Do you feel it's necessary to contribute to the fandom?

[ReGen 1,466]

One of the many great things about this fandom is the huge amount of fan-made art, music, animations, etc. I wanted to know: Do you think that you have to contribute to the fandom in any way? 

[The Blades Shadow 444]

I don't really think you have to... But maybe I just think that because of the fact that I can't really draw, or write, or anything else that would contribute to the fandom in any way

[techno915 408]

of course not! i mean, yeah, it's a plus, but not everyone has the time or talent to do that stuff. i contribute by listening to the music that the fans have made. so far, we do an awesome job. i didn't really care much for dubstep until i heard wubstep.

Edited August 16, 2013 by techno915

[Starling 100]

I wouldn't say you HAVE to really. It's just like being a fan of the simpsons or something, not everyone has to show they're a fan or contribute by drawing fanart. I only contribute because it's a lovely community and it's helped me through my darkest times. I love drawing ponies because it helps me relax and feel happy. ^^

[Shiki 5,856]

The point of a fandom is for fans to all get together and enjoy things.

 

Simply enjoying and not creating is fine. That's the point for the content being around in the first place.

[Golurk 468]

In actively supporting the show, isn't that contribution in and of itself? You don't necessarily have to make things, simply support the people that do. I myself can't really give back in any way, but I'm more than happy to support the artists and musicians that do create things.

 

Ultimately, I see where you're coming from. All admit, with all the fanmade content, it's easy to want to do something yourself. But, you don't need to do that to actively contribute. Just listen to the music, read the fics, admire the art, buy the plushies. That's a good contribution in and of itself.

 

Besides, if everyone made stuff, we'd drown in all of it pretty quickly. 

[Scootalove 10,689]

Well, you don't necessarily have to contribute to the fandom unless you want to. Not everyone actually contributes, but you can contribute in your own special way if you want to.

[Lume WMj 228]

Well... Not really, I would say. Perhaps the fan-made content really is a big part of the fandom and something that keeps it blooming, but I believe that drawing, making music and/or writing fanfics are far from being an obligation... But I mean, if you do have those talents, then why not share it?~

[Modphase 1,271]

"Contributing" is a blurry term in this sense. If you're talking about making art, writing, music, animations, etc. then no, that's entirely up to an individual whether or not they want to do that. But, in a sense, we're all contributing, just by supporting the show and being a part of this community.

[Celtore 2,770]

I felt fairly similarly. That's why I joined a forum, to contribute to a few discussions

 

Honestly, no you don't really need to contribute beyond just enjoying the show.

[Literally Snails 2,307]

I kind of feel obligated to write fanfiction.

I like writing

I'm good at writing

I like ponies

I'm good at ponies

Not putting them together would be such a waist.

[Wonderbolt_Spitfire 235]

No I don't believe it is necessary or needed that everyone contribute to the fandom. It is perfectly fine to enjoy everything that the fandom gives to us without contributing yourself.

[MMFAN 198]

"Contributing" is a blurry term in this sense. If you're talking about making art, writing, music, animations, etc. then no, that's entirely up to an individual whether or not they want to do that. But, in a sense, we're all contributing, just by supporting the show and being a part of this community.

 

And if you want to get technical, the majority of us I assume watch the Hub from time to time. Just by giving the station a viewing for that half hour or more, you're giving a boost to the station's ratings and therefore contributing. But I personally don't think it's imperative that you create content, that's silly. That'd be like berating a mouse for not eating the cheese... "You're a mouse! Eat it!"

[DiscordPF 139]

It's not necessary per se... it is nice though.  Although when it comes to fanfiction, I've seen my fair share of stories that should not ever have been made so perhaps your contribution is simply to keep the world safe from a possible catastrophe of a fan fic?  

[Smarts 1,623]

If you mean artwork, music, fanfics, and stuff like that, then no. You can contribute by just watching the show, buying merchandise, supporting artists, or joining MLP places like MLP Forums, EQD, or some other site that involves MLP. Even then, you don't have to do any of that. Consider it optional. As long as you enjoy being part of the fandom, that's all that matters.

