Support NeoGAF

[KamikazeTY]

I love the show. It keeps my daughter entertained!

 

[jerry1594]

I used to be really weirded out by bronies and furries. Now I don't see the harm in them.

 

[LuffyZoro]

This is weird, because a lot of "Brony" stuff I've seen is pretty misogynistic...most of them don't say "Oh, we enjoy a show made for girls", rather they try and claim that its story-lines (basic morality lessons), animation (flash-based animation that tons of modern cartoons utilize), and characters (easily-identifiable archetypes) are all top-of-the-line mature and that the show was made for them. The whole "Derpy" incident pretty much reflects that mindset, and even the name for the group itself, "Brony", is gender-inclusive. Sure, you've got "Pegasisters", but the wording and usage of that word, only referencing the female fans, whereas Brony is an umbrella term for the entire community, shows that most Brony's see the female fans as "others", and they themselves as the central fan-base.

It's not simply enjoying a show made for girls that bothers me (and to be fair, people DO have a point when they mention how fans of MLP due receive a fair bit of grief compared to fans of similar shows like Adventure Time or Spongebob, probably due to gender roles being shaken up), but rather that most Bronies go to great lengths in order to try and convince people that the show is really for them, often ignoring the fact it was made to be a strong show for girls, which, in animation, doesn't come around as often.

I would say that it was decidedly made for young girls. However, that doesn't stop it from having fun storylines, good quality, clean animation, and characters that embody and go past archetypes.

 

[Cheech]

I just think its being different, weird, and objecting to society for the purpose of being different, weird, and objecting to society.

Yeah, in the 80s we called them "Goths".

 

[jediyoshi]

I was sorta neutral on bronies until I heard this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATBuvElZZig

Then I lost faith in humanity.

That assessment is like describing GAF as PonyGAF.

 

[Xzeon]

maybe brony conventions are like the evolutionary advantage nature is trying to give loser nerd virgins in order to get laid

HAS to be some equivalent broads there looking for their greasy foreheaded counterparts, romeos in pink and fuchsia and rainbows, prancing on with their blue blush painted generously over the peaks and valleys of their cratered, eternally pimpled faces, squeeing about their fluttershy's and pinkie pie's, bending down on their AC&Moore cheaply woven Applejack knee socks ready to just knock her off her proverbial blubbery cloven hooves.

this could be said about any fandom, just replace the pony shit with Anime or Star Wars and it will play out the same.

skinny and attractive people can get acne too, just sayin.

 

[Amir0x]

this could be said about any fandom, just replace the pony shit with Anime or Star Wars and it will play out the same.

skinny and attractive people can get acne too, just sayin.

sure it's just that bronies are the lowest on the totem pole is all

even nerds have their alpha males

 

[LuffyZoro]

maybe brony conventions are like the evolutionary advantage nature is trying to give loser nerd virgins in order to get laid

HAS to be some equivalent broads there looking for their greasy foreheaded counterparts, romeos in pink and fuchsia and rainbows, prancing on with their blue blush painted generously over the peaks and valleys of their cratered, eternally pimpled faces, squeeing about their fluttershy's and pinkie pie's, bending down on their AC&Moore cheaply woven Applejack knee socks ready to just knock her off her proverbial blubbery cloven hooves.

Seriously, even I feel bad for us.

 

[Watch Da Birdie]

Beyond that (I agree with your sentiment, based on the handful of episodes I watched to see what the excitement was about), what's surprising about this to me is that some of the people who are in to it are soin to it that they self-identify as "bronies." I have trouble understanding how someone can enjoy an individual show so much that it becomes an identity.

To hopefully better express my thoughts on this, I'll contrast the brony mentality with my experience with The Simpsons. I really, really like The Simpsons. With over a decade of watching reruns, I've probably seen some of the older episodes 10+ times. I started laughing spontaneously while visiting Hollywood yesterday when I saw the star for Lee Majors and remembered a specific fantasy that Marge had. In less words, the show helped shape my sense of humor, personality, and general world-view as I grew up, and I still watch reruns today.

Despite all of this, I would never think of myself as a "Simpson," or "Bro-son," or whatever the artificial label would be. I really appreciate the show, but it's not my identity. I don't go out of my way to associate only with people that are really into it, I don't feel compelled to go to Simpsons fan conventions, I don't cosplay as Simpsons characters and I'm definitely not into Simpsons porn. I think it's annoying enough when people feel the need to call themselves "gamers," but that label at least implies they they identify with an entire medium instead of only one show.

