The State of the Fandom · 10:01am Jan 17th, 2016
art by NCMares
Years ago, bronies held themselves up as something special and unique amongst fandoms: a group of love, tolerance and charity as well as exceptional creativity. It was easy to claim exceptionalism when we were small and more tightly knit.
But bronies have always been inclusive, not exclusive. We are a welcoming fandom. And an energetic one. As we spread word of how wonderful this show is to the far reaches of the internet, people took notice. And while many reacted to what was new and different with hatred or fear, people joined the herd in droves.
Now we are huge, large enough and diverse enough to put lie to the stereotypes, including the good ones that we had created for ourselves. Bronies have become legion... and in doing so, we have become a fandom like any other.
But we don't have to be.
art by AssasinMonkey
Not long ago, I engaged in the single least productive activity of the modern age: arguing on the internet. Specifically, attempting to crack the blinders of prejudice worn by a self-proclaimed "furry" who was ranting about bronies. As expected, the discussion was a small waste of time. But here is a portion of it that I think is worth repeating:
I will let you in on the secret: people are people. Furries are just people who really enjoy anthropomorphic animals. Pony fans are just people who really like the human-like technicolor ponies of a specific show. That is all. The extent to which any furry or brony enjoys what they do, and how they act on that enjoyment, is individualized. You do not need special brain chemistry or a particular background or a specific social disposition to be a furry. And you do not need one to be a brony. Or a fan of Star Wars, or Star Trek, or anything else... [They] are a fandom. Made of people. Just like every other fandom. And in any fandom, you will find good people and bad people, superfans and the passively interested, perverts and prudes. Furries are not inherently superior people to bronies, and bronies are not inherently superior people to furries. No more than Trekkies are to Whoovians, or football fans are to hockey fans, or people who like classical music are to people who like J-pop. At the absolute most, you can try to claim superior taste in one tiny and extremely subjective facet of the grand category of "things people like". Woohoo, you rock.
But this is the important part: we do not have to be just like any other fandom.
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic offers more to love than just cute, colorful ponies. Most of us, I would hazard to wager, didn't fall in love with the show for the ponies as art -- we fell in love with the characters, with what they did and how they behaved, with the idyllic-but-not-sugary-perfect the world of Equestria, and with the heartwarming messages of virtue and friendship at the emotional and philosophical core of the show. An if we are fans of that, then we are fans of something with more depth and meaning than just an artistic concept or musical style or type of sports.
We can be something very special and unique by lauding those messages of friendship and virtue, and trying to adhere to them as best we can. We can treat "love and tolerance" as calling again, rather than just a 4-chan meme whose time has passed. We can strive to be better people.
And if we do, we can be something truly beautiful -- we can be the realization of what the early brony fandom held itself to bo. We will do so as individuals. Points of brilliant light in the gloom. In general, the rest of the fandom will not follow -- it is too large, and many will never be interested beyond "I like cartoon ponies." But that isn't why we strive to shine. We should do so because it makes us better, and we want to be better than we are. Because we are inspired to do it. And for those in the darkness who are looking for a light.
art by AssasinMonkey
We are large and growing, but we have lost many as well. We have all seen people leave the fandom because "it isn't what it used to be." The most surprising element of this is that so many of them were surprised. They saw their fandom grow, change and evolve... and apparently they hadn't expected that. Instead of remaining in the fandom and being examples of what they believed it should be, they abandoned it and moved on. Perhaps I can fault them for that, but only just a little. And I certainly cannot fault those who left simply because their interests changed, as interests often do. Plus, we have seen many whose contributions to the fandom launched new careers, and who have gone off to follow these dreams professionally. To them, we raise our glasses, thank them, and wish them well.
art by AssasinMonkey
beautifully said man
Not much to say in response except that was wonderfully stated.
I think we all needed this.
I'm all in with this whole blog, I'm probably one of those rare ones that will love all and tolerate those. I'm all in for this fandom and if we can keep the group proud of its roots then by all means, let us grow and develop proudly!
