The "elements of brony"?

[Virgil 685]

Okay I don't like doing this so my apologies in advance    but I , so they put out part 3 of "Elements of Brony" by Neal X.... I'll be up front I very much doubt I will watch as I have watched the first two installment, and while I enjoyed part 1, I loathed part 2. But perhaps I should take a moment to state a few things, especially why I am posting this as a thread.

 

A) I really enjoyed Part 1, it reminded me of the documentary made by Saberspark, but I got to hear from more bronies (many of whom I either respect or was excited to learn more about [ I became a brony December 5th 2013 so I was still very new to all this and trying to get my bearings ]). And Antony C was part of it, who I still view as the best analyst and I owe a personal debt to him as his vids helped me think about a lot of things clearer; so I was delighted to hear from him.

 

B ) Part 2 on the other hand... I kinda liked the first half some of the bronies brought up interesting points and pieces of info I was excited to hear about. Though most of the good bits were from Antony (some of which were simply the result of him asking the right questions). However, it degraded it a pseudo-political/philosophical manifesto about how Hasbro is the devil ( Do I like everything Hasbro does? Heavens no! [don't like equestria girls for example] But I realize they do fund MLP and for the most part leave the fandom alone [which coming from an Anime background surprised the heck out of me]), bad-mouthing people who's only mistake was being over the age of 40 and not having what a brony is explained to them for the most part, random rants about miscellaneous topics (why show a clip of some 20yr. old lecture on the Middle Ages who isn't even a history major?) , and (my favorite) how the economic future imagined by Star Trek is the ideal society and within our (almost immediate) grasp.

 

Problem, if you watched all of Part 2 prior to said points and know anything about some of the bronies being interviewed. You quickly realize ( Antony showed the wisdom of his age by not engaging in the ego love fest ) that they are either 1. undermining the things that keep MLP and by extension the fandom afloat. 2. Being gigantic hypocrites by speaking against Corporate Sponsorship. Why do I say that? The ones speaking the loudest had patreon accounts, they receive sponsorship from a "corporation" of fans to help make MLP vids, which is just insulting to those who fund them in my view. :okiedokielokie:

 

C ) So you can see why I don't plan on watching part 3, especially after reading some summations by viewers. In short Bronies are "bucking tradition" and this big social movement that will help lead society down the proper path or something along those lines.

I did read that bullying was covered which obviously needs to be addressed in a vid about Bronies as that is a major concern not just for bronies but for society as well.

 

So shifting to my normal positive self (sorry about that folks) 1. I agree that FiM has a positive influence, I attest to it whole heartedly in my own life and the good morals the show gives to children (and most adults honestly ); in fact I use this show as an example of good and edifying media to show to kids. 2. The fandom is a positive influence on society, bronies do charities all the time, as well as a host of other things, and the thing I tell to my non-brony friends is "One of the best things about being a brony is getting to hang around other bronies." And I mean that!

But having said that I don't think MLP will directly change society, it takes more than just one tv show, it takes the efforts of Parents, schools, and other institutions to really leave an impact.

And I think Gender was probably brought up for obvious reasons; but to me the only kind of person who would view Bronies as "buckin' tradition" in this regard would be someone who has never actually thought out what is Masculinity or Femininity for that matter. (My best friend is an Baptist Minister with a wife and three kids; and when asked to "hand over his man card" on facebook after we spent an hour with some other friends discussing Frozen, he responded, "What's a man card?")

 

So in conclusion: I don't think "Elements of Brony" really represents the fandom but more of a view that a small group of the fandom has of it, which sounds more like a quasi-political manifesto (I don't like politics, been there done that, I stick with ponies ). But what do you guys think? Am I just ranting like those guys? Or am I completely off the mark? Or am I somewhat in the vicinity of said mark?  

[Sunny Shimmer 259]

Never seen the videos. MLP was the turning point for Hasbro because before that they weren't doing so well. They had their ups and downs but weren't set for life. MLP:FiM came along and bam! Suddenly they have more loyal fans of a show then they know what to do with. Now if they only made an effort with MLP merch then they would have been swimming in gold.

[SveciaDash 364]

So in conclusion: I don't think "Elements of Brony" really represents the fandom but more of a view that a small group of the fandom has of it, which sounds more like a quasi-political manifesto (I don't like politics, been there done that, I stick with

 

I mean ofcourse its their opinion.

 

And as far as the accurate representation of the fandom goes, there really isnt any because everyone probably has a different opinion about it. You wont find someone who thinks the same about ponies / the fandom like me.

 

I watched it and I enjoyed it, even tho I kinda dont like digibrony or tommy oliver

 

Infact I think Clover Neal and antony gives the best answers.

Edited April 2, 2014 by SveciaDash

[Virgil 685]

@@SveciaDash, Yeah, trying to define what a fandom represents, is like trying to determine the specific meaning of a great epic myth. Will you find a lot of common themes people pick up on? Generally yes, but it still has that "all thing to all people" thing going for it, and I think that holds true to most fandoms.

 

I suppose what bothered me the most was back when I watched part 2; when it became like an annoying political talk show, they didn't give me a heads up .

 

 

 

Infact I think Clover Neal and antony gives the best answers.

I agree (she was in part 1 right?) they were mainly just very informative, and when they expressed an opinion, did it respectfully taking into account other opinions (which is really all I ask ).  The others aren't so tactful, which is something I dislike even if I agree with what someone says. A little courtesy, especially when disagreeing with someone, goes along way in my book .

Edited April 2, 2014 by Virgil_Harris