I'm really not seeing the stigma with this franchise

[TheAnimatorOfficial 567]

On most websites where they talk about Bronies (Washington Post, Yahoo, Huffington Post, NPR, hell, even the conservative website The Blaze) the reactions are surprisingly positive with this subject. They seem to either not really care or support them, even not letting the weird side get to them.

 

Maybe it's just me, but it seems like these days the only ones that still have a problem with males or older females liking MLP are those 12 year olds over at iFunny who keep using "cancer", "autism" "fag", etc.

Edited July 21, 2016 by TheAnimatorOfficial

[On-Locoweed 108]

I guess sincerity really takes the edge off of taboo eventually.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@TheAnimatorOfficial,

 

It was a little bit stronger way back when the show first kicked off and the fandom was just starting. Nowadays the shock factor has just kind of gone away with time. Indeed even some of our original detractors discovered most of us are into it while being otherwise "normal."

[Solid 1,327]

Most of them have eventually come to accept that we are a thing and got over it over these years.

[Corgis 574]

People just got used the idea after a while I suppose.  Maybe more people tried to watch the show as well and found out that it's not just a pure girly cartoon.  

[Guest]

Honestly I think a lot of the stigma was in people's heads.

[Steve Piranha 29,429]

Pfff, people sooner realized there are things far more worthy of attention than a bunch of dudes liking small colorful horses

[Sunny Fox 5,952]

"We're here and get used to it" became "We're STILL here, and so you're used to it." It's a good time to be a FiM fan.

[Guest]

I never really saw a lot of outward like venomous hate except in YouTube comments, 4chan and Tumblr, but those places are known for venomous overzealous hate to begin with, so I don't think there really was that much hate to begin with. A while back I did a survey asking bronies how much hate they've received for MLP and the vast majority answered that they didn't really get much more than they usually did for anything else. I conducted the same survey in a few different brony communities and the results were the same.

 

I think brony hate is exaggerated to seem worse than it is, generally people don't care about bronies and by the looks of it, most of them never did.

[woodgazer 71]

I never really saw a lot of outward like venomous hate except in YouTube comments, 4chan and Tumblr, but those places are known for venomous overzealous hate to begin with, so I don't think there really was that much hate to begin with. A while back I did a survey asking bronies how much hate they've received for MLP and the vast majority answered that they didn't really get much more than they usually did for anything else. I conducted the same survey in a few different brony communities and the results were the same.

 

I think brony hate is exaggerated to seem worse than it is, generally people don't care about bronies and by the looks of it, most of them never did.

There was a panelist (Dr. Samuel Miller) at BronyCon who'd researched bronies, including how much and what kind of hate they got from other people. He didn't give many examples, but the ones he gave were a lot worse than hearing mean words. I'm not the right person to say how much/how little hate still exists toward bronies, but it has been "scienced", and surely that accounts for more than a few forumists' general experience. That said, the experience of individuals is of course important as well, especially when people still experience hurtful words or behavior, just because they happen to be a brony.

[Guest]

There was a panelist (Dr. Samuel Miller) at BronyCon who'd researched bronies, including how much and what kind of hate they got from other people. He didn't give many examples, but the ones he gave were a lot worse than hearing mean words. I'm not the right person to say how much/how little hate still exists toward bronies, but it has been "scienced", and surely that accounts for more than a few forumists' general experience. That said, the experience of individuals is of course important as well, especially when people still experience hurtful words or behavior, just because they happen to be a brony.

 

I'm familiar with Dr. Miller. Prior to bronies he really hadn't done much of significance and is relatively new to the scientific scene. So to say he is a reputable source is stretching it. Having a PH. D. doesn't make someone an expert. I wouldn't really take his word as any more credible than anyone else's. On top of this, Dr. Miller is a brony himself, so his studies are obviously going to be biased. He is self interested.

 

That being said, while my studies are not conclusive either, there is no hard evidence to suggest that hatred towards bronies is extreme or even more than other fandoms. In my studies, I was able to get input from a couple hundred people, which is more than a "few forumists" and from multiple sites to prevent the single site bias. I also asked several non-bronies how they felt about bronies and the general consensus seems the same: most non-bronies do not care. As a non-brony I conducted these surveys to be as objective as possible.

 

Not a single person surveyed accounted an "extreme" case of hatred towards them. Most of what I saw was people saying they were called "gay" or some other insult for liking the show.

 

Considering no real evidence has popped up in years, I am concluding that extreme brony hate is actually rare and most cases of being bullied for being a brony are small and not much more than a little name calling.

