Should I even be a Brony?

[Yellow Diamond 7,569]

Define a "childish" topic for me. While I understand there are inane aspects of any fandom, I haven't been particularly struck by a slew of "immature" threads or comments during my time here. I think I hold myself to a relatively high standard of discourse, pretty close to graduate level at times, and yet I still very much enjoy interacting with this community whose uniting purpose is a show about pastel colored ponies and friendship. In fact, I have a lot to learn from a number of members, and I enjoy being forced to think about topics I might otherwise passingly judge as too simple or ultimately thoughtless. Even a topic as simple as "Who is your favorite pony?" is bound to have content which leads me to believe that there is a strong core of Bronies who are thoughtful, reflecting on the impact MLP: FiM has made on their lives. I don't at all consider such a thing to be childish.

 

Others have mentioned already that this board also welcomes younger fans who are more likely to discuss fundamental and basic topics (e.g., "Who is your favorite pony?", "What is your favorite episode?") rather than, say, craft a psychological profile of Twilight Sparkle or draw parallels between classic literature and MLP. But both aspects of the fandom help modulate one another, often bringing out the best Bronies have to offer. And let us not forget about our wonderfully talented artists who produce new material almost daily.

 

Are there going to be members of the herd who are immature or indulge in less than savory behavior/interests. Of course. But you'll find that in any fandom---I guarantee it. But I will also guarantee that you will be hard pressed to find such a band of fans who are generally as welcoming, thoughtful, and kind as Bronies.

Edited March 6, 2012 by Thereisnospoon303

[Key Gear 6,663]

I don't mean to echo Thereisnospoon303, but he raises good point. When you say "childish, livejournal-esque topics", what exactly do you mean by this? What topics make you angry?

 

I really am curious to see your reactions to many of the replies in this thread. My experience here at this forum has been the complete opposite of yours. In my experience, the level of discussion here is, on average, considerably better than any other MLP community that I have seen. There are some discussions here that are very serious and in depth. Perhaps you should seek them out before you draw conclusions about the entire fandom?

 

Look, I admit that maybe some topics here on this forum may seem silly or immature to you. So what? Why does it upset you that some people just want to have fun and clown around a bit?

 

Look, this is an online community. There is nothing that is childish, immature, or stupid about people posting here looking for sympathy, support, or praise. As a matter of fact, the posting of such topics is a good sign of a healthy community - a community where every member feels welcome no matter what their age or background is.

 

Age is just a number. Someone's age is, at best, only a rough determinant of their nature. Someone of a very young age can have more wisdom, knowledge, and life experience than someone that is far older. Some of the most amazing people that I have ever met have been teenagers that have accomplished great things in life. Are you aware that the creator and maintainer of this forum is a teenager?

 

Really, I don't think that your problem is age. I think that your problem is something else. I say this respectfully, but I think that you need to smile, relax, and not take life as seriously as it seems that you are taking. Life can be serious enough without being so concerned about "childish" things.

 

You wrote earlier in this thread that you realize you're getting old when you no longer enjoy the simple things in life - like the snow. I'm older than you by a few years, and I still enjoy the snow, the rain, the sky, etc. Actually, I have had some very harrowing experiences and seen some very sad things in my life that lead to me enjoying these things all the more.

 

In the overall scheme of things, a human life lasts for only a very short duration. You should make the most of it. Don't allow getting a little older to rob you of the glimmer of light in your eyes.

 

I leave you with this quote.

 

"Critics who treat adult as a term of approval, instead of as a merely descriptive term, cannot be adult themselves. To be concerned about being grown up, to admire the grown up because it is grown up, to blush at the suspicion of being childish; these things are the marks of childhood and adolescence. And in childhood and adolescence they are, in moderation, healthy symptoms. Young things ought to want to grow. But to carry on into middle life or even into early manhood this concern about being adult is a mark of really arrested development. When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."

 

- C.S. Lewis, "On Three Ways of Writing for Children" (1952)

[Ezynell 2,037]

To sum up every response in this thread to the OP in one statement: Yes Edited March 6, 2012 by Ezynell the Peasant

[Champion RD92 8,658]

What childish topics are you referring to?

 

From what I recall, I've seen a lot more mature discussions than childish ones...

[Eenohay 318]

Maybe I understand you. I do not like the whole of this forum, but I do like a part of it, wich is the part wich dedicates itself to debating and analizing the show, and sometimes also debating real world controversial topics.

