Why Are Bronies Disliked?

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

Reasons:

•Defying social stereotypes/norms

•Easy target for homophobic/feminine remarks to inflate one's own heterosexual legitimacy.

•Annoying and unlikeable members/aspects/behavior that EVERY fandom has

 

That leads me to something I've always wondered, why people seem to judge use more harshly than literally any other fandom? Pokemon has just as nasty(if not worse) of an seedy underbelly as us, but you'd hardly see people judging Pokefans so harshly and any sane person would hate the creepy works and not the games or fandom as whole. 

 

So why do we get the opposite and every scrap of skeevy artwork seems to be worth dozens of points towards the darkside, while we can raise hundreds for charities send out all kinds of gifts for needy kids and barely nudges our lightside points in most people's eyes. 

[Captain Brony (MG11) 218]

That leads me to something I've always wondered, why people seem to judge use more harshly than literally any other fandom? Pokemon has just as nasty(if not worse) of an seedy underbelly as us, but you'd hardly see people judging Pokefans so harshly and any sane person would hate the creepy works and not the games or fandom as whole.

 

So why do we get the opposite and every scrap of skeevy artwork seems to be worth dozens of points towards the darkside, while we can raise hundreds for charities send out all kinds of gifts for needy kids and barely nudges our lightside points in most people's eyes.

 

It's our overall number that hurts us. Though the ratio may be the same or even less than what perpetrations occur in other fandoms we are still called out for it because we are noticed more for our enormity. Even more apparent is that we are hated by bigots who posses republican-media level determination to pick us apart with any dirt they can get their hands on. This way media outlets like Fox can over-inflate our negative aspects which can cripple our reputation overall. Edited February 1, 2014 by Captain Brony (MG11)

[Guest]

Essentially, here's the bottom line:

 

"Haters" do a lot of crap that is bad, that's a given. However bronies have to meet halfway here and admit their hand in the problem, otherwise it'll never be solved. Deny it all you want, you're only fooling yourself. The problem is caused by both parties.

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

Essentially, here's the bottom line:

 

"Haters" do a lot of crap that is bad, that's a given. However bronies have to meet halfway here and admit their hand in the problem, otherwise it'll never be solved. Deny it all you want, you're only fooling yourself. The problem is caused by both parties.

 

I never said it wasn't, but the issue is that you run into a catch-22 because most of the annoying over defensiveness the haters bitch about comes from the pressure they put on the fandom themselves.  It goes in one big damn circle because if they didn't antagonize bronies into doing stupid shit in retaliation, things would be much more peaceful.  

Edited February 2, 2014 by Shoboni

[Guest]

I never said it wasn't, but the issue is that run into a catch-22 because most of the annoying over defensiveness the haters bitch about comes from the pressure they put on the fandom themselves.  It goes in one big damn circle because if they didn't antagonize bronies into doing stupid shit in retaliation, things would be much more peaceful.  

People will always antagonize others for liking things they don't like. Instead of continuing a never-ending cycle in hopes that the world will suddenly change, why not be the change that bronies insist they are? The thing I keep seeing on repeat here is "if haters did this" and "if haters didn't do that", well you only control your own body, so what can you do? Stop talking about what an ideal world would be, and just make the changes to create a less hostile environment.

 

I have never had a single person approach me with hatred for liking a show and here are the steps I followed to make it happen:

 

1. I don't shoehorn my enjoyment for the show where it does not belong. Meaning I keep MLP discussion on MLP sites or in threads where it is relevant. I don't go around trying to ponify everything, and I keep my interests contained. I didn't create a lifestyle out of liking a show.

 

2. When someone clearly doesn't like the show, I let them be and don't bring it up with them. I don't brand them a "hater" and then do all the general things that seem to follow. I let them continue on their path and I don't try to insist they are missing out on something. People have different tastes, and that's whatever.

 

3. I have on group of friends who like to engage in activities with the show. To keep that group contained, we have a private facebook page, and we keep our hobbies to ourselves.

