
| Zarkanorf #157100 1 year ago |
And then I brained. |
| Kohdok #157103 1 year ago |
Analysis of pony character physics.
The mane six ponies can be organized into several categories. First of all, we have the basic masculine/feminine divide, the tomboys versus the girly girls. The divide goes as follows: The Masculine ponies are Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Twilight Sparkle while the feminine ponies are Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Fluttershy. Twilight sparkle might not seem terribly masculine, but she's certainly not as feminine as the three I listed for the category and I will go into more detail later. There are also three "energy" categories in the set, high energy, medium energy, and low energy. High-energy characters are extremely passionate about what they do and often peruse their hobbies with reckless abandon. The high-energy ponies are Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. Medium-energy ponies, while certainly quite passionate about their work, are more laid back and don't have the breakneck personality of the high-energy ponies. The medium energy ponies are Applejack and Rarity. The low energy ponies are more mild and tend to accentuate the more subtle parts of the qualities they represent. Their hobbies also tend to be fairly relaxed. The low energy ponies are Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy. Notice something? Both Masculine and Feminine ponies have a member in each energy category. Using this, we can create a sliding scale from High Energy/masculine, to High-Energy/feminine. The longer the line drawn between the two ponies the more tension the two tend to have together, hence why Rainbow Dash is frequently paired-off with Pinkie Pie: Their tension is very high and their personalities create a high-energy blend. This is also why Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle are seldom paired-off. Their meeting in episode one shows that their mild personalities leave little potential for tension to occur. When the ponies snap or near their breaking points, the energy levels reverse. Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy become quite high-energy ("QUIEEEET!!" "YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE ME!!") While Rainbow Dash becomes nervous and jittery and Pinkie Pie becomes drab and depressed. Applejack and Rarity, while clearly showing signs of stress, maintain similar personalities and energy levels. |
| Ninestempest #157104 1 year ago |
My god
It's so true. |
| Mushi #157106 1 year ago |
? |
| Anonymous #157110 1 year ago |
o.O |
| Ninestempest #157111 1 year ago |
And I didn't even say that in response to that awesome analysis. |
| Eli_ArrowHead #157116 1 year ago |
Wow… thats so true… |
| c4tspajamas #157119 1 year ago |
This is very good! I can tell you put alot of thought into this and it makes alot of sense. And you aren't bending their personalities to prove anything either xD But I'm confused about the purpose of this. Is it just to show personality differences? Or to show better/worse compatibility? |
| Kohdok #157127 1 year ago |
^ It's an attempt to understand what the writers had in mind when creating interaction between the characters and shows a balanced cast. |
| TechnicolorPony #157131 1 year ago |
Wouldn't this indicate we'd see a lot more ApplePie than we actually do? |
| Anonymous #157134 1 year ago |
wow |
| Kohdok #157135 1 year ago |
^ Maybe, but RainbowPie generates more energy so for generic interaction, they're the more favorable choice. |
| Ninestempest #157137 1 year ago |
I think Apple-Pie is more based on personality; we don't ever see Rarity/Rainbow Dash when it comes to Fanfic, either.
Actually, I don't think there's been ANY ever posted on eqd. |
| Kohdok #157156 1 year ago |
^ I made this chart based on the show. I don't read fanfiction, but I'd be interested to see if this applies to that. |
| Anonymous #157162 1 year ago |
There is almost no Rainbow Dash/Rarity out there, even though this graph suggests it would work. |
| Ninestempest #157166 1 year ago |
Most fanfic tends to keep them in character (good fanfic anyway), so it's still accurate. Of course, fanfic pairings are based on personalities more often, and that doesn't necessarily mend with this chart.
The most common pairings are RD/PP, RD/AJ, AJ/Rr, Rr/FS, with Twilight sprinkled pretty commonly through everyone except Pinkie Pie. I'm not sure how much that reflects on the chart, except that AJ/PP has never been done (well technically I'm writing it), and Rr/RD has never been done. |
| Ninestempest #157167 1 year ago |
Oh, actually, the second/third most common is probably RD/FS. Whoops. |
| MyLittleJosieph #157181 1 year ago |
The second third? Whatever happened to the first third!? **is shot** |
| Oh-noes #157182 1 year ago |
IS THIS THE REASON THE CHATACTERS GET SHIPPED THE WAY THEY ARE?!
Mindblown... |
| Anonymous #157198 1 year ago |
Doesn't hurt that Pinkie and Rainbow also have very complimentary colour schemes. |
| sargesprinkles #157200 1 year ago |
doesn't explain why there's shipping the first place |
| Kohdok #157203 1 year ago |
It's not meant to be a shipping chart, just an interaction chart. Fluttershy and Twilight need some fairly severe extenuating circumstances to provoke tension between them, while Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash can cause action just by being with each other. |
| Anonymous #157204 1 year ago |
^ Shipping is an emergent property of fandoms in general.
