If you kids don't stop punching each other, I'm throwing you out of the gene pool!

[brightlotusmoon]

On gently defending being a mature, intelligent, intellectual, grown-up adult fan of "My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic" (via LJ comments on a post describing how a group of male "bronies" at a brony convention were being asshole douchebags to non-fans):

My friends call me a "brony" because I watch the current show (repeatedly) and I own two of the current pony dolls (plus a few 1980s and 1990s pony dolls for nostalgia). But I can't see myself going to a convention; no amount of benzodiazepine drugs could help me feel relaxed enough. Conventions are wonderful wonderful things, especially with how they bring people together. But the one time I went to a small convention, I found myself hiding near restrooms for hours, freaking out over the noise and the crowds. I wish i could say I love going to conventions. I can't. I have nightmares about them.
I have a few close friends who quietly express their joy with me, and we rarely do it outside of our personal gatherings.
I've not yet met any "brony" who was horrid to "non-brony" fands, and I hope I don't.
This sort of creepy thing makes me want to cover myself in a heavy black cloak and hide. Like, "I am in no way associated with this! Leave me out of it! I want to watch my cute cartoons in peace! And when I eat Cheetos I'm usually watching Futurama anyway! If I'm watching My Little Pony I'm usually eating cake! Or salad! Or ice cream!"
(Should I mention that my friend B. and I call each other "Pinkie Pie" (her) and "Fluttershy" or "Twilight Sparkle" (me) in private? Seriously, though screw those conventions.)
Whenever I have a depressive episode or an anxiety attack, I actually go to YouTube and pull up that "Smile Smile Smile" video with Pinkie Pie because it really does make me smile. I tend to quote Fluttershy and Twilight often. My friend B. and I have inside jokes about that "house-sitting for Harry the bear" scene in the "Party Of One" episode. But deeper fandom is so intense and often so frightening that I stay far away. The most I do is read a few fanfiction stories if they're written well (like one where Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle fell in love with each other and the other characters wildly encouraged them and hijinks ensued). I enjoy the silly, weird, cute, "Dude, it's just a cartoon, lighten up" bits. But I stay far away from deeper fandom, because I have found that the deep dark parts of the brony fandom are full of fucked-up, scary, creepy cave-dwellers who pay lip-service to the whole "Love and Tolerate the shit out of people" thing.
I am a fan. But I am in the shallow end of the fandom. Whenever someone on Facebook tags me in a post about the cartoon and calls me Brony, I usually hide it from my public Timeline thingy mostly because it takes up space. I don't care if people call me "brony" and I do find it cute. I like staying in the shallow ends of the brony fandom. But with the way some parts of the fandom is acting up these days, I'm starting to get embarrassed, and I know other fans are as well.

And a comment by another person:
"There is something badly, deeply wrong when the fandom for a show aimed at the female, school aged demographic is inherently hostile to women."

All of this makes me facepalm and headdesk simultaneously and cry, "It's a cartoon show about talking ponies, you tantrum-throwing glass-headed wallabies! Quit taking it so seriously. And wear some deodorant!"

And that is all I want to say about that. I love this cartoon show. I love laughing about it, I love making fun and dancing around and being ridiculous and singing about the characters. I never, ever considered the idea that other fans of the gods damned cartoon show would be such giant empty-headed pricks. I really am embarrassed.

Comments

[shadowwolf13]

Um .. which convention?


<-(just finished running a con with a large contingent of Bronies attending)

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

This one:
http://www.dailydot.com/news/everfree-brony-con-little-pony-harassment-tumbl/

Many people are now saying that it was all blown out of proportion, which is completely possible. But the fact that it does happen, no matter how many people are involved, still makes me cringe.

[shadowwolf13]

On the one hand, good, it wasn't us.

On the other, bad, should never happen at all.

It's something we try to watch at our con, to make sure that all feel welcome and respected, to further encourage families to join us for a weekend of fun. :)

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I'm also in a Mood today, and anything can set me off if it's something I like. :\

[oneonthefence.livejournal.com]

I will admit that I absolutely do not like My Little Pony (I did as a kid, not that I remember, but it's not my thing now. I do still have one or two of the original ponies, though! Since they are childhood "memories," I'll never sell them, though eBay tells me they'd make some money). However, should other people NOT like it because I don't? Hell no. To each his/her own. Like what you like. There's no point in insulting someone - adult, child, ANYONE - for enjoying something that puts them in touch with a part of who they are.

(Unless that thing is Twilight or Fifty Shades of Grey... I mean, what? I didn't say that.:)

However, I think you are part of the fandom, and that's okay. You talk about it frequently, you read some of the fic, you play with the dolls (I don't know the proper term). And that's fine, too. I wouldn't shut yourself out of something you like because a bunch of people are being fuckwits.

