Tommy Oliver Rage Quits the Fandom

[AccountNoLongerUsed 741]

@@Kerberossz,Yeah, what interests me about MLP FIM is not the show itself but the universe its in, the world building it has. Which, a bit unrelated, is why i dont really enjoy Equestria Girls, because it replaces that world building with (shudders) high school drama. Im not gonna say its a copy of Monster High, its its own show, but, a lot the things just dont make sense. This may be a bit of nitpick, but isnt Photo Finish suppose to be  a successful and older (about the age of 25 at least) fashion photographer, not a high school student. Oh, and there's the problem: its too crowded, almost everyone who is important is in Canterlot High. There's no saying of bigger world out there besides the recent mentioning of Crystal Prep and thats just another school. 

 

Im sorry for that random rant.

Edited June 7, 2015 by Wyllow

[guest243535531ty43 219]

Maybe I'm wrong here, but I think the reason that you give your opinion, analysis, or conclusions on anything, whether it be an MLP episode or a painting, is so that other people can criticize what you gave out and find what arguments you made that were logical and sound and which ones were wrong. And then you learn from their critiques of your view on the episode to make better analyses in the future or you argue rationally why your methodology or conclusions make sense.

 

Not everyone likes to analyze things so carefully from their own perspective so they might find people with similar viewpoints and uphold their conclusion--finding people to affirm one's own ideas or someone who can articulate it better is completely natural and perfectly fine. People will also talk about those viewpoints in the comments sections of your videos. That's not "parroting". That's them giving you a different viewpoint which you then find the source argument from some other analyzer or community. Then you either learn from their conclusion and/or argue against it. 

 

Yes people can congregate around a certain person or around a certain idea and start to sound like a hive-mind, but you can't generalize everyone completely like this and this doesn't make their arguments any less valid. If you're tired of hearing it over and over again, then simply remain close-minded and don't listen to it.

 

Giving your opinion and analysis is a learning process for others hearing it and for you to listen to what they have to say. 

 

I don't really listen to analyzers and have been in the fandom for only a couple of months so I don't know if this is a prevalent issue, but I hate it when people assume that their opinions and conclusions aren't up for argument and attempt to criticize other views without looking at the actual argument being made.

 

Also this means we shouldn't let his point about the alleged totem-worshipping mentality of certain people in the fandom go unnoticed just because he gave it out in this vitriolic format. Whether this thread or another is better is up for other people to decide. I'm not too familiar with the fandom beyond MLPforums so I'll stay quiet in that discussion.

Edited June 7, 2015 by estoc

[aoEAF2FBvC0MIo2Q 3,673]

I was making a point about why someone would think like that. never said i wished to.

Hm. OK then. It doesn't change anything, though. If there's one thing he made pretty clear to me with his tantrum, it's that he isn't very people smart. See, interacting with crowds takes a special set of skills. 

 

 

Actually it does. I like the show and THIS forum and I don't really want to know anything about the dark side of the fandom, I mean I don't want to hear anything what they does. Reading this thread made me realize that my naive "Just like the show and enjoy the peaceful talkings with other fans" are not that easy as I thought. 

 

The fact that you like the community is good to hear. I'm on EQD and what you guys said about it...it's just unbelievable. I mean it's just about the fun...right...no? okay. I get it.

 

Tbh reading these comments make me sad. This is why I didn't want to know anything about the negative side, ruins my joy. I'm just being honest.

For you at least. You don't have to get all emotionally invested like other fans. If you just wish to enjoy the show and whatever piece of the fandom you find joy in, let nobody (not even me) tell you to do otherwise. If emotionally invested fans make you feel guilty or shamed because you don't do as they wish, it's likely that they are doing manipulation on you.

 

Hearing you say what you said makes me think that listening to everybody's opinions without exception is very likely to leave you heartbroken.

My recommendation to you (and it's just a recommendation) is to pick who you listen to, what topics you partake in, where you go, etc. Know that it is not guaranteed that you will feel better as being yourself in the fandom but you may need to revise your strategies and ways of interpretation along the way.

 

Pony on, fellow.

[Raritas 6,820]

I say good riddance to him. I stopped liking him after he got overly negative about the show I mean i personally felt the show got better at the fourth season and it continuing to go strong. Don't get me wrong this dude is entitled to his opinion but he didnt need to bloody insult the fandom and called everyone sheep seriously who does he think he is?

 

I hate to say it, but in certain parts of the fandom he's telling the truth. His videos suffered because people couldn't stand criticism . It's opinionated, but I think nothing will ever beat seasons 1 and 2, for one major reason: Lauren Faust.

[NonbinaryDuck 362]

Implying you need to like the show in order to be a part of this community. I'm gonna be honest, i never really cared for the show. its not bad, but i find fan fictions and fan comics of the show more appealing to me. Plus I like this community.

