Constant Clover
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Just like Bilbo did to the trolls! Just keep them talking until the dawn breaks and turns them into stone. I'm glad to see that most of us aren't very worried about verbal attacks on us and are also ready to defend others who maybe aren't as secure as we are ourselves. I Bronies! Keep up the good work, everypony! -
Hiya! Thanks for this thread, everypony. It's funny that I always seem to contribute to threads along this line. But it's not really very surprising, if you know me. I appreciate what a lot of you are saying about taking trolls with a grain of salt. That's good advice and it's something that I am only starting to learn myself. I'm a little older, and the kinds of discourse I find on the internet are often a bit of a shock to me. But, I'm going to take a different angle to the question--not so much should we control our emotions, but should we CARE. It's fine to say, "Enjoy what you enjoy, with other people who enjoy it too," but I don't think we should just ignore the wider cultural context in which we live. We're very fortunate to have this kind, tolerant brony culture to live in, but the world around us is rife with hatred--sexism, racism, homophobia, religious intolerance and everything else. I think to a certain degree we SHOULD be upset about this. I would like to see a more active kind of brony culture that takes on the evils of the world around us and NOT tolerate them. We have a good thing started here. We have made a small dent in the prevailing social attitudes around us. But I don't think we should just stop and be complacent. I think we should take what we have learned from ponies and change the world. It's kinda like with King Sombra and the Crystal Empire, I think. When you know there are people out there spreading hatred and destroying innocent people with it, do you just stand back and let it happen? Or do you battle? *Rainbow Dash Battle Face* I was thinking about you when I wrote my post above... thanks... /) I hear you... And it's not just about us defending ourselves either. It's also about defending people WHO DON'T HAVE A COMMUNITY LIKE OURS TO SUPPORT THEM. There are people out there being bullied by the same people with the same tactics that they use on us. When we battle the bullies--you know, call them on their prejudices--it's not just bronies and brony culture we are defending, it is defending the freedoms that we represent. The haters don't hate us because we watch a television show and buy toys. They hate us because we are making it acceptable for people to like what they want, regardless of societal age- and gender-lines. We represent a form of social liberation. That's what the haters are attacking, and they're doing it because they want to perpetuate the oppression that we have fortunately escaped (for now anyway). There are innocent victims of hatred out there. Like you and me, they want to hear a message like ponies, and be told it's okay to be who you are. Brony haters attack us, because they want to stop ponies from getting to those out there that still need them most.
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How do you feel when you're buying MLP stuff in a shop?
Constant Clover replied to Szmeszek's topic in Merchandise
Go with a friend. Go with pride. Wear other pony gear, to signal to other people what you came in for. Think like you do it all the time. Remember that they expect you to buy this stuff. Imagine your purchase to be something completely ordinary like a bag of chips or something. If it's really a serious problem for you, visualize this beforehand. Picture the transaction as the most routine thing in the world. Trust me, the cashier will barely notice. They won't ask you about it. And you don't need to explain. Smile. Be polite. Simple relaxation techniques like breathing carefully. Buy something else that makes it less conspicuous. Think of all of us there with you. What would Pinkie Pie do? And when you're through, treat yourself to something yummy. -
Something like a human... Humans have internet forums to contemplate being other species. But more evolved, like one of those other sentient species on other planets that we have yet to meet. I truly hope we survive long enough to meet them. Or a dolphin... Except for the humans that are killing them.
