Do you think any of the Mane 6 will talk about their weight?

[Adash 193]

They may hint to it briefly, but probably will not make a full conversation about it.

[Abia 258]

I always get irked when people say that. "it's just cartoon logic"...

 

What's the point of discussing it in the first place if we're gonna dismiss its validity?

Because we have to acknowledge that there are some things in fiction logic can't account for. There are always going to be inconsistencies in any TV show. "Nothing is without sin." Cartoons are especially prone to inconsistencies because everything is drawn--it's easy to forget details when you're doing everything yourself, rather than having a set with objects, positions, etc. already established and easy to remember.

It's a simple fact that cartoons frequently ignore real world physics and logic. That's that. You can't try to apply everything in MLP to the real world rules, because it just won't work, not without contradicting itself somewhere along the way. Most things in a show have to follow our laws, otherwise it wouldn't make sense/wouldn't be enjoyable or believable, but you also have to disregard certain things or all of it becomes unbelievable.

Now this example (AJ being heavier than RD) does not fit my argument well, because by most logic AJ should be and is heavier. I merely attribute it to cartoon logic because I don't think the people behind MLP thought the weights through when making that scene.

 

In order for us to discuss these kinds of things in the first place, we must assume that the logic of the show has some consistency, and/or holds merit, so that we can pull information from it.

Yeah, but if you take everything in a cartoon seriously, you're going to have an impossible universe with infinite paradoxes. Part of analyzing shows is being able to distinguish gags, flaws and inconsistencies from legitimate lore, plot advancements and world building facts.

 

Saying "oh it's cartoon logic" would imply that AJ might not be heavier than RD. I'm sorry but, I do not, and will not accept that. The screencap shows clear as day that AJ weighs more than RD. It's a fact. Doesn't matter what the percentage is, I was just speculating that in my previous it seems to be around 50% more, but it might not be that exact amount. All that makes a difference is that AJ weighs more than RD.

Where's the scene where AJ and RD are competing for Iron Pony, and RD lifts AJ into the air during the tug of war? Would she be able to do that if AJ was significantly heavier than she was? (I'm seriously asking. I don't know the extent to which creatures can lift things heavier than themselves.)

 

So, yes, cartoon logic is a poor reasoning for the argument at hand (read: I was wrong). But saying it's never a valid explanation (I don't know if that was your intended meaning, but it's what I took away from your post) is as silly as saying it's always the right explanation.

[Sugar Pea 2,682]

I seriously don't see Pinkie Pie lasting a day without eating a single pastry.

Besides, on the subject of weight, I highly doubt they would even bother to touch that kind of topic for a while. It's possibly just as sensitive as politics and religion...however they DID make an episode representing some form of communism, so yet agaaaain....it really wouldn't surprise me.
 

[Miles 2,513]

Before I respond, Abia, I want to tell you:

You totally misinterpreted my point.  

My point was: "it's just cartoon logic" is not a catch-all.

 

[1.] Because we have to acknowledge that there are some things in fiction logic can't account for. There are always going to be inconsistencies in any TV show. "Nothing is without sin." Cartoons are especially prone to inconsistencies because everything is drawn--it's easy to forget details when you're doing everything yourself, rather than having a set with objects, positions, etc. already established and easy to remember.
It's a simple fact that cartoons frequently ignore real world physics and logic. That's that. You can't try to apply everything in MLP to the real world rules, because it just won't work, not without contradicting itself somewhere along the way. Most things in a show have to follow our laws, otherwise it wouldn't make sense/wouldn't be enjoyable or believable, but you also have to disregard certain things or all of it becomes unbelievable.
Now this example (AJ being heavier than RD) does not fit my argument well, because by most logic AJ should be and is heavier. I merely attribute it to cartoon logic because I don't think the people behind MLP thought the weights through when making that scene.


[2.] Yeah, but if you take everything in a cartoon seriously, you're going to have an impossible universe with infinite paradoxes. Part of analyzing shows is being able to distinguish gags, flaws and inconsistencies from legitimate lore, plot advancements and world building facts.


[3.] Where's the scene where AJ and RD are competing for Iron Pony, and RD lifts AJ into the air during the tug of war? Would she be able to do that if AJ was significantly heavier than she was? (I'm seriously asking. I don't know the extent to which creatures can lift things heavier than themselves.)

[4.] So, yes, cartoon logic is a poor reasoning for the argument at hand (read: I was wrong). But saying it's never a valid explanation (I don't know if that was your intended meaning, but it's what I took away from your post) is as silly as saying it's always the right explanation.

