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PleasureBonBon Forum -> PleasureBonBon.com Discussions ~ Species related to ethnicity? |
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Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:14 am
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Royal Member of BonBon
Joined: 07 Sep 2006
Posts: 1000
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Having been pondering the meaning of extinct species, royal member demographics, and Symphony's topic on the characteristics frequently ascribed to varying species, I got to pondering (again) on how or if species relates to an equivalent of human ethnicities/race.
Do you think differing species relate to different ethnic backgrounds? For example, the lovable Violet Berry is a raccoon. Raccoons being a North American native makes me guess that she is an American, probably one of many American descended from indigenous peoples rather than imported settlers. She's a more assimilated version of dear Johnny Sixkiller, perhaps, descended from east coast peoples rather than the west like coyotes. I now imagine her having something of a wild time traveling before finally ending up in Bon Bon, far from her home, but happy and carefree like she always dreamed.
I like having subtle clues like the origin of one's species having bearing on one's roots and parent culture, being a quiet hint of who you are and where you come from. But I often get the impression that many people want to leave behind the baggage of human race behind, or simply find it irrelevant. Think species unique to an area would be analogous to peoples that come from that region? |
_________________ "Doktor! Are you sure this will work?!" "HAHA! I HAVE NO IDEA!" |
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Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:23 am
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Rank: Artist
Joined: 06 Jan 2009
Posts: 816
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I think it's a very good post, Kommy.
I notice that people indeed use a tiny bit of the bg of their chara included.
To me this is another difficult post to reply with my limited english. But I get where your coming from.
I supose indeed Violet is American like you described.
My chara's not from earth at all she's more from the universum itself and it's roots are in there because I'm not (don't take it offensive) into Christianity, Budism or any religion for that matter ^^;; I just believe in the cosmic powers I supose. Those that are linked with the Gods of Ancient Egypt.
So indeed roots can be found in the character/species people use.
Interesting though :p
-K |
_________________ Dreams come True if you B E L I E V E in me...
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Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:06 am
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Royal Member of BonBon
Joined: 30 Aug 2008
Posts: 1521
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I know I for one kept in mind the heritage of species into account when creating my character. I know Avery Caldwell is a Bengal tiger as well as a Bengali military officer. For Samuel, he isn't directly from Sumatra, though his grandfather was born there. His grandfather later traveled to India, which is where the sword he wears comes from. His father later joined the Dark Order and more specifically the Order of Shadows, and later decided to move to England, where Samuel was born. |
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Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:40 am
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Rank: Super Veteran
Joined: 06 Oct 2008
Posts: 1159
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Well, I can see what you mean. I made James from Alaska, originaly. But the main thing is, if each carecter was from a different spot in the world, whouldnt we be seeing more of the same one, rather then a large range? Also, if that carecter had gotten use too a certin tempiture, whould he/she really be able too ajust that easy too a new one? I mean, carecters like Henk, do they need lots of sun because hes a snake, and snakes are cold blooded? Who knows. But its a interesting thought. |
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Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:00 am
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Royal Member of BonBon
Joined: 30 Aug 2008
Posts: 1521
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Too many of the same kind? Aren't wolves/foxes/vixens the majority of the royal members? As far as adaptation to climates, there really wouldn't be an excessive challenge for most fursons, as the natural fur helps regulate body temperature better than human skin.
As far as variations in species range, though, people have often migrated throughout history, could we not expect that certain species may have also traveled great distances? Not to mention many environments are prone to a diverse wildlife population already. Mix in that Bon Bon itself is a tourist attraction, it's rather possible that Bon Bon would share more of a diverse population than other places. |
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Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:05 am
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Rank: Super Veteran
Joined: 06 Oct 2008
Posts: 1159
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Shadow_Twisted wrote: |
Too many of the same kind? Aren't wolves/foxes/vixens the majority of the royal members? As far as adaptation to climates, there really wouldn't be an excessive challenge for most fursons, as the natural fur helps regulate body temperature better than human skin.
As far as variations in species range, though, people have often migrated throughout history, could we not expect that certain species may have also traveled great distances? Not to mention many environments are prone to a diverse wildlife population already. Mix in that Bon Bon itself is a tourist attraction, it's rather possible that Bon Bon would share more of a diverse population than other places.