 

Essentially what it all boils down to is that if you keep your hobby more contained and don't shove it in every person's face, you're going to have a much easier time. Will there always be one jackass? Sure, but reacting is the first ticket to making yourself into a bigger target. Just enjoy your show, enjoy your fanart, enjoy your fanfiction and leave it at that. Don't try to go around acting like being a brony makes you a better person or something. You can only be a better person by being a better person, and that's that part that I think annoys people the most. People try to make being a brony into a "statement", when if you want to make a positive impact, you don't need to be a brony to do it, and you shouldn't do it because you're a brony or "for" bronies. You should do it because you want to be a good person, not because you think a TV show tells you to.

 

Don't pay attention to sensationalist journalists like Howard Stern, when you give them a reaction, they feed on it.

 

Approach situations with a little skepticism. Check sources and don't just assume everyone is honest, this is how a lot of bronies have been taken advantage of.

 

 

As for people earlier complaining this turned into a "flame war", no one was really attacking anyone specific. This topic posed a question and people provided an answer to that question. Other people didn't like that answer and tried to refute it, and then the people who gave their answers defended them. This is the general flow of conversation most of the time. Not everyone agrees, but it doesn't mean we're bashing each other. I've said it many times and I'll say it again: if you catch me outside of a topic we just had, regardless if I agree or disagree with you, I'll be friendly enough to say hi and not hold a disagreement against people. Flame wars are when one party just says "fuck you" and the other party says it back and they just get into an insult contest. When people are actually disputing arguments with counter arguments, it's not a flame war, and calling false flame wars kind of derails discussion and discourages people from having discussion because it gives the impression that any time someone disagrees with someone else, it's a "flame war".

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

People will always antagonize others for liking things they don't like. Instead of continuing a never-ending cycle in hopes that the world will suddenly change, why not be the change that bronies insist they are? The thing I keep seeing on repeat here is "if haters did this" and "if haters didn't do that", well you only control your own body, so what can you do? Stop talking about what an ideal world would be, and just make the changes to create a less hostile environment.

 

I have never had a single person approach me with hatred for liking a show and here are the steps I followed to make it happen:

 

1. I don't shoehorn my enjoyment for the show where it does not belong. Meaning I keep MLP discussion on MLP sites or in threads where it is relevant. I don't go around trying to ponify everything, and I keep my interests contained. I didn't create a lifestyle out of liking a show.

 

2. When someone clearly doesn't like the show, I let them be and don't bring it up with them. I don't brand them a "hater" and then do all the general things that seem to follow. I let them continue on their path and I don't try to insist they are missing out on something. People have different tastes, and that's whatever.

 

3. I have on group of friends who like to engage in activities with the show. To keep that group contained, we have a private facebook page, and we keep our hobbies to ourselves.

 

Essentially what it all boils down to is that if you keep your hobby more contained and don't shove it in every person's face, you're going to have a much easier time. Will there always be one jackass? Sure, but reacting is the first ticket to making yourself into a bigger target. Just enjoy your show, enjoy your fanart, enjoy your fanfiction and leave it at that. Don't try to go around acting like being a brony makes you a better person or something. You can only be a better person by being a better person, and that's that part that I think annoys people the most. People try to make being a brony into a "statement", when if you want to make a positive impact, you don't need to be a brony to do it, and you shouldn't do it because you're a brony or "for" bronies. You should do it because you want to be a good person, not because you think a TV show tells you to.

 

Don't pay attention to sensationalist journalists like Howard Stern, when you give them a reaction, they feed on it.

 

Approach situations with a little skepticism. Check sources and don't just assume everyone is honest, this is how a lot of bronies have been taken advantage of.

 

 

As for people earlier complaining this turned into a "flame war", no one was really attacking anyone specific. This topic posed a question and people provided an answer to that question. Other people didn't like that answer and tried to refute it, and then the people who gave their answers defended them. This is the general flow of conversation most of the time. Not everyone agrees, but it doesn't mean we're bashing each other. I've said it many times and I'll say it again: if you catch me outside of a topic we just had, regardless if I agree or disagree with you, I'll be friendly enough to say hi and not hold a disagreement against people. Flame wars are when one party just says "fuck you" and the other party says it back and they just get into an insult contest. When people are actually disputing arguments with counter arguments, it's not a flame war, and calling false flame wars kind of derails discussion and discourages people from having discussion because it gives the impression that any time someone disagrees with someone else, it's a "flame war".