I like the show, and I'll include your stories in this as well, because it promotes friendship in such a unique way. It does it in such a bold and relentless, how can I say no to those values?
Friendship is a strong element in society since the beginning, and people had started to forget that. l
In truth, that is what glues me to liking the show.
In it's core, that is what a brony means to me, and I'll stick with that always.
Fandoms are about being a fan of something. What that something is varies from fan to fan. Some people are Trekkies because they embrace many of the ideals of the original series. Others like cool battles in space, or aliens. Others like space diplomatic drama like Deep Space Nine and Babylon 5.
The same applies to bronies. Some folks are drawn in by the message of friendship. Others are drawn in by the characters. Still others are drawn in simply by the cute aesthetic, which has been gaining an ever-increasing foothold in American culture (thanks, Japan!). Still others are focused on putting ponies in gritty situations, or enjoy subverting it, or think that ponies are hot.
There is overlap between many of these groups. Some folks enjoy everything. Others only enjoy a specific subfraction of the fandom. And some of these people find what other people do to be offputting.
If you like the themes of friendship, that's cool; I enjoy them myself. But not everyone is so focused on that theme. Acting like the fandom is about that is wrong. And frankly, trying to make people feel unwelcome because they don't embrace your ideology is wrong. And ultimately, that's what it is all about. You may not recognize it as such, but people do actually feel unwelcome when other people come along and start spouting off like a hippie. It is like having some homeless person wander up to you and ramble about how society should be kind to everyone, man. Do you really feel comfortable somewhere where people do stuff like that? And feeling uncomfortable in a location is a major way to feel unwelcome.
If you really want to be a better person, there's nothing wrong with that - in fact, it is a good thing. But trying to make ponies into something it isn't is, I think, misguided.
Hm.
Kkat, you just nailed my life philosophy.
The love and tolerance thing I live by today was, since I think back to it, directly because of this fandom and the show it started for.
I mean, honestly, without this fandom helping to keep me on my feet, I'd probably be dead. And for that I really try to be the best I can be.
3692533 You have a bad habit of reading things into what I say that I'm not saying, and then attack me for them. You have done this before. Please stop.
While I have never actually classed myself as a brony when I entered the fandom and started writing career on site, I now call myself a brony, and I don't plan on ever ceasing to be a brony even when the fandom and its creations fade away into history.
3692545 It's weird, he kind paraphrased everything you said in the blog as an offence against the blog.
Unrelated note.
The next time any of you see an aggressive 'outsider' (my vocabulary is failing me at the moment) asking why bronies do what they do, you can just drop this link on them.
http://hotdiggedydemon.com/post/16367923346/why-adult-men-like-my-little-pony-friendship-is
3692545
Okay. Then what did you mean by this?
I'm struggling to understand how you can suggest that you aren't suggesting how people within the fandom should behave - what the fandom should be - when you have a line like this. In fact, you go on later to say:
Because this post reads very much as evangelism or a stump speech about what the fandom should be - how members of the fandom should behave. You, in fact, used it as a launching point for the rest of your post.
So, what exactly was your point, then, if it was not to suggest what the fandom should be like?
Those who saw love and tolerance as a "calling" in the first place were the ones who never understood that that statement was a joke on 4chan, and nothing more.
I felt that "spark" too, way back when, when this all started five years ago. Now that the spark is gone, I've had a good long time to think about why it disappeared. And maybe this is just me looking back with jade-colored glasses... but I feel like the fandom losing that spark was an inevitability.
I know that part of what created that spark was the fact that the brony fandom was new. Most of us had never been in a fandom before, and it was novel and wonderful and special to us -- we were in a honeymoon phase, and that spawned a period of incredible growth.
