If you actually did awaken as a bear..

[Midnight]

Well, not necessarily a Bear, but what ever your fursona is. I think it's safe to say most, if not all of us have one. So what would you do if one day you woke up as yours? Would you scream, cry, attempt to check yourself into an asylum thinking you've gone insane? Or would you even have a positive reaction, such as skip and jump with glee? =P

Actually, let's split this into two scenarios in which this would happen. ONE - You wake up as your fursona. You are the only person to become an animal/anthro.. ever.
TWO - (Assuming everybody in the world had a fursona). Everybody in the world wakes up as their fursona.

I guess since my fursona is a non-feral anthro Wolf/Husky hybrid, I'd scream in scenario one. I wouldn't want to be put on the news, experimented on, alienated for my differences etc.
In scenario two, however, I'd be overjoyed. I'd be running down the street in my pajamas while screaming and howling in absolute joy.

So, what would everyone else do in either or both of these scenarios?

[Ken'ichi]

Scenario 1: Would be excited at first, but then I freak out wondering what the others might think. Don't know how I would cope with it to keep others from running away from me or getting everyone chasing me in an angry mob.

Scenario 2: I would be so psyched at that scenario. I would run around the place exploring and seeing what everyone changed into.

[Truttle]

Scenario 1: First I would be awe struck at the fantastability (Fake word. X3) of such a miracle, then laugh my head off from joy as I jump around, and then I'd go wake up my family, (If they didn't already wake up from all the noise and roaring. X3) and make the best effort to convince them it's me which I wouldn't think would take too long considering the circumstances. And then rep the benefits of being the only bear that can perform on cue. I'd be a star! I'll be bigger than Pooh!

Scenario 2: Warning slight rant ahead. But it's not my concrete opinion.








I'm not quite sure about this one. People feel they have the power to kill with their weapons, what'll happen when those same people were to become fire breathing dragons or something poisonous? People are people, even if they were to become furries. They're just that dumb. Not to mention how civilization would come crashing down around us as everything goes into an uproar. Segregation (Seperation of classes discriminately) would revive itself so much more stronger as there would be so many different species and classes. Herbivores, Carnivores, Omnivores, Mammals, Reptiles, Avians, Cold blooded, Warm blooded. And what of food? Can we use cows for our Milkshakes and Burgers? Chickens for our scrambled eggs or chicken wings? Or our clothes? Or fitting shoes? Wouldn't it hurt to walk on scalding hot cement or broken glass? Well, that's just my imagination of it. I'm sure there could be other ways.

[Epesi]

People are people, even if they were to become furries. They're just that dumb.

I'm a person. Should I be offended?

You are right that this scenario has deep repercussions that have not been properly considered, and a sudden change would be disastrous. But I disagree with you on the specific problems you've described, and I don't share your apparent hatred for our own kind. People are complicated. The results would be complicated.

The issue of food really depends on the nature of the transformation; would people still be omnivores, or would some become true herbivores or carnivores? If some people had to eat meat to survive, I'd say the answer to whether it's right to eat cows or chickens would be a definite yes. If everyone simply remained omnivorous, then I don't think their views on the subject would change.

---

Getting back to the original question, it's hard to say what I'd do. I'd probably think I was having a very vivid lucid dream, and I'd be more excited about that than anything else. XD I'd probably be spinning around in my room, trying to change the scenery or fly until I figure out that it's not a dream.

Assuming I figure it out before someone notices me, I'd go to someone in my family and act like nothing unusual is happening, just to make sure I'm not crazy. My brother might be safest, being the least likely to have a heart attack.

It might be fun at first, but the novelty would wear off quickly. I cried when I got my hair cut to shoulder length after growing it long for years. o.O If I completely changed into something else, I might panic and break down. And in the first scenario, there are the problems with being the only one. If I could switch between forms, I could keep it secret and enjoy it. But if I just woke up one day, changed forever, it would be terrible.

At least in the second scenario, everyone is in the same boat; but it's impossible to foresee all of the consequences of changing the entire world. My reaction would be much the same as the first scenario, though.

On the whole, I think I'd much prefer shapeshifting. XD

[Bruno]

*peep, peep, peep* My alarm clock goes on, it's 6 AM

*starts yawning, gives a small roar*
Hey wait a second?!! What is that sound... is it coming from me?

*Takes a look at his hands, well hands.. there is no hand to see, they changed into paws!*

*A very loudly Rooaarr comes out of my mouth*

Well,by the look of it, it seemed I've got myself a new body with brown fur! Could this really be happening?
It's like a dream comes true. ^^

Oh wait! How in the world am I going to communicate with my roommates?! I guess they would be scared when I wake them and the first thing they see, is a BEAR. Nope, for a big brown furring bear, the city is not really a good place to be. And well now that I'm changed... What should I do now? Hmm that's the question.. Going back to the wild, with other bears? It sound very good, but will they accept me? And what about hunters, Zoo's my food? I guess I can't just walk out of this house, searching for some national wildlife park to stay in.

At first, I will love it to be changed into a bear. But when this transformation is in the city.. Full of humans, I'd rather prefer some kind of shape shifting! And well I have to tell my family about what is happening to me, or what is going to happen.

The other scenario were everyone else has changed into an animal of some kind. I guess I would be happy too. It'll be a hard start for us all, but we'll survive. And about eating eachother... I guess that's just nature, If some are changed into bears and others are changed into salmon.. The choice for those bears are quite easy to be made? The world would be a very different place without human activities.. which could be better for wildlife, and the planet on it's own.

Edit/modification: to into too.