As soon as a fandom reaches a certain size and/or complexity, shipping simply comes into being. |
| Anonymous #157206 1 year ago |
"...while Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash can cause action just by being with each other."
Yes... very hot, hot action indeed. And no, not Sarge's sick story. |
| Anonymous #157212 1 year ago |
There is some Rarity / RD interaction. RD lets herselfed get styled up by Rarity in "Swarm of the Century" while Rarity is the one to support RD the most in "Sonic Rainboom" initially. |
| AdrianBrony #157215 1 year ago |
maybe, but length doesn't necessarily correspond to how well the ship actually works. Appledash is almost as popular as pinkiedash, but not nearly as much tension according to this scale, but there is still plenty of tension due to factors not taken into account by this scale.
Rarity and fluttershy is gaining quite a bit of popularity, yet according to this scale not much tension should exist between them. The characters are also very dynamic and their place on the chart changes by situation, activity, or even who they are near (AJ being near dash in a competitive situation gives her almost as much "energy" yet in a non competitive situation she has much lower energy, for example.) What's more, there seems to be fairly little romantic tension in pinkie dash shipping even when it IS in character, usually opting to just have them as an established couple or at most the standard "but what if she says no?" or MAYBE dash being hung up on her feelings, though that would apply to her being shipped to any of them, rather than more intricate tensions such as in rarity and applejack, which by this chart would normally not be as tense. |
| Anonymous #157216 1 year ago |
"Opposites" have two ponies between them. |
| sargesprinkles #157218 1 year ago |
someday i will have enough money to have Tom Savini recreate the story in live action.
also, i'm just not a romantic person. there's porn and then there's i don't really care if people find love. |
| Ninestempest #157232 1 year ago |
Twilight/Fluttershy have had interaction, but I suppose it WAS only in one episode wasn't it.
Though oddly, my favorite episodes are Fall Weather/Green, and both of those are interactiosn between ponies next to each other... |
| Kohdok #157261 1 year ago |
@AdrianBrony: Again, not really a shipping chart. The RD/AJ was the reason the scale was more stretched between them, as typical energy levels also influence the tension. Extenuating circumstances also have an effect. The start of the episode was good, clean fun until Rainbow Dash started using her wings to get an advantage. The tension was there, but it was a bit slow. Same with Green is Not Your Color. Initially the tension is low, but then escalates when something else happens. For general interaction, the horseshoes/spa examples are more typical. |
| Ninestempest #157278 1 year ago |
Hmm, yes that is true. Tension in both episodes builds REALLY slowly.
But, honestly, there isn't a huge amount of Rainbow Dash/Pinkie Pie interaction in the show; There's griffon, a couple scenes in barrel, a couple scenes in party, and that's basically it. And even in Griffon, there wasn't a huge amount of tension except for the first seven minutes; she isn't with RD in swarm, dragonshy, boast, WWU, or even Rainboom. Then it was them enjoying their company, even more so than RD/AJ and Rr/FS. |
| Anonymous #157295 1 year ago |
@Sarge: Dunno if Savini would touch ponies with a ten foot pole.
Anyway, the characters are owned by Hasbro. Even if you wanted to do it, had the money, and a willing Savini, you'd never be able to corrupt the characters further in the way you'd apparently like to by making a movie out of it. RD and PP are forever beyond your reach. |
| sargesprinkles #157310 1 year ago |
i was kidding, calm down
and sometimes i'm interested in romance but very rarely |
| Thaluka #157314 1 year ago |
Shipping almost always works based on in-show interaction. RD and Rarity have had almost no interaction except for RD saving her at the end of Sonic Rainboom, whereas Appledash has a dedicated episode, and RD/Pinkie is the majority of Griffon the Brush Off. I think Rarity in general gets less shipping because she's just not as popular and is canonically heterosexual (or bi). |
| Anonymous #157315 1 year ago |
I disagree with your interpretation of masculinity and femininity. And anyway, even if I did accept for the sake of argument your definitions, they still wouldn't line up on a continuum because it is entirely possible to have both strong expression of masculine and feminine traits, or weak expression of both.
