MLP ponies vs. real ponies

[Champion RD92 8,658]

Ok so I just want to say something and try to get this point across. The ponies from MLP:FIM are nothing like actual real life ponies, and I don't think they should be compared to them. Some people say that it's weird to be attracted to characters from the show because they are horses and they are animals, but are they really? Can they really be compared to actual horses here on earth? I don't think so. The ponies in MLP:FIM aren't animals...they have human-like intelligence, as well as highly developed personalities. There is also the fact that they are very cute, and even attractive to many people. Like I find myself attracted to a lot of the characters in the show, but I would never ever be attracted to an actual pony. Saying it's gross to be attracted to an MLP:FIM character because it's a "horse" is ridiculous, and also insulting to the characters in my opinion. I don't think Rainbow Dash or Rarity or Twilight or any of the characters would appreciate being called animals. So, I thought this topic would make a good discussion and I want to hear some of your opinions on this subject. So what do you think, guys? 

[cd_solidsnake 122]

CraigAA1028 already addressed this on his pony trolling video. It is hilarious (and he uses Pinkie Pie song D: so amazing)! :3 lovely 

 

[Thrashy 2,800]

CraigAA1028 already addressed this on his pony trolling video. It is hilarious (and he uses Pinkie Pie song D: so amazing)! :3 lovely 

[media]

"So you're saying that if you're in front of a gun, and it kills you, that makes it a bad gun?"

 

Oh geez, this guy wins SO many internets for that line.

Edited April 11, 2013 by Lowline

[TomokoKuroki 1,707]

The thing is we are animals too. regardless of our sucesses as a species, we are animals. So are the ponies. i just have a bad feeling this thread will become a beastality discussion... ~.~

[~Master~ Button Mash 2,307]

It's different for a few key reasons:

- First and foremost, MLP ponies are sentient beings like us, and can make their own decisions/are self aware in the same capacity that we are. (This is THE BIG ONE)

- Secondly, MLP ponies are designed to be aesthetically pleasing to humans. Big eyes, curvy features, poofy manes, stubby snouts, etc. I think the term "kawaii" is best here.

- Third, even though they are technically labeled as cartoon representations of ponies, overall they have little in common with real ponies other than the fact that they are pseudo-equines. In fact, they have more in common with humans than terrestrial ponies.

- Fourth, this is nothing new. Humans have been attracted to alien races before. I had a pretty huge crush on Neytiri back in my Avatar fandom days, and I know thousands of guys who would attest. If anything, being attracted to MLP ponies is a form of xenophilia if it is anything.

 

Sapience blows the "it's bestiality" argument clear out of the water. Period.

Edited April 11, 2013 by AtomicBassCannon

[Champion RD92 8,658]

The thing is we are animals too. regardless of our sucesses as a species, we are animals. So are the ponies.

Yeah but my point is that the MLP ponies have a much higher level of intelligence compared to ponies in real life. They are really more human-like than they are horse-like.

[TomokoKuroki 1,707]

It's different for a few key reasons:

- First and foremost, MLP ponies are sentient beings like us, and can make their own decisions/are self aware in the same capacity that we are. (This is THE BIG ONE)

- Secondly, MLP ponies are designed to be aesthetically pleasing to humans. Big eyes, curvy features, poofy manes, stubby snouts, etc. I think the term "kawaii" is best here.

- Third, even though they are technically labeled as cartoon representations of ponies, overall they have little in common with real ponies other than the fact that they are pseudo-equines. In fact, they have more in common with humans than terrestrial ponies.

- Fourth, this is nothing new. Humans have been attracted to alien races before. I had a pretty huge crush on Neytiri back in my Avatar fandom days, and I know thousands of guys who would attest. If anything, being attracted to MLP ponies is a form of xenophilia if it is anything.

 

 

I never thought of it in the way you bring up for your alien lifeform statement. That is a very interesting, but effective way to describe it.

[Champion RD92 8,658]

It's different for a few key reasons:

- First and foremost, MLP ponies are sentient beings like us, and can make their own decisions/are self aware in the same capacity that we are. (This is THE BIG ONE)

- Secondly, MLP ponies are designed to be aesthetically pleasing to humans. Big eyes, curvy features, poofy manes, stubby snouts, etc. I think the term "kawaii" is best here.

- Third, even though they are technically labeled as cartoon representations of ponies, overall they have little in common with real ponies other than the fact that they are pseudo-equines. In fact, they have more in common with humans than terrestrial ponies.

- Fourth, this is nothing new. Humans have been attracted to alien races before. I had a pretty huge crush on Neytiri back in my Avatar fandom days, and I know thousands of guys who would attest. If anything, being attracted to MLP ponies is a form of xenophilia if it is anything.

 

Sapience blows the "it's bestiality" argument clear out of the water. Period.