 

1. Of course there are inconsistencies.  Lol, you don't have to lecture me on that.  I agree.  I never said there weren't.

2. You completely didn't even notice the word "some" in my post, did you?

Also, RD being lighter than AJ isn't an inconsistency in the first place.  I know that part of analyzing the show is to pick out the gags and flaws, etc.  Just because that scene was comedic, doesn't mean it is automatically invalid.  That was my point.

3. Rainbow Dash is the strongest flier in Equestria [/pseudo-sarcasm].  But seriously, she pretty much is.  Plus, she carried Rarity, and like 3 other ponies (thus saving their lives) whilst performing a sonic rainboom.

4.   

Let me just...

 

In order for us to discuss *these kinds of things* in the first place, we must assume that the logic of the show has some consistency, and/or holds merit, so that we can pull information from it.

 

*the subject of weight*

---

Again, I never said the show doesn't have inconsistencies.  So, saying what I said in other words: This topic/thread is about the weight of ponies.  If we are going to discuss their weight, we should give scenes that deal with weight some merit - for the sake of the thread.

---

The reason I combated "just cartoon logic" is because that implies a catch-all that makes the subject automatically devoid of merit completely.  

I'd be fine if someone replied to my pic with: "how much merit can we attribute to that scene?" - because that isn't implying a catch-all.  

~ Miles

[mars 4,863]

An episode talking about a pony's weight could be a dangerous weapon. It would need to be done extremely well. Children everywhere have body image issues, and if there was an episode jokingly saying: "Oh, Pinkie Pie is so fat! She needs to go on a diet to look normal!", it would just make them feel bad. I don't want any kids out there to think that there's just one body-type out there or anything. I struggled (and still kind of do) with weight problems my entire life. It would hurt to see one of those cotton-candy ponies do the same. Maybe if the lesson at the end was: "Everypony is different and looks different but we're all special and unique and amazing in our own way", it'd be okay. But played just for laughs? No.

[Abia 258]

You totally misinterpreted my point.

My apologies--I'm watching semi-emotional television at one o'clock Tuesday morning and my mental facilities are not quite what they should be!

 

My point was: "it's just cartoon logic" is not a catch-all.

The reason I combated "just cartoon logic" is because that implies a catch-all that makes the subject automatically devoid of merit completely.

Mm, I never intended to imply that cartoon logic was a catch-all, so sorry about that. I agree with you. It's incredibly annoying when people dismiss noteworthy irregularities as just being cartoon logic.

It's sometimes difficult to tell what is a noteworthy irregularity and what can be reduced to cartoon logic, but that's a fight for another day.

 

That said, we've gotten a fair bit off topic and it's probably best to readdress the point of this thread before accidentally spiraling into a flame war.

 

I still think it'd be a bit foolish for an episode about weight to be released. There are just so many cans of works ready to open. You don't want to say obesity/unhealthy habits are okay, but you also don't want to encourage judgement based on appearance.

I don't think such an episode would affect me, but I think the idea risks a lot for a small potential benefit.

[Miles 2,513]

My apologies--I'm watching semi-emotional television at one o'clock Tuesday morning and my mental facilities are not quite what they should be!

 

 

Mm, I never intended to imply that cartoon logic was a catch-all, so sorry about that. I agree with you. It's incredibly annoying when people dismiss noteworthy irregularities as just being cartoon logic.

It's sometimes difficult to tell what is a noteworthy irregularity and what can be reduced to cartoon logic, but that's a fight for another day.

 

That said, we've gotten a fair bit off topic and it's probably best to readdress the point of this thread before accidentally spiraling into a flame war.

---

 

I still think it'd be a bit foolish for an episode about weight to be released. There are just so many cans of works ready to open. You don't want to say obesity/unhealthy habits are okay, but you also don't want to encourage judgement based on appearance.

I don't think such an episode would affect me, but I think the idea risks a lot for a small potential benefit.

 

My apologies as well - I could have been more clear about what I meant to begin with.

 

Yes indeed, it can be difficult to interpret what does't follow the consistencies of the rest of the show.

 

I agree, let's waltz back to the topic of the OP   

 

---

 

I doubt we'll see an episode with the topic - however, I feel there is a roundabout way of making one that won't cause any bad self-image problems.  