We needed to compensate for the fact that we were starved for content, and that the show's reach in this regard was limited -- we didn't have show-style animation, we didn't have very much high-quality official merchandise, and we only had like 5 cons. Then 2012-2013 hit, and with it came what I like to believe was the "brony renaissance": in the span of two years, we got the official BronyDoc, the huge third-party merchandise licensing boom, over 35 cons in the continental US alone, the release of Picture-Perfect Pony that served as the vanguard for dozens of show-quality animations to come, and so much more.
All of this was amazing at the time. But now, three years later? All of the above is common-place. And no, I don't honestly believe that the "brony renaissance" ever ended -- especially not with things like Lullaby for a Princess, which have proven that we've long surpassed where we were in 2013. But instead... it has become the norm, and we've settled into the status quo. It's no longer new or novel... it simply is.
Hell, just based on all of the above, it honestly feels like we've achieved everything we set out to do. We've gotten comfortable with the fandom, its inner workings, its presence in our lives. As a community, we're no longer completely counter-culture -- instead of having to fight to validate our own existence, we've found our place in the world, which now mostly knows who we are and has come to accept that we exist.
We are not new. We are not novel. We are normal. And that's a pretty good place to be in, all things considered.
But... honestly? I can't help but feel like this fandom could have been so much more.
This show, this magical, unfamiliar thing that was bringing us all together, was touting values we had believed in all our lives, but lacked the individual resolve to march for alone. We had come together to celebrate something that had never quite been seen before -- a progressive show for little girls that was actually very good. It didn't feel like a fandom... it felt like a movement, a force for change, one that could resonate throughout the entertainment industry for decades to come.
But now? I don't know if I can honestly say that this still holds true. The show isn't quite as progressive as it used to be. In fact, most of the values touted by the first two seasons have mostly been abandoned in terms of the show's macro storytelling. Sure, the show we're watching now is arguably still good, but it most definitely isn't good for the same reasons that had made the show such a huge success from the start. And when the show transformed, so did the fandom -- much of the old guard left, and the ensuing vacuum was quickly filled by a newer crowd, who came onboard for entirely different reasons. Good and valid ones, absolutely, but different ones nonetheless.
That last point, honestly, is where I feel like the movement "died". With the show's innovative and progressive values slowly withering away under a sanitized, marketable sea of coronations, fall formals, and crystal castles... how could we hope to use it as the banner under which we claim ourselves to be different than any other fandom? At this point, what can it possibly offer the world that'll make it unique?
I feel this sting so very hard, because this fandom has given so much to me. It gave me wonderful friends, it gave me purpose, it helped me springboard my entire career. But this far in? After so much has changed? It honestly feels like it's given all it can give.
And yet... I'm still here.
I don't know why. Maybe it's out of desperation from having already invested so much of myself emotionally into this fandom that I'm scared to give up on it. Or maybe it's out of a genuine belief that it can still truly stand for something special.
I guess, maybe, there's still some kind of hope that the spark can be reignited.
can we at least admit that Other Kins are crazy, that and Twilight Fans.
But ya, I think I know what you mean by that "We don't have to be like any other fandom" Unlike with most fan domes like this, we didn't grow into the show, most of us were already adults when we found this to be a thing we like, and put time aside to enjoy it. What this also means is that we came into this with a more mature point of view, This was not some sort of counter culture, or a popular trend, it was simply a bunch of adults getting together and talking about a good show. That then exploded into a lot of people.
The problem with fandoms is that people can become emotionally invested into it, even tie'ing their identity to it. This is even more apparent among teenagers, or people with very strong ideological beliefs. For a good example, take a look at what happened with the "Steven Universe" Fandom when a girl drew her own version of a character, and the fandom freaked because a character was not dark enough. A fandom it selves can become toxic, turning people away from the art, if not hating it because of the fandom alone.
As for bronies, We have a distinct advantage of maturity on our side, something that can easily become lost as the fandom grows. So how can we be different form other fandoms, simple, we do our best to instill a higher level of maturity into the fandom's culture, wile still enjoying human like pastel ponies.
For me, I'm a Fallout Equesta Bronie first and foremost, with I think is still finding itself as a Fandom, but has a strong foundation to grow from.
