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Explain to me this pony thing

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Lumination said:
Absolutely not.

The people I mean are the people like in the OP (to varying degrees of course).
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I getcha. Wasn't trying to be a jackass with the question, I've got all types of people I'm talking to in this thread.

Honestly those people sort of unnerve me as well, but I think that the fanbase wouldn't be nearly as fun without them. Without them leading the way one would be a lot less likely to see "normal" fans wearing small things like pony pins or whatnot.

It's like how drag queens make me feel less nervous about wearing gay pride bracelets, hardcore bronies let me get away with wearing a cutie mark sticker on my name badge at work without feeling too embarrassed. I don't need the vitriol of all the crazies out there, so I just tone it down a couple notches on how flamboyant I am. Without somebody there to be extreme I'd be the leading target for people saying I want to fuck baby horses and whatnot.

Granted I probably won't hang out with these people (I am never diehard enough) but I respect them for doing what they do and putting themselves out there.
Bisnic said:
And here i thought that fad was over.
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Bisnic
Boring Member
(Today, 09:22 PM)

Oh god I'm so sorry.
 
akira28 said:
doesn't happen often but Natural's Law is a law for a reason. You don't get the defensiveness, try getting the aggression.


VBWs8Uj.jpg



eeeyup.
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Hnnnnggggggggggg
 
That part of the audience exists for quite a lot of things. Sonic is particularly famous for it.

Basically, it's the result of making simple, but appealing characters. It leaves a lot of room to project more complexity onto them, and to carry them off entirely into an imaginary scenario.

I suspect that their nonhuman nature plays into it somewhat, too. Maybe it's easier to imagine that they are different from people? More understanding than humans in their lives have been?

That's not really what the brony thing is about, btw. The average brony is like a guy that played Sonic Generations and has a Sonic wallpaper on his laptop. A guy like you describe is more akin to the guy who married Amy Rose.
 
Acerac said:
I getcha. Wasn't trying to be a jackass with the question, I've got all types of people I'm talking to in this thread.

Honestly those people sort of unnerve me as well, but I think that the fanbase wouldn't be nearly as fun without them. Without them leading the way one would be a lot less likely to see "normal" fans wearing small things like pony pins or whatnot.

It's like how drag queens make me feel less nervous about wearing gay pride bracelets, hardcore bronies let me get away with wearing a cutie mark sticker on my name badge at work without feeling too embarrassed. I don't need the vitriol of all the crazies out there, so I just tone it down a couple notches on how flamboyant I am. Without somebody there to be extreme I'd be the leading target for people saying I want to fuck baby horses and whatnot.

Granted I probably won't hang out with these people (I am never diehard enough) but I respect them for doing what they do and putting themselves out there.

Bisnic
Boring Member
(Today, 09:22 PM)

Oh god I'm so sorry.
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But do you need these people to make you feel that you can wear the bracelets?
What I mean I guess is why do you need to put the sticker on the badge at all? I mean not saying you shouldn't, but is it pertinent to random people visiting your workplace anyway?
 
Cindres said:
But do you need these people to make you feel that you can wear the bracelets?
What I mean I guess is why do you need to put the sticker on the badge at all? I mean not saying you shouldn't, but is it pertinent to random people visiting your workplace anyway?
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Because he likes the show and the character and want others to know it...?
 
dude said:
Fantasies are not socially awkward, everyone fantasizes - And all fantasies are made up. So the radical idea I'm trying to get through is that being attracted to real humans is not "better" than being attracted to ponies.
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Here's where we'll have to disagree. Sure, on a higher abstract level, real humans and ponies are just "things", and so they are absolutely equal. However, in reality, this is not the case. The social norm is decided by the majority. Society recognizes that being attracted to humans is normal. It is biological. It is what keeps our species around. Being attracted to ponies is not. That is not to say that you are a better person for liking humans or a worse person for liking ponies. The "act" of fantasizing about ponies is not the social norm, and as a result, it is not good in the public's eye to do so. Unfortunately, some people seem to believe this act completely defines a person (And some people seem perfectly fine with that. See the post about that pony fleshlight.), but I don't. People are free to fantasize what they want: children, ponies, balloons, all free game. Like I said before, it's only when they flaunt it carelessly that there is a problem.

dude said:
Other than that - I agree that we shouldn't allow rude or unpleasant behavior - But most people seem to think any mention of ponies or MLP by bronies is "unpleasant". There is a limit. The guy in the OP passed it when he showed the OP porn, but it was much worse than someone trying to show you a picture of a topless lady - It's just in bad taste and it's very unpleasant.
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I agree to a point. As a straight male, I don't like it when guys try to be bros and share porn or whatever. I don't like your tastes, and I'd rather not know that we might be jacking off to the same thing. It's disturbing to me, but the idea of a naked humanoid pony is a little bit more disturbing. Social norms, blah blah. I'm not sure how else I can articulate why most of us think this way.

