Why Felicia Bioroids? : A memetic study from ancient times to 2100

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by whswhs

That's too big a conclusion from the available evidence. You've got one ancient catgirl deity. Can you point to one in Mesopotamia, or India, or China, or Mesoamerica? Was there a pagan Greek, Roman, Scandinavian, or Celtic example? Or are there any catgirls in the Matter of Britain or the Matter of France, or in Camões, Spenser, Milton, Dante, or other modern epic poets? I'd be willing to bet that you can find one isolated case of nearly anything, given a survey of the entire world's civilizations and mythologies.

Bill Stoddard

I guess the thread was taken a bit more seriously than intended. (Calling a short paragraph a 'memetic study' was meant to be telling, but I guess it wasn't. Sorry.)

However, I do think that the meme on which feliciæ are based is more widespread (at least now) than THS gives it credit. Though maybe that's meant to show its decline relative to modern times. I mean, sapient snacks seem to be something that few people enjoy (or at least that's the impression ST gives), but they exist. And these fellas are considered eccentric? Or is this meant as a 'future culture' clash?

[gjc8]

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

However, I do think that the meme on which feliciæ are based is more widespread (at least now) than THS gives it credit.

It's not that the catgirl aesthetic is particularly rare. However, the Felicia isn't (or isn't just) designed for aesthetic and "companionship" purposes; if it were, that might not be too eccentric, but it's also a functional combat bioroid.

[jeff_wilson]

Originally Posted by whswhs

The thread is about catgirls. What I'm questioning is (a) the idea that catgirls are the only example of animal people and (b) the idea that catgirls are pervasive in human culture. Your argument supports my questioning (a).

Forgive me, but I do not see where (a) was advanced or implied.

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

There is of course rather a long hiatus between Bast and the 20th century when animal-inspired aliens, including cat people came along.

No, not of course. Zoocephalic figures are scattered through history, even though they weren't necessarily popular. Here is a scholarly paper on 14th century Jewish literature that includes feline-headed women,for instance.

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by jeff_wilson

Forgive me, but I do not see where (a) was advanced or implied.

The question asked was "why are catgirls so popular?" If we assume that "furries" in general are popular, then there is no need for a special explanation for catgirls. But the question was asked about catgirls in particular.

No, not of course. Zoocephalic figures are scattered through history, even though they weren't necessarily popular. Here is a scholarly paper on 14th century Jewish literature that includes feline-headed women,for instance.

A data point in ancient Egypt, many centuries BC, and then a data point in the 14th century AD, does not exactly constitute a mass.

Bill Stoddard

[jeff_wilson]

Originally Posted by whswhs

A data point in ancient Egypt, many centuries BC, and then a data point in the 14th century AD, does not exactly constitute a mass.

I recall more from the nigh-exhaustive reading of my pre-internet youth, but can only link to them as I can gradually find them on the web.

[jeff_wilson]

17th century:
http://pinterest.com/pin/202662051952528482/

15th:
http://pinterest.com/pin/202662051953369677/

300th:
http://pinterest.com/pin/202662051952782367/

[Johnny1A.2]

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

I guess the thread was taken a bit more seriously than intended. (Calling a short paragraph a 'memetic study' was meant to be telling, but I guess it wasn't. Sorry.)

However, I do think that the meme on which feliciæ are based is more widespread (at least now) than THS gives it credit.

The cat-people, as opposed to just the cat-girl concept has been oddly popular in SF. For ex, in the old Buck Rogers newpaper comic series, the enemy Martian race was the 'Tigermen', who came in both male and female form. Larry Niven reworked this as the 'Kzinti', though his Kzinti were totally male-dominated.

Make of that what you will.

[Langy]

Originally Posted by Johnny1A.2

The cat-people, as opposed to just the cat-girl concept has been oddly popular in SF. For ex, in the old Buck Rogers newpaper comic series, the enemy Martian race was the 'Tigermen', who came in both male and female form. Larry Niven reworked this as the 'Kzinti', though his Kzinti were totally male-dominated.

Make of that what you will.

Cat-people in sci-fi are generally warriors and not-at-all sexy; the Kzinti are a good example. Not described like the silly 'humans wearing cat-ears and a small tail' that's shown in anime/etc at all.

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by Langy

Cat-people in sci-fi are generally warriors and not-at-all sexy; the Kzinti are a good example. Not described like the silly 'humans wearing cat-ears and a small tail' that's shown in anime/etc at all.

E. E. Smith's Vegians were pretty hot, but their tails were longer than their arms, and prehensile.

Cordwainer Smith's C'mell was a professional girlygirl. But she probably looked very close to straight human.

I'll grant you that they're in the minority, though.

Bill Stoddard

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by Langy

Cat-people in sci-fi are generally warriors and not-at-all sexy; the Kzinti are a good example. Not described like the silly 'humans wearing cat-ears and a small tail' that's shown in anime/etc at all.

I don't think many if any really want a cat person anywhere near 50/50 feline human. I think most furries would run for the hills if they encountered a true mix. I imagine the most popular "cat girls" in person would be fully human with just a dash of feline traits. That would most likely be far easier to achieve with surgery than tricky genetic engineering., even with THS super duper advanced tech.