 

I do not care about the rest, like the forum games or roleplays, and the talking about some minor stuff, but since it's the first and only brony comunity I've ever been it, I totally love it for the good part and have no intention on leaving.

 

If you like the show enough, stay. Ignore the childish stuff and go for the more mature. But if you are too cool to talk with somebody younger than you, then leave. I any forum that is playful and a tad crazy. Mostly all are like that really, so it only makes me think that before this you used to go on forums filled with gore and porn.

 

I'm sorry, but if you don't like it, there are plenty more

[RainbowDashie 767]

Answer to title

 

Yes

[Kenai Ursa 13]

Thanks for clearing that up for me everyone.

 

The point of this thread was you point out that in my time of being here, which is less than a week, I've just seen some immaturity and childishness that I wouldn't usually get in other forums. I'm not going to name names or threads here because I don't want to cause unnecessary drama or upset anyone. Just take my word for it.

 

I appologise for any hurt feelings here because I am still new to this particular forum so I was unsure if there was a lot of this immaturity and if I should really be a part of it if there is because It does grate on me. I'll definitely only stick to the more mature threads now but please don't judge me from now on for making this thread as it's not a personal mission for me to get people to hate me. I have enough of that as it is.

 

I, personally, have an issue about really young kids using the forum because you never know the age of the individual so you don't know how hostile you can make some replies. I'm 19, I really don't want to offend a young kid because they posted something that didn't make sense and I called them out on it, but I understand how this forum should be more for them than the older people because at the end of the day it really is a show aimed at the younger generation.

 

I'd like to apologise again for any hurt feelings.

Edited March 6, 2012 by Kenai Ursa

[Daring Do 195]

Humans have forever conquered the world and shaped it to their liking. Whatever they wanted, it became in time... If you wanted to be a brony, YOU COULD! We are given free reasoning for a reason! To like what we want, and enjoy it! Be happy about it!

[Sepia-chan 495]

So it's too dificult to simply leave these forums? I mean, you hate us so much. You might as well join 4Chan or something.

[Kenai Ursa 13]

So it's too dificult to simply leave these forums? I mean, you hate us so much. You might as well join 4Chan or something.

 

I never said I hated anyone specifically.

Hate is a strong word.

Think more... "dislike" certain people.

 

And I wouldn't be caught dead at 4Chan, thank you.

[Victoria and Co. 782]

I never said I hated anyone specifically.

Hate is a strong word.

Think more... "dislike" certain people.

 

And I wouldn't be caught dead at 4Chan, thank you.

 

You mean...

[Zoop 8,384]

I dunno, as a late teenager (I'm 19), I guess I've matured enough and I never really have the time for childish topics or posts.

I dunno... as a young adult (I'm 26), I guess I've come to learn that life is far too short to worry about every little thing, and that it's simply not worth the effort to take everything around me completely seriously.

 

Honestly, there's no rule that states that you must read every thread and/or that you must like every member; heck, I'd be lying if I claimed that there weren't threads that I can't look at without rolling my eyes dramatically. In the end, as long as you're able to peacefully coexist with those that you may not necessarily like or agree with, you should be fine here.

[Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,526]

I never said I hated anyone specifically.

Hate is a strong word.

Think more... "dislike" certain people.

 

And I wouldn't be caught dead at 4Chan, thank you.

 

You will probably find the ignore list a useful feature, then. Add a user to it, and they will virtually cease to exist when you are logged in.

 

If you are finding content that you feel is utterly immature and shouldn't be on the site, please file a report on it. While I allow a huge variety of topics to be discussed on MLP Forums, even we draw the line eventually and will review any piece of content you deem to be detrimental to the site's overall quality.

[Knight Shadrahk 159]

You don't really have to do anything to be a brony.

You just have to like the show.

[ScarletDagger 88]

So I got here a few days ago and I look around.

All I see are really childish, livejournal-esque topics popping up every 5 minutes.

Is this what being a Brony is? I mean, I'm a fan of the show and I have my own OC. Although I think it's weird for a guy in his late teens to collect the figures I respect people that do because it's their interests.

 

But when I come to this site, I find myself angry at the sheer stupidity of some people. I know that you can post what ever you want and what not but it grates on me when you see topics that are just looking for sympathy or praise on something they did.

 

It may also be that I'm not used to forums that allow children and I know it may be a bit judgemental of me but I really dislike teenagers, I'm sorry.

So with all this hate that I have, I still tollerate people and everything, but with angry feelings within me, is it really worth staying part of the fandom?

