No, the problem is not people who choose to label themselves but don't meet your crappy standards. It's you having crappy standards and expecting people to meet them if they use a word about themselves.

Well, if I identify myself with a fandom, that because I know full well what I'm getting into. I don't care for the most "odd" side of it. And if someone is throwing around insults directed at the whole fandom, and you take it personal by association, the problem is more about you than the fandom, really. No offense.

My... standards? What exactly do you mean? What standards you think I hold people to?

edited 15th Apr '12 10:52:13 AM by Octo

You have assumptions (negative ones) about everyone who labels themselves under the header "brony".

Some people who call themselves Bronies are not going to fit under those assumptions.

You argue that people should stop using the label if they don't fit your assumptions.

I argue that instead, you should stop having assumptions of people based on what they label themselves as, and instead judge them as individuals.

edited 15th Apr '12 10:54:19 AM by Kerrah

Self-labeling is just something that people do. I mean, most of us here are "tropers", right? But still, for no one of us (I hope) the fact of spending time on the TV Tropes site is a central part of our identity.

Same with "brony". If somebody used that moniker as a primary means of self-identification, I'd agree that that would be more than a little messed up; but it seems to me that the vast majority of people just use it as a tongue-in-cheek shorthand for "MLP fan".

Are there even any stereotypes associated by bronies?

edited 15th Apr '12 10:58:29 AM by Carciofus

...*cowers embarrassed*

A lot of people assume that "brony" = "manchildren who obsess over a little girl's show to the point of creepiness and also live in their parents' basement". That's only true of a very very small portion of the fandom, but it's kinda understandable that normal people who watch the show wouldn't want to call themselves bronies if that's the image it's going to conjure up.

edited 15th Apr '12 11:03:57 AM by JapaneseTeeth

One hears negative stereotypes about a group they belong to.

They say to themselves: "These stereotypes don't apply to me."

The group they belong to has a label.

Hating labels is easy.

Therefore, they decide the label does apply to them.

Ta-da! The stereotypes no longer apply to them!

Therefore, by being incredibly stupid and hypocritical, one has managed to find peace of mind. This is of course preferable to just shrugging it off and being secure enough to belong to a group that has negative stereotypes.

edited 15th Apr '12 11:12:09 AM by Kerrah

@Japanese Teeth - Just like everyone thinks all of us nerds are basement dwelling, obese manchildren with no social skills, no matter how much we've proven that stereotype to be something almost entirely wrong countless times.

People like labeling what's different from them, we all do that. It's natural. You've got to just shrug it off and not let them ruin your fun.

I'm fan of Dark Side but I'm not one of those Sith :P

I don't; I consider myself a brony. I'm just saying that I can understand the thought process behind those who want to separate themselves from the label. I don't agree with it (what we should do is just keep demonstrating that the stereotypes are false), but I can see how they arrive at that conclusion.

That's what they say about just any subculture ever.

As an aside, what's the deal with basements and with the whole "living with your parents" slur? Is there some facet of American culture that I am missing?

I mean, my parents' house is on the third floor of their building, so it does not even have a basement; but the only reason why I'm not living with them is because I'm working in another city, and in another country as a matter of fact. If I took a job in my hometown, I'd probably return with them (and pay them something for the rent, obviously) — I mean, we get along fine and we can help each other and I'd rather give my money to them than to a random houseowner...

edited 15th Apr '12 11:14:46 AM by Carciofus

Basically, the basement is underground, where there's no light and no one ever goes to, so there's absolutely no social contact in any shape or form there. It's like locking someone in a dungeon. That's pretty much it, really.

And Americans still have the stereotypes that people who live with their parents after their mid 20's are unfulfilled manchildren who can't move out because they're sad.

It's mostly thrown about by teenagers and bad TV shows, though. The more mature crowd realizes how dumb that is,

edited 15th Apr '12 11:17:44 AM by ThatOneGuyNamedX

I wonder if all those fan with bad looking (fat or skinny), living with parents, with no social skill can call themselves Bronies or not (because they are bad for fandom reputation).

See, that's the problem, labeling actual personality issues as just throwaway gags ends up making those people bitter.

Society in general needs to grow the fuck up and leave everyone to do whatever they want (so long as no one harms anyone, that is), instead of looking for scapegoats for our latent social issues. Worldwide.

edited 15th Apr '12 11:24:49 AM by ThatOneGuyNamedX

No. In order to get your brony card, you must have slept with at least ten women in the last six days and you must make at least an eight figure salary

edited 15th Apr '12 11:25:15 AM by Carciofus

Yeah, the whole "living with your parents = manchild" thing bugs me, mainly because I do live with my parents. The reason? I'm working on my master's degree, and with the economy in its current state it's saving me thousands of dollars a year to not have to pay rent and it's basically beneficial to everyone involved. The assumption that everyone who's living at home is being childish is just dumb.

Yeah, if anything, it's dumb to get an apartment of your own in order to feel all "grown up" if you have no real need of it otherwise.

Wasting $400 (at least) per month, now that's dumb.

That was exactly my motivation. Not to mention that around where I live my options were either get an apartment that was ridiculously expensive (like $800-$900 a month for a small one) near school, or get a cheaper one further away and waste time and money on gas in addition to rent. Current setup, I only have to pay for gas, which is expensive, but not as bad as gas and rent.

Okay, last word about this before I shut up. This thread is supposed to be the one without drama:

If one wants to hate Bronies who obsess over the show, won't shut up about it, or whatnot, they're entirely free. However, they shouldn't word that as "I hate Bronies". Hating labels is idiotic, because there's so much figurative collateral damage (people getting hated for no good reason) in that.

I hate Christians who are intolerant to other people's religions and want their own faith to define Western society. However, I'm aware that not all Christians are like that, so when I meet a Christian, I don't act rude or aggressive toward them until I have reason to believe they're the type of Christian I hate.

It's such a basic thing, and yet so many people have to suffer ridicule and annoyance because it seems hard to learn.

I second this.

Hate fandumb not fandom.

Or better ignore fandumb.

Difficult to tell the difference in speech, rather than writing. But good sentiment nevertheless.

People should just leave other people be. So what if I like MLP. How does that threaten or hurt anyone else?

Those are some wise words right their Kerrah.