I agree that people overreact to things sometimes (Especially when something is a joke and isn't meant to be taken seriously), but what I will not stand for are bigoted, sexist, racist, etc comments, which are against the site's rules and should be punished accordingly.

I agree that people overreact to things sometimes (Especially when something is a joke and isn't meant to be taken seriously), but what I will not stand for are bigoted, sexist, racist, etc comments, which are against the site's rules and should be punished accordingly.

I never said that such things should be tolerated. Those generally count as the bullying I was describing not being acceptable. I did say that you should treat each other with human dignity and respect, which means that you shouldn't post bigoted, sexist, or racist things.

I am simply saying that people often overreact to things that they have no reason to be offended over, maybe because they simply like the drama it creates. Such drama does not belong in the fandom, but for a more reasonable expectation, it should at least be kept out of the forums.

Sometimes I've caught myself expecting something more or different of the fandom at large, but in retrospect I never should. The fandom is a diverse and huge group of people, brought together by only one thing, and for just as diverse a number of reasons.

MLP is not a faith, we are not it's adherents, and the show isn't a sacred text. In short, there's no basis to believe that others within the fandom should or will behave in accordance with my, or your, or anyone's idea of how a [real fan who gets it] would act.

Losing hope in the fandom over perceived negative behaviors is, ultimately, the same thing as just losing hope in people in general, as the fandom is just a random sampling of people, notwithstanding the one non-essential trait that brings us together.

But like I said, I've made the mistake of expecting other people within the fandom to do things I didn't *really* have a reason to expect them to. So I've tried to remember what a fandom is: people you can start a conversation with based on what you're a fan of. Where it goes from there, and what kind of a person they will ultimately be is a crapshoot. But you'll meet a lot of good ones because the fandom gives you a way to just meet people in general.

And you'll meet some not so good ones. And that sucks, but so what? Lousy people are the norm. I wouldn't take my frustration over that out on the one group of people who've given me so much. I take them all as they are, as individuals on their own merits, for better for worse, and I've done my best not to think of the fandom as more than a meeting space.

What you say is good advice, and it's good because it's good for everyone, everywhere. And personally? .. the forum itself is just a meeting space within the meeting space of the fandom. I like to take my significant conversations, my one on ones, my really meaningful discussions .. into the PM system. Or here, replying to your blog.

Oh .. and even on a bad day, it's still better than chan imageboards. So there's that.

"If you try to express your opinion by yelling at everybody who doesn't agree, you won't change any minds, and just end up discrediting your own beliefs."

Then why are you trying? No matter what one says, it isn't going to cause major cure-all repercussions across this fandom.

I never said that such things should be tolerated. Those generally count as the bullying I was describing not being acceptable. I did say that you should treat each other with human dignity and respect, which means that you shouldn't post bigoted, sexist, or racist things.

 

I am simply saying that people often overreact to things that they have no reason to be offended over, maybe because they simply like the drama it creates.

Oh I didn't mean that. I worded that wrong. I'm not saying you support such comments, I'm just saying that comments & posts can only go so far before they become a problem. I do agree with you that overreacting to certain things is noticeably becoming more apparent around the forums and fandom as a whole.

"If you try to express your opinion by yelling at everybody who doesn't agree, you won't change any minds, and just end up discrediting your own beliefs."

 

Then why are you trying? No matter what one says, it isn't going to cause major cure-all repercussions across this fandom.

I know it won't, but if it even changes one person a little bit, it was worth posting.

Not caring and not doing anything about it is why the problem exists in the first place. I happen to like and care about these forums, and the fandom as a whole, quite a lot. That's why I'm trying.

I don't happen to be a misanthrope or a pessimist, and I think that while the problem isn't possible to fix entirely, it can be less of a problem than it currently is.

I don't understand the urge to promote explicit material. Whether or not its an adult that likes said explicit material or argues the fate of it doesn't make this situation any better either. These are exploits outsiders will constantly use against bronies as internet porn (especially ponies) is taboo to them.

In this case, what Howard Stern said about bronies in the first place isn't far at all from the truth.

...internet porn...

 

You're acting like that isn't something every fandom creates. Bronies are the only fandom I know that makes such a big deal about it. Mainly because of the rampant immaturity running throughout.

Who cares what those outside the fandom think? If you joined the fandom for the public opinion, this post isn't relevant to you.

Every fandom produces porn ..

And I know that's expected, and lots of people like it and sexuality isn't bad ..

but .. iunno ..

I still wish it would go away.

Every fandom produces porn ..

And I know that's expected, and lots of people like it and sexuality isn't bad ..

but .. iunno ..

I still wish it would go away.

Well, there's always the option not to view it.

Well I like to hop in stating that I have not been around forums for long but what do you mean over reacting I have not noticed anything.

Well I like to hop in stating that I have not been around forums for long but what do you mean over reacting I have not noticed anything.

Overreacting to insignificant opinions?

The March Madness thread comes to mind.

