because they do something which is noticeable for both the right reasons and the wrong reasons and it has me thinking a little bit. I have had both good and bad experiences with people who have made a name for themselves in the fandom. The biggest issue with furries I find is not the demographic of 'popufur' itself, but how others percieve so called 'popufurs' from the outside.

I myself have gradually come to realise that people who have some fame within the fandom are just normal people, trying to live their everyday lives like you and me. Some make a living off the fandom and others just like to hang out and make friends. From my experiences, some of the more popular and older people within the fandom who have been around for so many years are some of the nicer people I've met as their values have remained the same for a number of years. A lot of people don't realise that just because someone is supposedly popular within this community that they are just as approachable as anyone else. What might alienate some of these people is treating them like they are some sort of celebrity.

Internet syndrome is a major problem in this fandom with anyone, their perception of people is tainted through labels that the fandom has created through social media and other furry sites. I myself am fairly guilty of putting a barrier around what I like to discuss online and who I like to talk to. This is through personal choice, I am sure there are loads of people out there who might want to get to know me too... but honestly I have but this barricade around myself for my own sanity. I dealt with a lot of crazy people in the fandom back in 2008, when I first became part of the fandom because I was a little bit more open about who I spoke to. I still speak to a lot of awesome people I met online initially and I would love to forge online friendships again. I nowadays crave more, meeting people face to face because it is easier to gauge what someone is like if I know them face to face. It is far too easy to hide behind a keyboard in this day and age and that is one thing I do not like about online communication.

I strive to be a nice, straighforward and down to earth guy. I don't want to be known in the fandom for just being a fursuiter, but to be known as a nice guy and someone who is approachable. I have always hoped this is how I put myself across to people as a whole whether it be online or in person.