I don't think I can be a pegasister anymore...

[ashlyne]

This is the problem with labeling yourself.  When the reputation of the label changes, do you keep the label in the spirit of what it once was, or do you divorce yourself from it because of what it's turned into?   Or a 3rd option would be to try to change the reputation again. That's a really hard one to do, but might be possible if the fad-frenzy starts to fade off and the haters move onto something else.    Something to think about anyway.

Ummm.....correct me if I'm wrong, and I don't want to start any arguments, but from what I know about the history of My Little Pony collectors, we weren't *always* this nice, calm and tolerant. I don't think we ever reached the level as some of these Brony forums, but the pony community took many years to grow and mature too to be what it is today.   

I think a lot of it happened before this Arena forum was formed, so I don't want this to reflect badly on the Arena itself.  But there were other boards that the pony community developed in before this one.   From what I've heard from long-time collectors, there used to be some intense flame wars, trolling, unmoderated arguments, running off of members because of difference in opinions by mobs and elitists, etc.   I think much of it happened before there were even G3's.   I remember hearing about how there were huge fights over the G2 line.   There was also a certain collector-related site that got pretty nasty (because, of course, it was a place designed to take your negativity and not be shot down for it).  I do remember that certain site and it wasn't a particularly happy place.   

The forums at that time lacked good rules and proper moderation and I think that's a HUGE big reason why this forum succeeds:   our Moderators.  I have to give mega-props to the many, many wonderful moderators that put in so much of their time and energy to keep this such a good forum.  There are rules, and consequences to breaking those rules, and moderators that watch out for those that would break them.  I believe this has a lot to do with the difference between here and some of the nastier brony forums. 

So let's show some love to the mods. Their hard work makes this place shine in a nasty online world 

I only point out our not-so-shiny history to say there's hope for those good people out there that still want to call themselves Bronies and Pegasisters.  It took the community growing up, maturing, the introduction of new good-hearted collectors, the resiliance of good-hearted long-time collectors, and running off bad-mannered trolls to make this pony community be the nice place it is.  We still have bad eggs slip in from time to time (just check out the Trader Support section!) but it's come a long way.  Bottom line, I hope the Brony community turns that direction too.  But even if it doesn't, most of us here aren't going to judge you no matter what you're called; your actions and attitude will tell others what kind of person you are

[slight content edit - SDS]

[LadySatine]

Hear hear, Ashlyne! Thank you mods for making this a great place to be.

[Jypsy]

I have pretty much divorced myself from the "Brony" label at this point. Many of the online bronies I have met tend to be of the meme-tastic variety that don't really care about anything but really idiotic jokes in the extreme.

I joined the Arena for an alternative to the typical MLP forums, and I am really glad I did. Much calmer and more sincere discussions here on all different topics.

However most bronies I have met in real life are great people, at least those that genuinely love the show/product for what it is rather than the fad and shock value.

[Oneleo1]

Ashlyne hit the nail on the head. I came into pony collecting when things were not always so nice. But with a lot of hard work, we are here today!

[DazzleKitty]

I just quoted myself from another thread cuz I am lazy. This is how I feel about bronies.

I still never dreamed that when the new MLP show came out a couple years ago that in the future they would be catering to bronies and primarily male fans. :/  Nothing wrong with men liking the show, but I never thought MLP would take this turn. It makes me angry to think about.

I was doing some thinking and wanted to add on some more to this statement of mine.

I just want to get it out there that I have NO problem with male fans of the show nor male collectors. What I DO have an issue with is the sexism that starts when a fanbase goes primarily male. Disrespect to female fans, guys claiming it's only cool because men like it, selfishness in expecting the sh ow to cater to them, and disregard for the show's original roots (ex: hating on G3s and G1s).

