Lack of elitism

[Steel Accord 6,660]

You know what is one thing (of the many) I love about this fandom? It's the lack of elitism. By that I mean, we don't feel a certain slice of the general population would somehow "taint" us.

 

Political affiliation, religious belief, national boundaries, even perhaps deeper idealogical stances; it's all just so much details. That isn't to say differences and debates don't arise, but we aren't a mindless hegemony of a herd. (Ironically) Rather, the differences in mindsets are celebrated aspects of our fandom. We feel like we can talk and discuss calmly and reasonably between people we might otherwise not give the time of day. Why? Because no matter what, we are all bronies. That alone gives us enough common ground to perhaps put ourselves in our opposites horseshoes.

 

Another distance we have from the definition of elitism is the open policy of membership. Anyone who self-identifies as a brony pretty much is one. Other fandoms and communities might require rituals or shared equipment, or even just small gestures, but being a brony requires little more than just watching the show and deciding you are one. Sure some, myself included, may wear this like a badge of pride or a title to hold, but we don't generally place ourselves on a pedestal as being fundamentally "better" for having made the choice we did. At the most extreme, some might view ourselves as exemplars to inspire, but even that has less negative connotations then being part of essentially a brightly colored Illuminati to lord over the world for ulterior motives rather than love of your fellow man. 

[Unicorn Coffee 204]

You sir, are correct. All my friends outside of this fandom are virtually the same person. But here, among my fellow bronies, I have met an insanely diverse group of people of whome I am happy to call friend.

 

And this, is why I loive this fandom. It's so diverse.

[TheChosenPony 279]

You know what is one thing (of the many) I love about this fandom? It's the lack of elitism. By that I mean, we don't feel a certain slice of the general population would somehow "taint" us.

 

Political affiliation, religious belief, national boundaries, even perhaps deeper idealogical stances; it's all just so much details. That isn't to say differences and debates don't arise, but we aren't a mindless hegemony of a herd. (Ironically) Rather, the differences in mindsets are celebrated aspects of our fandom. We feel like we can talk and discuss calmly and reasonably between people we might otherwise not give the time of day. Why? Because no matter what, we are all bronies. That alone gives us enough common ground to perhaps put ourselves in our opposites horseshoes.

 

Another distance we have from the definition of elitism is the open policy of membership. Anyone who self-identifies as a brony pretty much is one. Other fandoms and communities might require rituals or shared equipment, or even just small gestures, but being a brony requires little more than just watching the show and deciding you are one. Sure some, myself included, may wear this like a badge of pride or a title to hold, but we don't generally place ourselves on a pedestal as being fundamentally "better" for having made the choice we did. At the most extreme, some might view ourselves as exemplars to inspire, but even that has less negative connotations then being part of essentially a brightly colored Illuminati to lord over the world for ulterior motives rather than love of your fellow man. 

 

Well- we dont worship ponies ya know- we're just people who like the show- the show teaches the virtues of basic morals - so we bronies take that and we go along with it. In some cases its taken complete jerks and turned them into righteous people. Which is amazing- and I applaud the writers for that. 

[Frith is Magick 1,471]

This fandom has countless fans from many diverse upbringings and backgrounds, and though we may have our internal disagreements and debates, and at the end of the day, we are all members of one fandom brought together by a love of MLP:FiM. We have people with different skills and styles, giving rise to a rich brony culture. It is awesome that a fandom can bring together so many beliefs and ideas to create such an enriching environment. 

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@TheChosenPony,

 

What you listed is another great, but separate quality of the show and fandom.

 

When it comes to the matter of "worship" though. You never know . . .   

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@Frith is Magick,

 

I think part of that has been helped by the speed of communication technology. Now, like minded individuals can communicate and collaborate across massive distances near instantaneously. Makes for better and more flowing exchanges than say, being a massive collective of pen pals. 

@@Andaasonsan,

 

Was that statement meant to be ironic? 

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

I do find this fandom to be lacking the upper crust that tends to dominate most other fandoms. And that is what allows it to grow so easily, every piece of artwork or shitty techno cover of a song is looked at almost equally. For the most part, this fandom lacks the top tier word of god prophets that so many others have, and that in turn allows it to grow more readily, at a disadvantage of some stability. 

[The Mane-iac 1,648]

The only real example of this I think you can see is the general dislike of alicorn OCs or any other that might fall under the mary sue or "broken horn just because" categories . Although most are willing to give advice and creative criticism if the owner of said OC is open to such rather than just put that person down. Not something you'd see in other fandoms really, at least ones based on the internet.

