Why don't ponies make more of an effort to have info on other species?

[ManaMinori 4,149]

Why is that? I think the lack of appropriate knowledge and available info on other species kind of make the ponies look like closed-off bigots. I'm sure they're not, but it just gives off that impression, when you look at "bridle Gossip", the only one who knows anything at all about Zebras was Twilight Purplesmart (and still even not that much, since she thought that Zecora put a curse on her horn, which implies that she didn't know about Zebra tradition and or magic)

 

Then in "Dragon Quest", Twilight Purplesmart says that ponies know next to nothing about dragons. Why dont they know abou a apecies tht they share the world with? A species that migrate over their homes every so often?

 

Ponies didn't have knowledge of Changelings (nor did they try to come to some sort of arrangement with them to co-exist peacefully)

 

Same with Griffons. Twilight only had a certain amount of knowledge about them up until a certain point of their history. Nor did they have appropriate knowledge of Yaks and their culture, as seen in "Party Pooped".

 

Why do you guys think that ponies don't make more of an effort to have info to better understand and better form relationships woth other species?

[Jeric 46,884]

Why do Americans know very little about the culture of Uganda, or the historical influence of the Ottoman Empire?

 

Same reason I assume.  

[Hocus Pocus 636]

Why do Americans know very little about the culture of Uganda, or the historical influence of the Ottoman Empire?

 

Same reason I assume.  

 

But many Americans DO know about those cultures. Not necessarily me, but historians and diplomats both would know these things. In Equestria, it seems nopony knows anything about anything outside of Equestria. Perhaps they have a distrust of other species? I mean, who can blame them when half the stuff in their own empire is trying to destroy them.

[碇 シンジン 27,440]

Why do Americans know very little about the culture of Uganda, or the historical influence of the Ottoman Empire?

 

Same reason I assume.  

 

 

While I agree with this, I think it would be good to gain knowledge atleast about the neighboring lands., though when you consider the fact that the Equestrian world doesn't have the Mighty Google and Wikipedia where you can fish all the information from, spreading the knowledge about neighboring lands could be very hard.

 

 

Information sources are books and spoken word even if someone knew about the other nations and where they came, to spread the knowlegde they must've written a book about it or have told it by word to someone and not everypony is interested in books like Twilight, so to get the information to spread they would need to teach it at school.

 

Though the school and education system of normal ponies looks more focusing on the general knowlegde than the information about other speciaeces.

[Shanks 10,817]

Judging by what we saw from Bridle Gossip there does seem to be some xenophobia among the ponies, Zecora may now be more accepted in Ponyville but I will bet you anything that there are probably some ponies who still hate her for simply being different. With the dragons it is somewhat more understandable as one full grown dragon can destroy a whole pony town like it is nothing. The Changelings are a predatory species that feed on emotions so it is understandable why ponies want nothing to do with them. As for Yak's, Griffons and others while xenophobia may play a part I think part of it is also simple apathy. Rainbow Dash had some apathy, she didn't care about reading and learning new things until she discovered the Daring Do book series and I am sure there are plenty of other ponies that are the same way.

[Jeric 46,884]

But many Americans DO know about those cultures.

 

The average American doesn't. Just asked 10 random people at work (we all have 4 year or higher degrees) and NONE of them could tell me anything about the Ottoman Empire, or the famous African explorer to the Middle East, or even what the previous currency was in Greece (something more current). 0/10 got the answers. None. Yes if I included a broader sample extending out to a wider universe, I would find one who knows of Ibn Battuta ... but not many at all. I firmly stand by my statement. 

 

 

You see, this is basic psychology and sociology. The focus of people is usually on themselves and their own interests (or tangential interests), and the citizens of Ponyville are no different. Lyra is focused on her day to day life and likely never bothered to look up anything related to Yaks, for example. Why? Because she never needed to. 

[The Nth Doctor 664]

Clearly they didn't read the 24-volume primer on Pony Culture

[NotoriousSMALL 1,984]

Basically what Jeric said. How often do you think about other nations?

Also wtf OP? "don't have extensive knowledge about other nations = bigot"

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@Nightmare Muffin,

 

Well it's not universal for one thing. In the case of both dragons and changelings, neither are exactly friendly as a whole to Equestria. The ponies would like to understand for sure, but the feeling is not mutual. 