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Hi! I want to apologize for my last post here. I tried to make the point that the vanguard of bronies deserve respect for leading the way for newer fans and for making it easier for new people to join the fandom without social disapproval. But I think I made that point a little too harshly. I'm sorry. Also, I just watched the Bronies documentary, and it clarified in a way what my position is with respect to other types of fans. Personally, I am inspired by the social significance of the fandom--the element of fans defying gender and age norms to participate in something as gentle and sweet as "My Little Pony". I think the documentary underscores that this IS a defining characteristic of a "brony". But the documentary also makes clear that not all bronies are as "evangelical" about the societal challenge as I am. The majority of bronies are more moderate on this point, it seems. For example, as Cosmic Charlie wrote above, "It just means liking the show and possibly spending time in the fan community." A lot of bronies have to challenge social norms in becoming fans, but that isn't the reason why they are fans, and beyond being allowed to enjoy pony culture in peace, they have no interest in making this a point of greater social significance. That said, I guess I am part of a small percentage of bronies that does want to see new definitions of gender emerge from this culture. The show itself is about girls being all they can be unhindered by gender roles, and in a fascinating way many male fans of the show have taken this as a message that they do not have to be caged into masculine stereotypes either. Because this theme seems to be at the heart of the show and a defining feature of the fandom, I find it disturbing to see self-professed fans of the show embracing very contrary gender values. There are segments of the fandom that, for instance, seem primarily interested in turning our beloved heroines into mere sex objects. To my mind this violates a core element in what defines a brony. But that is just my opinion. -
There are so many topics in this thread... I want to write first about the difference between older and newer fans. I would be surprised me if older fans are not different from newer fans in some significant way. Yes, it may seem silly that older fans brag about their internet wars, but that kind of thing is important in shaping a person's character. A lot of the hard work was done by the original fanbase: setting up the outlets for the fandom and defending it from misperceptions of the general public. Someone who is new to the fandom already has this base in place and does not have the same trials and experience as the original fandom. I am a latecomer to the fandom. I have a lot of respect for those people who laid the groundwork for the fandom as it is today. If someone brags about having contributed to making bronyism socially acceptable, I don't have much of a problem with that. It seems to be a defining element in the fandom that male fans have to brave social disapproval in order to make their love of the show public. In a way, this is the core engine of the movement. That there were fans that went before me, definitely made it easier for me to be a fan, but I still had to run my own personal gauntlet. I wonder if bronyism will become so socially-accepted that it no longer provides a galvanizing force for the fandom. What will happen if it just becomes a hip thing to do, not requiring any more personal struggle than adopting a new hair style? If one person has to brave social disapproval to become a fan and for another person becoming a fan is totally uncomplicated, they will have very different experiences of the fandom. And it is hardly surprising that someone who had to go through a lot might be tempted to look down on someone who didn't. But this isn't to say that older/newer equates exactly with harder/easier. And it shouldn't mean moral superiority either. But isn't it easy to see how fans in the early days had more at stake in becoming fans and how this in some way justifies a certain pride when compared to some one who just picked up the show because it was the flavor-of-the-month?
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2013 - What did you get for Christmas?
Constant Clover replied to GamerLuna7's topic in General Discussion
I got everything I wanted... Rainbow Dash pajamas and keychain... Second Life scripting manual... Ponies and playing ponies! (Also I bought something for myself: a three-day pass for BronyCon 2013!) -
Well, she is just adorable! :3 The braids are a wonderful touch. I imagine her to be a real daydreamer, always lost in the stories in her mind... (Although you say, 'down-to-earth'... hmm...) Sunshine Daydream (for all you Deadheads)... Reverie? Just spit-balling... Maybe this will give you some more ideas.
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I'm new and NEED HELP NAMING MY OC! :(
Constant Clover replied to ImaginativeApple's topic in Welcome Plaza
Ooooh! A game! I like games. How about "Trill". I think he looks like a Trill. It's a musical term, and apparently in hip-hop it also means to be authentic (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=trill), a very pony trait indeed. Welcome, Imaginative Apple. I hope you have fun here and make lots and lots of friends. -
Has Being a Brony Changed Your Life? How?
Constant Clover replied to jacibobsthebrony's topic in Sugarcube Corner
Great topic, Shining! Lots of great responses, Everypony! I have already said a lot about this, but there is one more thing... Before ponies, I was very aloof and even standoffish. I did not have many friends. I was lonely and knew something had to change. Twilight and friends sort of made the situation clear to me: I had to try to make friends. Well, I did try and that was half the battle. Over the last few months, I have met so many people and all my relationships are warmer and more open. I even made a few new good friends. "My Little Pony" helped me to turn my life around. -
Fubz: Oh, I hope I said "trying" to animate. I have a simple animation of Fluttershy's hummingbird friend. So far it just has flapping wings and blinking eyes. But I can also change the body angle, rotate the tail, and move the tail up and down. Eventually, I want to make a sort of commercial for "Fluttershy's Pet Emporium" with the 2012 Hummingbird. Unfortunately, I got stuck on making zip lines... Captain Luna: Thanks for the video. That's one of my (many) favourite Pinkie Pie songs. I love that episode and Cranky (Doodle) Donkey. Actually before pony that was me. Maybe that's why Pinkie is such a powerful character to me.
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Yeah, yeah, yeah, "The Pony: An Unexpected Journeigh" -- I saw that! Amazing, what! Non-stop pony marathon... That's the best way! This is an underrated PMV in my opinion: (Gotta plug it!) (In case you missed) Hoof bump!
