My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

[chum]

Totally a show for babies and little girls

[Randorama]

1. You said looking at this thread a brony looks like 99% something other than being a fan of the show. What specific elements of this thread lead you to this conclusion? It will be a little easier for me to agree or disagree if I have more detail and can respond to specific points.

I meant: if we just look at this thread without looking at the facts, all bronies are in the 99/1% range. I don't endorse this view, as I should hopefully have made clear in my last post.

2. Could you revise the "and say that you call yourself a brony, then I retort that you seem to have a different attitude than the 99%/1% slandered over, so far." into a clearer point? I'm not certain exactly what you mean to convey here. I blame the alcohol

...We need to stop drink-posting, so please bear with me.

I actually meant that, with your approach to ponies, you'd fall in the 1% group, the one that focuses on the series, not on obsessing about the series.

There is a study being conducted by Dr. Patrick Edwards of the University of Georgia on the fandom. I do not believe that the results currently available will answer this question, but they may be a start. It's certainly something more clinical than conjecture and hearsay.

http://bronystudy.com

The results are here.

I won't make any comments now as I may be too biased towards a technical analysis, but wait for others to read the article and comment.

Haha, yeah. I honestly feel that way about mainstream entertainment. I spend most of my time playing or watching classics, because I feel that entertainment was designed for a more educated, adult audience back then. Modern entertainment isn't really designed to genuinely engage the viewer, so much as clumsily mash on emotional cues in a pandering way. They are designed to dazzle you with a smoke and mirrors show of special effects and plot twists, and once you know how it all works, it becomes painfully predictable and boring.

A simple explanation is that mashing on emotional cues sells more, so we can't expect much from tv shows, can we?

[Skykid]

I actually meant that, with your approach to ponies, you'd fall in the 1% group, the one that focuses on the series, not on obsessing about the series.

You're sure granting a lot of leeway to a guy who has ponies on his work desk and sees nothing abnormal about this public display.

[Specineff]

Ultimately, all fandom groups include a minority of posers, who are a magnet for crucifixion by the moral majority: bronies can't be an exception, can't they?

This. And that's a fact I can live with. Problem is when it's extended to all members of a fandom or group, in a broad and unfair manner (Brony=deviant and potential pedophile or Klan), and one can't have a minor association with the fandom and show without being painted with the same brush. No one will see me singing in a group like in that link posted by Skykid, or wearing a RD T-shirt, but I'll have no problem going to a brony meetup and bring a consolized Neo Geo so the newer generations get to know its games. To assume that light association makes me the same as the lower common denominators of the fandom would be illogical, Captain.

[drunkninja24]

I actually meant that, with your approach to ponies, you'd fall in the 1% group, the one that focuses on the series, not on obsessing about the series.

You're sure granting a lot of leeway to a guy who has ponies on his work desk and sees nothing abnormal about this public display.

I got some on my work desk too, but I can't say I'd find myself singing with that group. I'm not gonna take a stab at them just for having a little fun together, but it's not anything I'd be interested in doing (in public anyway, maybe at a dedicated convention....maybe). Though really, most of the awkwardness in that vid is mostly in the fact that none of them can keep rhythm or sing very well. It'd be the same if it was a flash mob trying to sing Bohemian Rhapsody or something.

[Skykid]

Though really, most of the awkwardness in that vid is mostly in the fact that none of them can keep rhythm or sing very well.

Dudes, you're all nice chaps and everything, but it's just one excuse after the other.

The awkwardness isn't because they can't hold a harmony together, it's because they're naturally awkward people publicly singing a children's song from My Little Pony knowing that they look like a bunch of absolute cocking idiots. Nothing elusive or overt about it.

[BIL]

THIS WAS ME IN THE BUSHES JUST OFF CAMERA IN THAT SINGALONG VID



NOBODY GOT AWAY

FUCKIN' NERDS

[Udderdude]

Call in the cavalry.

[Sly Cherry Chunks]

no cutie mark. it doesnt count

[njiska]

1. You said looking at this thread a brony looks like 99% something other than being a fan of the show. What specific elements of this thread lead you to this conclusion? It will be a little easier for me to agree or disagree if I have more detail and can respond to specific points.