 

With the Griffons, Twilight had extensive knowledge of both their history and cultural norms, just not current events. The same goes for the yaks, they took every pre-caution to make them feel at home and clearly understood their culture in spirit. The Yaks just got mad at things that even a well versed and open minded foreigner just wouldn't understand.

 

 

Why do Americans know very little about the culture of Uganda, or the historical influence of the Ottoman Empire?

 

Same reason I assume.  

 

 

The average American doesn't. Just asked 10 random people at work (we all have 4 year or higher degrees) and NONE of them could tell me anything about the Ottoman Empire, or the famous African explorer to the Middle East, or even what the previous currency was in Greece (something more current). 0/10 got the answers. None. Yes if I included a broader sample extending out to a wider universe, I would find one who knows of Ibn Battuta ... but not many at all. I firmly stand by my statement. 

 

 

You see, this is basic psychology and sociology. The focus of people is usually on themselves and their own interests (or tangential interests), and the citizens of Ponyville are no different. Lyra is focused on her day to day life and likely never bothered to look up anything related to Yaks, for example. Why? Because she never needed to. 

 

Speak for yourself and your co-workers, I'm proudly familiar with many cultures, as an American! (Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Mexican, English, Brazilian.) Either through my neighbors, visiting, or research I took upon myself.

 

And yes, I have some limited familiarity with the Ottoman Empire's history.

 

 

Basically what Jeric said. How often do you think about other nations?

 

Quite a lot personally considering I've been to many and love all different cultures.

 

 

 

Also wtf OP? "don't have extensive knowledge about other nations = bigot"

 

Agreed. Equestria has never been depicted as perfect but I highly doubt the ponies there would reject a friendly face just because that face was different from theirs. 

Edited July 22, 2015 by Steel Accord

[Nyan Neon 50]

Why do Americans know very little about the culture of Uganda, or the historical influence of the Ottoman Empire?

 

Same reason I assume.  

Oooh daaaaang. Shots fired, huh? 

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Oooh daaaaang. Shots fired, huh? 

 

And returned fired, as can be seen above.

 

Ola by the way.

Edited July 13, 2015 by Steel Accord

[Jeric 46,884]

Speak for yourself and your co-workers, I'm proudly familiar with many cultures, as an American! (Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Mexican, English, Brazilian.) Either through my neighbors, visiting, or research I took upon myself.

 

 

Right, as am I. However, it is the exception ... not the rule.  I dare you to ask 5 people on the spot what Edo is ... not online ... but in person. Researching what you are interested in is a bias in and of itself. It also explains why the citizens of Equestria would be so ignorant of other cultures outside of limited or non existent trade routes, communication, and distance. 

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Right, as am I. However, it is the exception ... not the rule.  I dare you to ask 5 people on the spot what Edo is ... not online ... but in person. Researching what you are interested in is a bias in and of itself.

 

Challenge Accepted!  :okiedokielokie: 

 

I have faith that all the people I ask at school tomorrow will either say "a place in Japan" or "a period of Japanese history."

 

(I'll PM you the result.)

Edited July 13, 2015 by Steel Accord

[Nature's Spell 526]

Hapless ponies is also a popular meme with the writers. Remember, they are putting the characters in situations to teach a certain lesson and be entertaining, so they'll often exaggerate their fears and xenophobia. This makes it hard to pinpoint what the ponies really think because it can and does change.

 

In broad strokes I would say they can be quite fearful, superstitions, and xenophobic, but they're also quick to see the error of their ways.

Edited July 13, 2015 by Nature's Spell

[Shenron00 366]

It may just be that few species ever interact.

We don't even know where Zebras live, and I'm sure most of the ponies of Ponyville don't know either. Besides, I wouldn't trust someone walking down town with a hood hiding their face and glowing yellow eyes. Also, that's just Ponyville, we don't know how much other pony towns know. As for Dragons, they're pretty anti-social when it comes to other species, as are most Griffons. We've seen how Yaks are. Changelings are monsters who feed off of emotions and make other beings weaker. Who'd want to be around that?

Jeric has a pretty good point, not everyone knows details about other cultures. I'm sure you guys might know a lot about certain places, but that doesn't mean others do or should.

Back on topic though, ponies not knowing much about other cultures isn't necessarily xenophobia or anything like that. To me, it seems like everyone, pony or not, is just doing their own thing.

[cider float 2,539]

Don't forget the buffalos.