Am I just reading too much into this? Do the majority of people who call themselves "Brony" only do that in context of discussion threads for fun or something?

No, Brony has definitely evolved into an "identity"...the other day on another forum I visit with a Brony thread, this video was posted, showing how Bronies can deal with haters. The advice within is literally basic stuff (people have different opinions due to different factors), but the fact the video has to actually frame it for Bronies bothers me. Even worse, the video is filled with images of the Civil Rights movement.

To add to that, there was also a sociological study of Brony's done from a member of the fanbase showing how Bronies aren't that different from "normal" people...of course, the reason for this is that a person being a fan of one cartoon show shouldn't have a radical effect on their life, but for many Bronies they think it does to the point it's literally an identity.

The reason I don't think Simpsons has this problem is because there is no subversiveness involved in being a fan of the Simpsons...it's a popular, mainstream show that appeals to everyone for the most part. Thus fans of it don't receive any satisfaction in separating themselves from society with an identity.

 

[illmatic19]

I wonder what is the male to female ratio.

 

[Xzeon]

Beyond that (I agree with your sentiment, based on the handful of episodes I watched to see what the excitement was about), what's surprising about this to me is that some of the people who are in to it are soin to it that they self-identify as "bronies." I have trouble understanding how someone can enjoy an individual show so much that it becomes an identity.

To hopefully better express my thoughts on this, I'll contrast the brony mentality with my experience with The Simpsons. I really, really like The Simpsons. With over a decade of watching reruns, I've probably seen some of the older episodes 10+ times. I started laughing spontaneously while visiting Hollywood yesterday when I saw the star for Lee Majors and remembered a specific fantasy that Marge had. In less words, the show helped shape my sense of humor, personality, and general world-view as I grew up, and I still watch reruns today.

Despite all of this, I would never think of myself as a "Simpson," or "Bro-son," or whatever the artificial label would be. I really appreciate the show, but it's not my identity. I don't go out of my way to associate only with people that are really into it, I don't feel compelled to go to Simpsons fan conventions, I don't cosplay as Simpsons characters and I'm definitely not into Simpsons porn. I think it's annoying enough when people feel the need to call themselves "gamers," but that label at least implies they they identify with an entire medium instead of only one show.

Am I just reading too much into this? Do the majority of people who call themselves "Brony" only do that in context of discussion threads for fun or something?

for whatever reason it turned into a group mentality. its centered around love, tolerance and friendship, most shows do not have that as the core theme, so thats why its different.

it does draw parallels with the Juggalos, they preach acceptance and comradery amongst all the fuck ups and outcasts that society hates.

all the weird people have found other weird people that like us for being weird. so we don our clown face paint or unicorn horns and ears and we have fun.

thats it.

 

[LuffyZoro]

Beyond that (I agree with your sentiment, based on the handful of episodes I watched to see what the excitement was about), what's surprising about this to me is that some of the people who are in to it are soin to it that they self-identify as "bronies." I have trouble understanding how someone can enjoy an individual show so much that it becomes an identity.

To hopefully better express my thoughts on this, I'll contrast the brony mentality with my experience with The Simpsons. I really, really like The Simpsons. With over a decade of watching reruns, I've probably seen some of the older episodes 10+ times. I started laughing spontaneously while visiting Hollywood yesterday when I saw the star for Lee Majors and remembered a specific fantasy that Marge had. In less words, the show helped shape my sense of humor, personality, and general world-view as I grew up, and I still watch reruns today.

Despite all of this, I would never think of myself as a "Simpson," or "Bro-son," or whatever the artificial label would be. I really appreciate the show, but it's not my identity. I don't go out of my way to associate only with people that are really into it, I don't feel compelled to go to Simpsons fan conventions, I don't cosplay as Simpsons characters and I'm definitely not into Simpsons porn. I think it's annoying enough when people feel the need to call themselves "gamers," but that label at least implies they they identify with an entire medium instead of only one show.

Am I just reading too much into this? Do the majority of people who call themselves "Brony" only do that in context of discussion threads for fun or something?

Think of it like Trekkies/Trekkers/whatever. Some people are casual fans, some people know a lot of trivia and stuff, and some people learn Klingon and have Star Trek weddings.

 

[YesNOnoNOYes]

Seriously, even I feel bad for us.

wheres twilight sparkle tho~

aaaaa love it when cosplays are done right :> tbh

 

[inky]

Cloppers, hahaha.

