EQD Discussion: Changelings Join Equestrian Society

[Magic Man 222]

This is a discussion going on over at EQD, but screw it, I'm bringing it here.

 

http://www.equestriadaily.com/2013/04/discussion-changelings-join-equestrian.html#idc-container

 

What if changelings decided to simply "join" equestrian society instead of forcefully feed upon it? I'm sure there are plenty of lonely mares and colts out there who wouldn't mind sharing some love with something that could literally be anything.    What kind of moral implications would this bring up I wonder?  Are changelings picky about who they absorb "love" from?   If they have a hivemind society does even allow anything other than feeding between two creatures? 

Analyze changelings in the comments! 

 

Here's my take:

 

To me, it IS possible, given the ideals of the show. But even for a positive, idealistic show like this, there WILL be problems when it comes to Changeling immigrants or the people as a whole species being engulfed into Equestria. 

The way I see it, the big issue is Cultural divisions. These are two very different ethnic groups with strikingly different values,norms and beliefs. The Changelings to the ponies would be like Asian or Middle Eastern immigrants in the West at best or what the Chechens are to the Russians at worst. 

There will be several issues that need to be resolved: 

*Can Chrysalis and Equestria's differences ever be resolved and consoled? Who knows, but it's unlikely? And if the Changelings do become fully part of Equestria, would they need to appoint a new and pro-Equestrian Changeling leader? 
*Feeding off love? Could the beams emitting by the Crystal Empire help solve it? Or would ponies have to legally donate love for the Changeling citizens? 
*Could Changelings live anywhere in Equestria or would they have to live at first in effective 'ghettos'? And if they can, it could to ethnic pockets and segregation. 
*Would the educational and service system be overwhelmed? 
*Would ponies and Changelings be allowed to marry? 
*How much could the Changeling integrate whilst keeping their own values and identity? And how much would Equestria be willing to give to accommodate them? I imagine Changelings being more socially conservative than Equestrians, in terms of roles of males and females, they have more children, they have different values on education, stronger dedication to family (so I guess the Apples will have some middle ground with them), their religiosity and mysticism, their loyalty to Celestia and Luna or their own, etc. 

I would adore MLP to tackle in its own way a subject that is VERY current, i.e. Immigration and multiculturalism. I would adore MLP to tackle in its own way a subject that is VERY current, i.e. Immigration and multiculturalism. To me their situation is comparible to groups world wide.

Ponies - Russians.

Changelings - Chechens and other peoples of the Caucasus.

Ponies - American Nativists, the Know Nothing movement.

Changelings - Irish, German (Catholic) immigrants to America.

 

I'm actually imagining a Gangs of New York based episode...

Edited April 21, 2013 by Magic Man

[Orablanco Account 3,707]

The main obstacle is Chrysalis, really. She's very clearly evil, and the whole "conquest of Canterlot" plan had a tinge of her taking enjoyment out of it, rather than just feeding herself and her subjects.

 

I'm sure there will e inherent problems should this ever happen, but Chrysalis would make it impossible.

 

To paraphrase my comment on that discussion, we need to get rid of the Bitch if this ever has a hope of happening.

[Zygen 6,066]

Idk, I just feel like it wouldn't make much sense to welcome them after a full fledged assault on canterlot which almost worked, and plus with their deceptive nature, I personally don't know if I'd trust them.

 

Its sort of like letting in a bunch of parasites into your home, they're parasites and they feed off things, nothing changes that really. I'm not even sure how intelligent anyone besides Chrysalis is, and even she seems pretty instinct driven to gather food for her changling kingdom.

[Scootalove 10,689]

Not going to happen.

 

The main person you would have to try to convince is Chrysalis. She is mainly ''pure'' evil, and it is very hard to try to convince a sinister and sadistic queen who's main objective is to take over Equestria and basically feed on all of the ponies love so, she can feed her subjects. That is like trying to convince a dictator to stop taking over their citizens and their rights. It is pretty impossible.

[Orablanco Account 3,707]

I'm not even sure how intelligent anyone besides Chrysalis is, and even she seems pretty instinct driven to gather food for her changling kingdom.