 

While I agree with a great deal of this, there's one thing I dislike that's brought up here. If someone enjoys ponifying things thing making crossovers, they should not have to stop because someone else dislikes it. 

Edited February 2, 2014 by Shoboni

[Guest]

While I agree with a great deal of this, there's one thing I dislike that's brought here. If someone enjoys ponifying things thing making crossovers, they should not have to stop because someone else dislikes it. 

No, I am just saying don't shove it in people's faces.

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

No, I am just saying don't shove it in people's faces.

 

You said "I don't try to ponify everything" like that in and of itself a problem. 

[GrimCW 658]

No, I am just saying don't shove it in people's faces.

 

Sports fans and college kids.. 'nuff said. Theres no real "shoving" it in someones face if your just showing your own enjoyment something in a way that only truly affects you. As long as your not going out of your way to literally push it into someone elses space. Something thats rather uncommon but falsely accused constantly.

 

But going around wearing a shirt, using headphones, having a jacket, decaling your OWN property with stickers, singing songs YOU like based off the of your interests etc... these are things any dedicated fan does for things they enjoy.

Hell, its the whole point of some conventions.

But to some people this is somehow shoving it in their faces. If they don't like it, than they can just as easily turn and walk away. Its not like anyone is spraying pony graffiti art on someone elses houses and cars.

 

On the other hand, going out in public and defacing and insulting fans of something you don't like, now that IS shoving it in peoples faces as to your interests and preferences. Deliberatly seeking out their web sites, forums, gaming groups and attacking them there. That is shoving yourself in someone elses face.

Its also uninvited usually. Yes there are a FEW bad seeds that go around instigating this sort of reaction, but they are a very small minority. As is the sad case with many things, that minority has become the staple stereotype.

 

Essentially, here's the bottom line:

 

"Haters" do a lot of crap that is bad, that's a given. However bronies have to meet halfway here and admit their hand in the problem, otherwise it'll never be solved. Deny it all you want, you're only fooling yourself. The problem is caused by both parties.

 

TBH most are willing to do this on the fans side, but the "haters" will just use it as fuel and call it "proof" of what they claim as being true. The best way to get over it is honestly just to let it go and they'll move on and hate upon something else eventually as they always do once the enjoyment has faded from what they're currently ragging on.

 

A few years back it was the twilight movies, before that harry potter, before then anime and such, before then computer nerds, etc...

now each of them has become fairly main stream to most and are all but ignored or enjoyed.

 

Being within the fandom we'll still see a lot of the supposed hate regardless since we're the target and it'll catch our eyes as its intended. But it will (and actually is) die(ing) off in time.

 

 

 

That leads me to something I've always wondered, why ponies seem to judge use more harshly than literally any other fandom? Pokemon has just as nasty(if not worse) of an seedy underbelly as us, but you'd hardly see ponies judging Pokefans so harshly and any sane pony would hate the creepy works and not the games or fandom as whole.

 

Because this is a "girls only" show to many people and Bronies break that mold. It scares people when guys get into girl things.(TBH I've yet to see a Men only gym or hospital, but tons of women/children only gyms/hospitals or combined.. but never men only... I'm beginning to think people just fear men)

 

Pokemon barely gets recognized outside of being a video game and/or tv show by most people. But there was a time it was feared and loathed long ago for "corrupting the minds of our youth" and leading them toward satanism. But that ship sailed back around Pokemon yellow, and its since moved on. The MLP phenomena is still fairly newish, so we just have to wait it out and stand our ground

 

Also news networks picked it up and began airing shows that slandered the fans, or at the very least mocked them, bringing it farther into the spotlight (while also increasing the fandoms numbers ) 

Edited February 2, 2014 by GrimCW

[Oblivion 20,268]

I am pretty sure all or at least most fandoms are hated at one point or another, the MLP fandom is mostly hated because we have some very nasty stereotypes floating around the net such as "all bronies fap to ponies" or "all bronies are pedo's" for liking a so called "little girls show"

 

And then again their are the hatters that hate just for the sake of hating, and don't just hate bronies but hate anyone that isn't exactly like them, so yes their are various types of haters out their, and as usual, most of it stems from pure ignorance, or the need to somehow feel superior to those damn "pony lovers" as they would call it.