Meh, I don't mind, people like what they like and they shouldn't have to justify it if there's no harm in it. I certainly enjoy a lot of shows for kids/teenagers like Avatar myself, and it would be pretty absurd being put to the spotlight because of that. It's just some people, I think, who take it to an extreme.

 

[Technosteve]

Seriously, even I feel bad for us.

the girl in the middle, she a pro cosplayer.

 

[Choppasmith]

Virgins? Somone didn't hear about the Bronycon orgy.

I went, and i got the crabs to prove it.

Spoiler

No i didn't.

I just think its being different, weird, and objecting to society for the purpose of being different, weird, and objecting to society.

It's like they get off to saying IM DIFFERENT LOOK AT ME I DONT GIVE A FUCK FOR GENDER IDENTITIES IM SO PROGRESSIVE.

I've seen the first 3 episodes. The animation is cool. But its hardly some legendary tv show that deserves the attention its getting. There are a lot better shows to have an obsessive fandom over.

You know people will keep saying this, but I just don't see it as rampant as you're suggesting. If the whole gender identities comes up, it's only because of Bronies being on the defensive from people who seem angry and offended at the very IDEA that older men can watch and enjoy the show.

This is weird, because a lot of "Brony" stuff I've seen is pretty misogynistic...most of them don't say "Oh, we enjoy a show made for girls", rather they try and claim that its story-lines (basic morality lessons), animation (flash-based animation that tons of modern cartoons utilize), and characters (easily-identifiable archetypes) are all top-of-the-line mature and that the show was made for them. The whole "Derpy" incident pretty much reflects that mindset, and even the name for the group itself, "Brony", is gender-inclusive. Sure, you've got "Pegasisters", but the wording and usage of that word, only referencing the female fans, whereas Brony is an umbrella term for the entire community, shows that most Brony's see the female fans as "others", and they themselves as the central fan-base.

There's a popular Brony "Sociological Chart" I've seen posted before, and it pretty much sums up what I just said perfectly: http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/309/c/4/bronie_sociological_analysis_flowchart_by_broniepologist-d4f95jq.jpg

It's not simply enjoying a show made for girls that bothers me (and to be fair, people DO have a point when they mention how fans of MLP due receive a fair bit of grief compared to fans of similar shows like Adventure Time or Spongebob, probably due to gender roles being shaken up), but rather that most Bronies go to great lengths in order to try and convince people that the show is really for them, often ignoring the fact it was made to be a strong show for girls, which, in animation, doesn't come around as often.

Also, out of the fandoms out there, I have to say Bronies really feels like a cult to me...sure, you've got crazy Pokemon and Sonic fans, but most of those popped up a few years after the original games, and the craziness is usually kept within Pokemon and Sonic communities specifically. NeoGAF and Something Awful BOTH had to literally ban pony discussion to one thread because how rampant it spread, and I still see people on other forums randomly bringing ponies into unrelated topics, usually people doing the whole "somepony" thing. The fact all this has happened while the show has only been on the air for 2 or 3 years is just weird....the Brony fandom has such a crazy speed in which it took off, it's no wonder people are a bit exhausted and weirded out by it.

Yeah I remember that chart. And yeah there certainly ARE people who feel the need to go "LOL I'm watching ponies" I'm certainly not going to refute that chart. But I think the whole "Bronies just like the show ironically because it's so 'different'"is about as relevant to the fanbase as a whole as the sexually aroused "cloppers" that people like to associate bronies with.

 

[Espresso]

I wonder what is the male to female ratio.

100:0

 

[Xzeon]

sure it's just that bronies are the lowest on the totem pole is all

even nerds have their alpha males

im used to being hated, so if im hated even in the geek community that i am a part of, thats fine.

 

[Bisnic]

What the hell is that thing in the picture in the OP?

 

[Amir0x]

Seriously, even I feel bad for us.

man i think it's funny that some people haven't figured out that certain hot girls and hot guys do this sort of thing only because the type of losers who frequent conventions like brony con are -just- the breed of no self-esteem front busers who would lavish the required and expected non-stop attention these individuals crave

all fumbling over each other to take pictures of these ever out of reach models, hoping to put enough distance between their social ineptitude and their faces and the girls by taking cover behind the lens of a camera, stuttery, sweaty palmed friends jostling to take a photo next to them so they can go home and claim that this is their totally hot girlfriend who lives in tampa and is always away so they totally can't meet them right now

im used to being hated, so if im hated even in the geek community that i am a part of, thats fine.

