Brony discussion split

[TSTR]

Well, he already has us Star Trek nerds to deal with.

[Key-Glyph]

I saw John de Lancie at FanExpo in Vancouver earlier this year, and the brony thing factored into his talk...but he was such a pretentious douche about everything. He even mocked people (and not in a fun way) that were asking him questions. Lowest point of the con without question.

He told us that he does't know a whole lot about MLP or the fandom surrounding it, it's just an easy paycheque.

Wow! I'm totally shocked, because that's counter to all the interviews I've seen with him online, and the fact that he was a huge force behind the documentary.

I wonder what the deal is?

[irixith]

I saw John de Lancie at FanExpo in Vancouver earlier this year, and the brony thing factored into his talk...but he was such a pretentious douche about everything. He even mocked people (and not in a fun way) that were asking him questions. Lowest point of the con without question.

He told us that he does't know a whole lot about MLP or the fandom surrounding it, it's just an easy paycheque.

Wow! I'm totally shocked, because that's counter to all the interviews I've seen with him online, and the fact that he was a huge force behind the documentary.

I wonder what the deal is?

I know...he wouldn't let people record him either. Any time he even saw a phone or camera he'd launch into this big speech about how why should he bother to go to cons if people are just going to record him and share it. (Which was a valid point...) He was just so pretentious about everything. Maybe it was a bad day for him. It's a shame, because some of the other guests (Giancarlo Esposito is a notable example) were absolutely incredible, very friendly, and had a lot of insight to offer.

He talked a lot about being asked to do a project, and only checking two things -- he had the time available, and the pay was in his ballpark. That's how he ended up doing MLP. Oh, the crushed hearts of the MLP fans.

[MrEco]

I have no idea about what number and/or percentage of MLP fans may be autistic, and I do not know if it is less or more than other nerdy fan bases. So kind of can't help there. But I would like to give my 2 cents on a different issue.

Now, I am a fan of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. But I don't refer to myself as a brony, and I don't think I ever will. It's an extension of the problems with gender roles in our society that on top of generally thinking of certain types of people as "weird" we also tend to officially label them. In my mind "brony" is just another of those kinds of labels, and I choose to not use it.

It's similar to the problem I have with how the term "gamer" get's thrown around. A lot of people like video games, but only those who are heavily enthusiastic about video games get labeled as "gamers" because it's those people that are considered weird by the mainstream. Video games are still largely viewed as violent, misogynist, immature, etc, so saying "I like video games" to some people is akin to telling them you're a horrible person at worst or a social outcast at best, and those people will jump at the chance to label you so that others like them can quickly and easily discard your thoughts, opinions, or even existence, as unimportant.

Similarly, brony get's used as such a label. To some people saying "I'm a brony" is akin to admitting that you like furry porn, or that you're a pedophile. I am neither of those things, I'm just someone who happens to like MLP, and also happens to be a 21 year old male.

There are no special labels for people who watch TV, watch movies, read books, listen to music, or play sports. Those people are interested in mainstream, popular, socially acceptable entertainment. Therefor they are "normal" and worth respecting.


Or maybe I'm just ranting, I tend to do that.

EDIT: Just wanted to make something clear real quick. I know that not everyone thinks badly of bronies, and not every uses brony like an insult or a dismissive label, specifically I know that nobody in this thread uses it as such. So don't worry, I won't be offended if anyone calls me a brony, nor will I try to "correct" you.

[Jmustang1968]

I think you are way off base with the gamer label. They are considered much more than social outcast at best. Video games are mainstream now.

But there are terms for the others. Movie buff, sports fan etc... These are also broad and sweeping terms and isnt comparable to specific MLP. Movies, games, and TV have a wide range of genres. It is more comparable to a trekkie or something similar. A very focused and obsessed fan base.

Part of the weird and nerd of it is the fixation/adoration/obsession with a single specified show. Another part, it is a show about ponies which is associated with, marketed, and designed for preteens and more specifically preteen girls. Then on top of that, you have the perceived association of social outcasts and nerds and internet pedophilia, which adds to the social scorn. I am not saying bronies are pedos, but too often perception is the reality people see.

As many on here eschew society's gender roles, the vast majority of people like and follow them. I also think there are some natural gender differences and inclinations that people who dont like gender roles tend to ignore. But, if someone, especially a kid, doesnt follow them, they shouldnt be shamed for it either.

[EllertMichael]

Without the Brony cons we wouldn't have this gem: My Little Pony Convention 2013 Highlights

[mjmjr25]

Ellert, stop watching ponies on youtube and come STGT w/us, please.

[ZeroAX]

The fact that a group of gamers are willing to put ANY tag on another group of people who like something, after years of being called man-children, people who have no life, and most recently after gamersgate and the FemFreq things is just

[Ack]

8 pages in, Hobie and I still don't have an answer to our question about rates of autism among My Little Pony fans and the use of autism organizational color code badges at conventions.

[TSTR]

I'd like those answers too.