 

  Best to just let them bask in their sea of hatred while we do our best to love and tolerate each other!

Although, sometimes I do wonder about that whole "love and tolerate" thing in the fandom, as most fandoms go sadly their is also a fair bit of hatred within the community as well...

[Guest]

 

 

Sports fans and college kids.. 'nuff said.

 

And it's just as douchy when they do it too.

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

And it's just as douchy when they do it too.

 

But why is it? We've yet to establish why being enthusiastic about something you love is a bad thing. It's one thing to randomly gush about it where it's not wanted, but merely wearing your love for it on your sleeve is not anywhere close to that.

 

That would be like saying I'm shoving my religion down your throat because I wear a crucifix, or I'm shoving pop music down your throat because I have Thriller as a ring tone and my phone might ring in public(Yes I am Christian, I do wear that, and yes that is my real ringtone as of now)

Edited February 2, 2014 by Shoboni

[GrimCW 658]

And it's just as douchy when they do it too.

True, but its a fans way of showing their appreciation, support, and interest in the things they enjoy.

Not really any different than a soldier donning the uniform of their nation other than it doesn't require a voluntary signature to do so and a contract that if you don't your likely to be shot for it.

 

Should we all instead be wearing home made (can't be labeled that'd show support!) clothes with absolutely nothing upon them and do the Amish thing?

Edited February 2, 2014 by GrimCW

[SBaby 660]

And it's just as douchy when they do it too.

 

Yet, we seem to be the only ones you're willing to call out.  If it's unacceptable for sports fans, CoD fans, and others to do these things, then if you really believe in your ideals so much, you would call them out on it on their sites, as you have done here.  Yet you don't.

Edited February 2, 2014 by SBaby

[Guest]

Yet, we seem to be the only ones you're willing to call out.  If it's unacceptable for sports fans, CoD fans, and others to do these things, then if you really believe in your ideals so much, you would call them out on it on their sites, as you have done here.  Yet you don't.

Actually I find it just as douchy if sports fans, CoD fans and etc. do that crap too and I do call them out when they are acting stupid. I wasn't aware you were following me around though. My point is, just because one group gets away with being douchy doesn't mean it's okay to act like insane fanatics wherever you go. All I am suggesting is not trying to relate everything to ponies and when people say they aren't into it, just to lay off. It's very simple. You can wear your shirts, play your games, use your forums and etc. but when someone asks you nicely to tone it down, don't be a douche about it. If a sports fan is going on about how "awesome" the Packers are and I mention "I'm not really into sports" and they keep going on and on, I'm going to call them out on it too.

 

I don't know what you people are thinking I am suggesting, but all I am suggesting is to be respectful to the fact that not everyone enjoys your thing. You'll always get one or two people who are an asshole about it, but that doesn't warrant backlash.

 

When someone says they are not a brony and have no desire to be, just leave them alone about it. That is all. That is literally all I am suggesting.

 

 

 

Not really any different than a soldier donning the uniform of their nation

 

Whoa whoa whoa. You may want to change that analogy significantly. That is kind of disrespectful to soldiers to liken enjoying a show to where you wear its logo to serving your country. A soldier deserves recognition for protecting your country. To relate it to wearing say a brony T-shirt is very disrespectful. I know you didn't mean it like that, but you may want to modify that analogy because people could take that as quite disrespectful.

 

 

 

But why is it? We've yet to establish why being enthusiastic about something you love is a bad thing. It's one thing to randomly gush about it where it's not wanted, but merely wearing your love for it on your sleeve is not anywhere close to that.

