As I said, do what you will, I'm happy to see people doing something positive. I'm simply displaying my concern that people take this far too serously, and in the process neglecting other parts of their life. I've heard some say ponies are their life. That says enough. Do what you want, but my advice would be focus on bettering yourself rather than trying to change the world. It's not yours to change, whereas you are solely responsible for yourself.
"Living on my own, being respectful, trying to help those who need and following my feelings" is my motto.
I wasn't trying to go against you. when I see people try to better the world in anyway, I want them to succeed. Just think though. You do something nice, which could alter someones mood. That person does something nice. Sure they seems small, almost unworthy of attention. Enough of these small events happen and I'm sure it could change the world. Same goes for the bad. The bad could hinder the world. These messages are about forgetting the bad. You should just do good when ever possible. Be that friendship or whatever.
@ Luprony: If this show inspires me to do good things and be a better person, that's great. If it doesn't, that's too bad. Since it did, that's something worth talking about, especially since so many others feel the same. Perhaps we're not a group that will stick around forever. Whoops, did I say perhaps? We'll all be dead and gone eventually (kinda morbid, but there you go). I don't claim that this show is literally magical and can fix anyone's problems. Though they may say that, I don't think anyone else believes that, either. That's mostly just a person's premise for getting into the show. No, I don't think 2012 should actually be called the "year of the pony." Or should it? Maybe there's nothing wrong with that. Maybe I had some great bacon yesterday, and so I want to name 2012 the "year of the bacon" (it's hypothetical, since I'm a vegetarian). If I want to call it that, who's going to stop me? It pays to be a little silly now and then. You know that. I'd just take all that you've heard with a grain of salt. People get overexicted about things. Sometimes they use those things as an excuse to do good things, like helping other people. For myself, I've always enjoyed helping others. It's what I do, and it makes me feel good. I also enjoy My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Perhaps it's a coincidence. Perhaps it is not. I agree with much that you've said. Yet I also feel there is a fine, mellow, in-between place that you have touched upon. Perhaps bronies (and all other humans) should do good things for others, and if they are inspired to do those things by MLP, they may keep that part to themselves. I end with the following quote. "When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt." ~ Henry J. Kaiser While I may agree with bits and pieces of what you've said, the above is just, to use my favorite word, silly. Three Stooges? Monty Python? The old Spongebob Episodes? Star Trek? Shows can gather unexpectedly loyal followings. Let's stick to reality and not make up numbers.
Considering I'm a fan of ThreeStooges, Monty Python, and Star Trek, I admit to feeling very silly about that. They are guestimates and only that... That said, It is still something of a trend that shows like this tend to follow moreso than others. Call me pessimistic, but until we get to, say, ten years of being a thriving fandom, I feel like my pessimism has a general ballpark idea of what's going on. And if I'm wrong, well hot dang, am I glad I'm wrong.
I can't much argue with that. You're right; it's easily safer to say "this fandom will last ten years" after it happens, rather than before. :derpe: As an adult, I'll probably be an eccentric closet fan. xD
Ah, but what I said was based on the assumption that the fandom dies. Sure, I might be, but I'll still probably pet my ponies when nobody's looking. (Or when Nobody isn't looking. He's a nice guy; have you ever met him?)
Nobody(no last name) is a jerk, in my experience. He's always does stuff and puts the blame on me or someone else. Nobody Owens, on the other hand, now there's a cool guy.
That sounds like a very cool book. I may have to check it out. Really? Are you sure? I don't mean to brag, but Nobody is my best friend.
Yes, I'm sure. He's an absolute twat. Of course, with six million abandoned imaginary friends named Bob, I suppose it's possible it could be a different Nobody.
Of course it's never right to overly indulge into something to the point 'it becomes your life'. Not candy, not WoW, not ponies. Most people know this. That said, I think your concerns go a bit too far. For most bronies the show is a simple source of joy and moral guidelines. And I stess 'guidelines'. No one feels like the show is an religion that must be obeyed, even if certain messages don't appeal to you. Many become a little obsessed, but I think that's in a healthy way. In a way that makes us want to go out there and face the world with fresh courage and newfound kindness. And to actually want to improve things. I agree with you on the point of bettering yourself. But I also think that's on the long term the only way the world itself can be improved. Show someone else a little kindness, and you might ignite that fuzzy spark in that persons heart as well. Basically, this: And I think these small things actually can have a huge impact on the world. Because ultimately everyone wants to love, we just have to make ourselves see that.
Lupr is right in the idea of bettering ourselves. If we all become better people, it makes the world a better place.
Fair point on the changing the world, that's a basic rule of life(I realize this semi-contradicts what I said earlier, but there was a feel good high earlier). No amouint of love, tolerance, understanding, and friendship can actually change the world, even another person's life. That's their call. That said, I'm all for people becoming the best they can and hopefully inspiring everyone else. I do still believe the fandom can acheive great things.
An interesting thought: It may be within the power of any fandom to change the world for the better. That Bronies have already done that in some small ways is, in a way, only a part of a bigger picture. Which is probably part of an even bigger picture, because it may be within the power of any group of humans to change the world for the better. I Inception'd my own post.
