I prefer to think of it as this:

Magic *snort snort*

Anything that can use magic uses it.

Honestly, when you have magic at your disposal, who could resist using it for everything? Not me, at least.

The wizard community in Harry Potter doesn't XD

Which is why the one wizard who did managed to cause such a big problem.

The thing with magic is that I don't know if the ponies capable of using magic for things would really consider using magic a shortcut. I mean, it's a natural ability for them; it would be like a person considering their opposable thumbs to be a shortcut. It isn't like a bonus ability or something, it's just a skill that you happen to have.

Guys! I gave you a topic! What would happen if Pinkie bought Disney?

Also, we can stretch that to other companies.

If she bought Microsoft, she'd rename Windows, "Chimneys".

And yeah, for them using not using magic would be equivalent to us deciding to build machines with our feet.

True. Plus they have steam engines and lightbulbs anyway, so it's not as if they rely completely on magic for everything.

Although isn't there Word Of God someplace that magical energy is basically a stand-in for electricity?

@ JT

I believe Lauren said that any 'machines' are just enchanted by, in her words, a Unicorn mechanic.

This works for me.

@Sereg I don't know how well Pinkie would manage that when she can barely take care of two foals on her own.

Does anybody know where the original pic that I'm using for my avatar right now can be found?

Here.

Notably, Electric Sky◊, the pony with a cutie mark of lightbulbs, is a unicorn.

Thanks. I couldn't for the life of me remember where I got that from. In retrospect, it's kind of obvious isn't it?

Stuff happening.

There's not enough xanax in the world.

Heh. Steampunk K-9.

I see somepony familiar next to Twilight in that first one.

You're not the only one.

Ok here's a topic. The girls as D&D classes!

I've seen RD as both Barbarian and Paladin
Pinkie is obviously a Bard
Twilight is obviously Mage/Sorceress, I'm leaning towards Sorceress
AJ is a Warrior or maybe a Monk
Fluttershy is obviously a Druid
and Rarity...well, she's definitely some kind of magic capable class, but I don't think she's a mage/sorc.

edited 6th Nov '12 11:29:15 AM by Blissey1

Dude, they could totally use plushie sales to take us all the way to Uranus!

Personally, I have too many tshirts already.

Except we see unicorns use their mouths and hooves all the time. Also, Twilight can't be anything but Wizard.

What does it matter if they use their mouth and hooves? If magic were a natural ability for us, you can bet our technological history would look way different.

edited 6th Nov '12 11:46:46 AM by KylerThatch

What I mean is that telekinesis isn't considered superior and used for everything possible.

Oh, another discussion on Magic?

Well, I think that the Unicorns would most likely form some sort of neat benevolent ruling class of inventors, wizards, fashionistas, and bookish types like Twilight. Sort of like the Sparks from Girl Genius combined with accountants combined with lovely fashion sense.

And, since this is my imagination, they all wear Nice Hats.

Earth Ponies would be biological wizards, creating new kinds of plant for food, flowers, and other uses (maybe some sort of Kudzu, if you could use it benevolently, would be very useful). Also, they wear Nice Hats.

I don't know what Pegasi would do, but they would also wear Nice Hats. Nikola Tesla as a Pegasi, creating all the lightning he needs. Hmmm.

edited 6th Nov '12 12:22:51 PM by ATC