I'm sorry, Bronies...

[Starshine 16,333]

What can I say, each and every community, no matter small or large, got their own jerks

[Page.Turner 940]

What can I say, each and every community, no matter small or large, got their own jerks

 

True that... though I still think this site has potential to weed out more negative influence than what is conventional.

[Nothing392 61]

Unfortunately, you can't really stop negative threads and stuff like that because they have the right to create them. All you can really do is maybe have moderators put a warning label on them if its got some bad content, or delete the thread if its too bad, which they do. If we just deleted everything the least bit negative, I feel like the forum would be a little too restricted then. I just ignore those threads and stick with the people and topics I want to be around.

[Iris Melody 90]

After being a bit of a lurker for a while on this site and just now getting back into posting a lot, I've been noticing a lot of sarcastic, critical and downright negative threads.

 

A lot of it is stemming from things that can offend you from the show, talks about "coming out" for being a brony, hate experiences, trigger threads (basically, topics that can trigger very negative emotions from people who have suffered trauma) even if they don't mean it.

 

Do you think the site is in a bit of a funk? Or is it just me happening on the threads that make it seem that way?

 

I know it's really impossible for everyone to agree on all the same things, and I know that if someone says something offensive to you it's hard to ignore it. I even have a hard time with it. I always feel like I need to leap into action and throw myself into the drama to defend myself and whatever is being talked about. But that's just it, there is nothing saying I have to.

 

I'm finding it a little hard to get my thoughts across (I'm half-listening to a lecture in class) but the thing is, it's getting complicated being here for me. It's becoming a little too "real".

 

Agree? Disagree? I would honestly love to hear your thoughts.

 

First, I feel like I should apologize, since I am one guilty of posting things related to past traumas -_-

 

Second, please read my response with a calm, polite, measured tone of voice. I am not intending any sort of attack or argument - just voicing.

 

The only thing I can really say on my behalf is that, for most of my life, I had to keep my suffering a complete secret. MLP FiM definitely gives me an escape and reasons to laugh and be happy for a bit and such, but my history is still part of me. I know it technically "has no place" in something that's supposed to be as happy and carefree as something related to MLP, but to pretend my past never happened is incredibly insulting. Same for having to withhold it due to potentially offending or saddening others. How dare I express the horror I live with, because it might make someone else feel kinda bad? Shut up and continue suffering in silence like nothing ever happened. Do not mar other's happiness. So is the feeling that I have to project happiness in order for others to be happy. Suffer alone and silently, because why mention something that would be a downer and make others sad? Forget getting help/support/helping someone else in a similar lonely situation. That having been said, I'm not justifying my things-not-happy that I've posted. Ideally, this site is about cute and happy things, and should elicit cute and happy comments out of people. Ideally. I'm not under the impression that the site is "in a bit of a funk" but you are correct that areas of it can be deemed "too real." What is more real than the horrors of an imperfect reality? But just as the show can help real people cope with real live problems, caring bronies can help fellow bronies cope with real life problems. As a community defined largely by love and tolerance, naturally it is a magnet to people who need and crave this in their lives. Not many people irl know supportive, caring individuals, and yet here is an entire fanbase. The anonymity of the internet also helps many to express their problems without the fear of judgment of those irl. It can be easier to confide in a caring individual, or to a caring "public" without the ability for someone to "tell on you."

 

Maybe the site could be further organized into "only happy carefree yay colorful candy ponies" zone (even if not pony-related in the Everfree Forest) and "oh hey, um, not-so-great-things-about-real-life, but everyone here is most likely a brony, and all the positive traits associated with those who love MLP, so, real-life-stuff over here." I can imagine one being labeled as Zecora's home and the other as the castle ruins, maybe.

 

I don't know what to say about the individuals that post sarcastic/overly critical things/what offended so-and-so from the show. There are human fingers typing away at these posts, considering most are far more legible that any hoof could do.

 

Hmm. Let's be the change we want to see, and start happy yay fun things as topics although I would still politely and respectfully defend anyone that has a not-happy personal issue to add. The despair has to get out somewhere, or else it stays inside. For some people, this text expression is the only safe one they have. One thing I've always wanted to see in a children's show is child abuse. Abused children are pretty much taught that they are all alone, and when (most of) the world refuses to acknowledge its existence (too sad to show to happy little children!) well, that only reinforces how alone we are and not worth being considered or thought about. Not worth being seen or cared about. Because we are unpleasant, we do not exist. I would expect the children's show to acknowledge the abuse as abuse and that it is not okay, and I also think it would help people notice the signs. My whole childhood was screaming with red flags, but no other child understood. I attempted to get help twice from authorities, but how silly of me, child abuse is so rare it of course couldn't possibly be happening to me.