I was very active in the anime community for years. I used to be very into anime. I still have a collection of about 900 anime DVDs. But I never watch it anymore. I haven't watched anime in about two years. I got sick of all the creepers in the fandom, sexism, etc. Like guys would watch a show that has a lot of what you'd call "fanservice" for women and complain about it when most anime shows out there are catered to men. So when ONE show does it, they whine and moan. This is what I fear the FiM show is spawning.
I also used to be active on sites for video games. Same thing there. Sarcasm towards female players, bashing any female-pandered game, etc.

Please don't bash me for this. It's just my feelings. I've never been one for cosplay. I think there IS a time and place for it, and I have seen some cute pony cosplay. I am going to my first pony convention in July. My brothers and maybe my parents will accompany me and even pay their own cover charge to get in. I already dread the spectacles they'll see. I mean, JERRY SPRINGER had a special with bronies. A big guy dressed in a pink tutu and a girl dressed as Rainbow Dash doing skits on the show. I know this convention is going to have tons of this crap. To me it borders on creepy. I am hoping for a convention with a bunch of fans/collectors getting together and chatting, buying, selling, and trading. But my brother is SUPER excited to see some of the hardcore fans and dudes dressed up as ponies. They say it will be great facebook fodder. They are threatening to become bronies and dress up as unicorns. LOL.
Cosplayers, please don't hate me. I used to think it was cool until I met some people that don't know the difference between cosplay and reality. Took a Japanese class in college and most of them were anime fans. I don't think it's cool to come to class with cat ears. I felt embarrassed walking in there. Maybe I'm too uptight?

*sigh* I don't like being negative. I loved the MLP community because it's a great community to embrace the femininity of liking colorful ponies (and a great place for men who love ponies to embrace to too!). But the new fans, the bronies, have made my enjoyment of the G4s dwindle. I feel as a collector who has been into ponies for 15 years is being pushed out of my own fandom. Maybe I am strange for feeling this way but ponies are a large part of my life, as they are for many of us. Many members here spend time every day on this forum so they know what I mean. It's bad when you are the ones who supported MLP for so long and now that a new group has come in and taken over, it's all for them.

Also agree with ZenndaBug about this being a community, not a fandom. But I hate what has come into our community. At least the nasty ones stay away from this forum. There are too many women here for them, apparently. It would just insult their masculinity that women like their female-pandered show that they secretly think is ONLY for men.

[Honey Bunches]

ashlyne, you put this so well. I really think you hit the ball out of the park.

kmlv23, do NOT be too discouraged! Yes, it is disheartening when a group of people with similar goals, interests, or beliefs has members (not matter how many or how few) that change the way those original ideals are presented based on their actions and individual bents. Think of religious beliefs! Politics! Charitable organizations! All start with a positive common ideology which can be distorted so easily.

Don't give up. Keeping grounded in who you are and the values you hold dear can also be a force. It will take time, but hopefully those Bronies and Pegasisters who hold fast to the reasons this fandom started and the values that FiM stands for will hold out in the long run as the "fad-dom" runs its course. 

Besides, you have the Collectors on your team!    

Chin up, darlin'!

[Desert Rose]

I honestly don't see the need to label yourself or put yourself in a certin category just because you like something.

Most people have so many different interests/hobbies/things they like so technically we should all have about a gazillion different labels if we were to label ourselves after everything we enjoy.


If you like something, focus on that. If others like the same thing you do talk to those who you feel you have a certin connection to. Just because you like the same things doesn't automatically mean you're the same and have all the same opinions. Treat it like you do with everything in your life.
Just because everyone lives in the same town doesn't mean they all are friends, just because you go to the same school doesn't mean everyone are friends. You find those people there that you do feel a certin connection to and become friends with them and the rest - well they're just there.

Same thing should go for any type of hobby or interest you have. Just because you're into ponies doesn't mean you have to slap a label on yourself. Enjoy the ponies and with some luck you also find some nice folks you can be friends with who share that interest.

Hope it makes sense And keep on loving the MLP's because those are the ones you're really in it for anyway isnt it?