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I suppose so. But if a certin species born in a enviorment that there usually best suited for, whats the point of migrating? People have usually migrated for certin reasons, but if a species was born in a place, where they have almost everything they need, then there whould be no point. I dont know, maybe my rants are just random. |
_________________ don't worry I'm just your average quantum physicist
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http://forums.pleasurebonbon.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10247 |
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Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:41 am
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Royal Member of BonBon
Joined: 13 Apr 2008
Posts: 2620
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xxthalexx wrote: |
I suppose so. But if a certin species born in a enviorment that there usually best suited for, whats the point of migrating? People have usually migrated for certin reasons, but if a species was born in a place, where they have almost everything they need, then there whould be no point. I dont know, maybe my rants are just random.
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But all these various species are people. While they may not have a reason to migrate based in their physical attributes or the climate and area they live in, they can move for all the same reasons that people in the real world move. Looking for adventure, wanting to see new places, looking for a job etc.
As for the topic, I think it's great when people pick a character where all the things seem to fit their chosen species. That includes their nationality/ethnicity. Like how there are characters of species native to the Autralian continent working in the Outback Omnibus, or how the likes of Sakura and Shania have such wonderfully matching species, nationality and appearance.
On the other hand, I don't think that people should feel too limited by their chosen species. Most sem to prefer a character native to the Western world, but there are so many interesting species living in other parts of the world. |
Last edited by Symphony on Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:12 pm; edited 1 time in total _________________ Constance Mayflower's bio
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Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:17 am
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Royal Member of BonBon
Joined: 07 Sep 2006
Posts: 1000
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Symphony wrote: |
On the other hand, I don't think that peopel should feel too limited by their chosen species. Most sem to prefer a character native to the Western world, but there are so many interesting species living in other parts of the world.
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Well, that's sort of the beauty. There are so many wonderful types of species in the world, it's easy to find something unique and match a species you enjoy.
For example, back to the raccoon. Lets say you really like a raccoon, but you want your character to have an oriental origin. Easy! Look to the Red Panda, a very raccoon-like character that is both very Asian yet looking very similar to the North American native. Or you could try a tanuki, even. So now you have both a far more unique appearance and a species that reflects on the background you're looking for. It's win-win.
In an example of things working out the other way, the classic Red Fox is native to both Eurasia and North America both. From Japan to Russia to Britain to the USA, the Red Fox lives happily as a native. You can choose to be from over half the planet and the Red Fox seems to work out well.
If you want a species that mimics the habits of European colonialism, then you can even do that. The humble Black Norway Rat is the ultimate colonial imperialist, having sailed on ships the world over and prospered wherever it went, conquering the world for it's many, many descendants. Now they live happily everywhere amongst every other species in the world. Adapting, of course, but they're still all Black Norway Rats.
And if you're willing to ignore human hands, the library of European species shoots way, way up! Indeed, our lion compatriots here are pretty likely 100% European natives if you go by that rule, lions having been wiped out from Europe and the Middle East relatively recently by human hunters.
Basically, what I'm saying is that I hardly think linking species to ethnic origin is a limitation. And in some situations, it's a wonderful inspiration for species diversity. |
_________________ "Doktor! Are you sure this will work?!" "HAHA! I HAVE NO IDEA!" |
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Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:32 am
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Royal Member of BonBon
Joined: 06 Feb 2007
Posts: 648
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I come and go on this point. Sometimes, especially when the "popular stereotype" part of me kicks in, I really like the concept of "localizing" species. And indeed, for some species, particularly the Australian ones, it's really hard to separate species from origin.
At other times, most commonly when the concept of ugly prejudice comes in, I'd just as soon discard the whole concept of nationality or origin and assume, so to speak, a flat world.  |
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Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:55 pm
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Royal Member of BonBon
Joined: 13 Apr 2008
Posts: 2620
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I think that the more common an animal is in the furry community, the less likely you are to see the species influence the character in a substantial way. Take lions or tigers, for example. Those are pretty common, and for that reason I don't think really mind if the characters aren't African or Asian respectively. It's probably because I'm so used to seeing them used for characters that have a more "Western" look and background. But pick an uncommon animal like a platypus or koala bear, and it would just seems wrong if such characters aren't Australian. |
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Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:35 pm
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Royal Member of BonBon
Joined: 18 Aug 2007
Posts: 1606
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That get me thinking, wouldn't that make me South American then sense fruit bats are based there? |
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Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:43 pm
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Rank: Super Veteran
Joined: 23 Nov 2009
Posts: 4436
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Eh, I'm a Siberian Tiger, but who's to say he wasn't born in Ireland? |
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Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 5:05 pm
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Rank: Super Veteran
Joined: 30 Sep 2009
Posts: 9138
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