 

But really, no elitists can exist within this fandom because we already have Trixie. Everyone else can only dream to be as elite as her.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@,

 

Granted, we do have something of a loose charismacracy, Tombstone, Dusty, and Saberspark all command a degree of light "influence" because of their high profile and high quality contributions. 

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

@,

 

Granted, we do have something of a loose charismacracy, Tombstone, Dusty, and Saberspark all command a degree of light "influence" because of their high profile and high quality contributions. 

Well it is very loose, and it is more of an influence, then word of law like other fandoms. 

[Zhortac 1,474]

Are you saying there arn't any elitists in here? WHAT!? SCRUB I AM TOTALLY BETTER THEN ALL YOU!!!!

 

...

 

 

ok it had to be done.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Well it is very loose, and it is more of an influence, then word of law like other fandoms. 

As I said "loose influence" I do see your point though. Trekkies, in certain circles might have a rough chain of command based on Star Fleet ranks, lore knowledge, seniority, etc.

 

For us, it's kind of ad hoc, and that does lead to weaknesses. There's not really a go to "spokespony" to represent us to the rest of the world for instance. But that's made up for by people like Paleo and Saber putting together a documentary, it's not a direct answer to an accusation that a more organized fandom would give, but it hits all the points as to the general "why."

[Zhortac 1,474]

As I said "loose influence" I do see your point though. Trekkies, in certain circles might have a rough chain of command based on Star Fleet ranks, lore knowledge, seniority, etc.

 

For us, it's kind of ad hoc, and that does lead to weaknesses. There's not really a go to "spokespony" to represent us to the rest of the world for instance. But that's made up for by people like Paleo and Saber putting together a documentary, it's not a direct answer to an accusation that a more organized fandom would give, but it hits all the points as to the general "why."

 

Any Trekkie that looks down on anyone because of what they know, or what they enjoy, has no damn right to call themselves a trekkie.

[Felix 1,363]

I'm glad people in here believe we are great people. It seems like many are following the path of being afraid because we do the opposite of what you said. Personally I don't really see where that comes from, I mean, I know there's negative things that cause others to believe we should hide, but we're all so different as someone said else said. No one thing is true for another. I completely agree. Being a brony is great. It has only changed me positively.

Edited March 4, 2014 by FeIix

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

As I said "loose influence" I do see your point though. Trekkies, in certain circles might have a rough chain of command based on Star Fleet ranks, lore knowledge, seniority, etc.

 

For us, it's kind of ad hoc, and that does lead to weaknesses. There's not really a go to "spokespony" to represent us to the rest of the world for instance. But that's made up for by people like Paleo and Saber putting together a documentary, it's not a direct answer to an accusation that a more organized fandom would give, but it hits all the points as to the general "why."

Well, that is kinda what I said in my original post, we trade off a little bit of stability, and thus create more "waves" in our fandom, but in trade we get a less hierarchical structure, with a more fluid movement between areas. 

[Steel Accord 6,660]

 

 

But really, no elitists can exist within this fandom because we already have Trixie. Everyone else can only dream to be as elite as her.

 

Hehe . . . good thing she recently got knocked down a couple pegs, her ego was getting so big Sethisto could float around her in a satellite pattern!  

 

I wouldn't call the whole Alicorn "thing" a kind of elitism, more just a stifling of people actually being "non-creative" which is something we, as a culture, prize. If anything, a truly elitist community would hold Alicornhood up as something only permissible to a few select members based on arbitrary rules.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@ghostfacekiller39,

 

Don't worry about me.

 

Just don't respond to him, either he doesn't mean it, and is telling a consistently not funny joke. (Which, given that it wasn't initially funny, repetition makes it even less funny by the rules of comedy.) Or he means it and is simply the universes' conjuring of the law of averages to my statement. I have many bronies agreeing with me and only one against my point.

 

(Also that picture of Rarity has me positively drooling!    )

@@Zhortac,

 

I was just thinking of a random fan group and that is what came to mind, I didn't mean to insinuate how actual internal Trekkie groups work. 

 

@,

 

I get that feeling as well. It's just growing pains if you ask me. We are at an odd time in a community's life cycle. Not new enough to be novel, but not yet old enough to be nostalgic. Despite our center of focus (the show) still going on, many outside of it are looking to the internal going ons of the community itself and being perhaps a little too critical of it's history. This makes some feel insecure, they act out, things are said that shouldn't have, word gets out, ad infinitum.

 

We aren't declining, maybe there's just been a lull in recruitment and we're feeling the delayed sense of jet lag. We're still creating and producing fan content at an unheard of rate, and the show's still going strong. 