We don't hate you. Most of us are nerds. We just think it's funny. Can't we laugh at the image of big boys liking little girl things completely unironically?

 

[Acerac]

What the hell is that thing in the picture in the OP?

Nothing that was at BroNYcon unfortunately. I woulda loved to see the ridiculousness.

I thought BronyCon would just be for dudes. Since the term Brony is usually used to define male viewers? Correct me if I'm wrong.

There were a surprising amount of women there.

 

[aggro crag]

maybe brony conventions are like the evolutionary advantage nature is trying to give loser nerd virgins in order to get laid

HAS to be some equivalent broads there looking for their greasy foreheaded counterparts, romeos in pink and fuchsia and rainbows, prancing on with their blue blush painted generously over the peaks and valleys of their cratered, eternally pimpled faces, squeeing about their fluttershy's and pinkie pie's, bending down on their AC&Moore cheaply woven Applejack knee socks ready to just knock her off her proverbial blubbery cloven hooves.

I thought BronyCon would just be for dudes. Since the term Brony is usually used to define male viewers? Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Blair]

man i think it's funny that some people haven't figured out that certain hot girls and hot guys do this sort of thing only because the type of losers who frequent conventions like brony con are -just- the breed of no self-esteem front busers who would lavish the required and expected non-stop attention these individuals crave

all fumbling over each other to take pictures of these ever out of reach models, hoping to put enough distance between their social ineptitude and their faces and the girls by taking cover behind the lens of a camera, stuttery, sweaty palmed friends jostling to take a photo next to them so they can go home and claim that this is their totally hot girlfriend who lives in tampa and is always away so they totally can't meet them right now

Can we get some ketchup up in here?


Because this thread is serving harsh browns.

 

[Amir0x]

I thought BronyCon would just be for dudes. Since the term Brony is usually used to define male viewers? Correct me if I'm wrong.

It is typically defined as dudes that like my little pony, but BronyCon definitely includes girls

i know this from the extensive research i did by watching that one brony con video

 

[Wuthering_Heights]

Amirox has a lot of hate in his heart.

Poor guy.

 

[Watch Da Birdie]

Yeah I remember that chart. And yeah there certainly ARE people who feel the need to go "LOL I'm watching ponies" I'm certainly not going to refute that chart. But I think the whole "Bronies just like the show ironically because it's so 'different'"is about as relevant to the fanbase as a whole as the sexually aroused "cloppers" that people like to associate bronies with.

No, I didn't post that chart to talk about people who like the show "ironically"...I posted it because a lot of Bronies I've seen don't like it ironically, they really do like it and they use justifications within that chart to justify it.

I wonder what is the male to female ratio.

 

[Hex]

That guy in the op ..

I am all for fandom, and I can appreciate rabid fandom but people like that are why people that I know are embarrassed to admit that they like the show.

 

[lethial]

That Howard Stern interview gave me second hand embarrassment. I mean seriously.

 

[Xzeon]

man i think it's funny that some people haven't figured out that certain hot girls and hot guys do this sort of thing only because the type of losers who frequent conventions like brony con are -just- the breed of no self-esteem front busers who would lavish the required and expected non-stop attention these individuals crave

all fumbling over each other to take pictures of these ever out of reach models, hoping to put enough distance between their social ineptitude and their faces and the girls by taking cover behind the lens of a camera, stuttery, sweaty palmed friends jostling to take a photo next to them so they can go home and claim that this is their totally hot girlfriend who lives in tampa and is always away so they totally can't meet them right now



We don't hate you. Most of us are nerds. We just think it's funny. Can't we laugh at the image of big boys liking little girl things completely unironically?

i cant tell what your motives are, if you have genuine hate or you just like to troll, probably a bit of both.

you are putting a lot of effort into making sure we know our place in the world.

 

[Amir0x]

Amirox has a lot of hate in his heart.

Poor guy.

No hate at all.

I go to New York Comic Con. I know my status in life, bro. I just don't think bronies do!

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

That Howard Stern interview gave me second hand embarrassment. I mean seriously.

Oooh! First I'd heard of this. Gotta make some popcorn.

 

[Wuthering_Heights]

No hate at all.

I go to New York Comic Con. I know my status in life, bro. I just don't think bronies do!