 

Rather than putting the focus on quantity, they could focus on quality.  By that I mean, instead of "don't eat too much" or "don't eat too little" (which could cause self-image problems with people thinking they're too big or too skinny), they could focus on eating nutritious foods.  That wouldn't be too difficult, considering what Pinkie Pie said in her song about sharing in Over a Barrel:

 

"Both our diets, I should mention, are completely vegetarian, We all eat hay and oats, Why be at each other's throat?"

 

Of course, they'd need to talk about food besides hay and oats:

 

http://www.vegetariannutrition.org/food-pyramid.pdf

 

I think it could be executed, but it wouldn't be enough for a whole episode to just talk about health and food.  They'd need to figure a way to mix it into some other relatable lesson.  

 

~ Miles

[PinkieAwesome 66]

I dont understand why people think pinkie would be chubby? She doesnt seem chubby on the show and she probably has a fast metabolism.

 

Take me for example..i eat nothing but pasta, pizza, and meat and plus i have a huge sweet tooth that i eat alot of sweets..i mean alot! And i am a very thin dude. Also no health problems so im like a cartoon

[cider float 2,539]

Eh, I don't think so. that's treading too closely to a sore subject for alot of little girls. Weight is a serious self esteem issue for girls, and I don't think they'd want to risk it, much like I don't think they'll ever tackle AJ's parents being dead directly as a subject.

 

 

 

The comics already did soemthing similiar with the Phenomen-noms in Twilight/pinkie's FF comic. It was actually really nice.

I agree but I could see an episode about clean eating and avoid eating junk food. But only because Pinkie Pie got sick eating the wrong food.

[Unlikeable Pony 2,700]

thinking about this, they already did this kind of a plot in the comics anyways. the one where pinkie pie asked twilight for help with her eating issues with a carnival food called phenomenoms that she couldn't control her appetite with.

It wasn't an "I am fat" type thing but still had the theme of overeating and controlling your eating habits, which is a very similar concept.

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 41,981]

I would much rather see a reference to perhaps eating too many sweets overall, but done in a comedic way with, perhaps, Rarity? I am like others in preferring that the show avoiding body image issues. 

[cider float 2,539]

Despite what most people think children should be instilled with ways to avoid getting fat. Obesity is a problem in the US, I have no clue why this is being ignored.

[sweetolebob18 728]

Most of these comments were written before the last half of season 5.  The episode where Rarity finally opened a shop in Canterlot, there was a really fat pony in a cameo at the very end.  That is the only fat pony I can think of although Snails & Mrs. Cake are plump & to some extent so are Pinkie & Trouble Shoes (although his might be muscle not fat).

 

I could maybe see an episode urging Pinkie (or Celestia) to eat a healthier diet w less sweets 

[Justin_Case001 4,908]

Pinkie needs to be careful, lest she end up with diabetes.

 

In all seriousness, I do not think the show should go anywhere near body image issues, such as having one of the six be unhappy with her appearance and thinking she's fat.  That would be terrible, and would, in my opinion, be very damaging to what the show has built, and Equestrian lore in general.  I DO, however, think it would be a fantastic idea to find a way to promote healthy eating and exercise.  Given that obesity is (I believe) the leading cause of death in the US, instilling children with habits for a healthy, active lifestyle is beyond critical.  I'm with @cider float on that one.  Teaching acceptance of body image and healthy self-esteem is great, but at the same time, we should not be in any way suggesting that obesity is healthy.  It's clearly not.  It's very unhealthy.  That certainly doesn't mean you need to be stick-thin to be healthy, but obesity is a deadly epidemic.  It would be great to promote fitness on the show, but just not in a way that suggests that anypony is unhappy with her weight/appearance.  Instead, have some kind of a Ponyville fun-run day or something where they talk about the benefits of exercise.  I'm immediately picturing Spike complaining about having to go, followed by Twilight giving him one of her adorable lectures on how exercise has all kinds of health benefits and makes one feel good and such.  They could do the same thing with diet.  But dear, sweet Celestia, do NOT go anywhere near having one of the mane six think she's fat, or "going on a diet".

 

Also, all this thread gave me a great idea:  Ponykart.  You know, like Mariokart, with different weight classes.  Fluttershy could be a lightweight, Rainbow a middleweight, and AJ a heavyweight, y'know, cause of all the muscle.  Actually, scratch that.  Featherweight and Pipsqueak would be lightweights, the mane six middleweights, and King Sombra and Tirek heavyweights.  Tirek would look adorable, all crammed into this tiny kart, like Bowser.  And the power-up items things you run into would have a picture of Discord on them.  Somebody needs to make it.