 

That probably doesnt make any sense, does it?

 

Nah, I understand you. I was the same way, the fandom appealed to me then the show did. Now it's quite the opposite

I will give it to the brony fandom making rad music and keeping up the interest of the rest of the fandom in general, but yeah. Just now the brony fandom is kinda.. bland? Like nothing really interesting happens anymore, and it just grows on you after awhile-- but not necessarily in a good way.. :/

[Kerberossz 1,929]

 

 

If emotionally invested fans make you feel guilty or shamed because you don't do as they wish, it's likely that they are doing manipulation on you

 

It's not that. I just don't like to hear these thing, just make me feel a bit sad that people actually "overhinking" things(or at least, it's that for me). I have never been manipulated by random facts about other's wishes.

 

 

 

My recommendation to you (and it's just a recommendation) is to pick who you listen to, what topics you partake in, where you go, etc. Know that it is not guaranteed that you will feel better as being yourself in the fandom but you may need to revise your strategies and ways of interpretation along the way.

 

I really appreciate your words. Maybe it was a bad idea to read this thread, but my curiosity was too big what other's think about it but I didn't expect that. I know now, it's sad but it won't chance anything just left some bad marks.

[Mesme Rize 15,683]

Theme of this thread:

 

 

Alot of people use that word here, so it fits.

 

Good riddance.

[ZOMG 112]

Theme of this thread:

 

 

Alot of people use that word here, so it fits.

 

Good riddance.

Completely unrelated to your post, but dear Celestia your avatar is trippy...

[The Lonely Paradox 124]

I can't watch the video currently, but reading the replies/comments I get the idea of more so what's going on.

I, personally, don't blame him. The show did progress in a way where it just isn't the way how it used to be. The show at this point caters to the brony fandom and it makes me feel sick, because it shows how Hasbro cannot give two sh*ts about their original audience-- the younger, feminine audience, not adult masculine people.

Not that I have an issue with older men/masculine watching the show, it's just that Hasbro has gone so low trying to reel in an audience which is desperate enough to spend like, $1,000 dollars on a damn pony figurine.. I can literally use that money for my gaming PC like hot damn..

There's also plentiful of pornography from the show that you can't safely search things like applebloom without most recent research such as "applebloom r34" appearing, or suggestive images of the filly. Guys, she's a minor-- A MINOR.

I've seen more bad than good from this fandom, which is what I'm trying to point out, but what makes me furious is seeing how people ruined the show. This isn't to blame 100% on the fandom, therefore we should also focus our attention to Hasbro as well.

I'm.. I just.. I don't hate bronies, but I sure as Hell won't and don't call myself one. I like the show, although now it's just getting more ridiculous (and Twilight Sparkle still has a personality of a damn robot. Beep-boop). I'll still keep watching just because of Applejack, but yeah. I just wish this fandom had more of a positive outcome. Why is this so much to ask?..

It's not bronies fault that Hasbro is changing the show. The adult fanbase (there are a considerable number of adult and adolecent females as well as males that enjoy the show) is larger than the younger girlier fanbase that was the original fanbase. Not only that, but ironically, adult fans of the show probably spend more money on the toys and merchandise than the children. With these facts in mind, it is no wonder that Hasbro is trying harder to appeal to the adult audience of MLP. If they can extort more money from them, then it wouldn't make any sense not to pander to them. Even if the fandom didn't create headcannons or ships or what have you, they would still influence the show simply because they like the show and they make Hasbro more money. It's a business decision on Hasbro's part rather than direct influence from the fandom itself. As for all the rule 34, let me define rule 34 for you: if it exists, then there is porn of it. There would still be underaged clop pics even if the fandom wasn't as big as it is. It just so happens that the fandom is rather large, and as a result, there are more people interested in MLP rule 34, so there is more MLP rule 34 in existence. This applies to everything that exists. Do you know how much pokemon rule 34 there is? It's because there are a lot of pokemon fans, and some of them are bound to be interested in that sort of thing. I will agree that it is a shame that the show is changing to be less child oriented than before, which is where the appeal of it originally came from. It is undeniable that the show has gone in a different direction than it did at its original conception, but even this isn't the doing of the Brony fandom. With Faust's departure from the show, the implementation of a new head writer, and just the need of a show to develop and evolve, it would have changed regardless of any influence from the fandom, and some fans of the show, both young and old, would be upset by these changes. Whether or not the brony fandom influenced or added to these changes is debatable, but it is likely that on some level, they did. The point is that the brony fandom most likely did influence some of these changes, but that they are by no means the primary cause of them. The fandom shouldn't be blamed for these things, because they really didn't have much to do with them in the first place, with the possible exception of the show's change of direction. But even then, The brony fandom didn't cause Hasbro to not give a shit about the original target demographic. Hasbro is a company, companies only care about making money, and bronies are where the money is at. It's as simple as that.