Edited July 21, 2016 by Guest

[Red Cedar 1,408]

I think stigmas around being fans of anything have been declining in recent decades. They made fun of Star Trek fans way back when whenever you saw a guy in a Starfleet uniform, but that was fifty years ago now. Now, it's become so common that no one gives it a second thought.

[Anonymous Old User Who Has Left 599]

Slowly we're being more assimilated into pop culture, bit by bit. However IMO the "big times" of the fandom (2012-2013) needs to come back.

[Frozen Glow 69]

I agree with your thoughts. It's possible that this isn't jest a sign of less prejudice against the mlp community but less against subcultures in general, which would make sense because over time people realize that just because some people can't handle their hoddys resposibily doesn't mean the majority can't of well.

[El Duderino 879]

I think enough time has passed where people are just used to it now. They no longer feel like they need to make a big deal about it, and they are distracted by newer things they think are weird. Trust me, I still meet people who like to make fun of bronies, but I agree that the subject has either died down, or is being taken a little more light hardheartedly by the media.

[woodgazer 71]

I'm familiar with Dr. Miller. Prior to bronies he really hadn't done much of significance and is relatively new to the scientific scene. So to say he is a reputable source is stretching it. Having a PH. D. doesn't make someone an expert. I wouldn't really take his word as any more credible than anyone else's. On top of this, Dr. Miller is a brony himself, so his studies are obviously going to be biased. He is self interested.

 

That being said, while my studies are not conclusive either, there is no hard evidence to suggest that hatred towards bronies is extreme or even more than other fandoms. In my studies, I was able to get input from a couple hundred people, which is more than a "few forumists" and from multiple sites to prevent the single site bias. I also asked several non-bronies how they felt about bronies and the general consensus seems the same: most non-bronies do not care. As a non-brony I conducted these surveys to be as objective as possible.

 

Not a single person surveyed accounted an "extreme" case of hatred towards them. Most of what I saw was people saying they were called "gay" or some other insult for liking the show.

 

Considering no real evidence has popped up in years, I am concluding that extreme brony hate is actually rare and most cases of being bullied for being a brony are small and not much more than a little name calling.

Reading what I wrote I realize I may have sounded dismissive of your own studies - sorry! I'm reading what you're writing with great interest (and with no previous knowledge about these things whatsoever, since I've never been a US resident - which I'm assuming is the country both yours and Miller's studies are mostly about).

 

Personally I have no interest in helping making the brony fandom appear as a target of hatred and violence. I guess I can see a reason for wanting that, though (strengthening the "we" by creating a common enemy?), but I didn't take Dr Miller for some alarmist or petty opinion peddler. Every scientist was once new on the scene. My point being, since I know nothing, I listen to everything (within reason) to make my own opinion. I have not seen anything close to a stigma for being a brony here in Sweden. Nor on my short visits to the US. But to me it seems obvious that some people (just read the Life Advice threads) are afraid of what might happen to them if they "come out" as bronies. Now whether that's because of a real stigma or "only" a perceived one, I can't say. But it seems wrong to altogether dismiss the idea that a stigma exists. Would you agree?

[Guest]

Reading what I wrote I realize I may have sounded dismissive of your own studies - sorry! I'm reading what you're writing with great interest (and with no previous knowledge about these things whatsoever, since I've never been a US resident - which I'm assuming is the country both yours and Miller's studies are mostly about).

 

Personally I have no interest in helping making the brony fandom appear as a target of hatred and violence. I guess I can see a reason for wanting that, though (strengthening the "we" by creating a common enemy?), but I didn't take Dr Miller for some alarmist or petty opinion peddler. Every scientist was once new on the scene. My point being, since I know nothing, I listen to everything (within reason) to make my own opinion. I have not seen anything close to a stigma for being a brony here in Sweden. Nor on my short visits to the US. But to me it seems obvious that some people (just read the Life Advice threads) are afraid of what might happen to them if they "come out" as bronies. Now whether that's because of a real stigma or "only" a perceived one, I can't say. But it seems wrong to altogether dismiss the idea that a stigma exists. Would you agree?

 

Of course, I am just not a fan of exaggerating stigmas is all.

