Miles

Oh boy... Well, you see, I tend to develop 'habits' and/or 'routines' - because of that, I watch MLP quite often. Now, currently I do not watch it as much as I used to, but let's say I probably watch it at least 4 days a week; on those days that I do watch it, I probably watch between 1 and 3 episodes, give or take. Note: I have to watch things in chronological order; starting season 1 episode 1, so on and so forth, through each season. Having been a brony for half a year now, I've probably watched all seasons, 1 thru 4 (all episodes; chronologically), like 4 or 5 times. Someone asked if watching it so much could burn me out from being so interested. To them, I say: Lmao. I don't burn out easy. Some people don't like that they have to live by routine... I, however, choose to follow routines (that I plan for myself). Yes, that's right... I like it. Why? Well, let me explain it like this: It's not that I "love the routine" as much as it is that I "hate it when something breaks my routine" - I'm the kind of person who plans things in their head. High priority are things I have to do, like my job (duh, lol). But I plan my free (usually prior to), in my head, so that I won't be wasting time thinking "what should I do" when I am in that free time - unless, of course, my plan is exactly that (to have free time to just chill and not really do anything). Anyway, back on topic, I watch MLP in the evening, lol.

This might seem complicated, but hopefully I don't have to write a novel to make it understandable. I'm quite an emotionally sensitive guy. If you're familiar with Myers-Briggs/Jungs Personality types, I'm an INFJ. When I first started watching MLP, my intentions were just based solely on curiosity. But, as I got more into the show, I began to realize just how emotionally connected I was to it. As someone prone to being easily attached to things/people/etc., I got really attached to the show emotionally. A real world example of my attachment/emotional insecurity (for lack of a better word; as, I'm not "insecure" per se, but I think you get the point): as a child I sucked my thumb until I was probably 7 or 8, and slept with my "blankey" 'til I was in about 4th or 5th grade, and on occasion I would even do it in 6th and 7th. Out of fear of this being found out and being made fun of, I "quit cold turkey" from doing that (sleeping with my blankey) in 7th grade. *I promise I'm going to relate this back to MLP soon* ... My personality has it that I only like having a small-ish group of close friends. I'm not overly shy, and honestly with my friends I can be pretty outgoing, but when I try to make new friends (such as just this past year - my freshman year of college), I am pretty shy. I am also a pretty "to-myself/secretive (not in a bad way)" kind of person. Now, to relate this to MLP... I became connected to it very emotionally. It heightened my levels of emotion, as in, things in the show would make me happier than normal if they were happy things; sadder than normal if they were sad. Countless episodes, of course, made me cry... but the one I want to refer to now is the season 3 finale when Twilight became an alicorn. The song with Celestia singing to Twilight about past events, my eyes were so filled with tears I could hardly see the screen. Don't get me wrong, when the episode was all said and done, I reflected about it and came to the conclusion that I loved it, but it was like seeing a child grow up too fast, you know. As of now, I've watched all 4 seasons through and through probably 4 or 5 times. I watch it because I have a part of me that needs to be filled with love. If it's not filled in some way, I start to feel lonely. Now, I promise you something that might be hard to believe, but I've never been depressed, and I believe I don't even have the capability/capacity for myself to be depressed, however, what I get instead is just this sadness. I'm one of those people who say after I cry I end up feeling much happier. MLP has been something to me that has helped me retain my content-ness, as to which, I normally am happy or content like 90% of the time anyway, but MLP has just made it all the better. I just really wish I could actually have a hug by one of the ponies for real, though. Sometimes I think I get my happiness from affection (in a clean manner, mind you). A single, long hug could go a long way for may. At the end of the day, I'm just really glad I found the show. I don't know what else would have been there to do what it does for me. I might be a simple country boy, but I'm not the average country boy. Sorry this was so long ...

Finally I can say: It looks like we've come to an agreement. You are correct, in that things obviously can't always stay the same. I just wasn't being explicit enough in my previous post; changes that take place inside a television show are to be expected. When I say "I don't like change" I don't mean I want absolutely everything to stay the same, lmao. That'd be ridiculous ... Changes are naturally to be expected. I just meant that I don't like "changes" that stray from hard set traditions in real life...

OKAY SO I LIED about that one being the last response to you. However, THIS reply to you is actually not even focused on MLP. You chose the wrong word choice, sir. People "who don't want change" (or people or "don't like change") are not shallow and hollow people. I am pretty hard rooted in following traditions... for their own sake, and for the sake of tradition itself. I do not like change. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I debate with myself yet to today about it! Seriously. I've watched all 4 seasons through and through, at least 4 times... and I still am unable to decide. My fallback is to just say A.J. because of our similar country ways of life, but I was daydreaming at work today and had the strangest idea pop into my head. This: Ask myself, how would I react if [name of pony] just walked out of the field to me/flew out of the sky and landed in front of me? To my own astonishment, I realized that I would be the most excited if it were Rainbow Dash or Twilight, then Applejack (as in, my level of excitement would be just a tad bit less). I surprised myself by that. Yet still, from episode to episode, or season to season... I change my top favorite ponies' positions. To be honest, I love them all, and it's kind of like asking someone who has many kids "which child is your favorite"... If you know what I mean. Anyway, I think favoritism works best subconsciously. In other words, initial reactions, and even gut instincts, can show how you really feel (i.e. about somepony) more than trying to consciously decide.

I'm done going back and forth with you, nioniosbbbb. I'm going to make this as straight forward as possible. I don't care about the commercialization, profit making, so on and so forth, that Hasbro does/gets with MLP. The show itself puts forth excellent life lessons, traits, morals and values, and should I ever have kids, I'd be happy to let them learn from it. Lastly, I do not watch it "because it has a mainly female cast" - rather, because it provides a show I can feel emotionally connected to for all the right reasons. Peace.