Acerac said:
I getcha. Wasn't trying to be a jackass with the question, I've got all types of people I'm talking to in this thread.

Honestly those people sort of unnerve me as well, but I think that the fanbase wouldn't be nearly as fun without them. Without them leading the way one would be a lot less likely to see "normal" fans wearing small things like pony pins or whatnot.

It's like how drag queens make me feel less nervous about wearing gay pride bracelets, hardcore bronies let me get away with wearing a cutie mark sticker on my name badge at work without feeling too embarrassed. I don't need the vitriol of all the crazies out there, so I just tone it down a couple notches on how flamboyant I am. Without somebody there to be extreme I'd be the leading target for people saying I want to fuck baby horses and whatnot.

Granted I probably won't hang out with these people (I am never diehard enough) but I respect them for doing what they do and putting themselves out there.
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Keep doing what you're doing! Anyone telling you otherwise is a bully.
 
Devolution said:
People don't want to know it.
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It's not this I'm saying necessarily, more so that I'm just curious why big fans of the show feel the need to show it off so much. I'm still genuinely curious about this whole thing and don't know any fans myself.
 
People that have made a show their personality, and constantly remind you that this is the extent of their personality and MUST remind you that they are bronies. Constantly.

There's a difference between fans of a show and ones that have to constantly externalize it and make themselves constantly acknowledged to validate themselves.

And this is all for a toy vehicle.
 
I used to watch the show a bit, it was ok. Gave up on it shortly after watching it.

It's not a bad show but I really don't get the hype for it
 
Devolution said:
If I have a cubicle next to some dude at work I really don't want to know.
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Would you have more of a problem with this:

il_fullxfull.342484944.jpg
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than this?

stark-crest-game-of-thrones.jpg


If so, why?

EDIT:
Slayven said:
Is it the one where the dude is crying about how the Ponies took his friend away from him?
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I haven't watched it, so I have no idea. The one I linked is the highest profile documentary about bronies, so I was just kinda guessing.
 
Cindres said:
But do you need these people to make you feel that you can wear the bracelets?
What I mean I guess is why do you need to put the sticker on the badge at all? I mean not saying you shouldn't, but is it pertinent to random people visiting your workplace anyway?
Click to expand...
I was brought up in an Evangelical Christian household, so I when I was young I believed that gays were evil and corrupting America. Let's just say I've never been completely secure in my sexuality, and it helps to see a bigger target to attract the insults. I like the wristband because it helps me feel more confident in myself while (usually) not attracting too much undue attention.

As far as the sticker, a bunch of coworkers have random stickers on their namebadges. My buddy Geo has Growlithe on his name badge. I saw some stickers on sale for a dollar and figured I might as well join in. Similar to the pride band, I see the sticker as a nonoffensive reminder that the stuff I like (as opposed to who I am with the band) is ok. Other times it just serves to remind me of happier things during a hard day. Still other times... it's just a sticker. My other name badge has Fred from Scooby Doo, a character who (up til recently) I thought was the definition of bland.

Essentially the sticker isn't for people visiting my workplace, just like the wristband isn't to help me find a guy to date. Sometimes having these things just to give yourself a happy thought or two during a rough day is enough, you know?
 
bluemax said:
You say harmless, I say pedophilic.
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I say that's an unfair assumption.
Devolution said:
If I have a cubicle next to some dude at work I really don't want to know.
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Is it that different from a gay pride bracelet? Or anything we slap on our bumpers? This is making the safe assumption that not all bronies are pedophiles, of course.
^Acerac seems like good people. You're making it sound like he would ruin your day everyday if he worked in your vicinity.
 