3692555
I would recommend as a first step that you focus on reading what is actually said without trying to read other things into it. Read carefully, and you'll realize that the only thing I say we should do is in reference to our own motivations for self-improvement. And you will find that I specifically state that self-improvement should not be an attempt to steer the fandom.
Every "should" in your statement is something you are reading into the blog that not only isn't there, but is contradictory to what is there. In fact, I outright state that those of us who choose to be inspired by the friendship and virtues of the show and who strive toward self-improvement are doing so as individuals, not as the fandom.
As for the second part that you quoted, I cannot speak to (or even fathom) the evangelical spin you chose to view that with. Instead, in that closing paragraph, I acknowledged those who were once part of the fandom and are no longer with us. As most of the blog had talked about how the fandom has gotten larger, it was only appropriate to recognize that the fandom has lost members as well as gained them.
I noted several reasons why we have lost members, one of which being that people have left because the fandom has grown and evolved. I did not, in doing so, suggest that growth was unusual or bad. To the contrary, I suggested it was natural and something that people should have predicted. I did not say whether what these people desired of the fandom was good or bad. You seem to have completely ignored the words "what they believed" in my very mild chastisement for abandoning ship rather than trying to set an example. That didn't come with any level of approval or disapproval of whatever those beliefs might have been -- just in regards to the fact they did not continue to try. And again, I didn't actually admonish them for that, but simply acknowledged that I felt there were potential grounds to. Whether perseverance would have been better is something I feel I could argue either way.
I hope this helps you understand.
Kkat, every thought of being a public speaker? Cause this was one helluah speech.
I didn't expect any long messaged in the comments
But anyways, what you wrote was mostly true. It was somewhat inspiring(I think). It was such a speech. Dang, and I think I said the same thing twice.
Ah, the fandom. As strange as it could be, it can also yield surprises.
And I have nothing else to say. Good day to y'all
3692561
I feel like a lot of bronies, old and new, can relate to you. Maybe mostly the old fans. The new ones may need more time to learn the history of bronies.
I think she's trying to point out that there is a big difference between liking something and taking it to heart. You could arguably say the same thing about religion. The bible is a piece of media as much as anything else, and you have the group who know every facet of every rule and page, but that encyclopedic knowledge is a poor subtitute for subscribing to the core themes and ideals the authors themselves no doubt believed would be the ones to stand the test of time. Lawers and courts debate the true interpritation of the constitution and there is obviously no correct answer, however, many overlook the true intent of the document itself and it is nowhere near as complicated. The good of the people is of the upmost importance, and securing liberties is the best way to ensure it, because if it's one thing the common man always is, it's being taken advantage of. As long as our ruling is made with this in consideration, it IS correct.
So yes, lets not debate headcacons and bash eachother's stories merely because of differing interpritations of the show. As long as the members of the fandom truly believe that "friendship is magic" we can be that special fandom. Star Trek has a similar role to play, constantly having viewers look forward to a future where pettiness and selfishness are problems of the past. We often fail to realise that we have to make the world what we want. I implore you bronies, want to be loving, want to be tollerant. Hold the same standards for yourselves as you do for the fandom, and we can be what we were, maybe even better.
In terms of mentality, bronies are nothing new, nor special as a fandom (or a group in general). They visually stand out a lot more, but that's about it.
That said, credit where it's due: no matter how many times I ended up arguing with people from the fandom, it almost never led to the kind of lows the internet is famous for. The arguments could get lengthy, and maybe a bit heated, but ad hominems, or a general feeling of one or both parties being plain jerks never came across.
My experiences might not speak for all of the fandom, since they happened primarily on this site. Still, in general, I find that bronies are nice people, at least toward outsiders. No word on all those supposed death threats sent to Hasbro over changing Derpy's voice and stuff though.
Personally as someone who had been a furry for a time and then left, I can safely say that compared to there MLP fans and this site has been the most drama-free I have seen by comparison.