 

The bolded is what I am talking about. Apparently I did not make that very clear, that was my fault and I apologize.

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

Ac

 

 

 

 

The bolded is what I am talking about. Apparently I did not make that very clear, that was my fault and I apologize.

 

Oh, yeah I agree. I can understand if it's just a reaction image, or if you're posting in a thread like "favorite show", "favorite cartoon", "what are you watching right now" or similar, but I can where randomly going on a gush-fest on a forum or something with no context to even bring the show up would be annoying. 

Ac

 

 

 

 

Whoa whoa whoa. You may want to change that analogy significantly. That is kind of disrespectful to soldiers to liken enjoying a show to where you wear its logo to serving your country. A soldier deserves recognition for protecting your country. To relate it to wearing say a brony T-shirt is very disrespectful. I know you didn't mean it like that, but you may want to modify that analogy because people could take that as quite disrespectful.

 

 

It's not that different on a base level, there's people hate soldiers and militaries just as much as some hate us bronies and would find wearing a uniform uniform just as offensive. They cold call it propaganda, trying to indoctrinate people, glorifying war, and all matter of other things.

 

Keep in mind, my father is a veteran and I'm a big supporter of my nations troops, so all that is merely hypothetical.  

Edited February 2, 2014 by Shoboni

[Guest]

Oh, yeah I agree. I can understand if it's just a reaction image, or if you're posting in a thread like "favorite show", "favorite cartoon", "what are you watching right now" or similar, but I can where randomly going on a gush-fest on a forum or something with no context to even bring the show up would be annoying. 

And that is what I am talking about. If you want to go on about the show where it's relevant with other fans, go nuts.

 

IDK where everyone is getting the idea that I am suggesting you can't even wear brony shirts or anything like that.

 

 

It's not that different on a base level, there's people hate soldiers and militaries just as much as some hate us bronies and would find wearing a uniform uniform just as offensive.

 

There is a big big big big difference though. Soldiers being disrespected on that level is not just douchy, it's disgusting. When people try and disgrace the people protecting their country like that, it's not even comparable to being called names for liking a girl's cartoon.

[Shinespark 16]

I don't think that there is one legit answer. But I think it mainly has to do with how widespread the ponified artwork and things-such-as are. You can search for anything, literally anything, on google images and if you scroll far enough down the page, there will be a pony somewhere.

 

Go ahead...    I'll give you time to try it for yourself.

 

Having to be constantly bombarded by all things pony can get aggravating to some. Which then leads to them not liking the fans that post pony related stuff in the first place. Beyond that, it's probably just homophobia or some shit. 

Edited February 2, 2014 by Shinespark

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

And that is what I am talking about. If you want to go on about the show where it's relevant with other fans, go nuts.

 

IDK where everyone is getting the idea that I am suggesting you can't even wear brony shirts or anything like that.

 

 

 

There is a big big big big difference though. Soldiers being disrespected on that level is not just douchy, it's disgusting. When people try and disgrace the people protecting their country like that, it's not even comparable to being called names for liking a girl's cartoon.

 

Then we're on agreement about that point, I think it was the way you kept talking about "keeping to yourself" that caused the confusion.

 

I fully understand that and agree it's horrible, but I'm going to play devil's advocate here and question how mocking someone for their taste in media is any less douchey.   

[GrimCW 658]

so all that is merely hypothetical.

 

I wouldn't call it hypothetical at all. As a veteran myself I've been spit on (literally) for exactly those things. Even been called a "Baby killer", simply because I chose to wear the uniform.

This is very much a fact.

 

 

 

 

There is a big big big big difference though. Soldiers being disrespected on that level is not just douchy, it's disgusting. When ponies try and disgrace the people protecting their country like that, it's not even comparable to being called names for liking a girl's cartoon.

 

 

It may not be the exact same level, but it is very comparable.

If your a proud fan of something than its not at all something that you should be shamed into hiding just because others disagree or call it a "girls cartoon", no more than you should be ashamed or called out for being proud of your own heritage.