Bronies and Comic Book lovers are two sides of the same die. One isn't any worse than the other. =P

 

[Graphics Horse]

maybe brony conventions are like the evolutionary advantage nature is trying to give loser nerd virgins in order to get laid

HAS to be some equivalent broads there looking for their greasy foreheaded counterparts, romeos in pink and fuchsia and rainbows, prancing on with their blue blush painted generously over the peaks and valleys of their cratered, eternally pimpled faces, squeeing about their fluttershy's and pinkie pie's, bending down on their AC&Moore cheaply woven Applejack knee socks ready to just knock her off her proverbial blubbery cloven hooves.

Cloven hooves? smh.

 

[inky]

the girl in the middle, she a pro cosplayer.

I think all of them are.

That Howard Stern interview gave me second hand embarrassment. I mean seriously.

Hahaha, ya, it's quite funny.

 

[Amir0x]

bronies wish they were on the other side of a dice with any of the other geeks on the nerd social ladder; that's the problem

shit if they just accepted who they are, REALLY accepted who they are, then we can get on with the friendship is magic shit

Cloven hooves? smh.

Fuck, Ponies don't have cloven hooves do they? I knew I'd get something wrong!

 

[Hot Coldman]

Amir0x is totally the guy from Revenge of the Nerds right now in my head

you know, the one who goes "NEEEEERRRDS"

 

[Slavik81]

Spoiler

Oh, you mean the Brony community?

I was easing noodles when I saw this and almost spat them back out. Amazing.

 

[Narag]

Amir0x is totally the guy from Revenge of the Nerds right now in my head

you know, the one who goes "NEEEEERRRDS"

Ogre gets sworn into Lambda Lambda Lambda at the end of the second movie.

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

I'm fucking wailing with laughter at this Howard Stern thing.

Stern: "They need one celebrity to come out"

All bets on Robin Williams.

 

[Hot Coldman]

Ogre gets sworn into Lambda Lambda Lambda at the end of the second movie.

There's a second RotN? themoreyouknow.jpg

 

[Bisnic]

Nothing that was at BroNYcon unfortunately. I woulda loved to see the ridiculousness.


There were a surprising amount of women there.

You were there?

I bet it's you in the OP. You sick bastard!

 

[LuffyZoro]

man i think it's funny that some people haven't figured out that certain hot girls and hot guys do this sort of thing only because the type of losers who frequent conventions like brony con are -just- the breed of no self-esteem front busers who would lavish the required and expected non-stop attention these individuals crave

all fumbling over each other to take pictures of these ever out of reach models, hoping to put enough distance between their social ineptitude and their faces and the girls by taking cover behind the lens of a camera, stuttery, sweaty palmed friends jostling to take a photo next to them so they can go home and claim that this is their totally hot girlfriend who lives in tampa and is always away so they totally can't meet them right now

This is the same kind of reasoning that that Joe Peacock guy was shit all over for. It might happen, but do you really think it's the majority of attractive people that go to these things?

 

[Watch Da Birdie]

I'm fucking wailing with laughter at this Howard Stern thing.

Jerry Spring is apparently doing a show on them soon too, apparently aiming for the ones who are attracted to objects...I'm guessing the Pony Plush dolls someone was selling with anal holes that Hasbro sent a Cease and Desist letter too?

Apparently Lauren Faust sent out Tweet urging no-one to go on it, probably because she doesn't want her series tainted any further.

 

[commedieu]

which pony are you guys most like? me, i'm a total Rarity.

LOL Fuck that test.. half way through I started ordering Pony Swag...

its a trap..

Edit:

as if I have anything to do...

Twilight sparkle...

thats a dude.. pony... right..?

 

[Technosteve]

CLOPPER is a thing? fuck this world.

Anything good at NYC Comic Con worth going to see?

 

[Tomat]

No hate at all.

I go to New York Comic Con. I know my status in life, bro. I just don't think bronies do!

But Comic Con is mainstream shit that "normal" people go to because they like a few superhero movies and generally don't know shit about the actual comics.

Saying you go to Comic Con like its a big deal is just dumb.

REEL TALK

 

[Acerac]

You were there?

I bet it's you in the OP. You sick bastard!

I couldn't come up with a costume that ridiculous if I tried, unfortunately.

I did pick up a neat RBD hat for my boyfriend though, if I wore it that sort of counts as cosplaying, right?

 

[krioto]

what is that thing in the OP???

 

[Amibguous Cad]

For reference, classic Simpsons and Adventure Time are way better than ponies... but there weren't any conventions going for the two at the time.

You're dead to me!

 

[Lionel Mandrake]

The fan art thread sends their regards.