@,

 

Yes, I was just agreeing with you, but in my own words so as not be boring. Hehe   

Edited March 4, 2014 by Steel Accord

[The Mane-iac 1,648]

Any Trekkie that looks down on anyone because of what they know, or what they enjoy, has no damn right to call themselves a trekkie.

 

Hate to burst your bubble, but if you're serious about being a Trekkie and are in a fleet, serving on a ship and all that, it is present. I don't think I've ever run across it to where it seemed serious, more just light jesting to the FNGs and whatnot, but with rank I'm sure some people let it go to their head. I mean for crying out loud, you have to take Starfleet tests in order to achieve a rank higher than Lt. Cmd. and move up on the ship you serve on or to even branch off to captain your own. Whole lot of other rules too if you're into the serious side of things.

 

 

Hehe . . . good thing she recently got knocked down a couple pegs, her ego was getting so big Sethisto could float around her in a satellite pattern!

 

I wouldn't call the whole Alicorn "thing" a kind of elitism, more just a stifling of people actually being "non-creative" which is something we, as a culture, prize. If anything, a truly elitist community would hold Alicornhood up as something only permissible to a few select members based on arbitrary rules.

 

I think he does that anyways, although I shouldn't be talking.

 

Actually the alicorn thing could easily become just that. If you take a look at all the topics that focus on thoughts about alicorn OCs, there is a repeating pattern with many people thinking they shouldn't be. Mainly because of the rarity and prestige that comes with being an alicorn, and that they are meant to be royalty and influential figures since that's all we've seen in the show. The fandom is very much torn on that topic if you as me.

Edited March 4, 2014 by The Mane-iac

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@Andaasonsan, 

 

Hah! Knew it!

 

Not your fault my friend, intent and tone can be confused in purely text based communication.

[Zhortac 1,474]

Hate to burst your bubble, but if you're serious about being a Trekkie and are in a fleet, serving on a ship and all that, it is present. I don't think I've ever run across it to where it seemed serious, more just light jesting to the FNGs and whatnot, but with rank I'm sure some people let it go to their head. I mean for crying out loud, you have to take Starfleet tests in order to achieve a rank higher than Lt. Cmd. and move up on the ship you serve on or to even branch off to captain your own. Whole lot of other rules too if you're into the serious side of things.

 

I wasn't talking about that. I've seen that before, and it's not really bad. I'm talking about the idiots who call themselves that, and will insult and full on attack people because they feel different or don't know as much as they know (there is a difference between the two), Any real fan would know the true idea of Star Trek is acceptance and diversity. 

Thankfully, that's extremely rare in that fandom...unlike in the gundam fandom...sheesh.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@The Mane-iac,

 

Torn is good! . . . Okay let me revise that. What I mean is the very fact that we debate and discuss the issue almost proves my point. There is no decree from on high with how Alicorn OCs should be treated. It's an issue and is either handled differently case by case, or it's openly discussed on how the rules (if any) should be observed at large.

 

The only rough codified standard is the Lauren's OC has a sort of "creator rights" suspension and Nyx from Past Sins qualifies as being provably a character, and one who's nature is a challenge to her, rather than a walking facade of perfection.

 

In many ways, it's interesting how our internal politics somewhat shadow those of Equestria. We have debated issues and problems that we discuss.

 

 

Occasionally, a noted and talented member weighs in and their word carries a bit more weight.

 

 

But we all have an immediate, and unfailing respect for those we hold as the lords and ladies of the realm we call home.

 

[The Mane-iac 1,648]

But we all have an immediate, and unfailing respect for those we hold as the lords and ladies of the realm we call home.

 

 

Fixed it for you.

 

But yes, I see what you're getting at. I think I might have just been making us go in circles while basically agreeing with each other because of what time it is. I really should stick to "easier" topics this late at night. lol

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@The Mane-iac,

 

HA!  Okay, that was funny!

 

No it's my fault not yours. I seem really good at failing to recognize when people actually agree with me beyond a simple "you're right." Guess I'm just thick as a board.

[Guest]

You're right, you're absolutely right!

 

Long live this ever-growing Band of Bronies!

[Andaasonsan 3,205]

@@Andaasonsan, 

 

Hah! Knew it!

 

Not your fault my friend, intent and tone can be confused in purely text based communication.

Sorry, about that.

 

But giving a serious response to your OP, I am going to have to be all contrarian. My experience with most fandoms is that the shared interest transcends all other concerns about who you are and where you come from.

 

The divides ultimately come about from people thinking that you're enjoying the shared interest in the wrong way, which is something that seems to me to be at about the same level in the MLP fandom as it is in other fandoms.

 

Which is why I responded snarkily to your OP.