Why are bears so popular?

[Bara_no_Hime]

Since the bear thread turned out to actually be about beer, which I don't like, I thought we could talk about the popularity of bears.

According to Steven Colbert, they are "Godless Killing Machines."

According to D&D and Pathfinder, they are something that another word can be tacked on to when creating monsters (the Owlbear, the Sharkbear, etc).

According to the Oatmeal, they are second only to the Pterodactyl in the realm of bad-ass animals.

So what do you think, Escapists? Why are bears so popular.

 

[MarkusWolfe]

They're scary, they're dangerous in close combat, they're hard to kill, they're a successful species.....the list goes on.

 

[Jonluw]

They're moving bundles of fur, muscle and sharp things. Why wouldn't they be popular?

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

Because danger is exciting.

And bears are simultaneously marketable as cute and fuzzy, like Pooh.

And vicious killers, like Pooh.

 

[The Gnome King]

Since the bear thread turned out to actually be about beer, which I don't like, I thought we could talk about the popularity of bears.

According to Steven Colbert, they are "Godless Killing Machines."

According to D&D and Pathfinder, they are something that another word can be tacked on to when creating monsters (the Owlbear, the Sharkbear, etc).

According to the Oatmeal, they are second only to the Pterodactyl in the realm of bad-ass animals.

So what do you think, Escapists? Why are bears so popular.

They're kind of frightening where I live in Colorado. A guy just a few miles away from our house was *chased* into his pickup truck by bears the other day looking for food.

I'm going to have to go with Colbert on this one.

Godless killing machines.

 

[DJDarque]

I like bears because they are the "Number one threat to America."

 

[thiosk]

Because when you kill a bear, it aggros every bears within 50 yards

 

[Sassafrass]

I like bears because they are snuggly and warm in the winter. I love cuddling up to my bear. :3

 

[Ace of Spades]

Because the bear is a very robust animal. Large, heavy, furry, and with claws.

 

[Ashryd]

They represent animal badassery (It's a word, really it is). Stuff just won't mess with bears. When I read a story about a guy getting attacked by a bear and subsequently clubbing it to death with a branch I immediately knew this guy was a badass.

In conclusion, everyone must beat a bear to death to be a true badass.

 

[Zantos]

Because they were already cool. Then someone decided they could talk and wear armour. Then someone else decided that when they talked and wore armour they sounded like Sir Ian McKellen.

 

[Mad Hamish]

I would say it is because bears are a continuum. On the cute end are bear cubs, pandas, and koalas (I know pandas and koalas aren't actually bears, but they're referred to as such). On the badass end are full grown bears, particularly polar bears and grizzlies.

So, really there's a type of bear for everyone. Plus they come in a variety of colors and designs.

 

[Fightgarr]

Fightgarr's opinions on things related to bears:
- I find them interesting because of their immediate impression of cuddliness and friendliness, despite the fact that they are incredibly dangerous animals.
- I think that Panda bears should be allowed to go extinct.
- Bears are one of the easiest animals to make puns about.
- I find the: "who would win, a bear or a shark" debate tiresome and unbearable.
- However, I enjoy cardboard cutouts of a bear holding a shark, as well as the alternative band Bear vs. Shark
- With the exception of a string of dinosaurs, and potentially a Lion, bears are the number 1 land animal I would feel like a badass, for punching in the face.
- I will never watch the film Grizzly Man no matter how much someone recommends it to me.

 

[rabidmidget]

It's simple, it's a huge, land-based predator that is known for its strength and sharp, teeth and claws. They are the embodiment of primal fear.

 

[Icaruss]

Not to fond of any animal which can maul and kill me with about as much effort as it takes to scratch its ass.

 

[Qwurty2.0]

Bears have only one weakness!

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Because they're patient.

Wow. That's a truly odd picture. Kudos. ^^

Bears have only one weakness!

^^ Yes, I've seen that pic before, although with a different subtitle. I nearly posted it myself, so thank you for saving me the trouble. ^^

 

[ShockValue]

Because they're awesome dangerous jerks? Yeah lets go with that >.>