Also, Twilight and Fluttershy have moments of tension on multiple occasions, such as episode 1, ticketmaster, dragonshy, and bird in the hoof. Twilight's energy level is particularly variable, depending on her mood. |
| Kohdok #157317 1 year ago |
@Ninestempest: Well, let's think about it. Particularly in Party, of all the ponies who could go after Pinkie Pie, why do you think the writers chose RD? Would the appearance of any other character have generated the same result. Rarity/Fluttershy would probably get freaked out and leave, Twilight too possibly after an attempt to talk to her. Applejack would have gotten her there, but only RD could have added "Who you callin' chump, CHUMP?!" that makes the scene complete. Their tension in that scene is the highest. |
| WhiteSocks #157324 1 year ago |
A round of applause for this glimpse into the realm of ponychology.
::goes to glue a printout of the scale onto a slide rule for easier reference:: |
| Ninestempest #157328 1 year ago |
I agree that their tension is very highly created, but that was with low-energy PP mode. Regularly in the show, they don't have much interaction that could be described as tense.
Honestly, I just think they're good friends, and therefore that would have led RD to go retrieve her. I don't know if friendship compatability can be derived from this chart, but I don't think they necessarily have the most tension in the show. I actually think some of the highest tension in the show has been between Twilight and someone else, anyone. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy are both examples that jump to my mind instantly, thanks to Keen/Bird. |
| Anonymous #157333 1 year ago |
Yes, only Rainbow Dash could have said "Who you callin' chump, CHUMP?!" but it is just plain silly to argue that such a specific line is the only way that scene could have been successfully pulled off. Both Rarity and Fluttershy have been shown to not back down from a challenge when the situation called for it. Personal injury, either physical or social usually makes Rarity say something like "it is ON!" and Fluttershy has her stare when she is backed into a corner. Out of all 5, I think Fluttershy would have had the most dramatic tension when set against Pinkie Pie due to the empathy generated by her sensitive nature, but clearly the writers didn't want to overdo it. |
| Kohdok #157334 1 year ago |
^^^ The tensions betweed TS and FS has hardly been high tension. Except for Bird in the Hoof, their talks are usually pretty mellow and their interaction in episode one involves light questioning and a lot of standing around. Ticketmaster has Fluttershy asking politely and cleaning Twilight's house, unlike Pinkie who has a song/dance routine complete with a game of Twilight toss. There's conflict, but the tension is low. It takes something as catastrophic as Fluttershy kidnapping the Princess's pet to cause high enough tension between them. |
| Anonymous #157344 1 year ago |
Tension does not require shouting or exploding at each other in order to be tense. Twilight Sparkle knew she was putting her life in danger in Dragonshy because of the disagreement between the two, even though nobody was shouting at each other. |
| Kohdok #157346 1 year ago |
Perhaps I should clarify: "Tension" refers not to compatibility or antagonism, but to how much energy is created merely from the two characters interacting, barring your usual extenuating circumstances. Think of them as a pair of comedians. By "Who you callin' chump, CHUMP?!" I meant that RD added that spark of personality to the scene where the others might not have been suckered into interacting with Pinkamena's delusion. |
| Anonymous #157356 1 year ago |
True, true. To maintain a relationship, TS and FS would need to do what Homer and Marge did in that episode were they started having sex in public and/or risky places for the thrill. |
| Anonymous #157360 1 year ago |
High energy characters act in high energy ways? Someone get the tautology club on the line right away!
Tension: Inner striving, unrest, or imbalance often with physiological indication of emotion, a state of latent hostility or opposition between individuals or groups. |
| Ninestempest #157365 1 year ago |
I agree that their tension is very highly created, but that was with low-energy PP mode. Regularly in the show, they don't have much interaction that could be described as tense.
Honestly, I just think they're good friends, and therefore that would have led RD to go retrieve her. I don't know if friendship compatability can be derived from this chart, but I don't think they necessarily have the most tension in the show. I actually think some of the highest tension in the show has been between Twilight and someone else, anyone. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy are both examples that jump to my mind instantly, thanks to Keen/Bird, but they're with Twilight. I think Twilight's the only real catalyst for GOOD tension, actually, just because of how the writers have presented her. |
| Ninestempest #157372 1 year ago |
Why did that get posted twice, what the fuck. |
| Ninestempest #157380 1 year ago |
"Perhaps I should clarify: "Tension" refers not to compatibility or antagonism, but to how much energy is created merely from the two characters interacting, barring your usual extenuating circumstances. Think of them as a pair of comedians. By "Who you callin' chump, CHUMP?!" I meant that RD added that spark of personality to the scene where the others might not have been suckered into interacting with Pinkamena's delusion."
even with this, the most energy I see ever displayed is either between RD and anyone, or Twilight and anyone; RD/PP have few interactions that lead to anything, honestly. Then again this show doesn't have a lot of high-tense situations so it's harder to analyze this. |
| Kohdok #157398 1 year ago |
@Ninestempest: Well, perhaps I was mistaken reversing the scale on energy when the characters are out of their minds. I did hesitate in putting that forward.