 

I know a lot of you mean well but it really gets to me and I'm sorry if this is going to spark some kind of debate, I'm just wondering if it's all worth it.

 

 

I'll be gone until tonight, so I can't really reply until then.

dude. All the stuff I like and all the stuff I do. Seeing me as a brony is a near impossibility. I make fun of people, but only when they deserve it. I have my fair share of gate and I don't really care about many people's problems. But I still listen and I still respect their courage in at least asking for help. Nopony's perfect. Also I am in my mid-late teens. You remind me of my dad. But still. If you get passed the hate, you'll feel so much better. Everypony makes these childish threads or comments because they don't see everything as hate or everything should involve having something "manly".

 

We are also very friendly and respect each other. Im not asking you to change. in just asking that you see something from someone else's point of view. What's tragic to them is like nothing to you, or anyone else because they don't know what that person is going through. Also you have to admire the fact that a show originally for little girls attracts the attention of teens and adults.

 

The mane reasons it attracts the attention is humor, words only we understand, and most importantly, the feeling of love and respect we don't feel when we work, or have stress. You see mlp, and You don't think about why You like it. But you just do. Then you see millions of people your age watch it too!

 

You should be a brony. Because in the community, No matter what, you'll be accepted. Think about why you would like the show. Many teens go through depression. When they see mlp, it feel like there's still love in the world and they actually feel joy in their life. You may not notice it. But you like this show because it fills a void that you never thought needed filled. It makes you happy. And as people we like happy. So we continue to let that feeling come to us. I hope you understand by this the true meaning of being a brony and why teens and adults like mlp.

[Kenai Ursa 13]

You will probably find the ignore list a useful feature, then. Add a user to it, and they will virtually cease to exist when you are logged in.

 

If you are finding content that you feel is utterly immature and shouldn't be on the site, please file a report on it. While I allow a huge variety of topics to be discussed on MLP Forums, even we draw the line eventually and will review any piece of content you deem to be detrimental to the site's overall quality.

 

Speaking of this, regarding rules and such.

Are there any site rules?

 

I looked around and couldn't find any.

[Electrobolt 2,069]

Speaking of this, regarding rules and such.

Are there any site rules?

 

I looked around and couldn't find any.

 

Bottom-right corner, "MLP Forums Board Rules"

[Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,526]

Speaking of this, regarding rules and such.

Are there any site rules?

 

I looked around and couldn't find any.

 

Yes... before you could use your account, you were forced to read our official terms of service and check a box certifying that you've read them. The ToS include a link to the rules, which can also be found at the bottom-right corner of every page on the site (titled "MLP Forums Board Rules").

 

We force users to stay on that page for 30 seconds, and expect them to read what is on their screen during that time.

[Kenai Ursa 13]

Yes... before you could use your account, you were forced to read our official terms of service and check a box certifying that you've read them. The ToS include a link to the rules, which can also be found at the bottom-right corner of every page on the site (titled "MLP Forums Board Rules").

 

We force users to stay on that page for 30 seconds, and expect them to read what is on their screen during that time.

 

I did...

The only thing in there regarding site rules is this:

 

If you see a post, private message, or any other piece of content breaking a rule, hit the report button on it and DO NOT REPLY. Replying to it will only attract further attention to it.

• If a member is being disruptive in general (e.g.: making so many bad posts that you don't want to report them all), go to their profile and look for the report button at the bottom-right corner of it. Hit that and leave a note explaining what the member is doing. The moderators have access to tools that can mass-delete a member's posts.
• If you simply cannot tolerate a member, add them to your ignore list.

Which doesn't give any information of what they are.

 

 

Bottom-right corner, "MLP Forums Board Rules"

 

Thank you very much, that's what I was looking for.

I use the IP.Board theme and it's really small to see on it. It should be a sticky thread somewhere or displayed better.

 

I need to read them to ensure I'm reporting posts for the right reasons in future.

Edited March 7, 2012 by Kenai Ursa

[Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,526]

I did...

The only thing in there regarding site rules is this:

 

Which doesn't give any information of what they are.

 

The first line of the ToS is this:

 

You are expected to abide by our rules at all times. Our moderators will not accept any excuses for breaking them.

[Kenai Ursa 13]

The first line of the ToS is this:

 

Oh right.

My apologies.

 

I appear to have skimmed over that part twice.

 

I hope I haven't angered you in any way.

It seems that I have.

Edited March 7, 2012 by Kenai Ursa