Also, a bit contradictory to your previous statement

quote

 

I don't think you understand that when you associate yourself with something by choice, that it is fair game to criticize.

 

 

Fair game if you chose to associate right?

 

 

moving along

 

 

 

 

IDK where everypony is getting the idea that I am suggesting you can't even wear brony shirts or anything like that.

 

Because you've already said it. As well as that is what most refer to when they say it being put "in your face"

And its not just about shirts. Its about posting things on different sites, or having a Pony based avatar for your OWN profile. Something you've also very much complained about as being "problems" despite its the common place to show your enjoyment of something by doing such things.

 

 

 

 

Actually I find it just as douchy if sports fans, CoD fans and etc.

 

 

And given this seems to be your overall opinion, I'm seeing less connection with this fandom and/or any other, and just your own personal disinterest taking field as if it represents more than that. I would say its a misdirected anger, but it seems more like your just against everything that isn't blank and void of everything.

 

And going back a bit I'd question this part a little

[

 

Am I going to spread propaganda against them?

 

Cause you seem to be trying exactly that here and with some youtube videos. After all, "Level headed" and "Brony" don't go together right? Need that extra "Aren't" between them.

At least thats what you claimed in response to a post over on youtube. And those videos.. not much on the bright side either.. Slanderous, demeaning, and insulting to the entire fandom perhaps. But not much else. And with the descript of one being the claimed "actual representation" of the fans of the show.. well.. nope..

Edited February 2, 2014 by GrimCW

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

 

quote

 

 

 

Fair game if you chose to associate right?

 

I didn't see his statement to that effect before, but I'd like to point that "guilt by association" is a fallacy in and of itself because judges people on something they may have never done. It's much the same as the people that point to war crimes and claim all soldiers are no better than that. 

Edited February 3, 2014 by Shoboni

[SBaby 660]

Actually I find it just as douchy if sports fans, CoD fans and etc. do that crap too and I do call them out when they are acting stupid.

 

 

And what do they say when you go to their message boards to call them out on it?

 

 

 

I don't know what you people are thinking I am suggesting, but all I am suggesting is to be respectful to the fact that not everyone enjoys your thing.

 

 

And we are respectful.  We simply choose to ignore them until they either go away or bronify.  I don't know.  What do you want from us?  Do you want a medal?  So they hate bronies and FiM.  Big deal.  People hate things all the time.  I hate competitive Pokémon.  But you know what?  I don't go to every Pokémon site parading it around like I'm a white knight on some sort of holy crusade.  I just ignore it, and if I'm asked about it, then I tell them what I think.

 

The fact is, no matter what you like, somebody is going to hate it.  Worry about every individual person, and your hair will fall out.

 

 

 

Anyway, as this topic seems to be doing nothing but going in a circle, and it is obvious that nobody is going to give any ground or change their minds regarding the subject, I see no point in continuing this discussion.

Edited February 3, 2014 by SBaby

[GrimCW 658]

 

 

"guilt by association" is a fallacy in and of itself because judges people on something they may have never done.

 

 

Oh I agree, but if we're going to be trying to go this route as he points too it, may as well play the same field

[Dr. Pie 9]

I think, possibly, the reason these "brony haters" hate on Bronies so much is because they don't really understand what it is. It might be just me, and people have brought up some interesting points on this thread, but I think that the people who dislike us are the people who never really understood. Much like highschoolers (me) hate math and science so much, because they don't get it and it's difficult to process (also me). That's just a theory though. It doesn't bother me much that they don't like the show, because that's their personal opinion, but it shouldn't matter to them that I like the show either. Like I said, preference. *shrug* my opinion. Lol

[Asternose 30]

I think a lot of people don't like bronies because some (not all) people like to shove it in people's faces. I hate the idea of "converting" people to the fandom. I have recommended the show to a few of my friends, and a couple have watched it, and not liked it. That's fine. Not everyone has to enjoy our show about colorful horses. If I hadn't watched the show, I'd be pretty pissed at some pony fans too.