[Night Bear]

I'm not quite sure about this one. People feel they have the power to kill with their weapons, what'll happen when those same people were to become fire breathing dragons or something poisonous? People are people, even if they were to become furries. They're just that dumb.

And what of the people who aren't like that? What of the people that are responsible? I agree with Epesi. People are indeed complicated. Not everyone would go on a rampage if they were to turn into a dragon or something.

And I believe there's another aspect o transformation: the mind. If someone were to become a dragon, wouldn't their mind likely be changed as well? It's true that in cartoons like Brother Bear and Dino Squad, for the purpose of the story, the characters retain their original mind and personality.

But would it really work this way in real life? The brains would need to be changed to fit the new skull, and when the brain changes, other things change too, such as personality and the way they think. If I were to become a bear, I would predict that I would think like a bear, believe I was always a bear, and act like a real bear would. I likely wouldn't remember I was a human.

From what I understand, in stories of werewolves, neither side is aware of the other. That means that a person who is a werewolf would not know that he or she was a werewolf, and the werewolf is not aware of the human side of themselves. This is because the transformation changes not just body, but mind as well.

I think that would likely apply to transformations in general realistically. To be honest, the more I think about it, the more I feel it is very unlikely to undergo a transformation without changing the mind. Even changing from one person to another would cause changes because each of our brains is different.

[Truttle]

But would it really work this way in real life? The brains would need to be changed to fit the new skull, and when the brain changes, other things change too, such as personality and the way they think. If I were to become a bear, I would predict that I would think like a bear, believe I was always a bear, and act like a real bear would. I likely wouldn't remember I was a human.

Now that's an interesting concept that I didn't consider! You're right. This would be a good outcome as it would completely eradicate the human race and just leave the animals. That'd be the best answer. X3

[FurryBall]

To look away from your scenarios, I'd would be happy to have the power to fully shapeshift into my fursona (which is a bear actually) and run around in the woods meeting other bears I guess.
And at the end of the day or something, I would shapeshift into myself and go on with my life as normal..

I've actually been thinking about this lately^^.

[Epesi]

Feb 28, 2009 12:59:54 GMT -5 Truttle said:

Now that's an interesting concept that I didn't consider! You're right. This would be a good outcome as it would completely eradicate the human race and just leave the animals. That'd be the best answer. X3

Didn't notice there was more discussion in this thread, but I really, really wish I hadn't. That's just disgustingly offensive. I am human. I like being human. I like other humans. You are human.

Have you given any thought to what this would really mean? Besides the obvious horror that you advocate the eradication of the human race. Give the slightest bit of serious thought to the proposed scenario and you cannot tell me it would be a "good thing".

What determines what each person turns into? Not everyone has a "fursona", so what would determine their transformation? Their favorite animal? Their personality? Now think about the actual result of this. Animals displaced from their natural habitat appearing everywhere that humans used to be. Ecosystems would be entirely unbalanced. Countless would die as a result.

Families and friends would turn into different species and, having no memory of their past lives, would kill each other.

Beyond all the senseless violence that would result, there's the simple fact that many people who are happy with their human lives and have done nothing wrong would have everything they know taken from them against their will.

Sure, it's easy for you to talk about all the horrible things humans can do and say the world would be better off without us, as long as you don't think too much about it and you distance the idea of these horrible humans from your own friends and family. But would you tell me right now, me specifically, that you think I deserve to lose my family, my friends, myself? Can you say that to anyone?

[Night Bear]

Sorry. Just forget anything I've said in this topic.

[Epesi]

I'm sorry, Night Bear, I didn't mean you. :\ It was Truttle's response I took issue with.

[Night Bear]

Sorry. Got confused.

From what I understand, Truttle wasn't even serious with his statement. He was just joking. His statement never struck me as a serious statement, so I never took offense to it.

[Truttle]

First of all, I was just joking. And second you're getting upset over a concept that would most likely never happen. I understand that you're not upset about whether or not that happens, but that you're upset about my opinion. But I have to say that I believe it's my right to express my opinion as much as it's your right to express your displeasure. And I must declare that my statement does not represent or convene who I am and what I would do or desire in real life. Just as as an author of horror fiction should not be accused of the intent of going out and slaughtering dozen of people. You don't know me, nor have you met me. You should just take my statements as simple opinion, not fact.

[Epesi]

There are people who do think that way, and based on many of your previous statements it is not implausible to imagine that you were serious. As a joke, it's tasteless and still shows a disturbing mindset.

The fact that it is impossible does not make it unreasonable to be upset by the idea of it, just as it is not unreasonable to be disturbed by a work of horror fiction. Stories and ideas move us. The fact that you imagine this scenario and crack a joke, while I imagine it and feel despair, is something that shakes me, angers and saddens me.

I am taking your statements as opinion rather than fact. If I was taking it as fact I'd be living in a bunker. The fact is, I disagree vehemently with your opinion, and as you just said I have the right to say so.

Anyway, for all that you tell me I am taking this too seriously, I believe I see anger in your reply. I suppose I've offended you. I am rather sorry about that, but it doesn't change how I feel. I am open to different ideas and opinions, but that is one entirely at conflict with my core beliefs.

[Night Bear]

I have written some rather dark stuff in my stories, but this does not at all reflect how my mind actually works. Truttle's joke, in my opinion, does not at all show a disturbing mindset, as he was never serious about it to begin with. I could easily jokingly say something like "I think all (insert species name here) should die and make room for (insert species name here)", but it's not how I would actually feel about it, nor would I be serious.

As such, I disagree with your statement that Truttle's joke shows a disturbing mindset. No offense or anything.