[James 302]

No, I wouldn't say it's necessary, but it would be nice. I wish I could contribute in some way, but I'm completely talentless, if I could make art or write a song I would have done it by now.

[Onylex 2,837]

I dont really find it that I feel like I have to give back to the fandom/community, its just that I want to. Iv always liked artsy stuff to begin with so, I just kind of just fell in with the creative part of the fandom.

 

Besides I think as long as you're an active brony (or pegasister if you prefer) you're already contributing to the community just by ogling fan made art, listening to the fan mad music, reading the fanfics, and watching the fan made media. 

[MelancholicMemory 2,027]

No one has to do anything. I personally couldn't care less about the "fandom." I do draw people's OCs and stuff, but I don't do it to contribute to the fandom. I do it for individual people, usually my friends.

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

I think I've said before that with bronies at least, there seems to be that mentality hanging around, either consciously or unconsciously. I've seen many people looking to find some way to contribute artistically somehow. Considering the fact that MLP is the only thing I've recently considered writing fanfics for, I think I've felt pressured on some level.

 

This sounds kind of silly. I think most of us would agree that people who make art/music etc aren't better members of the community or anything, but I think a lot of people feel some kind of drive to put out their own content, whether to get attention or just because so many people seem to do it.

[Blique 211]

Some people seem to be interpreting the question as "does everyone need to contribute?", while I see it as "do you personally feel the need to contribute?" No idea what the OP wants, so I'm going with the latter for now.

 

Yes, I feel the "need". Ideas come to my head, and I need to draw them. I don't feel like I somehow have the obligation to; most of the time it's nothing of much interest. But if I somehow become enchanted by an alicorn muse and have inspiration to create a creation of amazing proportions...and then don't...I guess I'd be displeased by myself.

 

Similarly, in regards to the other interpretation, if others don't have anything interesting they want to share, then I don't see any reason to force them to contribute.

[~StatesTheOblivious~ 1,795]

Necessray? Depends on how you understand contributing here.

 

Good? Well, yes.

 

Do I want to? Yes.

 

Do I do that? Definitely in some way.

 

If I'd try to say what "contributing to the fandom" is, it would be something that helps the fandom. Not just art. It would be something that helps the fandom on a more structural than on a creative level. Like this site here. Or organizing meetups and cons. Or simply take part in fandom activities. Discussions here, for example

 

So, I already contribute to the fandom. I could do more, yes. But right now, I'm not sure how I in particular could do more than what I'm already doing. Art is fine and dandy and I'd like to support this site, or help at other points, but my talents and ressources are settled elsewhere right now.

Edited August 16, 2013 by StatesTheOblivious

[GoneForeverBye 184]

I'm going to be honest here, and say no. Simply because I do not consider myself part of the fandom, and more of someone who sits on the sidelines and just pops in once or twice.

 

Then again, I visit these forums quite often... but in my defense I rarely care about mlp/fandom related threads.

 

Edit: But if I'm going to be even more honest, I do have my times where I wish to get more into the fandom.

 

So far, I have tried looking at the RP section, but I don't think I'm cut out for that yet. And I have drawn some mlp fanart. Mostly sketches, though.

Edited August 16, 2013 by Oraigu

[LittleRawr 679]

I don't really think that it's necessary, just commenting and making threads is good enough

 

 

I did feel an urge to draw ponies though, seeing all that artwork and stuff made me want to try it out myself. Ponies are easier to draw than people and nature.

[TailsIsNotAlone 3,695]

No, I don't think most bronies see it as necessary. But it can be a lot of fun. It just wouldn't be the same if it felt like a job, after all.

[idonotreallycare 94]

I don't think it's necessary; a lot of bronies don't make fan-content, me included, and they're part of the fandom just like the ones that do.