MLP vs reality · 5:34pm Dec 10th, 2011
With power comes corruption. With the human state comes greed. And hate, and blind belief and racism. Maybe not all at once. But the capacity for it is in everybody.
Thus, despite all our philosophical efforts, the world is greedy, corrupt, unfair and ultimately, bland. But that is disregarding all our achievements that were made, despite the world's state.
We colonized most of the surface of our planet, traveled deep into the oceans and into space, even put a man onto the moon and brought him back, discovered and utilized the power locked within the very fabric of matter. We have art, philosophy, science, knowledge and opinions of so many kinds. We comprehend the world and the universe beyond with so much capacity and zeal. We further our understanding every day.
Yet, these glimpses don't affect your everyday life much. Around us there's still stupidity, malice, greed and all that. Even our greatest achievements have in some way or another been corrupted at some point. Where the atom gave use clean power and a massive understanding of nature, it also gave us weapons of mass destruction.
Maybe it's this misanthropic point of view that makes MLP so interesting. A seemingly perfect world, filled with cute friendly critters that want nothing more than to befriend you. A world without the worries of humanity, where magic replaces industry and the country is governed by a benevolent monarch.
I can understand why there's so many (often bad :P) "Mary Sue wakes up in Ponyville" fics, or why TCB (The Conversion Bureau) is so popular. Escapism, as it is practiced by many.
And don't we all? I imagine most bronies daydream about this at least a couple of times. Wouldn't we all just embrace the opportunity to be just whisked away and live in the magical land of Equestria?
When I really think about it, I'm not so sure. I would indeed escape all our world's problems. But what would I give up? Our achievements, technological prowess and the knowledge that can still be gained. All that in exchange for a peaceful and mostly uneventful life? But then again, wouldn't it be an awesome experience to live on an alien world, learning and maybe even teaching so many new things? Interacting with friendly faces on a daily basis?
It is this struggle that makes TCB so interesting for me.
If somepony just appeared in my house and offered to take me with her, I'd probably agree. Not because that would be my choice, but because it would be an unique opportunity you only get once. Hell yes!
But MLP taught me to be honest with myself and try to do the right thing. It's almost surreal how reading fanfics and being in this community makes me think and ponder. I realize that I don't have it so bad after all. I don't deserve to be whisked away. Why me, when there's billions in the world who *really* suffer? They deserve it more. So please, take them. It's only right.
So yeah. Life is boring. Life is bland. Nevertheless, it's the only one you'll get. And that is the brutal truth.
That doesn't mean that we can't dream and enjoy the many great works of art and fiction that this community brings forth. There is nothing wrong with a bit of escapism after all.
pointless rant is pointless :p
WOAH MANG DEEP.
Seriously though, I can't help but agree with all the things you just mentioned. I guess it does explain the huge surplus of HiE and Mary Sue fics as well. Perhaps the show just appeals to everything that one could have imagined an "ideal" world to be? Maybe that's why its fans like it so much, target and periphery demographic alike.
I can't say that I write fanfiction for this because of escapism, or maybe I do, but just don't notice it. I'm okay with writing either way, I'm sure a lot of authors would as well. Great points as well.
9983
I think that all fandoms have that appeal to some degree. But MLP does it more effectively. I can only speculate the reason for that, but I think you hit the nail on the head :) The ideal of the perfect, innocent, magical world filled with happy faces and friendship. Literally.
As for escapism, it's probably what's keeping me here. But as I said, it's not a bad thing (as long as it doesn't get out of control). Quite the opposite, it has gotten me to read again and adopt a more tolerant stance towards many things!
Thanks for reading!