Theory Pony Romance: Why? Who?

[Steel Accord 6,658]

Hello everypony, this is my first topic post. (I know the rules, this is NOT about sex or anything nasty. I like to keep things PG anyway.) Please be merciful, this is a topic I feel like I should discuss in-depth just for some closure.

 

So shortly after becoming a brony, which was probably marked right about the time Twilight got into her study in Canterlot, I started to watch clips from the show. (Pretty much the opposite of the typical brony, I dove in head first for the pilot!) As I watched the clips, I noticed people making remarks about the mane six that sounded beyond "X is best pony" and started sounding endeared. I pass it off at first as other's misplaced attraction . . . until a certain yellow pegasus caught my eye. Nothing physically was happening, but I couldn't deny that my emotions were scarily similar to the ones I felt when I had a hard crush during high school.

 

I still found graphic displays, and pictures repugnant and revolting, yet these feelings weren't going away. On the contrary, they were getting worse! Following Fluttershy infatuation was Rarity, then Twilight, then AJ, even Pinkie and Rainbow had their moments! After the initial panicked confusion I asked myself why I was feeling this way. Some research and looking at my personal history revealed some things. First off, these feelings weren't unprecedented. I felt similarly to the character of Jamie played by Mandy Moore from A Walk to Remember and Ashley Williams from Mass Effect.

 

 

According

to Professor Masahiro Mori's "Uncanny Valley" when something is meant to look human but isn't, our brains automatically notice the things that aren't human. The same can be said of the opposite. C-3PO is funny because he is, in some ways, the most identifiable and human character even though he's visibly made of metal and circuitry. When something's clearly not human, it's human qualities stand out.

The ponie's human features, hair, eyes, smile, body language etc. are clearly apparent in contrast with their cartoon animal appearance.

When watching Mandopny's song Somepony's Waiting,the lyrics described them so well and evoked the feelings again, but this time without the trepidation. It clicked! It wasn't attraction to the ponies themselves, but what they meant in my head and heart. (Grab your INCEPTIONs it's about to Jungian up in this joint!) You see, according to Carl Jung, humans are hardwired to recognize certain things at a base level and are individual brains interpret them in different ways. (Dragons being common across mythology for instance.) The Mane 6 fit into ideal feminine archetypes. The little ones get their role models but our developed brains see past the cartoon and recognize the kind of people they represent.

Thus any "sexual attraction" boasted on the internet, I humbly submit, is typical bravado covering up a deep seated emotional stimulus. Your brain recognizing the things you REALLY want in a relationship.

 

 

. . . Please don't hate me!

Edited January 30, 2012 by Steelquill

[QueenChrysalis 176]

so your talking shiping right

[ScottishUnicorn 284]

People ship in every fandom, this isn't something new.

[DJ MUFF1N D3RP 322]

It all makes sense now! The reason I feel so attracted to these ponies is because they represent things I would find attractive in a fellow memeber of my species! Good work, Steelquill!

[Steel Accord 6,658]

I think you guys kind of missed the point I was getting at. My fault for not being clear, sorry.

 

It all makes sense now! The reason I feel so attracted to these ponies is because they represent things I would find attractive in a fellow memeber of my species! Good work, Steelquill!

 

Wow! I . . . actually . . . helped?

[DJ MUFF1N D3RP 322]

Yeah, I been wondering about that for a while myself. I was just too lazy to look up the answers.

[Steel Accord 6,658]

It all makes sense now! The reason I feel so attracted to these ponies is because they represent things I would find attractive in a fellow memeber of my species! Good work, Steelquill!

 

That video was Derpy! (I mean it was in-character. Not the video itself.)

[QueenChrysalis 176]

i dont think sadly that we will see any canon shipping

[Steel Accord 6,658]

Yeah, I been wondering about that for a while myself. I was just too lazy to look up the answers.

 

Oh! You're welcome. I have to be honest I was half expecting shotguns and flamethrowers. (What is with us bronies and shotguns? It's like plan a: love and tolerance, plan b: shotgun. Sometimes the shotgun IS plan A!) I'm glad I was able to help, thank you for the positive feedback. It really DOES mean a lot! Do you have a particular 1 or 2 "crush pony"?

 

i dont think sadly that we will see any canon shipping

 

I know, I'm not too bummed about it though. If it ain't broke, don't fix it right?

