3588 replies to this topic

[NoeL]

Trust me, it takes serious balls to admit you watch a show aimed at five year old girls.

You keep saying that... a lot. It's like you're only such an outspoken fanboy because you think you've got something to prove. "Check it out guys, I like MLP and I'm NOT ashamed of it! " So what? Do you think people SHOULD be ashamed for liking it, and you're special because you're not ashamed?

[Moosh]

You keep saying that... a lot. It's like you're only such an outspoken fanboy because you think you've got something to prove. "Check it out guys, I like MLP and I'm NOT ashamed of it! " So what? Do you think people SHOULD be ashamed for liking it, and you're special because you're not ashamed?

Not necessarily. It just takes balls to admit that you like something others consider weird. It's not something you SHOULD be ashamed of. There's no moral right or wrong involved. It's just not what people consider the norm. The norm can change though. That's what's so great about it.

[NoeL]

Do people actually consider it weird though? That's the thing.

[Radien]

Do people actually consider it weird though? That's the thing.

It's reactionary. Most guys, at least in America, grow up in an environment where males are made fun of for liking anything even remotely girly. If you've forgotten how bad it is, try volunteering in a grade school classroom sometime. I could tell you about a little boy who refused to take a RED napkin at snack time because it was "too girly." And this was only a couple of years ago. The constant teasing makes boys really oversensitive about it, given time.

In contrast, when I was REALLY young, I watched Care Bears and thought nothing of it. If you compare it to My Little Pony, the only real stylistic difference is that it has slightly less pink and slightly more fluffy white clouds. I think this shows that macho paranoia is learned behavior.

So anyway, guys who grow up amidst that sort of thing start to feel hesitant. No, males SHOULDN'T feel embarrassed about liking something like this. But it's difficult to ignore the overwhelming attitude of those who think otherwise.

Fortunately, times change, and I think people's attitudes are slowly improving and shedding the useless machismo. Also, once kids get to college, they often start to rediscover the sorts of things they WOULD have shown interest in if outside forces hadn't discouraged them.

[Chakaa]

Do people actually consider it weird though? That's the thing.

Hell yes, at least from most of the people I told.

[Fabbrizio]

People shouldn't have to feel ashamed for watching this show, but considering how often the fanbase is attacked, being called f*****s, pedophiles, regressive infantile man-children, etc....I know people who have lost friends for admitting they watch this show. So NoeL, I know YOU'VE never paid the status quo much mind, but here in America we're practically raised on it. So yeah, we kind of DO have something to prove.

Also:

It's reactionary. Most guys, at least in America, grow up in an environment where males are made fun of for liking anything even remotely girly. If you've forgotten how bad it is, try volunteering in a grade school classroom sometime. I could tell you about a little boy who refused to take a RED napkin at snack time because it was "too girly." And this was only a couple of years ago. The constant teasing makes boys really oversensitive about it, given time.

In contrast, when I was REALLY young, I watched Care Bears and thought nothing of it. If you compare it to My Little Pony, the only real stylistic difference is that it has slightly less pink and slightly more fluffy white clouds. I think this shows that macho paranoia is learned behavior.

So anyway, guys who grow up amidst that sort of thing start to feel hesitant. No, males SHOULDN'T feel embarrassed about liking something like this. But it's difficult to ignore the overwhelming attitude of those who think otherwise.

Fortunately, times change, and I think people's attitudes are slowly improving and shedding the useless machismo. Also, once kids get to college, they often start to rediscover the sorts of things they WOULD have shown interest in if outside forces hadn't discouraged them.

This. SOOO MUCH.

Edited by PowerGauntlets, 08 August 2011 - 06:53 AM.

[NoeL]

People shouldn't have to feel ashamed for watching this show, but considering how often the fanbase is attacked, being called f*****s, pedophiles, regressive infantile man-children, etc.

Did you ever think part of that might be because of the ridiculous level of obsession "bronies" have for the show? It's like furries - they have a weird animal fetish thing going on, good for them - I don't care. But it's annoying as hell when they feel the need to wear it on every single aspect of their life, just so they can cry "fursecution" when someone points it out.

Remember that South Park episode where Mr. Garrison tries to get fired for being gay? It's like that. No one cares that he's gay, and there wouldn't be a problem if he wasn't throwing it in everyone's face. No one cares that you like a show about ponies, but just tone town the rabid fanboyism. There's no need for it.

(also, I recognise that I'm being somewhat hypocritical since some would argue I inject my atheism wherever I can, but shush! )

[Fabbrizio]

I think you're becoming judgmental on an entirely different level now, and I'd greatly appreciate it if you'd just let it go. You don't have all the details in this discussion, so you can't REALLY form an accurate opinion.

There are people who hide that they watch it, but whose friends eventually find out. And then they're left with no friends. Why? Because people don't like people who are open-minded and willing to try things that aren't aimed at them.

People who don't even know there's a craze for this show going on will call it's fans "pedophiles" because somehow in their mind the only adults who watch kid's shows are parents and pedophiles. Why do they think ths? Because people fear what they don't understand. They don't know why a grown man would watch a show aimed at young girls, so they assume that person is some kind of sick-minded degenerate.

NoeL, you've seen the obsession, but that's all you've seen. What you HAVEN'T seen is the other side of the conflict, the side that happens to the people who don't wear this show around like a sandwich board. I wear it proudly on every facet of my profile and my life because I know hiding it won't do any good. People will eventually find out either way, so I'd prefer to take the "deal with it" approach.

Edited by PowerGauntlets, 08 August 2011 - 08:46 AM.

[NoeL]

Ok, I can respect that. It actually draws a rather close parallel with atheism and why I wear that label myself.

[Chakaa]

http://twilightspark...36b7ee61d8a.png

I found another funny picture

Edited by FefeRawft, 16 August 2011 - 12:16 AM.

[Fabbrizio]

Lol, that's epic! I'm so using that!

Ok, I can respect that. It actually draws a rather close parallel with atheism and why I wear that label myself.

Holy crap, I said something you can respect? I never thought that would happen. Seriously, I don't think we've ever agreed on anything....ever!

Edited by PowerGauntlets, 08 August 2011 - 10:06 AM.

[Moosh]

Holy crap, I said something you can respect? I never thought that would happen. Seriously, I don't think we've ever agreed on anything....ever!

A cynical clock has to be powergauntlets twice a day, right? No I think I got that confused somehow...

On a more related note, that pic fefe posted is now my favorite picture ever!

[Fabbrizio]

A cynical clock has to be powergauntlets twice a day, right?

*gigglesnort*

Also:


EDIT: Replaced with one that's 20% cooler.

EDIT 2: Found my new favorite picture.
http://jacobminkoff....re-watching.jpg

Edited by PowerGauntlets, 08 August 2011 - 12:06 PM.

[Jared]

Just finished episode 5. THE STUPID GRIFFIN MADE FLUTTERSHY CRY! I'M GOING TO EFF HER UP!
xD
The ending was actually unexpected, though. I thought Pinkie Pie did all that, but it was actually Rainbow Dash.

Off to episode 6!

[Fabbrizio]

OHHH You're about to encounter...

THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE!

Just finished episode 5. THE STUPID GRIFFIN MADE FLUTTERSHY CRY! I'M GOING TO EFF HER UP!xD

God, I just wanted to reach through the screen and hug fluttershy and tell her everything would be okay when I saw that. But then, you can probably tell I'm a Fluttershy fanboy.

Edited by PowerGauntlets, 08 August 2011 - 02:24 PM.