And from what others have told me MLP beat out 4chan on their own turf, and I could almost swear that trolls are BORN there.
Oh if only this whole post of yours were true...completely. I would gladly be blinded by the false truth that the brony fandom was unlike any other, a fandom who gives care and tolerance to the degenerates everywhere else. Unfortunately that is but a mask covering the fandom's true face. Cause once you take off the familiar, stereotypical mask, a person can see all the negativity the fandom has obtained and spread like a virus, just like every other fandom we've come to know.
We, the brony community, are one of the least likeable fandoms in the generation. No, actually I'll rephrase that. We, the brony community are disliked more than are loved and liked. Why? Cause we are a group who bends the common, well known stereotype that has been practiced since the beginning of our race's birth. However I've noticed that this reason behind the hatred towards this community wasn't the only one. What many others hated about us, was they hated how we reacted to such hate. Sure, some bronies spoke in a professional, kind manner. Though that was only a small percentage of the total. The majority would retaliate at the negativity that was brought to them, by responding with venom in their words. They acted like the ones who hated them. And by this action, they totally disregarded the way of how anybody was supposed to react when they were in the fandom. We acted like all the other fandoms who defends their work and their likes. We retaliated with hate, which turns our back behind everything we were supposed to stand for.
However, despite all of that, I still believe this community can be different than all the others. Just it will take time, patience, and the mane six's elements. For now though, I finalize that this fandom is just like any other.
Btw is anyone able to 1+ the OP on this site or nah?
This was very well written Kkat. Thank you for your words and I agree with all of them. :) I hope you have been well and I hope everyone reading this gets inspired to follow its words. :)
If i have one regret, it is that not enough people can argue the merits of ours and any other fandom with this amount of eloquence. Hell, I certainly cant put it to words this well.
Everything you just aid...is excatly what I believe in and have always believed in. I have never understood terms like "Leaving a fandom" or "going away" because if you are fan of something, you are part of a fandom. Sure, you might be a little part, or a big part, you are a part of something. I, myself, am a part of several fandoms. Some, i do fics or look up art for (Assassination clasroom, rurouni kenshin, babylon 5) and others i just hang out for the show (Naruto, Supernatural, flash) but either way, right or wrong...i am a part of something. its just that, with alll of these fandoms, this...is my fave.
Yes, people have left for many reasons, and that is ok. But many stay for lots of reasons. Some like 3692561, stay because they still believe in that spark or because they love to write. Others just because thy love the fandom, or because they still love the show. Me, i stay because i love the show and fandom. Yeah, maybe one day the show will fall (not that i have seen it) but you know what? Ghostbusters, Gargoyles, sailor moon, and dragonball z have alll had seasons or fallen to levels that tick me off. and you know what? I still want the Ghostbusters box set, i own all of the senshi figuarts, and i watched revival of F in theaters. so yeah, you have guys like me who will stay long after the lights after gone out.
Like Song said, the renesiance has not ended, not by a long shot. We create so much, because the new guard has been inspired by the old ones. the old ones remain because we have been throgh so much with their fandoms. i do beleive that we have been better and still are.
if we use 3692588 about Star trek to heart. i don't think i have ever seen anywhere else that has places where you cantalk about your feels like here. i have seen people built up and saved because we have been so good. We welcome others, we celebrate other differences. We are different, and yet...the same. we are the same because we have all of this before us, this 'brony renissance' that has yet to end. But, we are different because we have soemthing more.
I wonder how many would stay if the show ended in seaosn 3
That was one of the most accurate and most beautiful things I have ever read. Thank you so much
Well, I agree with everything here, even if it is a little preachy. As it stands, I used to do all kinds of community stuff, reference the fandom, but as it grew and evolved and the less savoury aspects became the norm... well...
I stopped interacting with people, is really what it came down to. Which sucks. I miss the community where you could go for help and receive actual help, not just platitudes or false praise...
Preach on Kkat, preach on.
But....you killed all the characters...when the bombs fell...
...
...
...
