Wait, wait, wait.... Ponies?

[SendMeNoodz84]

So, I've been a member of the site for quite some time, but I haven't really kept up with what's going on for a while now. So you must imagine my surprise when I come back and see people both ranting and raving about 'My Little Pony'. I just need someone to explain what the hell is going on. Did I miss something big? Is it some kind of joke? I don't want any hate spewed in the discussion, I am just really curious. Has "MLP" as some in the forums have called it, invaded popular culture? If so, I think I've finally disconnected with the young audience.

EDIT: Apparently, I've struck a chord with many of the site regulars. To clear it up for the people wondering how I could've missed this, I've been busy with work and my personal life so I don't have nearly as much personal time as I used to. It's much harder to leisurely stroll through the internet than it used to be. If the mods decide to lock this thread, there will be no complain from me. Now stop being so angry, will you?

META-EDIT: Through the help of some of the more respectable posters, I've come to an understanding. While my understanding would best be described as: "Stringy, at best", I've decided, after the careful reviewing and dissection of two minutes of the show, that it's not for me. If I want good writing, I'll watch Mad Men. I can see the draw factor, though. I guess..

 

[Lenin211]

There's this cool new thing, its called a "search bar" I haven't tried it myself, but people tell me that it can stop you from posting threads that have been done 10 million times and looking like an idiot.

 

[Akytalusia]

i recommend changing your topic title and message to 'delete me' before you get attacked. just use the search bar... >.>

 

[Charisma]

What they said.

Also:
You're welcome.

 

[SendMeNoodz84]

There's this cool new thing, its called a "search bar" I haven't tried it myself, but people tell me that it can stop you from posting threads that have been done 10 million times and looking like an idiot.

i recommend changing your topic title and message to 'delete me' before you get attacked. just use the search bar... >.>

Talk about unnecessary hostility...
Here's the thing, I've tried to avoid vitriolic rhetoric as much as I possibly could. If the internet masses choose to attack me, so be it. I'm not here to start a fight, I'm posing a question.

 

[Sean Steele]

Bronies are a thing, why bronies are a thing I have no clue.

 

[Innegativeion]

I am just really curious. Has "MLP" as some in the forums have called it, invaded popular culture?

Yes, yes it has.

http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/subcultures/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic

You don't have to understand it, just accept it, ignore us if you find it annoying. It's not hard.

NOTE

It's important to mention that, you're not being attacked *yet*, but the escapist members don't like it when the forums become cluttered with multiple threads about the same thing, ESPECIALLY when it comes to ponies. And another pony thread just popped up.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

By "I haven't really kept up with what's going on for a while now." Do you mean you've been living in a cave for the last 6 months???

Basic outline: New My Little Pony cartoon series came out. Was discovered by some adults to have surprisingly good writing, characterisation and voice acting for a children's cartoon, especially one with the specific purpose of marketing a range of toys. The internet (being the internet) kinda got a little bit carried away about all this, although the dust seems to be beginning to settle now.

A lot of people liked the show, a lot of people didn't, a lot of people dismissed the show without even bothering to watch it, and a lot of people made threads trying to find out just what the hell was going on.

Personally, I found the show a lot of fun (Rainbow Dash ftw by the way). What I didn't find fun was the subsequent tsunami of fandom, hate, and flame wars.

 

[DEAD34345]

Hm... this is the second pony thread I've seen in the last 5 minutes. It's also the 2547th (very slight exaggeration) "What's the deal with My Little Pony?" thread I've seen on The Escapist.

I guess you can be forgiven, since these threads have been gone a while at least.

It's really not a joke, people really like the cartoon, and yes it has very much invaded popular (internet) culture. In fact it's currently the most popular meme on Know Your Meme http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/popular , it overtook Forever Alone a while ago. If you want to know why people like it, you'll just have to bite the bullet and start watching it.

I recommend trying the 3rd episode, since the 1st two are generally agreed to be worse than the rest.

 

[Matt_LRR]

Let me be the first to welcome you back from the rock you've apparently been living under for a year.

-m

 

[Akytalusia]

i wasn't being hostile. it was a neutral warning. this thead comes up every day and it really irritates alot of the regulars. i'm trying to save you some grief by suggesting you hide your post by renaming it, and using the search bar to find the most recent version of this post and read that instead. it's not your fault you didn't know, but now you do, and you would benefit from taking appropriate defensive measures outlined in my suggestion.

 

[TimeLord]

Let me be the first to welcome you back from the rock you've apparently been living under for a year.

-m

I bet it was a damn comfortable rock he had there!

OT: Ponies are cool,
Friendship is magic.

Also this;

 

[otakon17]

Bloody Hell, again with ponies. Listen, you best be wary 'fore ya bring the wrath of Bronies and Haters upon yer head like the world's worst storm. They'll love and tolerate the shit out of ya, or so I've heard.
...
...
...

Eh, the warning schtick is getting old. Lot's of middle age and young guys and girls like the new MLP. They even have a group here. Just roll with it, you'll be fine.

 

[Imp_Emissary]

MLP Friendship is Magic is a TV show for girls of surprising quality. (ie doesn't "try" to be "girlish")
Also, it has gained a large following of male viewers between the ages of 18-35. "Bronies"

Some love it, and others hate it.
If you want to, watch it on youtube to find out which camp you fall into.
Personally, the part of it I like the most are the fans, and the fan made content.
Except the fan-fiction called Cupcakes. Never ever read that...you will regret it.

 

[Aidinthel]

Others have linked you to the Know Your Meme article, so here is the TvTropes page.

I see the first episode has also been embedded so I'll just offer my advice that the two pilot episodes aren't very representative of the rest of the series and are generally considered to be rather mediocre.

Also this:

the fan-fiction called Cupcakes. Never ever read that...you will regret it.

Unless you want to read a story about a talking pony being literally cut to pieces by her best friend. In that case, I cannot help you.

 

[Something Amyss]

Let me be the first to welcome you back from the rock you've apparently been living under for a year.

-m

Maybe he's still living under a rock, but an ISP moved into the area.

 

[Innegativeion]

Anyone who isn't convinced by this:

To at least try an episode or two leads a cold, shallow existence.

...or has never played the original sonic the hedgehog(s), so yeah, cold and shallow.

 

[Infinatex]

So, I've been a member of the site for quite some time, but I haven't really kept up with what's going on for a while now. So you must imagine my surprise when I come back and see people both ranting and raving about 'My Little Pony'. I just need someone to explain what the hell is going on. Did I miss something big? Is it some kind of joke? I don't want any hate spewed in the discussion, I am just really curious. Has "MLP" as some in the forums have called it, invaded popular culture? If so, I think I've finally disconnected with the young audience..

EDIT: Apparently, I've struck a chord with many of the site regulars. To clear it up for the people wondering how I could've missed this, I've been busy with work and my personal life so I don't have nearly as much personal time as I used to. It's much harder to leisurely stroll through the internet than it used to be. If the mods decide to lock this thread, there will be no complain from me. Now stop being so angry, will you?

I thought it was a joke too but apparently everyone on here is now 10 year old girls.

 

[genericusername64]

I think you also missed the spinning button, go on, click it.

 

[Innegativeion]

I thought it was a joke too but apparently everyone on here is now 10 year old girls.

Your avatar is pink and doing a cartwheel.

In case you didn't notice.