But that's just it, I don't think it's completely instinct with her. On some level, yes, it's a hunger for love, but I get the vibe that's she's just straight up bad and likes her life of wiping out other races. If that song was any indication, she totally fantasizes about her nefarious intentions. And in the totally canon comic, her plan revolves solely around vengeance and gaining more magical power.

 

The changelings are probably more motivated by hunger than she is, plus they're doing it FOR THE HORDE. My theory is that she has them all convinced that the only way to obtain love is to forcibly take it from those fat cat ponies.

[Zygen 6,066]

But that's just it, I don't think it's completely instinct with her. On some level, yes, it's a hunger for love, but I get the vibe that's she's just straight up bad and likes her life of wiping out other races. If that song was any indication, she totally fantasizes about her nefarious intentions. And in the totally canon comic, her plan revolves solely around vengeance and gaining more magical power.

 

The changelings are probably more motivated by hunger than she is, plus they're doing it FOR THE HORDE. My theory is that she has them all convinced that the only way to obtain love is to forcibly take it from those fat cat ponies.

Its possible yeah, still i'm not totally sure how intelligent the other changlings are to actually be able to understand not to follow their instincts since that seems to be what they do. So even if Chrysalis was gone, I'm not sure if they'd be friendly still.

 

Who knows for sure though, theres not a whole lot of info on the changlings overall really. 

[Argumedies 1,748]

The main obstacle is Chrysalis, really. She's very clearly evil, and the whole "conquest of Canterlot" plan had a tinge of her taking enjoyment out of it, rather than just feeding herself and her subjects.

 

I'm sure there will e inherent problems should this ever happen, but Chrysalis would make it impossible.

 

To paraphrase my comment on that discussion, we need to get rid of the Bitch if this ever has a hope of happening.

The problem with Crysalises plan was that there was way too many holes in it. ...*bu-dum-pa*

 

As far as to intragate into society I don't think that could happen.IMHO

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if there were a handful of changelings scattered across Equestria, living relatively normal lives in hiding. The fanfic The Irony of Applejack actually explored this idea fairly well. The problem is that their entire existences would essentially be noting but lies. If they tried to join society openly,I can see the average Equestrian having problems accepting his fanged, insectoid neighbor. They're afraid of zebras for crying out loud.

 

Some of the problems are that they already tried to invade, which would further discourage everypony from giving them a chance. In addition to this, as others have mentioned, Chrysalis seems pretty locked into the "Invade and eat" mindset. Also, if they're only accepting the changelings because of their ability to become anyone, doesn't that imply more of physical attraction than love? I'm not sure it would be enough to live off of. Also, if your neighbor was having his changeling girlfriend shapeshift into your wife/sister/daughter, I can see people having legitimate issues with this.

 

All in all, I think there are too many problems for changelings to live among them openly.

[Magic Man 222]

I would like to see the writers tackle it in the way of discussing the issue of immigration and multiculturalism. To me their situation is comparible to groups world wide. 

Ponies - Russians. 
Changelings - Chechens and other peoples of the Caucasus. 

Ponies - American Nativists, the Know Nothing movement. 
Changelings - Irish, German (Catholic) immigrants to America. 

If you got others, please share.

[pinkiefan1287 610]

I don't see this happening.

 

Problem one is if the Changelings need to eat love to survive and they need living creators, how much would they need to get fool? For all we know the changelings need to suck it all out to the point where they die. So I don't think anypony would be up for that.

 

In the end I don't think Changelings or Ponies could live together.

Edited April 21, 2013 by pinkiefan1287

[Planty 1,053]

The main obstacle is Chrysalis, really. She's very clearly evil, and the whole "conquest of Canterlot" plan had a tinge of her taking enjoyment out of it, rather than just feeding herself and her subjects.

I'm sure there will e inherent problems should this ever happen, but Chrysalis would make it impossible.

To paraphrase my comment on that discussion, we need to get rid of the Bitch if this ever has a hope of happening.

Yeah she doesn't look like she will give up power any time soon, especially with the way she has already been defeated (twice if you count comics) by celestial and the ponies!

 

It would be nice to see this happen, but I'm not sure you could get the other ponies to agree to it after what happened to them!