 

Pretty much everything you said here is exactly what I wanted to say, I just wasn't sure how to say it lol

 

It's just like I said...they really have more in common with humans than horses.

 

(you know, I really thought there would be more replies to this thread. I thought we could all have an interesting discussion about this.)

Edited April 11, 2013 by Champion RD92

[Concord 1,982]

Hello!

 

Well, I'm guessing it's no surprise to anyone that most people would favour cartoon ponies over real equines

As @@AtomicBassCannon, had already mentioned, the cartoon ponies we see in MLP were made to be appealing to humans. It's the "Cute" factor that really hits us, and to some, it's the "Hot" factor.

 

Though, i wouldn't actually be too sure about the fourth point. Ponies just don't seem like aliens to me... Of course, this is a personal opinion, and i'm not in a hurry to rant about it too much . It's really an interesting point of view, but i don't believe it would stick to too many people.

[Freewave 1,145]

Real ponies are about as smart as cows and have about the same personality. There's really no comparison. Hell i can't even look at G1-3 ponies without recoiling in terror.

[Nature's Spell 526]

I think think there are a few issues when thinking about the ponies. As people said, they only bare a superficial resemblance to real equines.

 

They have manes, tails, hooves, are generally quadrupeds, and have an equine-like shape, but that's where it ends. Even their shape is designed to appeal to humans as was mentioned by another pony.

 

Like humans they are sentient, literate, have a spoken language, use certain technologies, and have a cultural tradition. A strong culture it seems and I guess they have laws.

 

The wildcard is that they are cartoons, so the writers can put them in situations that a real animal, or human, could never, for example, survive, or find themselves in. We need look no further than Pinkie, or even better Rainbow Dash, who's smashed into the ground and survived.

 

The other wildcard is that Equestria is a world filled with magic, and not just from the unicorns. It's unlikely that the Pegasus could fly without magic. We know they can walk on clouds and I've often wondered if they are lighter than other ponies. It would make sense for them to be lighter, most birds are. Magic is a huge part of the show.

 

All these things combine to make them so attractive, but I'm not sure if it changes anything in terms of being overally attached to them. Being overally attached to any fictional character is dangerous and not healthy. The OP is right that they are different than real animals, but being fictional makes it sticky.

Edited April 11, 2013 by Nature Spell

[Argos 191]

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Edited March 16, 2014 by Argos

[Stratos 109]

Neytiri from Avatar is humanoid, do you really think a real alien (if they exist) will look like some sort of blue human? We still have the trait from the Cold War to portrait some aliens as humanoids...

 

Now I can't unsee that Dash smiley as Liara because of context.

 

Also, don't trample my dreams of blue space women darnit!  They're out there somewhere!

[Argos 191]

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Edited March 16, 2014 by Argos

[Nature's Spell 526]

Neytiri from Avatar is humanoid, do you really think a real alien (if they exist) will look like some sort of blue human? We still have the trait from the Cold War to portrait some aliens as humanoids... -_-

 

About MLP ponies vs real ponies, well uhm... real ponies are better, because you can slay them for food if needed *evil laugh*

Don't even say the word food in relation to the ponies and be careful about cupcakes. My brain is scared forever and I only read a description!

[Stratos 109]

I refuse my reaction to come from the prequels!  Heretic, I say thee!  Fie and begone!

 

In any case my reaction will be more like this:

[Argos 191]

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Edited March 16, 2014 by Argos

[Stratos 109]

Don't worry, I bet we all have dealt with ''food'' before (if you live in Europe). Especially after the horse meat scandal in January...

I love how the meat scandal keeps getting worse too.  At first, all meat in Europe was horses, now it turns out that the horses may be dogs.

 

It isn't funny, but it kinda is.  I'm a jerk that way.

[Nature's Spell 526]

I love how the meat scandal keeps getting worse too. At first, all meat in Europe was horses, now it turns out that the horses may be dogs.

 

It isn't funny, but it kinda is. I'm a jerk that way.

The horse meat isn't even that big of an issue in the US *yet*! I know for other counties are dealing with it. I was talking more about that one fanfic. I get the creeps just thinking about it! Edited April 11, 2013 by Nature Spell

[Flutterdasher 115]

I don't think they can be compared either. I mean for the most part (at least from my side) you are falling for the personality not the pink, yellow, orange etc colored pony. Its who they are as well ponies, their values, humor and the like. Whenever I've had a small "crush" on a cartoon character that's what it has been about.

[Thunderchild 875]

There's no comparison really-the only link the mlp lot have with real livestock is the name and the general 4 legged thing.

 

They speak, laugh and joke, sing and dance and basically act like humans-case and point is the moral lesson at the end of each episode-the whole "i'm sorry" bit. Don't imagine real ponies have too many moral conundrums to deal with.

 

They're cute, have got huge expressive eyes and they probably don't stink . There are many reasons that clopping could be considered weird-but bestiality isn't one of them.