Custom Intamin seat belt belt (+ how to)

It's probably worth noting that he isn't referring to the cutesy, glittery, sugarplummy My Little Pony cartoon of the '80s. Bronies watch the "Friendship is Magic" series that debuted a few years ago, which has had appeal outside its target demographic, much like Spongebob and Phineas & Ferb. I've only seen a few clips, but it strikes me as being more plot- and joke-driven rather than being a cheaply-made half hour toy commercial. (Like most '80s cartoons until the Disney Afternoon came along.)

Phineas and Ferb is amazing. I'm glad you mentioned it.

^ I just started watching P&F a few weeks ago. It not only involves building a roller coaster in the first episode, but in a later season they revisit the plot as a musical. I mean, come on. Best of all possible worlds.

janfrederick said:

But don't knock me for thinking it strange, nor for pointing out how people other than myself have noticed some of the more annoying aspects (i.e., overly defensive) of this particular subculture.

This, so much this.

I'm trying to think what this thread would be like if I only said "I like roller coasters". The way it is led to a pretty productive discussion.

Bingo!

I don't get it. Then again, I dont have to. Furthermore, you don't need my validation.

We all win.

But surely you can see how it might look a little odd to others when grown men like a cartoon originally intended for little girls.

Also, people like this aren't helping make it seem any less weird and creepy:

And, for better or worse, I think that's the image that comes to mind when someone says, "Bronies"

^ You are a little late on that guy, 4chan beat you to it. That was an interesting day.

I know, that's why I chose that photo. It's a classic. Hence, why I said, "This is what comes to mind when people think, 'Bronies.'"

Honestly, that's where it gets into the 'whoa' area. And that's true for fans of anything. It's ok to like whatever you like. It gets weirder when you identify yourself with that interest (and that's true for coaster nerds too). It goes to a whole new level when you claim the way you're treated is on the same level as segregation or gay rights.

There's lots to roll your eyes at way beyond liking the Little Pony cartoon.

I think it's weird. I also get tired of hearing that I have to be accepting and tolerant of everything on the planet. Diversity is great, but frankly, I think the fact that there are adult dudes who are into a cartoon about girl's toy ponies is odd.

People can think I'm weird because I think that. Don't care.

I watched about half of one episode just to satisfy my curiosity. It ain't Phineas & Ferb. And if it was, does P&F have a weird, creepy cult-like fan club?

Here's the difference: I watch P&F when I have it on for the kids. I don't watch it in my spare time and I'm not part of a weird, creepy cult-like P&F fan club that gets irritated at people who don't 'get' the show and demand that they accept me because it's the same thing as being gay or lesbian. Nor do I announce when introducing myself that I'm a fan of roller coasters and Phineas & Ferb.

/curmudgeon

Ok, I was never trying to say it is on the same level as gays, other races etc. I was saying it is the same as people will go go with the flow of whatever the trendy opinion it without doing their own research or investigating of their own.

Personally, I think that Phineas and Ferb is better than most B&Ms, but it's all good because we can have different opinions.

Nothing but love, Billy, but I couldn't resist.

***Edited to clarify that it was a joke and I wasn't making a serious comparison.

I think if you're going to compare the two, you should be consistent...

P&F, B&M....

Then again, even I don't really care what I think....only why I think it.

Gator, why *do* you think?

I guess I can uncover my ears now, because it seems like everyone is commenting in this derailment...

If it were more socially acceptable, I could see myself going out of my way to watch a Cartoon about cute ponies if it were really good. I go out of my way to watch a few other cartoons, like Justice League, Adventure Time, Spongebob, and The Last Airbender.

I can accept that someone watches something that is outside what they are "supposed" to be watching. If it feels good, do it.

That's all I've got for this discussion, I suppose. I guess I really just wanted to list a few cartoons that I really enjoy that no one has mentioned yet, disguised as adding to the conversation. ;)

I watched the trailers for the upcoming Monsters University from Disney/Pixar today and there were pony references. Good thing I'm in on the joke now...

Not to beat a dead horse (pony), but is this really much weirder than plushies or larpers? I would say all of it creeps me out, but I've watched some pretty strange cartoons in my day...but then again, I wasn't "dating" any of the characters, so...

I don't think anyone here is really dating any cartoon characters. Some of us just might be fans of certain cartoons or TV shows, and some might think that it's either: a) not age appropriate, b) just plain weird, or c) completely fine. I myself am a teenager, so the idea of an adult getting obsessed with bronies, although a bit unusual, is completely fine with me. Hey, it doesn't really bother or affect me in any possible way, so I really couldn't care less. Then again, that's coming from someone that you could consider a "kid" many years younger than you. So too each their own.

Dating cartoon characters is OK in my book if that's what one is into. But dating amusement park rides is another whole kettle o' fish.

One thing that been touched on in the last few posts is that it's all a matter of degrees. I've long maintained that there's nothing so inherently cool out there that it cannot be ruined by an overzealous fanboy. I'm a big fan of the underground rock band, Guided by Voices, whose high-energy, hard-drinking, DIY approach encompasses everything I love about rock music, but I've met fans of theirs whose intense over-knowledge of the band (and seeming unwillingness to discuss anything else) makes me want to backpedal that love a bit.

On the same token, I guess there's nothing so inherently dorky that it can't be appreciated a little. I suppose I could catch a few minutes of a cartoon aimed at children and appreciate that it digs a little beyond its target audience, but that's as far as I'd be willing to go, especially when it concerns something that's targeted at prepubescent girls.

I also see this reflected in this thing of ours, coasters. It's been argued that, be virtue of being on this site in the first place, not one of us has any standing to criticize the weird or creepy behavior of any enthusiast. I reject that, because fandom is a matter of degrees. I'd venture to say that I'm much closer on the coaster spectrum to the general public than I am, say, Single Rider Bob, who I find a little creepy. A number of people on here seem to have it in check, and it's those whose opinion and posts catch my attention. On the other hand, there are things done by enthusiasts that either give me the creeps or make me think that the enthusiast is dooming himself to a lonely and maladjusted life.

So, liking underground rock is fine. Watching Star Wars movies occasionally and being nostalgic about it is fine. Riding roller coasters and sharing that enjoyment with others is fine. Getting a little nerdy over beer is fine. Appreciating the subtle complexity of a children's cartoon is fine.

But, obsessing over minutia of the underground rock band, and getting into arguments over these meaningless details is creepy. Star Wars obsessiveness gets really creepy really fast. When a coaster enthusiast eschews all social development so that he can ride a coaster by himself over and over, day after day, that's creepy. I hate to say it, but over-analysis and obsession with craft brewing can be creepy. And when an adult believes himself to be in romantic love with a cartoon pony, and wants to share this love with others, that's exceedingly creepy.

It's all a matter of degrees.

I'm surprised no one has brought up the "Posting and You" video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxv_dkf-JFw