I meant: if we just look at this thread without looking at the facts, all bronies are in the 99/1% range. I don't endorse this view, as I should hopefully have made clear in my last post.

Like any fandom there are varying degrees of interest in it's different aspects. If I had to place an arbitrary percentage on my focus I'd say it's about 70% on the show itself and 30% on the fan works and community. Most of the bronies I know in real life are the same, if not more focused on the show. That percentage of focus will change a bit during the lull between seasons when the community ramps up it's output, but the show never loses focus as being the centre of attention.

If you look at the content of this thread you'd believe otherwise, primarily because most of what's been posted here is slander. That's why further research is always required. Just look at Trekkies. 15 years ago they were seen as a bunch of social inept hopeless nerds. Today the view of star trek fandom is much higher and far more accepting. The hopeless nerds are still their, but they're not the part of the community that people focus on.

2. Could you revise the "and say that you call yourself a brony, then I retort that you seem to have a different attitude than the 99%/1% slandered over, so far." into a clearer point? I'm not certain exactly what you mean to convey here. I blame the alcohol

...We need to stop drink-posting, so please bear with me.

I actually meant that, with your approach to ponies, you'd fall in the 1% group, the one that focuses on the series, not on obsessing about the series.

I actually have no idea if I'm in the majority or minority of the fandom, but I do know that for most of us it is not an obsession, just something we really, really enjoy. I certainly do express my fandom publicly, but no more than any other fandom I'm a part of. Case in point, I have a CD of fan made MLP music in my car that I listen to regularly. I also have the STG '09 remix album made by member's of this forum and a copy of The Mininbosses' Brass.

Call in the cavalry.

If you want to kill ponies then http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43AuJjuxqAw

[drunkninja24]

Though really, most of the awkwardness in that vid is mostly in the fact that none of them can keep rhythm or sing very well.

Dudes, you're all nice chaps and everything, but it's just one excuse after the other.

The awkwardness isn't because they can't hold a harmony together, it's because they're naturally awkward people publicly singing a children's song from My Little Pony knowing that they look like a bunch of absolute cocking idiots. Nothing elusive or overt about it.

Nah, you wanna see that, just search "brony pizza hunt" on Youtube and see how long you last. Even I couldn't make it more than abotu 3 minutes in.

But despite that, there are several great, perfectly level-headed people in the community, but really, they're not as fun to post about

[Specineff]

Nah, you wanna see that, just search "brony pizza hunt" on Youtube and see how long you last. Even I couldn't make it more than abotu 3 minutes in.

GYAAAAAGGGGHH!! There are not enough dull, rusty scissors in this house to stab my eyes, ears and vital organs with after watching 1 min of that.

Oh well. At least that serves as an example for others about how not to represent the fandom.

[stryc9]

I thought it was about time to chime in with a few opinions.

The problem with these shows is that they think they are being clever, but in the end I felt my intelligence was being insulted.

Come on guys, face it - Futurama is really hit and miss, American Dad and Family guy played themselves out after a few episodes and come off like their trying too hard, and Beavis and Butthead was always braindead, look at the target audience.

From what I've seen of MLP, it's average just like the rest of them.

You guys need to check out Justice League Unlimited. For example the episode where Superman and Captain Marvel beat the shit out of each other over what I thought was quite a minor disagreement.

[Randorama]

The most passionate form of fandom I displayed is listening to VG music while driving. Usually I told casual passengers that I am into Japanese electronica composers, who very often produce music for VGs or Anime.

That's an easy way for people to listen to their songs first, and then decide whether they like or not videogame music. My Grandpa certainly liked a lot Border Down and its OST, to the effect that I made an exclusive copy of the CDs for him.

Never had dolls and statues on work desks, nor posters in my room(s), as I think that it's already on the creepy side of fandom. I like to keep my fandom tendencies in the closet, this is for sure.

[Skykid]

Nah, you wanna see that, just search "brony pizza hunt" on Youtube and see how long you last. Even I couldn't make it more than abotu 3 minutes in.

GYAAAAAGGGGHH!! There are not enough dull, rusty scissors in this house to stab my eyes, ears and vital organs with after watching 1 min of that.

