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So you think you're a wolf? Toonophilia, furry attraction

Interviewer:

So, what is toonophilia?

Me:

Very simply, its a love of cartoon characters.

Interviewer:

You mean a sexual attraction?

Me:

Hmmm, first we need a quick explanation of `philias'. In general `-philia' means `fond of', rather than `sexual attraction to'. The opposite is `-phobia' meaning `hates'. So hydrophobic - hates water, hydrophilic - fond of water, not sexually attracted to water.

Of course usage defines what these words mean in practice. I'm not going to argue that paedophilia is a platonic love of children.

Interviewer:

So what does toonophilia mean?

Me:

Well, it could simply mean somone who really likes cartoons, maybe they watch one of the cable TV cartoon channels 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or, it could mean someone who desires one or more cartoon characters as partners (again not necessarily sexual). Since most furs tend to like cartoons, we tend to mean the latter when we talk about toonophilia.

Interviewer:

Your seriously saying that people are attracted to cartoon characters?

Me:

Well, tell me what hot-blooded hetro human male would throw Jessica (I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way) Rabbit out of bed? The only difference with us is that on the whole its the non-human characters that are the focus of our affections.

Interviewer:

I can't understand the attraction to non-human characters.

Me:

Its probably no harder than understanding same-sex attraction if your hetro, or "conventional" relationships if you are not. But try this:

Michelle Pfeiffer is commonly regarded as being attractive isn't she? Now is her Catwoman character still attractive? I think most would say so.

And you would have to acknowledge the sensual pleasure of the feel of fur. Humans have long coverted the skin of animals for their fur to make fur coats and such. Fur mittens are used in massage, and are sold in those "private shops".

Interviewer:

Er, yes.

Me:

So what if Pfeiffer's cat suit wasn't made out of PVC and rubber, but short haired plush or fur? She'd still be attractive wouldn't she?

Interviewer:

Yes.

Me:

So what if the cat suit never came off and her feline habits weren't an act, but her normal behaviour - does she suddenly become repulsive?

Interviewer:

But,

Me:

Why is it that when you try to describe a human that is particularly charismatic, sexy, strong willed, whatever, you have to start using metaphores from the animal kingdom, or attribute it to "an animal magnetism"?

What is this thing that humanity has lost and yet the rest of the animal kingdom retains? I think furs are very much in touch with that animal side, the fire burns bright in each one of us.

I sometimes wonder if the only time you can experience it is when you lose yourselves in the sexual act.

Currently (6mar2000) this is the end of the interview segments, however more are planned.