Twilight Sparkle still isn't used to having friends, and one of the side-effects of never having anyone to share her hobbies with means that she has no gauge whatsoever of what's "normal." To her, cobbling together something like her camera drone is just a fun project to spend some spare time on, nothing that's worth a lot of fanfare.
Her friends beg to differ, and after she's convinced to go to Fillydelphia and show off her skills to her fellow robotics enthusiasts, she leaves with a pile of business cards and a whole different perspective on something that had previously been just a hobby. This is something valuable, and once the cheques start rolling in, Twilight isn't quite sure what to do with herself.
Well, no, that's a lie. She knows exactly what to do.
Panic.
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When I created the prompt I didn't expect it to end in an explosion. But like Mr. Rich I probably should have.
A very interesting story. I think the characterization was very well done and the humor was on point, however I also feel like the story lacked focus at times. All the really interesting scenes promised by the premise and summary seem to happen off screen while the story instead focuses on Twilight (and company)'s reaction to those implied but unseen events. That still works in a narrative sense, but it leaves me feeling like it could have been more. It was still a fun and enjoyable read, but at the same time it feels a little like someone has plucked out every other chapter, leaving behind the connective "cool down" scenes between each main story beat.
She's had all of three lines and I already love your human Fluttershy.
Oh, this was delightful madness from end to end. Thank you for a most enjoyable read.
I think this is the perfect fiction I ever read... it blew my mind.
This was cute, fun and highly enjoyable. Well done.
Reminder that idiots like Edison and Musk and Jobs would never amount to anything without their respective Teslas (the man) and Wozs behind the scenes.
There's more genius in a Defcon or High School Maker's Club or even a Microcenter store or FreeGeek nonprofit than a hundred "Genius Bars" or Consumer Electronic Shows.
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Someone’s projecting a little
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Same.
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In Edison's case, they needed each other. Tesla needed someone who could handle the business side of things, and Edison needed a scientist to market.
They don't got this.
Oh no
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Explosions make everything better though 🤪.
I can very much empathize with Sci-Twi, as I've often imagined how my life would change if I won a biiiiiig lottery and read my share of "a fool and his money are soon parted" stories.
Needless to say, I have a few plans laid out to try and maintain my sanity if I ever get that lucky.
Sliver Spoon as she and Diamond Tiara are walking away: "Um, Diamond? Did you happen to notice the floating sock puppets eating the cupcakes?"
Diamond Tiara: "Just keep walking away Silver."
Silver Spoon: "...They were speaking Spanish."
Diamond Tiara: "Just keep walking."
Silver Spoon: "I mean, I've heard of illegal aliens speaking Spanish, but these are illegal aliens speaking Spanish."
Diamond Tiara pinches her nose and ups her walk to a canter: "Just. Keep. Walking!"
Not to put too fine a point on it, but you kinda already were. Crystal Prep was not attended by people whose families were from the lower classes, be it intellectually or financially, and you did not get in on a financial hardship scholarship, Twilight. You may fit in better and be happier at Canterlot High, but if anything you jumped down a social class.
Come to think of it, compared to a typical public American school, Canterlot High is actually a jump in social class.
Pssh, Fluttershy for the burn!
Good nuance on recognizing that the human Fluttershy has a slightly different personality than the pony one. She may still be ind and shy, but she's got snark when it comes to dealing with certain situations.
Either:
A) The sock puppet is bilingual.
B) Spike's ability to understand multiple animal languages also applies to human languages and the comic book is a rare Spanish edition.
C) The sock puppet understands that comic books are the ultimate form of artistic expression that transcends all cultural and language boundaries so as to be appreciated by everybody/pony/puppy/socky.
...Just be sure that the puppet isn't the one turning the pages; paper cuts are harsh when your tongues is made of yarn.
So that portal Discord opened led not just to sock puppets, but Spanish sock puppets.
Rumors about that robot dog.
I don't know what's better or worse: The H-money or the sock puppets.
AI Review: https://www.fimfiction.net/group/217075/ai-reviews/thread/521816/rich-in-dollars-poor-in-sanity-by-silvernotes65-10
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Yeah, this fiction is fun, but pretending that Twilight wasn't pretty rich is like pretending that Ponyville isn't practically next door to Canterlot so the FIM finale makes sense. But I guess maybe it's different when it's your money and not your parents'...
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Or it makes for a much better story to ignore the obvious and go this route.
In some fairness, balancing a career, high school life, and life as a magical girl is a deeply stressful thing.
There are countless stories of child soldiers burning out.
No matter how much of a prodigy you are, balancing that much work at a young age would take a lot out on you.
This line made me laugh, as did an observant Fluttershy who ain't taking Rainbow's nonsense.
To be fair to Sci-Twi, success and wealth can create deep divisions in close friendships. Being worried about that kind of thing isn't unfounded, as is her fear of her magic being found out by the government.
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Uh...
Most of us would trade prestige for a school that offered a devoted support network any day. Prestige is pointless if your surrounded by jerks who hate you for no good reason.
The EG world, and its version of America, seems to have a somewhat more idyllic school life than our own. American schools are a crime against humanity compared to Canterlot High.
"Sci-Twi being relieved an explosion cost her money" is a sentence that could only exist in this story.
Bravo!
"Rich In Dollars, Poor In Sanity brilliantly exposes the irony of material wealth overshadowing mental well-being. In a world obsessed with ico crypto frenzy, this insightful piece serves as a cautionary tale. It challenges the pursuit of digital riches, urging us to prioritize mental health over financial gains. A timely reminder in our increasingly digitized age."
I honestly thpught that SciTwi was already pretty rich to begin with
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Didja hafta write a critique of economics for school or something?