That's how I feel about Repo! A lot of people don't like it. Do I wish they would give it a chance? Sure. But not everyone will like what I like, and that's cool, as I know you know. A lot of people don't get why a movie about a caged-up, chronically ill girl with abusive parents and a lot of blood and gore actually soothes me and gives me a sense of purpose. That's okay too. What shocked me, though - and what made me bring up the fandom comment in my previous paragraph - was that I didn't think I was in the fandom. I love the movie. I look like the lead female role and dress like her. I direct a shadow cast. So when someone said, "You know, you DO like a fandom - it's Repo!," I was shocked. But that's not inaccurate. So people can call it ridiculous and gory and whatever, but I don't care. It makes me happy. And yes, there is some disgusting douchebag stuff out there about Repo! and fans of Repo!, but I steer clear of that. Haters gonna hate.

So be in the fandom. Like what you like and screw the rest. Just because I don't like it doesn't mean you shouldn't (not that that's the issue, but an example). That would be so obviously stupid - like someone saying to you, "Well, this pill works for ME, so it will definitely work for YOU, too. TAKE IT AND BE HEALED!" Again, to each her own.

I'm Ranty McRanterson today. I'm not even sure I made any sense. Woo. <3

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

Yeah, good point. Maybe I'm in the shallow part of the fandom? ;)

And it is totally cool that you - and many other friends of mine - don't like My Little Pony. I'd never judge anyone, since everyone loves something and hates something. Like, I hate the show "House" but plenty of my friends love it. Eh, it's all good.
At one point, my friend B. was chatting with people at a party, and someone said, "How could you like My Little Pony so much? That's just stupid!" and B. said, "Says the man who plays World Of Warcraft for days on end, and pays money for it." The guy shut up after that.

Yeah, I am in such a "Fuck People" mood. I can't even blame the migraine and pain flare.

[oneonthefence.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'd say you are in the shallow part of the fandom. :) It doesn't consume you, but you like it and relate to it, and it makes you happy. I think that's fandom.

I'm a House-hater, too, by the way. Talk about the most inaccurate and banal show to ever exist. Plus, I've known too many doctors like House, only they didn't fix anything wrong with me. And now we have the infamous "It's not Lupus!" line, which everyone throws at me, because it seems like everyone has watched THAT EPISODE of House. WHY, WORLD?

But some people like it, and that's fine - as long as they don't force me to watch it, try to persuade me to watch it, and throw quotes at me every 5 seconds. If I don't like it, there's probably a reason.

I'm in a "Fuck People" mood, too. I do blame pain, and this stupid time of year. Fuck all that, right?

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

I amended some of the entry to reflect that. Also, I realized I was harsh on conventions, so I fixed that. I love the idea of conventions, but actually going to one would make me break out in hives, freak out, or become catatonic.

I watched a bunch of "House" episodes so I could get an idea. They overhype everything, the climactic scenes are pointless, the actual diagnoses and treatments are irritating, and the commercials for the episodes, with their ominous music, make me roll my eyes. But, hey, it's popular enough, who am I to scream about it? It's also the way I feel about all the Law And Order shows, and the other similar shows with all the spin-offs and such... I can't even think of the names. I don't understand them. But they've been on the air for ages, so obviously people love them. *shrug*

I don't even judge people who watch those New Jersey reality shows, or those Real Housewives shows, or... gods help me, even those Kardashian shows. People love what they love.

Yeah, fuck everything right now. The smallest things on the internet are setting me off. I need to stay away from websites I rarely go to anyway. I'll just stick with FB, LJ, and some of my favorite blogs, and if I see any stupidity, I'll remind myself that people are assholes on the internet, and things would be so much more interesting if every single nasty, stupid, bullying person found themselves exposed with their real names, addresses, and real photos, whenever they posted something douchebaggy.

[oneonthefence.livejournal.com]

I actually haven't been to a convention since - dear gods, 2008? - but I'm going to one in 9 days, and another in March. As director of a show, I have to, panic and agoraphobia aside. Trust me, I have a LOT of Valium. A LOT. And reassurance from the hotel (both cons are at the same hotel) that they have trained medical staff on board. I'm also bringing my wheelchair, walker, canes, BP cuffs, and everything I need to survive. But it won't be easy - just necessary.

House just doesn't do it for me. It is over-hyped and doesn't reflect how the medical world actually works at ALL. Do I hate people who like it? Nah. But I just don't want it shoved in my face, if you know what I mean. And yes, I definitely feel the same way about Law and Order, especially SVU. I've already lived through that stuff. I don't need to watch a show about rape and murder attempts and so forth when I could write the script.

People will always love what they love, and I might not understand, but I don't judge the person. Yes, I'll roll my eyes if someone tells me how AWESOME Twilight is (because seriously...) but I don't dislike the person. We all judge to a degree, because we'd all be liars to say we've NEVER judged anyone EVER, but I don't mock people for their choices.

That aside, yes: Fuck All The Things right now. Even FB and LJ are pissing me off to a degree. But that's the fun of the Internet: People think they can be assholes because they are hiding behind a computer screen. In person, most wouldn't be so bold. I always try to remember that when I read something some asshat says.

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

Good - I'm so glad the the hotel will be so accommodating to your needs.

I think this is why I watch so many TV shows with fantasy themes, science fiction themes, or supernatural themes. I get enough real world drama. If I'm going to watch medical or crime shows, I'd rather they have a fantastic (literally) twist.