[idunnomaybe 344]

I'm just going to be brutally honest here i'm on the fence on whether or not to call myself a Brony and this is the first time ive really looked into them and talked to you guys and pretty much one of the first things i saw on the forums was a thread talking about how you're no longer to solicit dates.... 

to you guys that might not seem weird but my actual reaction was a slow silent "what the f****************************.............." its that kind of stuff on why you get picked on it may be more easy for me to see because i'm not a super Brony or what ever but its things like that it just cements the stereotypes people come up with 

there's just stigmas involved with BEING a Brony no one cares if you watch the show its self referring back to my intro no one went "you're all f******!" they just went "what is that?" "my little pony" "ah... any good?" "yeah its alright" *sits down to watch with us* "wow i.... cant stop watching..." 

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 41,678]

You are not seeing the stigma much these days, but it WAS really bad to a point before. Considering I don't go out much for various reasons I can only speak from my experiences online, but there was a time where you couldn't go anywhere on the internet with a pony avatar without some people calling you out with some kind of insult. To say people are just victimizing themselves or 'making up' the stigma's is dangerous. Bullying is bullying, and there still might be people who are bullied online and offline for simply liking this show.

 

Do some people over exaggerate? Maybe, that is a possibility for some, but we really shouldn't ignore this kind of stuff. Keep in mind, the vast majority of my experiences offline now, whenever I experience them that is, have been positive, with people simply asking about the show and they have a genuine curiosity. Not everyone will get the same treatment though.

 

I am rambling at this point, but that is my take on it. The stigma is not as strong as it was before but it does exist still.

[Jeric 46,854]

Honestly I think a lot of the stigma was in people's heads.

 

 

No. It wasn't, I have teens ... seen this first hand. It has died down greatly though.

 

 

 

Having a PH. D. doesn't make someone an expert.

 

Actually it does ... though mileage and results will vary.

 

 

 

Prior to bronies he really hadn't done much of significance and is relatively new to the scientific scene.

 

This is why anything he says should be considered part of a larger group of opinions ... and as I have already said elsewhere ... I have MAJOR issues with the official Brony 'Study' being passed off as legitimate behavioral research by this fandom. 

 

 

On top of this, Dr. Miller is a brony himself, so his studies are obviously going to be biased. He is self interested.

 

 

This was one of my biggest issues. Some bias in research is unavoidable ... but this coupled with a lack or Peer Reviewed Reports ... well ... I'll let an an actual expert address this ... 

[Just Jessi 81]

I say this very carefully, as I am not accustomed to speaking ill of one of my colleagues. Every graduate student in a Psychology program is looking for something to distinguish themselves when applying for research opportunities. It makes sense that he would try and focus on a much publicized and unusual fandom as yours. What you need to understand is that there is lack of clinical focused study in his CV that would make me want to validate his research, and that is where I see him as untested. The reason we have peer reviews at that level is as a check on our work. Grad-student and post-grad work is done with peer input and supervision. Going to speak on behavioral concepts without being established in the field is ... not professional. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that his selection of a Graduate Program raises a few flags for me. 

 

People place a great amount of stock on what we say. Please do not listen to any mental health expert without knowing their credentials. We are experts, but not gods and goddesses. 

 

That was me holding my tongue. 

[Guest]

 

 

No. It wasn't, I have teens ... seen this first hand. It has died down greatly though.

 

I was in this fandom from the start and I never really saw it get that bad. But that's just me.

 

 

 

Actually it does ... though mileage and results will vary.

 

Only by a technical definition.

 

 

 

This is why anything he says should be considered part of a larger group of opinions ... and as I have already said elsewhere ... I have MAJOR issues with the official Brony 'Study' being passed off as legitimate behavioral research by this fandom. 

 

 

This was one of my biggest issues. Some bias in research is unavoidable ... but this coupled with a lack or Peer Reviewed Reports ... well ... I'll let an an actual expert address this ... 

 

 

Exactly, I find when research benefits the researcher, we can't really take it that seriously.

[FluffyGoat13 375]

Considering that my history with bronies has been quite a turbulent one (I started off as one of those prats who hurled hate at bronies when they were first becoming a thing during the /b/rony incident on 4Chan, now look at where I am), I can safely say that hate towards us bronies has definitely decreased. We've been here a while, so people have ​realised ​resistance is futile ​that hating us is pointless, but also began directing their hate at other things that are just as weird. I also think we've been receiving less hate because now, after the surges in brony numbers several years ago, and the whole "leaving the fandom" malarkey of two-ish years ago, we've actually stopped spamming ​every website ever with ponies, which is obviously not annoying everyone who doesn't want to see ponies ​everywhere, ​which is certainly a good thing.​ ​

[Justin_Case001 4,902]

Whelp, I guess we won.  Huzzah.