Oh well. At least that serves as an example for others about how not to represent the fandom.

Sorry, the gulf of difference between this and the sing-a-long I posted has been lost on me. It appears to be the same thing, and a further demonstration of my theory for the attraction of MLP.

Perversely, friendship really is magic: it gets you into a group of likeminded individuals, it allows you to express yourself in ways you wouldn't otherwise feel comfortable doing, and it shields you from the pain of persecution because you have strength in numbers."If we all look like absolute raving fools, running through the street singing about MLP and waving pony flags, it won't matter if I never 'fit in' with the 'it-crowd', never get to talk to women or continue to hate my middle-class parents because they don't understand me. I can use Ponies to share and identify with people just as fucked up as me."

Also, if someone can illustrate how this behaviour is fundamentally different from weeabooism, that's an argument I'd love to hear. Njiska said several bronies here would be offended in drawing a parallel between weeaboo and brony behaviour. Why? These videos prove it's the same thing: attaching oneself to a superfluous materialistic fad so that one can go inward instead of facing their issues head on.

[njiska]

Also, if someone can illustrate how this behaviour is fundamentally different from weeabooism, that's an argument I'd love to hear. Njiska said several bronies here would be offended in drawing a parallel between weeaboo and brony behaviour. Why? These videos prove it's the same thing: attaching oneself to a superfluous materialistic fad so that one can go inward instead of facing their issues head on.

Skykid, you still don't get it do you? What I'm offended by is your assertion that because I watch MLP and enjoy the community I must therefore be emotionally damaged or lacking because there simply couldn't be any other explanation.

And on that note, i'm completely done conversing with you. I've tried taking you with a grain of salt. I've tried listening to Spadgy and giving you a chance, but you're just too unreasonable to bother trying to converse with any more. You're not even interested in listening to opposing views, so there's no point in trying.

[Skykid]

I've tried listening to Spadgy and giving you a chance, but you're just too unreasonable to bother trying to converse with any more. You're not even interested in listening to opposing views, so there's no point in trying.

You don't need to listen to Spadgy, you can make up your own mind.

I heard your opposing views, I accepted that there are extremes to the fandom. If my theory relates only to the extreme end and draws parallels with weeabooism, it's up to you to disprove that, which you haven't done; you just keep telling me I'm a stubborn asshole for the suggestion.

I'm sticking by my guns. I see too many behavioural similarities between the two fads.

[TonK]

I've tried listening to Spadgy and giving you a chance, but you're just too unreasonable to bother trying to converse with any more. You're not even interested in listening to opposing views, so there's no point in trying.

You don't need to listen to Spadgy, you can make up your own mind.

I heard your opposing views, I accepted that there are extremes to the fandom. If my theory relates only to the extreme end and draws parallels with weeabooism, it's up to you to disprove that, which you haven't done; you just keep telling me I'm a stubborn asshole for the suggestion.

I'm sticking by my guns. I see too many behavioural similarities between the two fads.

Cat, weeaboo's are so different its not even funny.

And just because someone watches a show and enjoys it doesn't say anything about their mental stability.

When my daughter was around 3, she used to watch Oswald, Tiny Planets and some other shows.

I actually recorded all of the Tiny Planets episodes and viewed them.

Everyone is different - doesn't matter what they watch.

But if you can't tell a brony apart from a weeaboo - you're dense.

[Skykid]

But if you can't tell a brony apart from a weeaboo - you're dense.

Whatever you say.

[TonK]

But if you can't tell a brony apart from a weeaboo - you're dense.

Whatever you say.

Come on man. Looks like they are doing it out of spite.

Just looking for attention.

Weeaboo's are terrible - you can always pick them apart if you're ever at a GameStop or anywhere with video games.

Then they start speaking in broken or fake Japanese, have a loli ringtone, ECT.

I've never met a brony - I do think it's kind of creepy, but whatever.

[Skykid]

But if you can't tell a brony apart from a weeaboo - you're dense.

Whatever you say.

Come on man. Looks like they are doing it out of spite.

Just looking for attention.

You just nailed it, bang on. That's the parallel with weeabooism I'm talking about.

