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  Wolf misconceptions
Posted in: Introduction to Therianthropy Posted by: Vyt - 2018-05-13 12:01

So, as we all know, there are a lot of wolves. And it is often proposed or believed that many of these 'wolves' are often other species, and haven't researched enough or realized it yet. There's also a lot of caution to newbies about not letting human stereotypes and misconceptions of animals be how they determine their theriotype. And that's really easy to debunk when the misconception is "I howl at the moon as a wolf" or "I'm the gamma of my pack". But I think there are some beliefs, held by wolf therians, that are still influenced by human stereotypes of wolves, but in a much more subtle way.

Main thesis: There are certain statements by/about wolf therians that seem to be centered on wolf behavior, but are actually stemming from human stereotypes.

1. "I'm a wolf because I'm aggressive!" - Actually, predators mostly aren't.
(I talked about this somewhat here, and much of the text will be directly copied.)
Hunting takes a lot of energy. So to be as efficient as possible, predators will tend to stack up as many advantages as they can before attacking. After all, a failed hunt doesn't just mean not eating, it can mean the predator gets hurt in the process as well. So predators pick "easy" targets: the young, the old, the sick, the isolated. Some, like wolves, hunt in packs. Some use stealth tactics. In areas where humans and tigers share land, humans can prevent attack by wearing a mask on the back of their head- thinking they've been seen is enough of a deterrent for tigers, even though you'd think "but the tiger could easily win!".
In summary: predators are very conservative with their attacks, and will only pick a fight they are sure they can win. Large herbivores are actually much more aggressive. Hippos cause far more trouble for humans that lions do.
To give a wolf example- wolves (and high-content wolf dogs) actually make terrible guard dogs, because they tend to be "shy" around humans and back away rather than attack.

2. "I'm a wolf because I'm independent!" -Most wolves aren't, and you're working from the human perspective of pride.
This is an argument I've seen most when wolf therians are defending why they aren't dogs. So many of the statements will be things like "I would never be subservient to anyone". I've literally seen a wolf therian say dogs were slaves to humans.
Let's put aside how dismissive/rude it is to classify an entire species (and the therians of that species) as enslaved or weak-willed. (And that's not my relationship as a dog-therian to humanity...at all). Let's just look at wolf behavior:

  • Wolves are literally pack animals. "Lone wolves" aren't nearly as much of a thing as people think.
  • Wolves have much stricter dominance relationships than dogs, so 'subservience' is still a wolf trait.
  • This pride in individualism is a human cultural thing (especially an American thing). Wolves do not have a concept of pride in the same way. When wolves and dogs diverged, it wasn't a conscious, ego-based decision about being "free" and not being "subservient to humans". That's an incredibly anthropomorphized narrative, it is how humans romanticize wild animals, and this prideful emphasis on it is really a human cultural value.


  RE: Therian art booster
Posted in: Announcements Posted by: DustWolf - 2018-05-11 17:28


(2018-05-11 15:38)Val Wrote:  

(2018-03-06 23:15)DustWolf Wrote:  Record the sound of a sensory shift. Anything you like!


Id love to do something like this! Would that be okay, and how would I get the audio file to you?


In the end we'll probably have to put it in youtube somehow. Smile


(2018-05-09 23:54)Aster Wrote:  If this is still open, I'd love to add to it!
I've got some cool ideas I could create


Yeah please do!

LP,
Dusty


  RE: Therian art booster
Posted in: Announcements Posted by: SnowyStripes - 2018-05-11 15:38

(2018-03-06 23:15)DustWolf Wrote:  Record the sound of a sensory shift. Anything you like!


Id love to do something like this! Would that be okay, and how would I get the audio file to you?


  RE: Therian art booster
Posted in: Announcements Posted by: Aster - 2018-05-09 23:54

If this is still open, I'd love to add to it!
I've got some cool ideas I could create


  RE: Therian art booster
Posted in: Announcements Posted by: DustWolf - 2018-04-29 12:28

(2018-04-10 7:22)WhiteCoyWolf_kayla Wrote:  [Image: 2rxtp51.jpg]


Accepted for #therianArt and featured on TG's Facebook today. Smile

LP,
Dusty


  RE: Therianthropy Day 2017
Posted in: Introduction to Therianthropy Posted by: LycanTheory - 2018-04-22 18:34

(2018-04-22 2:31)Zefer Nezumi Wrote:  

(2018-04-21 19:40)LycanTheory Wrote:  I purpose that we make a tradition of going out of our way for someone else.

They don't have to be therian or even human at all. Can be a totally random person or animal, not necessarily friends or family.

Doesn't have to be a gift or anything special, perhaps just a few genuine words of encouragement, whatever one can do or offer.

Lyc


But this should be an everyday thing... Tongue


You've got a point Tongue


  RE: Therianthropy Day 2017
Posted in: Introduction to Therianthropy Posted by: Zefer Nezumi - 2018-04-22 2:31

(2018-04-21 19:40)LycanTheory Wrote:  I purpose that we make a tradition of going out of our way for someone else.

They don't have to be therian or even human at all. Can be a totally random person or animal, not necessarily friends or family.

Doesn't have to be a gift or anything special, perhaps just a few genuine words of encouragement, whatever one can do or offer.

Lyc


But this should be an everyday thing... Tongue


  RE: Therianthropy Day 2017
Posted in: Introduction to Therianthropy Posted by: LycanTheory - 2018-04-21 19:40

I purpose that we make a tradition of going out of our way for someone else.

They don't have to be therian or even human at all. Can be a totally random person or animal, not necessarily friends or family.

Doesn't have to be a gift or anything special, perhaps just a few genuine words of encouragement, whatever one can do or offer.

Lyc


  RE: Therianthropy Day 2017
Posted in: Introduction to Therianthropy Posted by: Zefer Nezumi - 2018-04-21 12:17

I think it’s something to pawnder on. Could be a nice way of celebrating the inner critters, and no real rules about what we can or can’t do for it. (Within reason)

Maybe take the moment to make some new traditions!

*has mental image of Therio-Day cakes, facepaws*

The community is what its members make of it, after all.


  RE: Therianthropy Day 2017
Posted in: Introduction to Therianthropy Posted by: BearX - 2018-04-21 4:58

I wonder if perhaps this year we should consider something a little more formal? There aren't any traditions beyond camping. I wish there were... most holidays have a feast of some kind.



 
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