Simon Says: Bronies and other Fandoms

[Chivalry Knight 161]

Let's Talk about Bronies and Fandoms

Hello, my name is Simon (At least, this is what I prefer to be called.) And I am doing a "Let's Talk" series on these forums. It's a project where I talk about different subjects, then when I'm finished, I leave it up to you guys (and girls) to talk about either with me or amongst each other.

Now, you've probably already noticed what I'm going to be talking about because of the subject title. And that subject is "Bronies and other Fandoms". Now, first of all, many people already know what a "Brony" is. But for the sake of those who don't, I will explain. Bronies are an ever-growing fandom of late teen to adult male and female people who like to watch the show, My Little pony: Friendship is Magic. Now, you may either think that this is ridiculous, or maybe you think im lying, or maybe you already know about the fandom, or are even a part of it. But the fact of the matter is, bronies exist. They are a growing part of our society and they have been mentioned in many places such as television, the news, the internet, and celebrities talk about it. It's becoming more and more known throughout the world.

Just like other fandoms, there are multitudes of bronies that range from Musicians, to writers, to artists. And every day this fandom is growing and growing, there are thousands of people that are becoming bronies every single day. Some people are rather skeptical about bronies, and they ask themselves, "Why, and how could something such as My Little pony, become so popular, especially amongst the fandoms members?" Seeing as how most of the members are in there late teens to adults. But before we get into that, I want to talk about other fandoms. And no I don't intend on "Bashing" anyones fandom, i just want to talk, How and why you probably got into the fandom that you are in now. Considering of course your even in a fandom, which in this case you most likely are.

How people get into fandoms, is actually pretty interesting. These people who, before they ever joined any fandom, nowadays, have been essentially peer pressured into it. And what I'm getting with this is that these people who stumble upon these fandoms look at them at first and say, "Look at these people, how could they ever like that thing, or watch that show." But these types of people are ignorant, they don't know anything about the fandom. They're just judging it on what they think they know about it. But then they see this fandom growing larger and larger and before they know it, they want to be a part of it. It's popular, they want to be one of the popular people. They want to be accepted by a large number of others. Now let's take a look at the fandom that your most likely in, and that fandom is Video Games. Online games, PC Games, Console Games, Board Games. It's all part of one fandom that we all joined as kids. And the only reason we joined was because it was growing and growing, we saw that all the cool kids at school had a SNES or a Gameboy and we wanted to be a part of that. We wanted to be one of the cool kids, we wanted to be accepted. 

Now, let's go back to the brony fandom. Now, you have a different visualization of this fandom. Just like other fandoms, it is ever growing, it is becoming more popular. Just like the video game fandom. These people, bronies, that joined the fandom. They looked at it and at first they thought the same thing you probably do. "What is this? Is this a joke?" But they saw that it's members were growing and growing, these people read facts about it, even started watching the show and before they knew it, they were part of the fandom. A fandom where grown men and women like to watch the show, My Little pony: Friendship is Magic. And we ask them, "why?" Why watch a show that was originally and still is meant for little girls. and most of them reply with the same thing. The animation is great, they music is fantastic, the stories and the lessons learned are enlightening. But they don't know what theyre talking about. They're only saying this because the people who originally saw the show and liked it said these things first and so now. Everybody else in the fandom is saying it. But the fact of the matter is, they joined because it was becoming popular, and they wanted to make it more and more popular. They want to be accepted in a large quantity of people, just like other fandoms.

And I have to tell you, theres nothing wrong with that. whats wrong with wanting to be accepted? Nothing! These people, these fandoms, are a gateway for people to get to know other people, like a cafe or an anonymous online chat room. We do so many things to get people to like and accept us, because thats who we are. Thats what humans do, they form colonies, groups, fandoms. all in order to forge a strong group of people together.

And the brony community, is just another colony, forming together and making acquaintances. But let's say I'm wrong in all of this. Let's say that you joined the fandom on your own accord because you like what you see? If this is the case, then chances are, you probably didn't know it was a fandom in the first place. You like it for what it is, not to join a group. But later, you read up on it, and you realise. You realise that there are more people who like the same thing you do, and you get excited. Because you find out that there are others who enjoy the same thing you do, you have something to relate to with these people that you don't even know. But you want to get to know them, you want to be a part of their "Group". Their fandom.

