Brony Advice: Your Questions Answered #107/08/09!

#107) So this isn't very easy for me to just come out and say to some guy I've never really talked to, but based on some of the answers I've read from you, you seem to know your stuff. You see, I have this really big problem right now. I seem to have a strange attraction--no, addiction, to Rainbow Dash. It's not a sexual attraction, it's a love attraction. The funny thing is I don't even like her personality. Well, at least in the show. The fan-fic versions of her are probably what tipped me towards her. But anyways, what I need is for some way, any way to get her out of my mind or something. I don't want to hate her, I just want to not be attracted to her. If you could help me in any way, I would be ever so grateful. Thanks much!

<sub>Answer: It's interesting that you make the point that your attraction isn't sexual, but is, instead, more platonic in nature. Having strong feelings for a TV character isn't as unusual as it sounds; a lot of people have crushes on characters from shows, movies and even games, and they almost always end up being phases that people go through. You don't love Rainbow Dash, because she isn't yours to love; instead, you obviously have strong feelings for what she represents, even if it's the fan-fiction depictions of her that really do it for you.

I'd be willing to argue that your behaviour suggests that you would obviously be compatible with a human being with qualities similar to those that you like in Rainbow Dash. Whatever behavioural qualities Rainbow Dash has that you are particularly fond of in those fan-fictions, I imagine you would want to look out for them in a real girl. If you aren't currently in a relationship – I assume you aren't based on this question – then at least you have some idea of what sort of personality to look out for. It's not entirely impossible to believe that someone would feel closely towards a character from a TV show, especially if you watch them on the screen a lot. Extended interaction with something – or someone – you're fond of can have that effect.

Now that we've somewhat rationalised your feelings, we should engage with the second half of your question. You want Rainbow Dash out of your mind, which isn't easily done. If you find that looking at her and hearing her voice gets that attraction buzzing, and if you're serious about it being a problem, you should stop watching the show and checking out pony-based things, and instead surround yourself with other things. Watch other shows, focus on your studies/job or hang out with friends – do something non-pony to get your mind off of her. Tackle this in much the same way you would for any example of unrequited love; go cold-turkey and pursue other interests until the feelings go away.

I will point out, though, that unless the attraction is really serious and is actually debilitating, I wouldn't really worry too much about it. If it's not a sexual attraction, and is instead, as you describe, 'love', then I just assume that you're highly confused and in need of experiencing real love. While I understand, to an extent, why you're feeling what you're feeling, I do have to point out that it isn't real, and, as I'm sure you're aware, it never will be. If you come to terms with that, hopefully you'll start viewing Rainbow Dash as a cartoon character again, rather than a prospective lover. As your interest isn't especially harmful, I think that entirely cutting ponies out of your life is extreme. However, if you personally consider the attraction to be a huge issue, and one that you wish to escape from, all I can suggest is that you distance yourself from My Little Pony altogether.</sub>


#108) I am a fan of ["Friendship is Magic"], but certain episodes send me into deep thoughts about my life, which bothers me for weeks. Any idea on how I can deal with this?

<sub>Answer: It's important in life that we manage our expectations. With "Friendship is Magic", we have to be careful when we allow it to have a profound effect on us, simply because whatever we perceive the show is trying to do, we have to understand that it probably isn't doing it. I remember when "Feeling Pinkie Keen" aired and a lot of people started going on about how it was pro-religion and anti-scientific reasoning. It seems that in certain cases, bronies have a tendency to overstretch exactly how deep the show is trying to be. After all, it's designed for children, and all of the messages are therefore applicable to that age-group.

While I would obviously argue that a twenty year old should still adhere to acts of kindness and decency that MLP enforces from time to time, I'd also argue that anyone who doesn't know the morals that "Friendship is Magic" summarises in its friendship reports at that age should be concerned. Most teenagers understand that racism is bad, or that bullying is wrong, or that jealousy can lead you to do extreme things; these are all rules that you should have adopted without the help of My Little Pony. Sure, seeing an episode about the importance of friends may remind you to give your best buddy a hug, but while the show is cute and heart-warming at times, nothing that it 'teaches' should really come as a surprise to anyone above the age of 10.

It would have been better if you had provided certain examples of what long-term effects the show has had upon you, but I'm not sure what you could possibly be drawing from the show that would be revelatory enough to leave you concerned about it weeks after. I don't think My Little Pony is there to make you take an introspective look upon your own life. If it does, then it would be interesting to know in what ways. Perhaps you've done some bad things that the show has denounced? That's really the only thing I can think of, although even then I'd argue that "Friendship is Magic" is hardly a realistic look into how society works. People can't always be happy and friendly about everything; sometimes, perceived negative qualities are useful. Being ruthless, for example, can land you a job over a rival; putting a smaller, weaker company out of business is just how the world works. MLP sacrifices realism in the idyllic and kid-friendly pursuit of how a perfect, happy world would function. It's great for kids, but realistic adults, who have been worn down by natural cynicism, know better than to take it to heart.

I can't really give you any direct advice, I'm afraid, because I don't know the cause of why My Little Pony would make you think deeply about anything. It's light-hearted children's entertainment with a few moving moments thrown in. Whatever the cause, though, if it's truly bothering you, then the obvious answer would be to stop watching the show. Or, if there are specific aspects about the show – perhaps a particular character or theme – that result in these periods of rumination, just find out prior to watching an episode what it's about and then judge if it's worth the risk.

This question has actually forced me to describe watching My Little Pony as a 'risk'. Gross.</sub>


#109) Did you watch the brony TV commercial (The Brony Thank You Fund)? What did you think of it?

<sub>Answer: Aghh. I didn't like it, but I didn't really see a purpose to it in the first place. Therefore, y'know, I went in expecting little and came out feeling like it was worth even less. A lot of people have described it as a glorified way for the bronies to pat themselves on the back and say, 'Look what we did', and I would largely agree, due to a point that I'm about to make. I should point out first, though, that it did raise money for charity, and the advert actually asks you at the end to donate to Toys for Tots, so at least one positive may have come out of it (providing the advert inspired more donations than the money it cost to make in the first place).

However, it's really the final line that I dislike:

"For kids and bronies alike."

I despise that line, because I don't see why it couldn't have just been, 'For kids and adults alike'. If it had been 'adults' rather than 'bronies', then it would have made the commercial in general seem less like a way for bronies to stroke their own ego, and more of a genuine 'people of all ages can enjoy this show'-type thing. As it stands, the fact that the word 'bronies' is shoehorned in there as part of a heavily structured script suggests that the bronies responsible for it wanted people to know that they were responsible for the advert.

Had it just said 'kids and adults alike', parents watching the Hub would see the commercial as saying that the show is fun for all ages. It wouldn't have led to any confusion or insinuated anything unusual. 'Bronies', however, being an unfamiliar term to most, will have older people who see that advert and who aren't part of the fandom wondering what on earth a brony is. Moreover, they won't think that the advert applies to them; adults is all-encompassing to an older age range. Saying that the show is good for 'kids and bronies' alike doesn't include adults, as they won't have a clue what bronies are and therefore won't really feel motivated to watch the show.

That one use of 'bronies' is enough, in my mind, to turn the commercial from being a well-intentioned shout-out to the staff with the ulterior drive to get more people watching the show, to being a missed opportunity that would have confused more people than it actually informed.

Comments were disabled on the Youtube video for it, as well. That's interesting.</sub>