[SolyWack 482]

You guys are all acting like Equestria's this hyper advanced society with the very best technology that world could ever posses.

 

But Equestria is more akin to medieval times. How much did China know about South america? How much did England know about Russia? (was it even called that?) How much did Scandinavia know about North Africa?

 

Nothing! No one knew jack sh*t, because everyone was too busy buildng their own nations to care. Have you seen maps of Equestria? Theres like 8 settlements. 8! Hardly a country, let alone a nation that would give two feathers about anyone around them.

 

Plus Twilight had that book about Griffonstone, and that primer about yaks, and she seemed to know what shes talking about when she talks about zebras. Is that barely any information on other races to you people?

[NotoriousSMALL 1,984]

Quite a lot personally considering I've been to many and love all different cultures.

You speak for the whole of everyone in the US? =P

How much did Scandinavia know about North Africa?

Well.. umm... vikings did get around... 

 

lol

[Steel Accord 6,660]

You speak for the whole of everyone in the US? =P

 

Do you?

 

(Trying to make a pointed comeback.)

[NotoriousSMALL 1,984]

Do you?

 

(Trying to make a pointed comeback.)

No, that isn't going to work too well because I'm not saying everyone in america doesnt think about other nations and their daily life... often. 

Neither side is really 100%

I've also never been out of the nation, as have many other americans, but there have been americans that have traveled outside of the US.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

No, that isn't going to work too well because I'm not saying everyone in america doesnt think about other nations and their daily life... often. 

Neither side is really 100%

I've also never been out of the nation, as have many other americans, but there have been americans that have traveled outside of the US.

 

You're right, my point was saying that ALL Americans or even most had no mind that stretched beyond their borders was unfair, not that everyone was Jeff Corwin. Hell many Americans are FROM other cultures and in this day of global connectivity, there are more and more people everywhere with a wider awareness.

[cider float 2,539]

If you watched the Hearth Warming Eve even among the three pony tribes they were only knit together due to business. It's no doubt the ponies are very factional by nature so they don't try to understand other kinds unless it's necessary. Cloudsdale, Canterlot and Ponyville seems to be pretty close in terms of relations. I do wonder if the Equalist town and Griffonstone may have gotten closer relations to Ponyville due to the mane six's meddling like Yakyakistan has gotten.

 

I mean it's not like the dragons or griffons are any more interested in the ponies than the ponies are with other species as well.

Edited July 14, 2015 by cider float

[Goat-kun 2,531]

You misunderstand that MLP: FIM is an actual living, breathing world like those of Azeroth (Warcraft), Arda (Tolkien), or even Runeterra (League of Legends) where their respective worldbuilders at least try to present believable interactions that take place between many different beings. You will find none of that in the “world” Equestria belongs to. It’s just a case of “Humans (Ponies) Are Special” trope often found in shows made for the whole family. Or do you really think H-Bro would allow them to use a sentient chimaera if it wasn’t funsized into a slightly threatening comic relief first? If Apple girls fought an actual, motivated monster in a functioning magical world, they would get deleted. Ignoring/downplaying vastly different species is thus a logical sacrifice since the show centers on personalities that function best in a stable and modern human environment. The moment you’d give power to other species like dragons or griffons, you’d also force ponies to change and adapt the way we’d have to when faced with aliens. This surpasses the boundaries set for this show, but don’t worry, we’ll always have fanfiction.

 

Conclusion: it's not a matter of a different culture but of an entirely different organism. If you really need a comparison, then read The Swarm by Frank Schatzing.

[Grtxkkyz 389]

Well, a possible reason is because Equestria is kind of like an isolationist land in its fantasy world. With some exceptions (The Mane Six, Cheese Sandwich, Daring Do, to name a few) most ponies aren't particularly adventurous and are more than content staying at their home. Likewise, some species, like dragons, don't seem to think very highly of ponies. Because of factors like these, most Equestrians may feel untrustworthy about other sentient species. It's a similar scenario to many other fantasy settings like Dungeons and Dragons, the Star Wars universe and Tolkien's Middle Earth. Plus, ponies aren't immune to racism among their own kind. Even after the three races ultimately managed to make a successful alliance, some stuck-up Canterlot unicorns don't seem to be very kind towards Earth ponies.

[Petrus 696]

Why do Americans know very little about the culture of Uganda, or the historical influence of the Ottoman Empire?

 

Same reason I assume.  

Very well put Jeric.. very well put.