 

Then come the people that say it's not a children's show to teach such-and-such. Yea, yea, because naturally all children's shows should teach nothing of value at all. Oh wait, counting. Maybe basic education. Friendship? Cool. What about important real life matters many children can and do face that delve into negative aspects that could potentially aid countless in a real world setting? NEVAR!

 

Sorry for my rant ^^;

 

Also, I don't feel offended and I'm not trying to be defensive. My spiel can come across as that since deep unpleasant strong emotions are attached to it. I also realize my very long post is in direct response to a very tiny bit of your quote.

 

"trigger threads (basically, topics that can trigger very negative emotions from people who have suffered trauma) even if they don't mean it."

 

With my post, I'm just hoping to be insightful and to give a clear perspective from a point of view that many can not fathom without experiencing it themselves. Even after re-reading, I felt like I went on a bit of a tangent, but it still kinda feels relevant to me... though I can easily see how to many it could come across as irrelevant or missing the point. I'm gonna go panic Ponyville style now

[Evilshy 5,090]

I see nothing wrong with the site. In fact, this is probably the best online community I've ever been active in.

 

First, we've had plenty of debates here without them turning into flame wars. Now, I'm not saying we haven't had ANY, but the fact that we've made it this far with them being so few really says something about us. I don't think this is a risk, since the regulars of this site are, in general, pretty mature (the ones who debate, anyway).

 

Second, yes, there are some threads that may not be suitable for young children. But remember, this forum was made by a teen, is moderated by teens and adults, and the vast majority of users/visitors to this site by teens and adults. I've never even met a young kid who uses forums. We shouldn't have to censor ourselves that much because there's a chance that a young kid might see the site. We should keep things SFW, yes, but they don't need to be kept age appropriate for 8 year olds. Should a movie theater not be allowed to show PG-13 or R movies because there's a chance an 8 year old might walk in?

[Squeaker 89]

Might be mostly in Everfree. 'Tis random up in here. Disagreement doesn't need to be bad. If everypony were exactly the same, nothing would get done.

We need this:

[Arylett Charnoa 4,919]

Maybe the site could be further organized into "only happy carefree yay colorful candy ponies" zone (even if not pony-related in the Everfree Forest) and "oh hey, um, not-so-great-things-about-real-life, but everyone here is most likely a brony, and all the positive traits associated with those who love MLP, so, real-life-stuff over here." I can imagine one being labeled as Zecora's home and the other as the castle ruins, maybe.

We already have something similar to this. It is Everfree Forest... and then anything else that isn't in it. (Show Discussion, Sugarcube Corner)

 

I am not certain what it is that people are seeing, for things seem to me as they always are. This website cannot be expected to be a perfect utopia simply because it holds the title of My Little Pony. It is a place filled with real human beings, each of whom will have darker sides. I will guarantee you one thing as well; there is no place on this earth, internet or no, that you can escape from reality. That doesn't mean that reality is a horrid thing to be associated with darkness and misery. Reality is balanced. It is full of both good and bad. And these forums, because they exist in reality, are very much the same. You cannot entirely eliminate everything that is bad.

 

What you CAN do is what I have said in a previous thread regarding a matter similar to this. If there are things that you find inappropriate for the forums, or behaviors that you take issue with, you can contact a moderator privately about them or press the report button. We can't watch the forums 24/7 reading every single thread. And that's what it's up to you to report it to us, and we will determine whether or not it is an issue.

 

Alternatively, you could simply avoid those sorts of threads. As they most frequently occur in Everfree Forest, I'd recommend staying away from there. (The Support/Debate threads especially) Or if you see unfavourable responses in a pony-related thread, simply ignore them and move on.

[Queen Cassie 3,057]

Perhaps it's simply because I've been so busy lately, or perhaps it's because I don't venture into the Everfree Forest all that often--when I wish to debate hefty subjects I generally steer towards other forums--but I haven't noticed any real changes in the forum since I've been a member. It's grown larger and has more members posting, but on the whole I haven't seen any alteration in its overall feel at all. This is still one of the friendliest forums I've ever seen, with heated exchanges being a rarity rather than the norm.

 

So, honestly, I'm not worried, nor do I think we need to start banning subjects or anything so drastic. If anyone is feeling their posts are becoming defensive or overly aggressive, taking a step back and away from the issue for a while is probably the best course of action. Better to wait half an hour or a couple of hours to respond rather than replying in anger, when most of the time you'll find your anger has dissipated entirely if you wait.