[oneonthefence.livejournal.com]

Also, relevant to our interests (especially mine, I'd guess, but I think you'll relate):

http://www.doucheydm.com/?p=1079

The first few paragraphs are a little out there, but the end? About harassment? Absolutely. This is going to happen to me at Horrorfind next week, as it happens to me IN REAL LIFE. It happened when I had my Shilo wig cut last weekend and someone "recognized" me. If someone politely asks, then sure, a picture is fine. If someone is pushing and shoving and being an ass? Not a chance. Take your pics when I'm on the stage or if I say yes. But don't assume.

/rant about more fuckwits.

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

Oh, that poor woman dressed as Power Girl, being harassed like that! She was just wearing a costume!

Even though I can't go to conventions without being heavily drugged and bodyguarded, I understand.

[koemiko.livejournal.com]

Mmm... I have to be honest. Ever since I heard that MLP: FIM became a meme on 4chan, I had this awful feeling that this sort of behavior was lurking beneath the surface, waiting to be dragged out in the open by a fraction of its fanbase. More importantly, I worried that the more light hearted fans (such as yourself and another lovely person on my friend list) were blissfully unaware of that deeper, darker, murkier area of the fandom existed.

... though on second thought, I'm not sure whether you were unaware, or just chose not to acknowledge that sort of thing.

... also, I tend to assume the worst, which is why I tucked away that feeling until given proof.

Anyway...

Complicating things is the nature of the malicious Internet beast; blowing things out of proportion sparks outrage, whether or not such events occur.

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

... though on second thought, I'm not sure whether you were unaware, or just chose not to acknowledge that sort of thing.

Mmm... both? Kind of? I assumed it, but I honestly did not believe it was that awful.

... also, I tend to assume the worst, which is why I tucked away that feeling until given proof.

Same here. I never expected to honestly fall in love with this cartoon; it stunned me. And so I assumed the worst about half the fandom, because I know people are enema douchebags

Complicating things is the nature of the malicious Internet beast; blowing things out of proportion sparks outrage, whether or not such events occur.

Yup. And I'm sure terrible things like that happened at other "brony" conventions and meetings, but this is the first I've heard. And whether or not it's true or embellished, these things do actually happen. I guarantee that adult fans of Dora The Explorer have these issues we well (and I know they exist because I met a bunch!)

.

[chaosvizier.livejournal.com]

The funny thing about fandoms (MLP, Firefly, Marvel vs. DC, New York Yankees, whatever) is that they are like religions: sure, there are lots of nice decent folks who just do the thing and enjoy it, and then there are always a few super-zealots who make the rest of the group look bad with their extremist views and "we-are-right-everyone-else-is-wrong" attitudes.

Ultimately, you like what you like, and that's that. If you find others who are cool with that, great. If you want to have conventions, also great. Just follow the first rule of everything: DON'T BE A DICK.

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

Exactly. I mean, I hate Twilight and Penny Arcade passionately, but I don't care who loves them as long as the fans and non-fans and detractors (is there a better word for people who hate something but don't want to be labeled haters in the fan sense?) are not creepy douchebag dicks.

(I remember the Penny Arcade "dickwolves" drama, which I accidentally found while browsing blogs by rape survivors, and it took me days to reattach my jaw. I was appalled by people on all sides of the argument and I just wanted the Penny Arcade guys to graciously back away and apologize for making creepy rape jokes, instead of fueling fires and viciously attacking rape victims who were yelling at them and villifying them, all over a single comic strip that was actually kind of neutral.)

I kind of feel like there needs to be a Wil Wheaton fandom.

Wait, no I don't... I love the man too much.

Oh gods... is there a Wheaton fandom??

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/118771-Wil-Wheaton-Announces-Dont-Be-a-Dick-Day

http://wilwheaton.typepad.com/wwdnbackup/2012/07/happy-dont-be-a-dick-day.html

[chaosvizier.livejournal.com]

Twilight is a great example. There are lovers and haters, zealots on both sides of the equation. "Anyone who likes this series is a prepubescent slack-jawed doodie head with the IQ of peanut brittle" vs. "Imma let you finish, but this is the greatest romance series of all time. OF ALL TIME!" So what? Like it or hate it. I saw the first movie, and it was a boring bag of suck, but then again, I liked Mortal Kombat, so I can be judged just as harshly for my taste in film. ;-)



Welcome to Wil Wheaton Fandom. Don't be a dick.

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

I liked Mortal Kombat too! To this day I don't know why... but I do.

With Twilight, I totally used to be "OMG, you people are glass-headed idiots, this is the worst book series of all time, I hate everything, grrrr!" and then, very very quickly, "Eh, fuck it. Whatever. You love what you love. You're not stupid at all. I still love you. Go have your Twilight fun. I'll be over here with the "Paranormalcy" YA trilogy"

[chaosvizier.livejournal.com]

Oh Mortal Kombat, you are so bad, and yet so trainwrecky and I can't stop watching Christopher Lambert be crazy.

And then, Flash Gordon. When bad movies go over the top, tilt the pinball machine, pimp themselves out, and come back for more badness, you get Flash Gordon. I can never resist it when I see it when channel surfing.