MLP:FiM as a Lifestyle/Philosophy/Identity

[LovingTolerance 131]

When friends who I haven't seen for a while come over to visit, the first thing they always ask is "what's with all of the ponies?"

 

It's almost like I converted to Hinduism and I've got a collection of idols I'm worshiping. It's a secular thing and a disproportionate amount of people in this fandom are secular, but the whole thing sounds a lot like a religion the way people talk about it. I've heard things along the lines of "this show saved/transformed my life" plenty of times.

 

It has had a steep impact on my worldview as well. I am a different person that I was two months ago, one far more tolerant and far less arrogant. It's the strongest part of my identity. I'm more a brony than I am a whiter person, a male, an athlete, or an American.

 

The fandom has a lot to do with it. I don't know if there is a generally accepted philosophical manual for the fandom or not, but people seem to follow a set of unwritten rules. People are tolerant (for the most part), but will not hesitate to down vote content which has any hint of negativity in it. I used to be a very cynical person (still am a bit) so that still comes through in my posts sometimes and I appreciate it that people will vote me down if I'm being detrimental. It helps me realize when I'm being negative.

 

Thank you all.

 

I'd love to hear your own take on MLP as a lifestyle.

Edited May 27, 2012 by SageWise

[Chigens and Kay 3,832]

Words and Sentences

 

Pretty much all of 'zat 'eez exactly how I feel or have felt at 'zome point.

 

Pretty spot on.

[Nas 2,873]

A passion for something can sometimes be so strong, that a fandom can almost feel like some sort of religion.

 

While I highly doubt that's a good way to follow a franchise, I really agree with what you said about the subject. And everything helps and boosts the passion, the fans as well as the original content, and eveything in between. More fans induce more fans, and it's just an endless cycle. The feeling of a life-changing experience, probably in this case watching the show for the first time, is one of the best feelings I've felt in a long time, and has unlocked up a huge world of new and fresh content to base our life by.

 

I hereby give my endearing and immeasurable gratitude to Lauren Faust for giving this gift the feeling an ultimate passion, one of the best feelings in the world, especially when it's at its peak. Honestly, my life hasn't been changed this much since I was introduced to the world of Zelda games last summer.

[I used to be a stranger 7,994]

Seeing as the moral premises are based upon averages of "religious/non-religious" morals from Western Society (which have been extremely heavily been based upon Christianity) it's simpler to actually accept a pre-existing religion rather than derive one from it, since the philosophies would be at the mercy of creative direction of entertainment by artists, instead of more stable and logical reproach by theologians.

 

There's really no need to reinvent the wheel for one's moral and truth basis.

Edited May 27, 2012 by Blue

[Radiance64 7,053]

While I really love the show and the brand(as it is now), I wouldn't say I build my life around it- in the end it is just entertainment after all. I'm pretty much the same guy I was before I started watching the show, just bronified. That said however, the show still means a lot to me, and it probably always will- it is my favorite show after all.

Edited May 27, 2012 by SBB64

[Pix3M 607]

...the philosophies would be at the mercy of creative direction of entertainment by artists...

 

No kidding.

 

Bridle gossip : "Don't judge a book by its cover!"

Mmmystery Express: "Don't jump to conclusions!"

 

Season 2 Finale: "Trusting your instincts is an important skill"

 

I'm pretty sure as more episodes are made, they're gonna start contradicting each other even more.

[MVC NVMXD JVRXD 2,406]

I think MLP is like fables conforming to a philosophy, rather a philosophy itself.

[Phoenix Dirac Wright 121]

After I started watching the episode about Photo Finish. I've started to bring a camera to school occasionally and I start acting like Photo Finish by taking alot of pictures and start being dramatic about it. Then I end up talking to the teacher about how ponies do this.

[Crystal Sparkle 344]

For me it's like becoming an otaku, you want to learn everything about it, and get involved with it in anyway. You want to declare you'rr love for it, the only way you know how.