Lumination said:
Here's where we'll have to disagree. Sure, on a higher abstract level, real humans and ponies are just "things", and so they are absolutely equal. However, in reality, this is not the case. The social norm is decided by the majority. Society recognizes that being attracted to humans is normal. It is biological. It is what keeps our species around. Being attracted to ponies is not. That is not to say that you are a better person for liking humans or a worse person for liking ponies. The "act" of fantasizing about ponies is not the social norm, and as a result, it is not good in the public's eye to do so. Unfortunately, some people seem to believe this act completely defines a person (And some people seem perfectly fine with that. See the post about that pony fleshlight.), but I don't. People are free to fantasize what they want: children, ponies, balloons, all free game. Like I said before, it's only when they flaunt it carelessly that there is a problem.
Click to expand...
The norm of society is not some law craved in stone by the gods. It's you, it's me, it's everyone. If you can't find a logical reason for bronies to not "flaunt" their fantasies, then live the change and simply... Don't care about it. You see them talking about Rainbow diapers or whatever?Just nod, leave the thread and let them be on their ways. Someone mocks them for it? Say to that person that it's not cool. That's it. If you agree there no such thing as a "better" fantasy, do that by applying the same standards to all of them.

Lumination said:
I agree to a point. As a straight male, I don't like it when guys try to be bros and share porn or whatever. I don't like your tastes, and I'd rather not know that we might be jacking off to the same thing. It's disturbing to me, but the idea of a naked humanoid pony is a little bit more disturbing. Social norms, blah blah. I'm not sure how else I can articulate why most of us think this way.
Click to expand...
I don't know why people think this way (obviously I have my theories about that) - But what's important is that you try and find a logical reason to be disturbed. If you can't find any, which you can't as you just say, you need to acknowledge that the problem isn't with the bronies - It's with you, and try and accept them. Even if they look at porn you think is disgusting. Again, try and hold all fantasies to the same standard. I'm not expecting you to succeed, just to make an effort.

Devolution said:
People don't want to know it.
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It really is their problem then. They should deal with the fact someone likes ponies.

Drago said:
I used to watch the show a bit, it was ok. Gave up on it shortly after watching it.

It's not a bad show but I really don't get the hype for it
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The same here actually. Watched a couple of episodes - They were nice I guess, but I didn't get the hype and saw no reason to keep following it.
 
someone needs to make a tumblr or something just full of pictures or video or whatever of really cool, interesting or just generally not-at-all embarrassing Bronies

all I can think of is Andrew W.K., and the Internet has been so good as showing the worst of the fandom, so someone should try and be fair here
 
FyreWulff said:
And this is all for a toy vehicle.
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I'm reminded of the biker fans and all the commercial culture that came out of it. Lots of spinoffs in clothing, TV shows, consumer goods. That one dude married a billionaire's daughter, so it worked out for him.

hrm...MLPfans = Biker fans....?
 
FyreWulff said:
Bronies aren't a brutally victimized sexual orientation, so yes
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So... Let me get this straight. You think that LGBTs taking pride and being extrovert about their sexuality is a right given to them as compensation for the oppression they've had to endure over the years?
Anyone can take pride in their sexuality, associations, cultures or even just liking a goddamn cartoon. It has nothing to do with how oppressed you are or how much "other people don't want to know about it."

Is having posters of video games just as bad? If he had a small sticker with the Umbrella logo on it or something, would you even care?
 
I'm outing myself here. I started watching a few episodes of MLP so i'm better informed before mocking bronies on the internet. Ended up actualy watching the whole show and liking it a lot. I don't own any toys, i'm not sexualy attracted to any of the ponies, i don't participate on any mlp forum etc. but i get why it's so popular.
 
dude said:
The norm of society is not some law craved in stone by the gods. It's you, it's me, it's everyone. If you can't find a logical reason for bronies to not "flaunt" their fantasies, then live the change and simply... Don't care about it. You see them talking about Rainbow diapers or whatever?Just nod, leave the thread and let them be on their ways. Someone mocks them for it? Say to that person that it's not cool. That's it. If you agree there no such thing as a "better" fantasy, do that by applying the same standards to all of them.
Click to expand...
Er... I don't mean on the internet. I've never once complained about Pony-Gaf's community thread. I mean in real life. And yes, the norm isn't carved in stone. It changes with society. At this moment in time, ponies are not normal, and people should acknowledge that.