[TonK]

You just nailed it, bang on. That's the parallel with weeabooism I'm talking about.

Wait, what?

I really don't understand.

Weeaboo's do it because they really enjoy it. I don't think bronies are into it as much as they display.

[Skykid]

You just nailed it, bang on. That's the parallel with weeabooism I'm talking about.

Wait, what?

I really don't understand.

Weeaboo's do it because they really enjoy it. I don't think bronies are into it as much as they display.

Honestly dude, if I go over the same theory any more I'll be pissing myself off. There's plenty of detailed insight over the last few pages and good in-depth discussion. It's an assessment that even rang favourably with bronies too. Look, from the horse's mouth:

This is by far the most intelligent view I've yet found, as far as "figuring out why Bronies are Bronies" goes.

I think the "social norms"/individualism argument has some weight

And non-brony:

Unless I am missing something, a "brony" is a fan who spends 99% of the time obsessing over the derivatives of the show, and 1% appreciating the actual show.

It's just njiska keeps firing the argument back up again because he's not willing to accept psychological parallels between how fans unconsciously adopt extreme fads for personal fulfilment. Just like weeaboos and anime.

That's cos he's a mad brony innit?

[TonK]

You just nailed it, bang on. That's the parallel with weeabooism I'm talking about.

Wait, what?

I really don't understand.

Weeaboo's do it because they really enjoy it. I don't think bronies are into it as much as they display.

Honestly dude, if I go over the same theory any more I'll be pissing myself off. There's plenty of detailed insight over the last few pages and good in-depth discussion. It's an assessment that even rang favourably with bronies too. Look, from the horse's mouth:

This is by far the most intelligent view I've yet found, as far as "figuring out why Bronies are Bronies" goes.

I think the "social norms"/individualism argument has some weight

And non-brony:

Unless I am missing something, a "brony" is a fan who spends 99% of the time obsessing over the derivatives of the show, and 1% appreciating the actual show.

It's just njiska keeps firing the argument back up again because he's not willing to accept psychological parallels between how fans unconsciously adopt extreme fads for personal fulfilment. Just like weeaboos and anime.

That's cos he's a mad brony innit?

I really don't know or care to be honest.

But I'd love to hear your theory on how they are the same.

[Strider77]

But if you can't tell a brony apart from a weeaboo - you're dense.

I have no idea what any of this is..... this thread is, odd. WTF is a weeaboo?

[ryu]

But if you can't tell a brony apart from a weeaboo - you're dense.

I have no idea what any of this is..... this thread is, odd. WTF is a weeaboo?

non-japanese people who wish they were born japanese.

makes me wonder if there's people who wish they were born ponies...

[RNGmaster]

Well, can't say I've seen that in my delvings, but there are actually people who have tried to commit suicide and thought they'd go to Equestria in the afterlife.

I don't know :V

[BryanM]

Okay internet, you strong armed me into watching four episodes of this thing. But only because Firefly was so good which I resisted for so long on the premise of contrarianism and how stupid you can be about other things.

It's.. not super great. And not much worse than PBS Kids series.

I've watched some of the PBS Kids shows. Mainly in a meta sort of way; as Senor Rogers told us, this stuff is less about education and more about psychological well being. Like, note how all the human characters on Sesame Street aren't white. That isn't a mistake, it was done intentionally. Chris is supposed to be like your big brother who didn't steal and sell the coins you got from your dead grandfather for meth.

I do find amusing that FIM officially named one of its characters Derpy after the internet declared her retarded.

Avatar is still the best show (not animated show, just show period) that's on now.

... as for "is it appropriate for a grown man to watch a show with a primary demographic of young girls" question, I find it an inappropriate question to ask. Is it appropriate for a man to stay single and play video games, instead of settling down with a lady and becoming a wage slave to support babies?

[drunkninja24]

Well, can't say I've seen that in my delvings, but there are actually people who have tried to commit suicide and thought they'd go to Equestria in the afterlife.

I don't know :V

Erm what.

[Sly Cherry Chunks]

I do find amusing that FIM officially named one of its characters Derpy after the internet declared her retarded.

That didn't last long though.