So...what kkat sensei is saying is...WE SHOULD HAVE A CRUSADE! Deus Vult!!
Well back then the fandom was indeed smaller and due to that there was more communication and some kind of invisible line to the fandoms interests, most people came from the same place and or had at least one thing in common, their interest for the show.
While this common interest is still there the fandom since then went the way of every fandom/group as it grows, it splits into sub groups/categories.
That's perfectly normal, everyone eventually looks out for their comfy spot and while some of the groups may be louder than others there wont be a more extended definition to the fandom as "fans of mlp" same with "fans of anthropomorphic characters" for furries, and that is already a lucky thing, try to find a common definition for 4chan as a community (not meant negatively, its just incredible difficult to impossible).
A fandom is what you make out of it for yourself, if its large enough you will usually find company in whatever ideology or idea you pursue. The only common thing all the brony fandom groups have in the end is that they like something about the show and that is usually enough to still have a healthy and creative exchange between most of the fandom groups.
Couldn't have said it any better myself.
I may not be a brony myself. I do enjoy the community since of how kind they are.
Some of the people like to be 'special'. They been bronies not because they love ponies all that much but because it made them - 'special'. So, more people join bronies the less 'special' that people feel. And after they feel that they become just "one of the many" they leave fandom to find another one that give them 'you are special' feeling back.
Well, of course not all of people who leave fandom like that.
Darn writers, always gettin' all philosophical with their words 'n stuff.
Back in my day, we didn't have none of yer fancy schmancy words. We had a cave with a rock, and we had to SHARE THE ROCK.
Interesting blog post, Kkat.
All I can really say is since the day I became a brony, I never looked back. I enjoy the show and all the content it's fans produce. I hope to contribute even just a little bit to the fandom I have come to enjoy being a part of. So take from that what you will, I hope you and the rest of the MLP community have a good day.
First off... arguing on the internet... you poor thing.
An interesting stance... and one I agree with whole heartedly. Never in my life have I seen anything like the mlp fanbase. Maybe its because of the ease art material access and availability of time, but I've never seen a wealth of content available in any fandom before this one. Most are almost saturated to the brim with hard core vets of the series, trolls and tweens with big mouths and little to say, and idly interested passer by who come in, take one look at the quagmire that is the state of things, then for the sake of their sanity and well being beat a hasty retreat from whence they came.
But... do you really know , as Ulysses would say, the why of things Kkat? Why so many hold this place of so many wonders so dear in our hearts and why we all put so much effort into it? Why it has, as you stated, been a fandom seperate from others?
Because it is, and has been, a refuge.
I know you aren't blind Kkat. Your a very positive person, and like myself, know we as a people can do better. But I also know, again like myself, you see things as they are. The world is an unbelievably bleak and soul shattering place at times. Murder, genocide, war waged for peace and the rape and abuse of others is love... Its an incessant parade of misery out there, and while there are many wonderful and beautiful, things I will defend to my end and praise, its disheartening all the same.
The show gives us a escape, a harmless place to go to when all seems to be crashing around us, and a place we can return to when the world forces us to hide once more, but as you said, it makes us want to do more. We can be better, fallen creatures that we are.
Honestly the show has helped me Value friendship so much more.
Pretty much, yeah.
I don't mean to say that in a dismissive manner, either. I've been here for a bit longer than most people, and have seen the ups and downs of this fandom. And despite all that, I'm still here.
I've met some of the nicest people I know because of this fandom. It's amazing how much people you've never even met can have an effect on you.
I ain't no writer. That much should be obvious if you look at what I've written above. But I'm still here in this silly place because I've seen what it can be.
Hope shines brightest in the dark, and all that stuff.
hi hi
It is easy to claim exceptionalism, because exceptionalism is a spurious fallacy that is based on a sort of special pleading. It gets a foothold because of a number of very simple biases, not least of which is the frequently mistaken idea that there are more differences between two groups than within either of those groups. In the end, it is one's harmful behavior that is worthy of judgement, and membership in any group, no matter how noble or ignoble, does not change the moral weight of one's actions.