[QueenChrysalis 176]

Oh! You're welcome. I have to be honest I was half expecting shotguns and flamethrowers. (What is with us bronies and shotguns? It's like plan a: love and tolerance, plan b: shotgun. Sometimes the shotgun IS plan A!) I'm glad I was able to help, thank you for the positive feedback. It really DOES mean a lot! Do you have a particular 1 or 2 "crush pony"?

 

I know, I'm not too bummed about it though. If it ain't broke, don't fix it right?

 

ya thats true

[Apple Bloom 2,915]

I've never had those kinds of feelings toward ponies but I'm glad I read your insightful post so I don't freak out if I ever do.

[SrFrog 926]

Your thinking of Parasocial interaction Right? I mean when one feels attracted to a character from a show. Thats actually preety normal, if you have ever been on any anime forum you'll understand what I mean. Secondly it sounds hard to believe that no one has gone through a phase where they feel for a fictional character.

[HanPolo 150]

Ewww who would have a crush on a pony?

 

*Hides phone with PinkiePie wallpaper*

 

I sorta knew that some of us like these ponies on a level like that because they represent what we want in humans, but i couldent have put it better myself Steelquill! No one would actualy date a pony (Errr... Probaly) but if we met a human with the same personality as one of our favourite ponies, thats a different matter, i think...

 

...Or is that just me being weird? Probably

[Doctor XFizzle 8,651]

Doctor Whooves is mai waifu

 

Am I doing it right?

[DJ MUFF1N D3RP 322]

The ponies personalities I am most attracted too are Fluttershy and Pinkie. Fluttershy because she is just so darn sweet and considerate of others and Pinkie because she knows how to have fun in the most random way possible and when to not prank someone for fear of hurting their feelings(thus why she never pranks Fluttershy).

[Colon Leftbracket 971]

It all makes sense now! The reason I feel so attracted to these ponies is because they represent things I would find attractive in a fellow memeber of my species! Good work, Steelquill!

 

We had a rather long discussion on this topic on these forums before! The thread had lot's of support and advice for a member who got a little too attached to a certain pony!

 

But yeah that's the conclusion we've came up with!

 

 

so your talking shiping right

 

I used to be opposed to things such as shipping before about a month ago. I thought it was all Pornyography! Then I read a fan fic about Fluttershy having a crush on Twilight Sparkle and tries to ask her out on a picnic. It was a... strangely VERY beautiful read! They wrote about a mature subject such as a lesbimare romance, but they did it in a way that seemed very natural to the characters.

 

Then someone told me to take a second look at the art. Though some of it can get a little too graphic for my taste I love seeing the art with the ponies perhaps kissing and hugging. I find nothing wrong with it, I even find it beautiful... as long as it doesn't go too far!

[Twi Rubix 726]

We had a rather long discussion on this topic on these forums before! The thread had lot's of support and advice for a member who got a little too attached to a certain pony!

 

But yeah that's the conclusion we've came up with!

 

 

 

 

I used to be opposed to things such as shipping before about a month ago. I thought it was all Pornyography! Then I read a fan fic about Fluttershy having a crush on Twilight Sparkle and tries to ask her out on a picnic. It was a... strangely VERY beautiful read! They wrote about a mature subject such as a lesbimare romance, but they did it in a way that seemed very natural to the characters.

 

Then someone told me to take a second look at the art. Though some of it can get a little too graphic for my taste I love seeing the art with the ponies perhaps kissing and hugging. I find nothing wrong with it, I even find it beautiful... as long as it doesn't go too far!

 

Eh, I find shipping just too strange to me no matter what level.

 

But thats just me!

[Steel Accord 6,658]

Your thinking of Parasocial interaction Right? I mean when one feels attracted to a character from a show. Thats actually preety normal, if you have ever been on any anime forum you'll understand what I mean. Secondly it sounds hard to believe that no one has gone through a phase where they feel for a fictional character.

 

Not the biggest anime fan myself with a few exceptions. (Pokemon, Digimon, Fullmetal Alchemist, Code Geass, Inyusha) That sounds about right though, good to know there is a more established theory that describes this. Yes I have felt such attraction before, but the characters were humanoid and not nearly as toon-like. I took a small amount of comfort with being what is described as a hetero-amorous demisexual. That is, I don't experience many of the "turn ons" someone my age would but I feel extremely attracted to girls I form an emotional connection to. Ashley Williams applied because her character had a lot of appeal to me. (Brown eyes, poetic, military, loves her family, God-fearing) and every other mission I would talk to her. Emotionally invested = heavy attraction to me. So when these ponies, particularly Fluttershy and Rarity, likewise display my preferred feminine traits and I watch them journey through their lives and world, well . . . I'm just asking for it. Edited January 23, 2012 by Steelquill

[Queen Cassie 3,057]

I'm not entirely sure I understand what you're trying to say, Steelquill. Are you talking about pony shipping in general, our pairing up of the various characters in fics and so on, or are you talking about we as people being attracted to the fictional pony characters?