Okay, it seems it was just a lot of misunderstood intentions on both ends. Sorry 'bout that. There are two things I do still want to comment on... Firstly, I don't expect kids to understand the complexities, etc... So, that was probably just a misunderstanding. Secondly, I totally agree with you about the equality/gender/race/whatever-have-you issue. I think the problem only arises when people bring it up, basically like what you said in the above quote. HOWEVER... What relevance is this to MLP? MLP is not all female. Wait, I just want to clear up any other possible misunderstandings you may have about my view. I'm a simple, traditional country boy. I watch MLP because it's good, clean, funny, and at the same time brings out the more passionate side of myself via its heart-warming love and tolerance. However, I do not think the show is utterly feministic. Also, I have a feeling that you and I are more similar than you may think. Because, this: AND THIS: Are actually things that I totally agree with. Now, seemingly a contradiction - how can I agree with you AND Jennabun, when seemingly you are on different sides? Well, I just think you misunderstand what Jennabun actually means. All in all, I'll just say this - TV shows are for entertainment. MLP... is for entertainment. However, because of the fact that children (and adults too, really) learn from basically anything they look at, hear, etc., TV shows put ideas into our heads. I personally see nothing wrong with what MLP could possibly teach kids. So... I guess my question is, to you of course, nioniosbbbb, what exactly am I missing that you think MLP is doing wrong?

You're most definitely welcome . It's funny, really, how sometimes conversations with subjects that could seemingly tie one's political stance in a negative way actually does just the opposite - it brings in support so that an issue can have people from a wide range of backgrounds on either side. I actually had a class in college last semester called "How Do You Know: Ethics in Advertising," and I can say that, I sometimes found it difficult to be in agreement with the general consensus at times, as most of the students leaned to the left on the political scale, whereas I leaned right. Ironically, on this specific issue about MLP and gender, it's not just politics... But it's common sense that needs to be brought into play! Like I said before, I watch the show LOVE watching MLP because it gives me a break from shows that are stupidly over masculine and/or contain retardedly high amounts of violence and sex. It's nice to be able to sit down and enjoy a civil, innocent (yet still funny and witty enough for adults), and heart-warming show with characters who I feel connected to. I mean, seriously, the country ways of Applejack - they're pretty much the same country ways as mine. She even has my levels of stubbornness (of being able to do things independently unless she otherwise asks for help). Anyways, I think we'd best not let nioniosbbbb be able to unnerve us so easily. Maybe he had a bad day, but even if that's not the case, let's just fight fire with water, instead of with fire, if you know what I mean .

Um... I never once said that shows have to be gender focused. You are taking things out of context. I simply mean, literally, it is what it is, ergo, that the show was made to appeal to children, mostly girls, but that it also can (obviously) appeal to men and women of any age. I watch it because I can relate to the sympathetic warmness, loving and caring, and even witty humor that is in it. Also, I'll have you know that: One, as a straight male I'm definitely not a feminist... Two, how exactly would they (kids) get involved in this [which is not pointless bickering, I'll have you know, we are having a calm adult convo about a show we all love]...? Three, it might surprise you to know that I'm a conservative, yet I still absolutely agree with Jennabun. As a member a of MLP forums, since of course I assume you are a brony, why are you being the way you are? Love and tolerate, good fellow. You shouldn't get irate so quickly. This is a place for people to voice there opinions in a happy manner, spreading the love, wisdom, affection, and joy of all that is incorporated into the MLP brony fandom. And if you ever felt offended by something I said, I am sorry about that. I'm just a blunt person. Let's try and keep this as peaceful as possible, eh?

Well darn tootin, Jennabun said it 10x better than I did. Especially THIS: I'm a guy, and that (what I quoted Jennabun) is exactly my opinion. I enjoy it for its inherent femininity. Heck, I gotta take a break from watching shows about cars sometimes, and I'm a gearhead!

I think this question is one where whoever are the ones asking "why not more male ponies" etc. are people who can't accept the obvious answer. Y'all know what the darn answer [obvious] answer is. The lesser obvious answer is --> hey, you got into MLP, watched countless episodes where it was obviously centered on the Mane 6, and you liked them, hence you being a brony/pegasister. Thus, YOU liked a show where the main characters were female, and previously did not have any conscious or subconscious "problems" - for lack of a better word - with that. By asking these "why not more males/stallions" etc. questions... you are really only contradicting your past self. By all means, if you're okay with contradicting yourself... go ahead and ask. But your going to get the same obvious answers every time. Now, hear me out on this - I'm not out to be a dream crusher or anything negative at all. I'm just being honest and blunt. I think it's wonderful to ask questions, to ask why not's, and really it's still an innocent question to ask "why not more stallions" - but, talking amongst ourselves rather than actually talking to someone from Hasbro likely won't do much to help. Just saying. Should Hasbro ever decide to do it - to make more male centered episodes - power to'em, and I'll love them like any other episode. I'm not against it. I'm just a realist .

I actually don't think it has passed it's golden age just yet. Think of it this way: Whether or not some newcomers to the fandom are "bad apples," there are still alot of good ones, too, thus, widening the potential extra amount of awesomeness that could possibly come from the good old fans as well as the good new fans... Human nature has it that we subconsciously react more to negative stimuli as compared to positive stimuli, but if you slow down and analyze things more carefully, you'll see that there's a majority more good [fans] than bad. I therefore believe that there really is still a good year, maybe even 2 years left of MLP fandom's Golden Age...