[NoDivision]

I honestly don't see the need to label yourself or put yourself in a certin category just because you like something.

Most people have so many different interests/hobbies/things they like so technically we should all have about a gazillion different labels if we were to label ourselves after everything we enjoy.

I'm a ponyknittingcraftingreadingwritingphotographybakingcookingcatlovingcomicnerd
librarianzooanimalzatannadollvideogamepokemon-sister!

[lovesbabysquirmy]

The pony community as a whole has been around for a very long time and has worked very hard to be welcoming and friendly.  I don't think that any of us have ever really used the term fandom to describe ourselves, because we're not.  We're a bunch of people who came together to celebrate and share our love of ponies, no matter what generation.  We are friends, we take care of each other.  So even if you find yourself feeling lost, just remember that there are still a few small islands on the internet where people care about one another. 

That's why the Arena will always be my MLP home on the 'net.    I love you guys!  *pony hugs for all* 

[LadySatine]

I honestly don't see the need to label yourself or put yourself in a certin category just because you like something.

Most people have so many different interests/hobbies/things they like so technically we should all have about a gazillion different labels if we were to label ourselves after everything we enjoy.

I'm a ponyknittingcraftingreadingwritingphotographybakingcookingcatlovingcomicnerd
librarianzooanimalzatannadollvideogamepokemon-sister!

Nice.

[BerryPunch]

As a proud and active Brony, I really, really dislike this thread. Please don't think the bad ones are the only ones who make up my fandom.

 
I can assure you there's much more to the MLP fandom than this. Much more.
 
I feel unwelcomed.

[KarentheUnicorn]

The term for us used to be ponypeople.

That is what we used to call ourselves and I always liked that word in association with our group. Not brony or pegasister. There is nothing wrong with those names but those terms are singular where as ponypeople is all encompassing.

[Ginger]

The arena is mostly why I'm still into pony collecting! After a very negative experience, it drew me back. Everyone here is so friendly, helpful, kind and welcoming. I really appreciate the non-elitist attitude here. It doesn't matter what you collect, we all just love ponies and that's a commonality we share.

FiM is what brought me here, and I still watch and enjoy the show, but the bad attitude put me off for a long time. It's actually one of the reasons I broke up with my ex, someone who I dated for two years and loved. He got swept up in the brony fandom which was totally awesome, but then it turned into really bashing and insulting me for liking G1s. Then he started the facebook fanpage thing and pretended to be one, which was fine until it turned pretty smutty (that and the underage pony had a drinking problem!? really?!). His actions and words about ponies just became really inappropriate and creepy to me. It got to the point where ponies were replacing my role as a girlfriend in many ways and it took me a long time to get over that.

But here still I am, participating in an awesome community and not letting others change the hobby I love!

[Betelgeuse]

For most bronies, FiM is a fad. This means that people who normally would be rude and nasty to people for liking My Little Pony are suddenly jumping on a bandwagon to become obsessed with it. Now, there's nice bronies too, but niceness is ALWAYS less noticeable in a fandom than negativity. Anyways, the rude and mean people can be really out-pushing. I never really liked the slice of life idea of FiM but I still loved the show. Not as much as G1 but still. Then came the fandom. The fandom as a whole is rude and nasty. I've read things I really don't want to read. I don't enjoy FiM anymore hardly for that reason.
I can't understand why you don't like roleplay though, it's fun and a lot worse things exist like threatening people with obscene things and being sexist and racist.
I'm hoping that the fad passes soon to leave a less some other site-y meme behind and create a calmer fanbase. I'm sorry that the brony community is pushing you away. Just let it be known that we're here and we're quite a lot nicer than some of the FiM-only sites.

[StarlightGaze]

Honestly I've seen worse fandoms (like Invader Zim and other works by its creator, yeesh). Since Lauren Faust left Hasbro Studios, Bronies have started to become less pleased with the show, and I think in time they will end up losing interest completely. Some fans are in it just for Lauren Faust and not actually ponies.