[Steel Accord 6,658]

Ewww who would have a crush on a pony?

 

*Hides phone with PinkiePie wallpaper*

 

I sorta knew that some of us like these ponies on a level like that because they represent what we want in humans, but i couldent have put it better myself Steelquill! No one would actualy date a pony (Errr... Probaly) but if we met a human with the same personality as one of our favourite ponies, thats a different matter, i think...

 

...Or is that just me being weird? Probably

 

You pretty much put it how I see it. My first hint at this was when Gilda roared at Fluttershy. Apart from the obviously overblown faux rage at this offense, I felt a deeper sense of protectiveness. Like if that happened in real life, my reaction just might reach violent levels! Why was a feeling so protective of somepony that doesn't exist? So no, you're not just being weird.

 

I'm not entirely sure I understand what you're trying to say, Steelquill. Are you talking about pony shipping in general, our pairing up of the various characters in fics and so on, or are you talking about we as people being attracted to the fictional pony characters?

 

That last one. Feel free to use the waste paper basket before you respond, if you are so inclined.

[HanPolo 150]

You pretty much put it how I see it. My first hint at this was when Gilda roared at Fluttershy. Apart from the obviously overblown faux rage at this offense, I felt a deeper sense of protectiveness. Like if that happened in real life, my reaction just might reach violent levels! Why was a feeling so protective of somepony that doesn't exist? So no, you're not just being weird. That last one. Feel free to use the waste paper basket before you respond, if you are so inclined.

I know what you meen about that scene. I felt as protective as a father there, as i see Fluttershy as a child more than an adult. I think i actualy shouted at my computer screen.

 

Now, i bet thats a bit weird

[Queen Cassie 3,057]

All right then. In that case, I don't believe you've really told us much we didn't already know. You examined it from a different perspective, but still there's no real new information.

 

I don't look down on those attracted to the Mane Six, incidentally. To be honest, on at least a personality basis, I am too. Twilight in many ways is someone whom, if she were real and human, I would like to be in a relationship with.

 

Still, there's nothing wrong with attraction. That's natural, normal, and to be expected from us silly humans with our weird brains that make us do so many odd things, like see faces in electrical sockets. It's when that attraction becomes obsession that it becomes a problem, but I don't see that happening all that often.

 

That said, I do still think your post was well written and interesting. I just wasn't surprised by its content, now that I understand clearly what you meant.

[Lady Rarity Pony 4,892]

Where were you a month ago when I thought I was insane?

You're not the only one here who's had those kind of feelings for a character from the show. My infatuation for Rarity has beem quite confusing to me. It's died down a bit but I still have a rather big crush on Rarity.

Not because I like equine animals on that level but because her personality (and to some extent appearance) is something I would desire from a girl in real life.

[Wonka 39]

I had a hunch that attractions to the mane six or other characters in the show was something natural.

[Steel Accord 6,658]

I know what you meen about that scene. I felt as protective as a father there, as i see Fluttershy as a child more than an adult. I think i actualy shouted at my computer screen.

 

Now, i bet thats a bit weird

 

You and a lot of guys from the sound of it, you weren't alone in that category!

 

All right then. In that case, I don't believe you've really told us much we didn't already know. You examined it from a different perspective, but still there's no real new information.

 

I don't look down on those attracted to the Mane Six, incidentally. To be honest, on at least a personality basis, I am too. Twilight in many ways is someone whom, if she were real and human, I would like to be in a relationship with.

 

Still, there's nothing wrong with attraction. That's natural, normal, and to be expected from us silly humans with our weird brains that make us do so many odd things, like see faces in electrical sockets. It's when that attraction becomes obsession that it becomes a problem, but I don't see that happening all that often.

 

That said, I do still think your post was well written and interesting. I just wasn't surprised by its content, now that I understand clearly what you meant.

 

Oh sorry. I didn't mean to beat a dead . . . tree.