Why do we find ponies soooo cute?

[Lemon Slices 358]

Seriously, guys, why we like so much ponykind?

We love them, but in which manner? Is the simple shape? Or the hyper-detailed manes? Or their kindness and personality? Is so many things that I can't even realize which one is.

[Moonlight 7,288]

Squishy hooves, colors, hairstyle, voice, cute personality, pretty big eyes, that's about it for me personally. 

 

They're just cute to look at, especially Pinkie Pie. 

 

[Roughshod 719]

Nope, none of that. I just have a thing for brightly coloured equines... lol

 

[Lemon Slices 358]

Squishy hooves, colors, hairstyle, voice, cute personality, pretty big eyes, that's about it for me personally. 

 

They're just cute to look at, especially Pinkie Pie. 

 

So it's not a single one detail, is all together, in your opinion. Right?

[Kapitan zur See Hans (Daz) 883]

No clue really, I just think cartoon animals are cute, specially ponies.

[PROJECT: Simon 3,955]

How they look like, their actions, their faces and their personality.  

Edited November 16, 2014 by BronyAssassin

[Lemon Slices 358]

Because of their appearance?

Sorry, BronyAssassin, but the appearance is generalizes a lot of stuff. When I was talking of which detail, I mean to be a bit more specyfic.

 

Edit: In my opinion, the most cuter detail is the curves. A curvy pony is cute, but a sharp-lines pony isn't. I gave a try here, in my animation program, and it comproved what I am talking about:

Edited November 16, 2014 by Pony Parodier

[Larkybird~ 734]

Squishy hooves, colors, hairstyle, voice, cute personality, pretty big eyes, that's about it for me personally. 

 

They're just cute to look at, especially Pinkie Pie. 

 

This is pretty much what I think too. U3U

[Andaasonsan 3,205]

Because they have eyes which are very large in relation to their faces which is reminiscent of babies and triggers our paternal instincts.

 

That answer was a bit on the nose wasn't it?

[VitalSpark 1,830]

Steven Jay Gould's essay on the cuteness of Mickey Mouse is worth a read. Gould was a highly influential evolutionary biologist, and commonly wrote articles on popular science like this. A quote from the essay:

 

 

As Mickey became increasingly well behaved over the years, his appearance became more youthful. Measurements of three stages in his development revealed a larger relative head size, larger eyes, and an enlarged cranium--all traits of juvenility.

 

Gould also notes that although Mickey's snout is the same length now as when he was first drawn, the snout has become fatter making it seem less long.

 

The ponies have been drawn in such a way to achieve maximum possible cuteness. Compared to normal horses they have:

• large head size to body size ratio
• small snouts
• large eyes

These features are practically lifted straight out of Gould's essay and transplanted into MLP:FIM. Add the bright colours, fancy hairstyles and feminine voices and we're hooked!

[Lemon Slices 358]

Because they have eyes which are very large in relation to their faces which is reminiscent of babies and triggers our paternal instincts.

 

That answer was a bit on the nose wasn't it?

Bullseye! Why didn't I realize that? Yeah, man, that's what I am talking about. I remembered when I called the Human version of Twilight "asian", cause the eyes, but that just flew away.

[Roughshod 719]

When I was talking of which detail, I mean to be a bit more specyfic.

Their teeth. All ponies that I've seen appear to have excellent dental hygiene.

 

[Gernia 691]

For the most part I like the entirety of the head, like when I see Apple Bloom.

I also enjoy the personalities of those that are more calm (Fluttershy), and ones that are outlandish and do outlandish things (Pinkie Pie).

Edited November 16, 2014 by Gernia

[Lemon Slices 358]

Steven Jay Gould's essay on the cuteness of Mickey Mouse is worth a read. Gould was a highly influential evolutionary biologist, and commonly wrote articles on popular science like this. A quote from the essay:

 

 

Gould also notes that although Mickey's snout is the same length now as when he was first drawn, the snout has become fatter making it seem less long.

 

The ponies have been drawn in such a way to achieve maximum possible cuteness. Compared to normal horses they have:

• large head size to body size ratio
• small snouts
• large eyes

These features are practically lifted straight out of Gould's essay and transplanted into MLP:FIM. Add the bright colours, fancy hairstyles and feminine voices and we're hooked!

Yeah. In my opinion, that's the final conclusion.

 

That's one thing to add: Anatomy. Real ponies can't bend like MLP's, and do things like sitting.

[Oblivion 20,271]

 

 

 

Just look at that, look at that and just tell me that don't make your heart just wanna EXPLODE! (which someone will, BUT STILL)

 

It's the eyes, they just stare right through your very being, I swear!

Edited November 16, 2014 by 0blivion

[Jeric 46,866]

A few of you nailed the psychology on the head in relation to the visuals and voices of the characters. It's hard not to smile when you hear a squee and see those faces. Same with Rainbow Dash when she snores. Obviously the situational conditions like their actions have a lot to do with this as well.

 

A perfect example is AJ and the Apple Fwitters. Visual, voice, and situation. All three elements make for a perfectly executed Hnggggg.

[Lemon Slices 358]

What is called the feeling of being affected by cuteness?

[SilverStarApple 849]

They're cute, nice, sweet, awesome and adorable. I'd happily hug any of them IRL.

[VitalSpark 1,830]

What is called the feeling of being affected by cuteness?

 

The correct term for being temporarily incapacitated by something's cuteness is a cutegasm.

[Will Guide 21,364]

Because they have eyes which are very large in relation to their faces which is reminiscent of babies and triggers our paternal instincts.

 

That answer was a bit on the nose wasn't it?

 

^ A little. I'm actually more drawn to their personalities myself.   

[Lemon Slices 358]

The correct term for being temporarily incapacitated by something's cuteness is a cutegasm.

Exactly. Or can be called a cute attack.

[Invincible 2,092]

They're just adorable and cute to the core. How can you not love 'em?

[Lemon Slices 358]

They're just adorable and cute to the core. How can you not love 'em?

If I didn't love them, I wouldn't be doing pony parodies. But what aspect you do more appreciate in them?

Edited November 16, 2014 by Pony Parodier

[Lucky Star 972]

What is called the feeling of being affected by cuteness?

that feeling is called wuv  though some spell it as wub.

 

personally I think their cute because of the large anime like eyes, soft colors, voices.

though a lot of it depends on the situation.

 

[Invincible 2,092]

If I didn't love them, I wouldn't be doing pony parodies. But what aspect you do more appreciate in them?

 

I'm kind of torn between their adorable cartoony personalities, and their expressive, large eyes.

 

Oh, and Pinkie Pie - my favorite - is hilarious, so that counts too.