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

[~Silver Essence~ 2,625]

At times, yes.

 

Sometimes if feels like being part of something means you have to give something in return.

 

I do plan to learn art to share towards others, but at the mean time, being a fan is all that is needed to most. 

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 41,794]

Obvious answer: No, not at all. This mentality is one of the problems with the fandom in my opinion. It seems that there are a lot of people who feel like they NEED to contribute in one way or another. This could be because of other people doing things, like music, art, etc. and they feel left out. That is actually understandable. It could also be a hive mind mentality with it, such as 'Hey, all of these people are doing it, it is popular, so I should do it too!' I don' like this one quite as much. I don't like either, but the first one is at least understandable to a degree.

 

Nobody needs to 'contribute' to the fandom. The point of being a fan of something is to first and foremost, enjoy it, not constantly making art or music or whatever about it. The mentality that you need to do something even if you cannot really do it (but you do not have to) can hurt your enjoyment of whatever it is, this fandom being this example. It really is the best example, because I see this mentality a lot around these forums.

Edited August 16, 2013 by Kyoshi

[Mzukiller 233]

I used to, but I eventually learned that I don't owe these people anything. That and I'm disheartened because anything I do will be overshadowed by the rest of the fandom, so why bother?

[fimdash 1,196]

Obvious answer: No, not at all. This mentality is one of the problems with the fandom in my opinion. It seems that there are a lot of people who feel like they NEED to contribute in one way or another. This could be because of other people doing things, like music, art, etc. and they feel left out. That is actually understandable. It could also be a hive mind mentality with it, such as 'Hey, all of these people are doing it, it is popular, so I should do it too!' I don' like this one quite as much. I don't like either, but the first one is at least understandable to a degree.

 

Nobody needs to 'contribute' to the fandom. The point of being a fan of something is to first and foremost, enjoy it, not constantly making art or music or whatever about it. The mentality that you need to do something even if you cannot really do it (but you do not have to) can hurt your enjoyment of whatever it is, this fandom being this example. It really is the best example, because I see this mentality a lot around these forums.

I never thought about it like that at all. I agree not everybody needs to contribute to the fandom. Not contributing anything to the fandom doesn't make somebody any less of a fan than somebody who does contribute to the fandom. With the mentality that fans need to contribute to the fandom, people will feel like they are obligated to contribute to the fandom, and that's not a good reason for contributing at all. Their contributions will come out forced as a result. Forcing oneself to contribute for the sake of contributing could indeed very likely hurt one's enjoyment of the show. Fans should contribute to the fandom because they genuinely want to and have a great idea in mind, not because they feel like they have to as a member of the fandom.

 

EDIT: clarified something

Edited August 18, 2013 by fimdashie

[CaptainCanti 5]

Well I suck at writing, drawing, singing, dubsteping, ect. So not really. I mean I've been working on an OC lately, but its not really a notable contribution.

[Dark Moon 965]

 

In the active sense of course, like making art, music, writing fan fics, etc.

Passively we all are contributing in a sense, making the fandom larger.

 

I have contributed art myself

Edited August 18, 2013 by Dark Moon

[Meirno 550]

Absolutely not, no one has to do anything. 

If you do, props! You're doing a great job and you'll make something that someone will enjoy.

 

But if you don't contribute anything, that's fine, too. You're another cool brony to talk and share conversation with, and that in itself is a contributing factor.

[carrick sparkle 15]

no you dont need to do anything as long as you enjoy the show though im a writer i know what it feels like because i like mlp since gen 3 and in gen 3 i didnt know i was good at writing (until i wrote a land before time book for my school) and i was worried about the same thing until i figure out that being apart of a commuity is all  about enjoying your self and helping the bronys around you do the things they want and get though tough problems (like im helping you know with this) so dont worry you dont need to do anything passed enjoying the show

Edited August 18, 2013 by carrick sparkle

[Denim&Venöm 19,365]

Absolutely. Now is my chance to be a part of something, to be creative, leave my mark and be remembered during something that I and many others hold near and dear to our hearts. I could be remembered for being a part of something I love. I don't think I'll ever get this chance with anything else that I like in life.

[Silver Letter 1,832]

I feel that this is a good topic to discuss. I believe that each and every fan contributes in some way by enjoying MLP. Some others enjoy creating things and that is something they desire doing. This is not needed for every fan though. Some are content with viewing the program alone and that is good too. I like creating things personally, and I hope to be able to contribute in earnest someday.

[Tails_155 68]

Necessary is a pretty heavy word. I don't find it necessary, but I contribute art based on what inspires me, and this particular show has done that enough to take a big chunk of my art, recently, devoted to it.