Going beyond actions though, I would suggest that there is some merit in trying to gauge the various reasons why some people are more predisposed than others to enjoy a certain kind of visual artwork, literature, or general theme; when one is trying to suggest to someone an experience they might enjoy. A judgement of the work from the viewer's perspective, and definitely not as a judgement of the viewer from the work's perspective.
In terms of being a fan, I am certainly still a fan of the things that encouraged me to enjoy the show back in the day. I still value doing my homework, treating others kindly, being generous, loyal, and all of those kinds of things. However, I can't say that I'm a fan of the show anymore, because I don't really enjoy watching it. I'm happy enough to watch it with friends, because I enjoy spending time with my friends and it's not that bad, but it bothers me that where we used to have a show that promoted self-determination, where people could strive and work towards improvement from within, and any ordinary person could make a difference; we now have a show that promotes a pre-determined destiny, and the idea that love and friendship is a gift that is given to them rather than something that everyone works toward together, and the kind of perfectionism that comes with putting a one in a million person on a pedestal.
And in terms of the fandom, I would say that for the most part, I've left the fandom. At least, as much as it is possible to do, while still being a fan of those philosophies and themes that I like. I used to love discussing the show with people, going over the merits and flaws of various aspects. It was invigorating to have such friendly, but spirited debates. Maybe it was something of a mistake to want to hold onto that luxury, and maybe I should have known from the beginning just how it would end, but sure enough it got to the point where criticizing the show at all lead to personal attacks and anger. Claims that: by trying to think about the show beyond the surface level, I was somehow watching it wrong. As if anyone has the right to criticize anyone else based solely on what they are interested in. And sure enough, many places within the fandom have rather strict rules about banning criticism. I honestly debated with myself not posting anything here at all, but given the tone of the discourse, I decided to take the gamble. I sincerely hope you don't mind.
I am sure that someone who has poured their heart into a work of some kind, only to be met apathy and disinterest by their peers in their community, can understand the urge to move on, and move elsewhere.
- 14th Dalai Lama
It's some interesting thoughts.
As a fandom is made of people, it's only natural the motives, the inspirations and interests would most likely differ from person to person and might be subject to change over time. With that being said, it's only natural the scope of what one can find in a fandom will grow as the fandom grows.
I have to say, while I enjoy the show I didn't fall in love with the show.
I fell in love with the fandom.
When I first joined bronies were very supportive and kind. In fact, I've met very few of the toxic types in the fandom you always hear about. When I joined the friendships that I garnered through this fandom have been pretty damn strong, stronger than those I've made in any other group, including furry. People here have supported my creativity, comforted me in my time(s) of need, helped build me up when I was damn near my lowest. And I know it's not just me, I've heard so many stories of bronies coming together to raise each other up a lot more often then I've heard of people being torn down. Granted, I'm primarily on the fringe of the fandom, not smack dab in the middle of it like you are.
I've seen a lot of changes, but my experience is that a lot of us aren't as involved because we're growing up. I mean, I'm not young by any stretch of the imagination, I'm only a few years from 30. But I've found a passion and I've started to pursue it. I know a lot of pony friends who are doing the same. We don't really want to abandon the fandom and still try to come back to it when we can, but our goals come back and pull us away so we can't be as involved as we were a few years ago.
Not to mention wanting to pursue other interests as well, seeing as how pony is only a small part of the many things I love. Unfortunately, being a pony artist made me much more popular than I initially was but now it is much more difficult to try to move on to other things. I don't want to JUST draw pony, but I almost feel pressured into it due to the fact that so many people followed me due to my pony art. I'm starting to rebel against that and sometimes those feelings make it hard not to resent pony in general, but all in all I know that it's more than likely just burnout and not actually coming to dislike any particular facet of the fandom.