dude said:
I don't know why people think this way (obviously I have my theories about that) - But what's important is that you try and find a logical reason to be disturbed. If you can't find any, which you can't as you just say, you need to acknowledge that the problem isn't with the bronies - It's with you, and try and accept them. Even if they look at porn you think is disgusting. Again, try and hold all fantasies to the same standard. I'm not expecting you to succeed, just to make an effort.
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A logical reason to be disturbed? I'd like to think that being attracted to and humanizing cartoon ponies for the sake of having sex with them is enough to be disturbed. Like I said, if you don't find that even a little strange, we'll have to agree to disagree. For the record, being attracted to anime waifus or whatever is also bad, imo.

But I would like to hear your theory. Don't be afraid to offend.

FyreWulff said:
Bronies aren't a brutally victimized sexual orientation, so yes
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So, you need to represent an oppressed societal group in order to wear an ornament? You're being obtuse and you know it.
 
Lumination said:
^Acerac seems like good people. You're making it sound like he would ruin your day everyday if he worked in your vicinity.
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I can safely say I have never mentioned the show to any coworker ever.

This is why I am always so active in these threads. I see so much anger over such minor things and I just sort of want to know why? As somebody who is used to being hated for stuff I have no control over it always fascinates me to wonder why everyone seems to think I should drink bleach and whatnot.
 
Bronies remind me of the hardcore anime "moe" fans so I guess I can kinda understand them. I watched and really enjoyed this so I won't talk too much shit about MLP.

Anx1b1n.jpg


However I don't understand why fans need to flaunt their obsessions so openly. It is kinda creepy, even as a fellow geek who has some sympathy. Keep it on the down low~
 
dream said:
Aren't they? I mean, look how poorly the bronies of GAF are treated.
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Well, it isn't a sexual orientation. Yes, they are looked down upon, but it's just a damn show, not a life style. Being gay is part of a person's identity. Making a show meant for kids (that is eventually going to end) part of their identity (and sexualizing it sometimes) is just off to me.
 
Lumination said:
Er... I don't mean on the internet. I've never once complained about Pony-Gaf's community thread. I mean in real life. And yes, the norm isn't carved in stone. It changes with society. At this moment in time, ponies are not normal, and people should acknowledge that.
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But society is people. If you aren't willing to treat (or attempt to treat) bronies or anyone with fantasies outside the norm with the same patience and respect you do to other people, this change will never come.

Lumination said:
A logical reason to be disturbed? I'd like to think that being attracted to and humanizing cartoon ponies for the sake of having sex with them is enough to be disturbed. Like I said, if you don't find that even a little strange, we'll have to agree to disagree. For the record, being attracted to anime waifus or whatever is also bad, imo.
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Well, even if the first thought is sickness or disgust, we must look further. We agreed that fantasies are equal, no one is better than the other. The only "normality" is the arbitrary one dictated by society (which is us.) If that is the case, there is no reason to treat people who like anime girls, or ponies, or balloons or children - any differently, and we should show them as much patience and respect as we do people who fantasize about hetero-normative stuff like boobs or whatever. So it's really up to us to make that change. That's all.


Basically, what I'm saying as that as long as no one is shoving pony porn down your throat, just accept that people like it and go on with your life.
 
LuffyZoro said:
Would you have more of a problem with this:


than this?

stark-crest-game-of-thrones.jpg


If so, why?

EDIT:


I haven't watched it, so I have no idea. The one I linked is the highest profile documentary about bronies, so I was just kinda guessing.
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The first sticker looks like some little girl being lured with balloons.
 
Charles Foster Kane said:
Well, it isn't a sexual orientation. Yes, they are looked down upon, but it's just a damn show, not a life style. Being gay is part of a person's identity. Making a show meant for kids (that is eventually going to end) part of their identity (and sexualizing it sometimes) is just off to me.
Click to expand...

But I don't think the bronies can help what they're attracted to. I could be wrong, but I suspect no brony has ever woken up one day and decided "hey, I'm going to be sexually attracted to young cartoon ponies."

I find it particularly sad that the bronies on here have to go to such lengths, perform such bizarre mental gymnastics, and act so indignant just because they know how they'd be treated if they were open about their fantasies and desires.
 
dream said:
But I don't think the bronies can help what they're attracted to. I could be wrong, but I suspect no brony has ever woken up one day and decided "hey, I'm going to be sexually attracted to young cartoon ponies."