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Shining Star: Brohoof! I can tell you are a writer. You say so much with so little. Finally, a Twilight fan! She's the one who holds it all together. Except when she falls apart herself. And Fluttershy... Ah, Fluttershy... Steadily capturing my heart. One great story after another. She really has a lot of dramatic possibilities. "lot happier", "big kid at heart", "like to help out"... you're amazing! It makes me feel good to hear people talk like this. And I am the same way, but suddenly IT'S OKAY, right? It's okay to be happy, enthusiastic... Wow! I'd love to hear more about how it turned your life around. I thought it was just me. Kolth: " I mean, uh, hi there!" You're awesome! I admire you fanfic writers. I haven't read enough, but I read some excellent Nightmare Night stories. "NIGEB! NIGEB!"
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"Far too old"... Hmm... Do you remember "Battle of the Planets" (G-Force)? Favourite show at eight years old. Find it hard to watch now. I want to try Minecraft. I have seen pictures of the pony monuments there. It's just so amazing--the love people have for this! What about Second Life?
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Arrow: I think secretly, I do maybe think Rainbow is best pony, but I need to support everypony else. -_- Pixiesong: I want to find out more about RPG. Thanks! I will check it out.
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Yay!!! Hi, guys! Chaotic Discord: Yes, just in time. I am finally caught up and can't wait for all the surprises and controversies! Jokuc: I know, right? The song right at that point is so unexpected. You just know, okay this show is gonna be different! Arrow: So you've been warned. But honestly, I will try not to do that often. It's just that I have so much to catch up with... I'll try to keep up-to-date so I don't have to say everything at once. 4 days, 18 hours, and 40 minutes /)
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Hi, Timpa! You like RPG games? Do you play "Second Life"? I just started. It's amazing! Also, hello Pixiesong... I really like your signature. It's funny... I just met someone in "Second Life" yesterday name Cloud Chaser. He seems like the kind of colt that would make an awesome banner for someone. Wouldn't it be amazing if it is the same pony?
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I usually don't like talking about myself, unless it's in relation to something that I love, like "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic". Then, I just might go on a little too much. There's just so much to love about MLP: for me, it's the animation, the music, the characters, the attitudes, the fandom, and the social significance of the brony movement. I tell everyone how I found Pinkie Pie in a random image search. It's almost as if she found me. As this was only last summer, I might not have heard about the show at all, but thank Celestia, I did. Anyway, I was immediately attracted to the colours and the vector style of the animation. I don't know many animated series, but this was like nothing I had ever seen before. And it made me feel good just to look at it. Then as soon as I heard the theme song and "The Laughter Song", I was totally hooked. The animation in "My Little Pony" inspired me to try my hand at vector graphics and animation. I joined DeviantArt and am learning to use the free software packages, "Inkscape" and "Synfig Studio". I have been teaching myself a little about system administration and programming in GNU-Linux and Python, and it feels good to be using software to create graphics. Now, just recently, I joined "Second Life" and had an amazing time celebrating Nightmare Night as a pony. The "Second Life" world of Equestria just blows my mind, and the people there are so kind and generous. It all makes me want to learn everything about it, so that I can make any small contribution I can to keep the spirit going and growing. It blows my mind to contemplate all the marvellous art that pony fans have made. It is truly inspiring. Yes, we have a benevolent corporation to thank for producing our beloved show. But at the same time, we have before us a vivid, living illustration of the power of everyday people, joined in community, to create their own lifeworlds and entertain themselves with the works of their own hearts and hands. I took sociology at university and studied the social dynamics of art movements, so I find the growth of the MLP fandom fascinating. But more than that, I love the values that Pony and the Bronies stand for--values that seem so undernourished among adults and especially men. I see this movement as a profoundly hopeful sign for today's cultures, where adults can freely engage in childlike imagination and men can openly embrace attitudes conventionally designated as feminine. As part of a local Brony meetup and now online in "Second Life", being a Brony allows me to practice attitudes like friendliness, kindness, playfulness, and sincere expressions of tenderness (Dawww!). And these attitudes are seeping into my everyday life and making me a warmer, more open, and (I think) more likeable person. I should also mention that my age puts me at the upper end of the normal range for Bronies. I wish there had been something like this when I was in my teens or twenties. At the same time, I am so glad that we have Pony now. I feel like it is something that I have waited a long time to finally be a part of. Every day reveals another facet to the world of Pony. I feel so fortunate to be a part of it. Thanks, Everypony!
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Hi, Gragi! Yes, Rainbow Dash is awesome! I love her. And I remember that feeling of first falling in love with a pony. For me, it was Pinkie Pie. I was hooked the instant I laid eyes on her. /)^3^(\