[AccountNoLongerUsed 741]

To honest, this just seems like a knee jerk reaction from him. He was probably just blinded by rage (i be pretty pissed off if someone told me to give the option of skipping my more critical opinions and then complain when i didnt even talk about the stuff i didnt care for) We should expect an apology or at least a more thought out and less generalizing reasoning for leaving the fandom in the coming days.

Edited June 7, 2015 by Wyllow

[Dark Qiviut 22,378]

 

 

4:32 He says the show is the bulk of the reason of him quitting. The fandom just made it that much worse.

1. This is still scapegoating the fandom. It doesn't matter how many valid reasons you give. If one of them relies on stereotyping and scapegoating, then his opinions lacks any level of validity. The fandom doesn't make his enjoyment worse. He made his own enjoyment worse and then threw them under the bus.
2. Then in the latter part of the video, he bashed the fandom and analysis community entirely. His whole word is now gone.

His videos suffered because people couldn't stand criticism .

No, his videos suffered in quality because he chose this sarcastic direction. Not every criticism is entitled to be listened to, and he chose to follow it up with the same elitist cut-and-paste "skip" option. He has nobody to blame for his review quality other than himself.

[Brony Man 172]

This is what I feel about Tommy quitting.

 

[Prince Firemane 309]

I think a lot of problems with people who rage-quit like this is that they're purists, they only really liked the first season or two and honestly would rather the show stagnate from that point to remain the same instead of evolving and necessarily becoming different. They wanted season 2 to go on forever essentially. Shows like this of any quality should and do evolve. As I believe that evolution has made the show become much better, there are also flaws that come with it, that's inevitable and it's okay not to like the directions that they're going in. But to rage-quit and throw a temper-tantrum in an attempt to "cut down" the fandom is just petulant and it completely devalues the whole point you were trying to make.

[Zhortac 1,474]

I really can't blame him. I've seen so many people, that treat the show like a way of life, damn near close to a religion. You can't say anything bad about the show, and so many idiots act like we can't have opinions, or like thinks about it they don't like (IE Clop, creepypasta, etc...), but want to preach and proclaim "love and tolerance". Seriously, they really take the show too far...it's a childrens cartoon, made to sell toys...like everything else Hasbro has ever made. It's entertaining sure, but that's the point...it's a 30 minute show to sell toys, using simple plots and characters.

 

And don't even get me started on those "tru bronie" idiots...

[Mand'alor Dash 2,224]

 

 

His point is completely invalid because he claimed others are acting out of confirmation bias, yet he is acting the same. Why should anyone believe him if he's being a hypocrite.

 

You are not only engaging in Tu Quoque, but you have failed to explain what part of his video was acting out of confirmation bias.

[Nuke87654 1,849]

You are not only engaging in Tu Quoque, but you have failed to explain what part of his video was acting out of confirmation bias.

 

Tu Quoque, that is one awesome line I've just learned thanks to you, Mandalore Dash. I'll keep that line of dialogue for future reference someday.

Edited June 7, 2015 by Nuke87654

[Raritas 6,820]

No, his videos suffered in quality because he chose this sarcastic direction. Not every criticism is entitled to be listened to, and he chose to follow it up with the same elitist cut-and-paste "skip" option. He has nobody to blame for his review quality other than himself.

 

That's subjective to be honest, there were a lot of people that liked the new direction. So you're saying he should have carried on his reviews without the criticisms? Just blinding giving the people who watched his videos what they wanted?

[Dark Qiviut 22,378]

@@Mand'alor Dash, "Tu Quoque" is one type of fallacy that doesn't work here. He claims they're acting out of confirmation bias by praising everything, but he's acting out of it just as badly by conforming to the "bronies are a hugbox fandom" stereotype and then bashing the fandom as a collective. He basically told passersby, "It's your fault I'm not a brony anymore." He broke his entire opinion the second he did this.

Edited June 7, 2015 by Dark Qiviut

[Aleh 481]

I really can't blame him. I've seen so many people, that treat the show like a way of life, damn near close to a religion. You can't say anything bad about the show, and so many idiots act like we can't have opinions, or like thinks about it they don't like (IE Clop, creepypasta, etc...), but want to preach and proclaim "love and tolerance". Seriously, they really take the show too far...it's a childrens cartoon, made to sell toys...like everything else Hasbro has ever made. It's entertaining sure, but that's the point...it's a 30 minute show to sell toys, using simple plots and characters.

 

And don't even get me started on those "tru bronie" idiots...

Oh Christ those

I honestly prefer people from outside the fandom calling us autists to the ones who treat it like a religion.