I find it particularly sad that the bronies on here have to go to such lengths, perform such bizarre mental gymnastics, and act so indignant just because they know how they'd be treated if they were open about their fantasies and desires.
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You're still assuming that an interest in the show is by it's very nature sexual.
 
Charles Foster Kane said:
Well, it isn't a sexual orientation. Yes, they are looked down upon, but it's just a damn show, not a life style. Being gay is part of a person's identity. Making a show meant for kids (that is eventually going to end) part of their identity (and sexualizing it sometimes) is just off to me.
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I've been told I need to kill myself since before I was 10. Let me assure you, it doesn't feel any better to hear it because I enjoy a damned tv show.

After all, it's still me who is wrong to like this show. It's my fault and according to many I need mental care because of it.

The sad part is the show isn't even good any more; it's sucked since early Season 2. I'm still here defending it because I just can't understand the hate.
 
Acerac said:
I've been told I need to kill myself since before I was 10. Let me assure you, it doesn't feel any better to hear it because I enjoy a damned tv show.

After all, it's still me who is wrong to like this show. It's my fault and I should probably be killed for it. =/
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It's not people enjoying a show that is annoying. It is turning a show into a lifestyle. People being unable to operate in reality without living out the fantasy of a tv show.
 
Konka said:
It's not people enjoying a show that is annoying. It is turning a show into a lifestyle. People being unable to operate in reality without living out the fantasy of a tv show.
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Pretty sure this is the result of underlying issues that have nothing to do with the show.
 
dude said:
But society is people. If you aren't willing to treat (or attempt to treat) bronies or anyone with fantasies outside the norm with the same patience and respect you do to other people, this change will never come.


Well, even if the first thought is sickness or disgust, we must look further. We agreed that fantasies are equal, no one is better than the other. The only "normality" is the arbitrary one dictated by society (which is us.) If that is the case, there is no reason to treat people who like anime girls, or ponies, or balloons or children - any differently, and we should show them as much patience and respect as we do people who fantasize about hetero-normative stuff like boobs or whatever. So it's really up to us to make that change. That's all.


Basically, what I'm saying as that as long as no one is shoving pony porn down your throat, just accept that people like it and go on with your life.
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I can say that I've never treated a brony (or anime nerd, Star Wars nerds, etc.) with disrespect because of their interests. That said, I will hold a some reservation for the people who are sexually aroused by cartoon ponies.

It's not like I don't get treated the same way. (Try bringing up video games and internet forums at a dinner with a lady friend.) Sure, you can propose that we all treat each other equally over interests and recarve the stone and so forth, but eh, as a fellow victim of similar societal "oppression", I think the much more realistic solution is to fuck the haters, keep enjoying what you enjoy, but hey, keep it to yourself.

It shouldn't have to be said, but of course LGBT groups and victims of racism are not in the scope of what I've just said.
 
Acerac said:
I've been told I need to kill myself since before I was 10. Let me assure you, it doesn't feel any better to hear it because I enjoy a damned tv show.

After all, it's still me who is wrong to like this show. It's my fault and according to many I need mental care because of it.

The sad part is the show isn't even good any more; it's sucked since early Season 2. I'm still here defending it because I just can't understand the hate.
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Wait, so you willingly put yourself in a situation where people treat you like shit? I'm not sure the brony haters are the problem here.
 
Konka said:
It's not people enjoying a show that is annoying. It is turning a show into a lifestyle. People being unable to operate in reality without living out the fantasy of a tv show.
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That and comparing the fact that people don't get it to the plight to homosexuality and civil rights. Not really doing themselves favors.

As for not harming anyone if I was buying my child a toy I'd be pretty annoyed with this little gathering:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1tbsz1-_6g
 
Konka said:
It's not people enjoying a show that is annoying. It is turning a show into a lifestyle. People being unable to operate in reality without living out the fantasy of a tv show.
Click to expand...
I know WAY more bronies than you do. Almost nobody acts like that. In my years of wearing a pony sticker at my very public workplace I've seen literally one person who has started fangasaming over it. She was a girl, for reference.

Methinks people see one person act this way and assume everyone behaves in the same manner, even if the person they see exists on a video on the internet. Most pony fans are just normal people who happen to enjoy the show.
 
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