But, all in all, I never really got too involved in the show. In fact, I'm almost a season behind. I don't hate it, but to me there has always been a lot of better more interesting shows out there. It was the people and the creativity those people drew from the show. The art, the stories, the everything. I'll always be happy I to have been a part of it. It inspired so much from me and caused me to improve in so many things.
Now, that's only touching on a small topic of what you discussed in your post, but I felt like it was worth mentioning.
I don't find it hard to believe at all, but I can't say I've actually seen people leave for that. Now, if you replaced the word "fandom" with the word "the show", I'd be completely with you. I'd almost include myself in that category, but since I'm still kind of lurking around and reading stories... yeah, not 100%. Whether the show or the fandom, however, change is always a challenge for people, especially if the thing that's changing is something they are emotionally invested in.
On the blogpost as a whole, I've always been hesitant to subscribe to the idea that fans of ponies, or bronies if you prefer, were unlike fans of other things or other fandoms. It always seems a bit too self-congratulatory and coming off as better than others to me, though to be fair I suppose I'm a bit more wary of that than others and I doubt that's how it's meant to come off as. And I suppose I never was that into the idea of a fandom rather than the show but again that's just me. It's true, we could be much more, and I'm glad there still seem to be people who think like that. It's always nice seeing people give inspiring speeches like this. Hope is a pretty nice thing.
Quite thoughtful, Kkat. As about an OG brony (Summer of 2011) as possible, I've seen the fandom change a lot over the years. Definitely now, the fandom is much more a fandom than a clique of like-minded people. Is the fandom bad now? No. But it is different, and it for sure doesn't have the same feel that it did in 2011 or 2012. We've seen bandwagoners come and go, but in general, there's always been a core following, and most of them follow that mantra of "Love and tolerate the shit out of you."
It will be interesting to see where the fandom continues to go as time moves on, especially when the show is inevitably cancelled. It might get a new resurgence with Generation 5, whatever that will entail, or it might dwindle but live on. All I have to say is that it's been a hell of journey for me, going on five years as a brony, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Rush and Pony on!
T4E
Well said, beautiful words!
Every fandom has its bad apples
Some are just sourer than others
I've actually enjoyed the Brony fandom more than the Furry fandom; the drama isn't nearly as widespread and we're a lot more supportive since we tend to embrace the 'herd' aspect of horses
Also, the stories aren't nearly as cringe-inducing
It's good to be reminded of these things from time to time.
Thank you, Kkat.
I read all the comments before writing this. I say this because while I was reading them I was trying to figure out where I stood. I asked myself "Where do I stand on this issue if that's what it is? Is it an issue or an imperative? Have we truly lost something along the way or is it something still shared among smaller circles of bronies within the great amorphous mass that we have become? Are we truly a fandom adverse to criticism, and if so, why? Has MLP: FiM or the fandom become such a large part of some of us that we view attacks on it as attacks on ourselves?" I thought these things because of all of you. I may not have all the answers yet, but I know what MLP, what this community has done for me as a person. It, you have made me question things I'd never have otherwise thought to question, you have pushed me to put myself out there even just a little bit, you have instilled in me the desire to create and contribute and give back for all that I've been given.
Admittedly I haven't even been here all that long, maybe about 8 months to a year. But if this community can still do these things then I do believe that individually we can still be a good community. People can still come away with a positive message but it always starts with the individual. I'm not trying to evangelize about how everyone should get along (though I don't really see why that's a bad message to promote, we shouldn't be so sensitive that a positive message makes us uncomfortable) or say that we are anywhere near as good as we used to be but I want to believe and I want to try. If there's something we could do better, I'm willing to try to keep an open mind (saying that I always will is a promise that I can't currently keep but I can usually be talked down if you point it out to me). The internet may make us sharpen our claws to defend what we believe in but I like to believe that we can take a step back from time to time and consider how our responses reflect on us as people as well as the brony community as a whole. I guess the best thing to take out of this jumble of words I call a comment is that nobody's perfect, we all say things we regret, there's still hope, and while I don't always agree with everything said here I love this community for the people in it.