The whole thing started as an ironic joke to piss people off and now it's just gone weird >.<

[Cleverclover 1,526]

I really can't blame him. I've seen so many people, that treat the show like a way of life, damn near close to a religion. You can't say anything bad about the show, and so many idiots act like we can't have opinions, or like thinks about it they don't like (IE Clop, creepypasta, etc...), but want to preach and proclaim "love and tolerance". Seriously, they really take the show too far...it's a childrens cartoon, made to sell toys...like everything else Hasbro has ever made. It's entertaining sure, but that's the point...it's a 30 minute show to sell toys, using simple plots and characters.

 

And don't even get me started on those "tru bronie" idiots...

 

Yes, there definitely exists a certain zealotry within the fandom. I know someone who quit the show after season 3, not directly because of Twilicorn itself, but because of the fandom's aftermath reaction to it. 

 

I wasn't around for all the Twilicorn wars, but according to him, they were pretty bad. Suddenly, droves of bronies were claiming that Twilight is and always has been the only main character (with the other five being little more than sidekicks) and her ascension pretty much confirmed it. The dissenters were savagely lynched. 

 

Where exactly was all the "love and tolerate" when that was going on? 

[Mand'alor Dash 2,224]

 

 

"Tu Quoque" is one type of fallacy that doesn't work here.

 

 

 

He claims they're acting out of confirmation bias by praising everything, but he's acting out of it just as badly by conforming to the "bronies are a hugbox fandom" stereotype and then bashing the fandom as a collective. He broke his entire opinion the second he did this.

 

 

Don't lump these things together. Tu Quoque applies even if he is being a hypocrite. It's a varient of Ad Hominem, which is attacking somebody's character as a means of dismissing their argument, and that's exactly what you are engaging in.

 

Furthermore, stereotypes are not the same as confirmation bias, and furtherfurthermore, he based everything in the video on his own personal experiences with the fandom. It is not a stereotype, it is an anecdote.

[Aleh 481]

@@Mand'alor Dash, "Tu Quoque" is one type of fallacy that doesn't work here. He claims they're acting out of confirmation bias by praising everything, but he's acting out of it just as badly by conforming to the "bronies are a hugbox fandom" stereotype and then bashing the fandom as a collective. He basically told passersby, "It's your fault I'm not a brony anymore." He broke his entire opinion the second he did this.

It's literally just an opinion. He has every right to assume this fandom's full of twats. And meeting too many can ruin the fandom for you >.< because you'll end up thinking "oh God why am I associating myself with this"

 

His opinions fine. I can't really disagree with the idea the fandoms borderline cancerous at the best of tubes l times.

[Zhortac 1,474]

Yes, there definitely exists a certain zealotry within the fandom. I know someone who quit the show after season 3, not directly because of Twilicorn itself, but because of the fandom's aftermath reaction to it. 

 

I wasn't around for all the Twilicorn wars, but according to him, they were pretty bad. Suddenly, droves of bronies were claiming that Twilight is and always has been the only main character (with the other five being little more than sidekicks) and her ascension pretty much confirmed it. The dissenters were savagely lynched. 

 

Where exactly was all the "love and tolerate" when that was going on? 

 

It never existed. People just use it as a stupid defense, after they don't get their way, and expect everyone to fall into their stupid ideals of what a fan should be.

[The Real Minty <3 217]

Never liked him, always came off as an asshole

 

Good Riddance

 

I would have to agree, you took the words out of my mouth

 

Edit: Also, um, I have always respected how he thought out everything, but how he left the fandom was not thought out, and it seemed he was just throwing a fit about it if you know what I mean.

Edited June 7, 2015 by Peppermint Blaze

[Unr3alGamer 230]

I don't agree with his comments on the show (he's saying it's lost it touch, I don't think it has (I think it's getting better actually)) but his rant on the fandom has truth to it. It's part of the reason I hesitate to call myself a "brony" anymore. People want to be told that they're not weird for liking this show, so they need that affirmation from other people's videos saying how good the show is (a form of hopping on the bandwagon when you think about it). And you know what? Me and a few of my friends used to be like this, and eventually I learned to not let others decide how I personally feel about something, instead I decide for myself. 

 

Also, let's face it, the brony fandom as a whole used to be a lot more pure after its departure from 4chan. But since Season 3, it's been a mish-mash of either overly critical/negative "fans" or sissified people who are afraid to share their views. Tommy Oliver I think has changed his perceptions overtime and therefore has become a lot more critical of MLP to the point of over-analysis (Digibrony fell into the same pit). But part of the reason I didn't post anything on this site or bronysquares is because so many people have become too sensitive and/or beg people to agree with them. 

 

Edit: Also, wanting affirmation by itself isn't a bad thing. When it gets to the point of feeling extremely insecure without it is when it's a problem.

Edited June 7, 2015 by Unr3alGamer