You're acting like that isn't something every fandom creates. Bronies are the only fandom I know that makes such a big deal about it. Mainly because of the rampant immaturity running throughout.

Every fandom creates internet porn! The Japanese Anime fanbase is one of the largest producers of it! ... and thanks for caring about the rest of my post.

The reason why it seems like we make a big deal about it is because everyone and anyone outside this fanbase will fight tooth and nail to get dirt on a group of men who watch a TV show geared towards little girls. When haters make such assumptions about bronies and bestiality regarding our pony pornography, it will result in bronies frowning upon cloppers in attempt to try to show to the world that this community is more than a bunch of perverts who want to see pony ass. Bronies who like adult content, also fail to be discreet about it when it comes to associating with their fellow herd members regarding clop, further angering their "non-cloppng" pony brethren. Which leads to more bronies labeling such people as 'cloppers' as a derogatory term for folks who masturbate to ponies.

All this because many bronies who believe that ostracizing such will make them better in the eyes of the public who constantly insults us. Embracing pony porn like its the best thing about this show will only result in more negative public opinions.

Overreacting to insignificant opinions?

 

The March Madness thread comes to mind.

I am not familiar about that either I am sorry I joined a week ago.

Every fandom creates internet porn! The Japanese Anime fanbase is one of the largest producers of it! ... and thanks for caring about the rest of my post.

 

The reason why it seems like we make a big deal about it is because everyone and anyone outside this fanbase will fight tooth and nail to get dirt on a group of men who watch a TV show geared towards little girls. When haters make such assumptions about bronies and bestiality regarding our pony pornography, it will result in bronies frowning upon cloppers in attempt to try to show to the world that this community is more than a bunch of perverts who want to see pony ass. Bronies who like adult content, also fail to be discreet about it when it comes to associating with their fellow herd members regarding clop, further angering them. Which leads to more bronies labeling such people as cloppers as a derogatory term for folks who masturbate to ponies.

 

All this because many bronies who believe that ostracizing such will make them better in the eyes of the public who constantly insults us. Embracing pony porn like its the best thing about this show will only result in more negative public opinions.

Your entire argument is based one one huge false assumption:

That a lack of legitimate reasons to insult us would cause the haters to stop.

It would not. They say these things even if they're ungrounded in order to upset and offend us. They do not care if it's actually true. So by ostracizing the other parts of the fandom, you're only making BOTH the haters AND the "dark side" of the fandom your enemies.

The world doesn't care if there is actually any basis to their claims as long as they get under our skin.

Thus, public opinion would be no different even if pony porn wasn't a thing. They'd still say it was a thing.

I am not familiar about that either I am sorry I joined a week ago.

It's alright.

Your entire argument is based one one huge false assumption:

 

That a lack of legitimate reasons to insult us would cause the haters to stop.

 

It would not. They say these things even if they're ungrounded in order to upset and offend us. They do not care if it's actually true. So by ostracizing the other parts of the fandom, you're only making BOTH the haters AND the "dark side" of the fandom your enemies.

 

The world doesn't care if there is actually any basis to their claims as long as they get under our skin.

 

Thus, public opinion would be no different even if pony porn wasn't a thing. They'd still say it was a thing.

I didn't say I agree with it, it's just the only logical way to explain why bronies stick to such initiative. Because that's the truth as there is no other reason why they do it, these occurrences happen frequently between the furry community and their attempt to cast out the yiff side of their fandom, to make themselves look better in the eyes of the people who insult them.

They don't care who is the enemy or how many there are of them, just how pure their slice of the pie is.

I didn't say I agree with it, it's just the only logical way to explain why bronies stick to such initiative. Because that's the truth as there is no other reason why they do it, these occurrences happen frequently between the furry community and their attempt to cast out the yiff side of their fandom, to make themselves look better in the eyes of the people who insult them.

 

They don't care who is the enemy or how many there are of them, just how pure their slice of the pie is.

This conversation reminds me of how much I hate the idea of titles of a persons identity.

I hope I haven't done any of this.

I do have one sore spot though. If someone is being a bigoted prick like certain unpopular users on here all bets are off when it comes to respecting their opinion. 

The March Madness thread comes to mind.

If I had to do that over again I would have just left it at that one statement of disapproval quit while I was ahead and did what Thrashy did and started a redo (which contrary to your predictions has not become a shitstorm) and poured my energy into that or if it was already created support it like I am already doing now instead of taking the blatant bait set by the host. I was mad am still mad and had every right to be but I still could have handled things a lot better than I did. 

I have been in many fandoms and forums throughout the years and I am not going to claim this place is perfect and know stuff like this goes on here, but I don't let it discourage me because as bad as it can sometimes get this fandom is still far more civil than any of the others I have been in. While I am not excusing bad behavior and there are segments of the fandom that annoy me and you mentioned most of them in this post we all need to recognize that while things will never be completely perfect that are simple things we can do to contribute to a more positive environment.

Huh... Banned it seems...

Huh... Banned it seems...

But why?