Why do people study the brony fandom

[SDP40F amtrak 2,448]

I was wondering what do people study about us and fandom and our culture

I don't understand  why they do that  for is it a purpose 

[The Kaeya Simp 13,996]

Because people are confused by us

[Tacodidra 61,746]

I guess there are several reasons for this. There aren't many fandoms that are as large that consist of people outside the original target audience. This makes bronies fascinating to many, I found the MLP fandom interesting as well even before I started watching the show (being a cartoon fan myself also played a significant role). Also from what I've seen, many of the people who have studied the fandom are bronies themselves. What would be a better subject to study than one you're interested in?

Edited April 22, 2018 by Tacodidra

[Denim&Venöm 20,472]

Now only are we an oddity among fan bases and demographics, we're a relatively new subculture. Unlike fans of Pokemon, Star Trek or LOTR, our fandom can be observed as it's still growing. It's also helps that we're the largest defiance of gender tropes ever observed in media. People across the academic community are bound to wonder why? 

https://www.dailydot.com/society/my-little-pony-brony-study-results/

[The Recherche 29,982]

One word: Demographics. There have always been a division of people who were always into things like MLP, but never even close to the scale. This makes pretty much everyone curious, even the people within the fandom itself. I knew I was confused when I was finding myself enjoying MLP: FiM! 

[Rhythm Red 6,485]

I think everypony who’s commented so far has nailed it.  

Edited April 23, 2018 by Rhythm Red

[ZethaPonderer 2,201]

Basically because the Brony Fandom defies conventional fandoms such as Star Wars Fans, Trekkies, D&D Fans etc. It is diametrically opposed to gender norms and challenging what gender likes what though it may not be the first fandom to do so.

 

E.g. Stereotypically speaking don’t get your undergarments in a twist;

Men are into Guns, Mechs, and Violence

Women are into Roses, Ponies, and Romance.

 

So it’d be weird for a man to be emotionally invested in a show that is designed for 5 year old girls in mind.

Maybe Hasbro should make a crossover between Transformers and MLP.

[King of Canterlot 9,608]

I think it has to do with simple curiosity, that's always been human nature, to investigate things that are viewed as strange or different. For many in the academic world, the Brony fandom is extremely interesting because of how it's been built around a show that one would expect only little girls to watch, however the large adult male following makes it an extremely interesting thing to investigate as to how and why such a thing could even exist, there has always been a driving nature to understand things that may be viewed as "out there" or "weird", and the Brony fandom would easily fit into those categories, not that that's a bad thing      

[Mirage 24,777]

We are HUGE and we happened out of nowhere. We were unexpected, even though Lauren did say she wanted the show to be more family oriented. The internet, 4Chan, the memes, the art, forums like this - totally unexpected.

We're a real phenomenon!

[Wannabrony 11,642]

Because standards in society deem us as weird and not "normal". Personally I don't see what's wrong with watching a kid's show, I think it's just like watching any other show. You watch it for sheer entertainment, I understand it's not for everyone, but nothing is. I don't think fans of any other given show, are much different from us. One guy my school is actually disgusted by thought of a man liking MLP, and he still talks to me even if I do like the show, he just tried to ignore the fact and avoid the subject.  But I think people study us because they think we're "fascinating", and who know? Maybe we are.

[Pr0m4NV14 839]

Why do we study things? To understand the unknown. This is why people are digging up old bones and ruins to try and understand the mayans, or moving into a remote tribe of Indians to figure out their culture and religion.

[EpicEnergy 23,247]

It's probably because bronies are unique.

[HeavenSunset 1,873]

for their human experiments

I think it is because they are fascinated by bronies.

[Ocean Breeze 5,210]

Probably because Bronies are an interesting topic, and people are fascinated by them.