But let's say I'm still wrong about this, let's go far back into a fandoms beginning. Let's talk about Hipsters, the people who started it all. The people who first got into the fandom without realising what they were creating. These are the people who either first watch a new anime or get into a new hobby. These are the people, the origin of it all. And these people, look at what they're doing, and they see something. an idea comes to them and they tell their friends about their hobby. Suddenly they're friends start doing the same thing, and they tell their friends and those friends tell those friends and so on and so on. And after a while, the word goes out, the people on the internet find out about this through social media. Before we know it there are all these people who are doing this hobby, or watching this anime because this one hipster had an idea one day, and told his friends about it. More and more people join, and suddenly there are thousands of people all into the same thing because its popular.

So just like this hobby that this one hipster found, the brony community came about the same way. And thats fine, im not saying its a bad thing, but an interesting concept to explore even more, so I need your guy's opinions on this topic. please leave a few messages, talk amongst yourself about this topic. and show me your intellect.

Thank you for Reading.

[SharpWit 2,682]

 

 

Now, first of all, many people already know what a "Brony" is

Everyone on this site is a brony. of course we know what one is. The rest of that paragraph is pointless due to this. 

 

there are thousands of people that are becoming bronies every single day.

No idea what the numbers are myself but from what i've heard the number of new bronies has decreased and even a fair amount left the fandom after season 3. By far I mean nowhere near a large amount but still. 

 

But then they see this fandom growing larger and larger and before they know it, they want to be a part of it.

Not necessarily true since they would be deemed hypocrites for it. but possible in some cases.

 

They want to be accepted

Accepted by who exactly? The brony community welcomes all who share appreciation for the show. If you don't truly like the show then why attempt to join it's fanbase?

 

Now let's take a look at the fandom that your most likely in, and that fandom is Video Games. Online games, PC Games, Console Games, Board Games. It's all part of one fandom that we all joined as kids.

Where are you getting this idea? This is saying that because you play games that you are part of a gamer fandom. Is there a gamer fandom? Individual games have fandoms and often the fans are part of more than one with so many games out there but If I play a racing game with friends that doesn't mean I'm in a fandom. You would have to devote some part of your self to it for that and just playing it for it's intended purpose doesn't count. It may not be the fastest growing fandom either for reasons I have previously said, along with games having sequels adding to that original fandom's base's, and more people joining the world of virtual gameplay since it has entertainment value. 

 

We wanted to be one of the cool kids, we wanted to be accepted. 

I thought most cool kids thought that the wannabes were pathetic nerds who should be treated badly back then. Since all the cool kids used to be the sports stars who were also jocks/jerks. Or at least that's how television liked to portray them with us having a connection to the unfortunate main character.

 

And we ask them, "why?"

You say this as though you yourself are not part of the fandom.

 

But the fact of the matter is, they joined because it was becoming popular

Or it turned out  to be a show that they enjoyed for the sake of it.

 

But let's say I'm wrong in all of this.

Go on,,, 

 

chances are, you probably didn't know it was a fandom in the first place.

Or members of the fandom informed you and then became a fan but not because it was popular but out of curiosity.

 

you have something to relate to with these people that you don't even know.

Which is how groups are formed to get a sense of connection.

 

The people who first got into the fandom without realising what they were creating. These are the people who either first watch a new anime or get into a new hobby

Were they in fact a hipster? without a doubt can you say this and back your claim(or someone do it for him after all it's a question and the giver of the resourceful answer doesn't matter). Not all hipsters watch anime or make a hobby popular by doing it. Also this is off topic but not every young person who wears a fedora is a hipster. So don't assume so. just a little disclaimer.

 

Now that I have read over this I would like to inform you that other than my correcting some of what you say since it's not all fully accurate there isn't a whole lot for me or anyone to say. other than defining what a member of another fandom is and our opinion on it I'm afraid you may be out of luck. fandoms form and grow recieving both positive and negative views and members. what they have to say and what they're about can be interesting to some but not all. If you were me then I'd look for information about the history of fandoms since that seems to be what you're into. I would of said if I were you but then being you I would do what you do and what I'd do.

 

Sharp over and out

[PlunderSteed 1,252]

...what the hell did I just read? I was hoping there would be a point at the end of that mountain of text, but there kind of wasn't.

 

Also, this article feels very 2011. Am I missing something? I doubt this thread will generate much in the way of debate in any case.

Edited April 9, 2014 by NLR Information Minister