Being the closest thing to a main character, Twilight is naturally thrust into situations that generate more tension, so I agree with you there, but seldom is that tension against Fluttershy, and is usually the gentler kind (Cleaning house and asking politely rather than breaking into song and dance) @anon360: Arguing semantics. Classy. |
| Anonymous #157442 1 year ago |
I wouldn't have to argue semantics if you would bother constructing an argument that had any inherent meaning. You might be able to pull a fast one on anypony who isn't paying close attention, but conflating terminology is typically unhelpful to improving understanding of a topic.
For every complex problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat and wrong. |
| Kohdok #157453 1 year ago |
^ Aww, umad? |
| Anonymous #157462 1 year ago |
Oh yeah, I'm positively enraged. I might lose sleep over it even. |
| Kohdok #157483 1 year ago |
^ Well, it's the fact that your latest posts haven't really contributed anything to the discussion. While you pointed out faults in my vocabulary, you didn't propose any alternatives at all and when I called you out for that, you gave a reply that was basically an eloquent "This picture is stupid", which is certainly not constructive.
Now, if you have a solution to those, I'd be glad to hear them. Otherwise, please be on your merry way. |
| Anonymous #157512 1 year ago |
Masculine Traits, as defined by loose consensus in the USA (but not, for example: India)
• Aggressive • Independent • Dominant • Competitive • Active Feminine Traits (with the same caveat as above) • Tactful • Quiet • Aware of feelings of others • Need for security • Easily express tender feelings Fluttershy is independent and active, but is not tactful or easily able to express her feelings. Rarity is aggressive, dominant, competitive and active, while also being tactful, aware of others feelings. Applejack is aggressive, but is not particularly independent (especially with all of her family ties) she is middle of the road when it comes to dominance, but she also easily expresses her feelings, is tactful and aware of others feelings. Rainbow Dash is masculine by the general USA consensus, though she has a low level of activity as evidenced by her lazy behavior. Pinkie Pie is aggressive, dominant, active, isn't very tactful or quiet. She does have awareness of other's feelings, and has a need for security, but she is independent enough to solve problems with no help from her friends. Twilight Sparkle is independent, and sometimes aggressive, but she is not particularly dominant or competitive. (going to some length not to show up her peers) To top it off, she's often quiet and bookish. |
| Kohdok #157619 1 year ago |
^ Ah. A different argument. I could argue that first of all that Friendship is Magic is meant to be progressive for women and secondly that if someone has a Masculine trait, they can't be feminine and thirdly that I based this scale on hobbies and personality, but for the sake of argument I'll explore them.
Fluttershy is actually not that independent at all, needing Angel or the other ponies to help them out. As for tact, she probably has the most in the cast, seeing as she has to be forced to hurt someone's feelings (Okay, since you really wanna know). I put Fluttershy in low-energy, feminine because she isn't very pushy and is shy and withdrawn, not the type to make a fuss. Rarity only wishes she was dominant. So far, only the Diamond Dogs have acquiesced to her, but bnot the CMC's, that's for sure and she melts into a puddle whenever someone famous walks in. I put her at medium-energy because she works hard at her passion, but not with breakneck abandon and feminine she is a dainty prima-donna and female fashion-centered. Applejack is very active and competitive and is quite independent as she can accomplish most things by herself unless her task is insurmountable. It doesn't stop her from trying, though. I put Applejack at Medium energy because while she is passionate about her work, she doesn't pursue it with breakneck abandon (Except in Applebuck) and masculine because of her generally practical approach to everything and her sheer opposition to Rarity. Rainbow Dash is quite masculine and is very active about pursuing her passions. Her laziness in other areas is just how focused she is on her passions. I put her as high energy because of her reckless approach to her passions and Masculine because of her brusque nature and generally accepted tomboy status. Pinkie Pie has a HUGE need for security and didn't become terribly active or dominant until she discovered its source. I put Pinkie Pie as high-energy because of her permanent sugar-high and tendency to break out into song, and feminine because of her extreme pinkness, generally sweet attitude and her insatiable desire to make friends. |
| Kohdok #157621 1 year ago |
^ Wait, what? "If someone has a feminine trait they can't be masculine"? I meant "If someone has a feminine trait, they can't be masculine is a misguided idea."
Oof. need to proofread more. |
| Kohdok #157633 1 year ago |
^^ And I forgot Twilight. I put her as low-energy due to her bookishness and generally mild attitude and masculine partly due to her disconnection from many feminine approaches, her independence and her relative position on the scale. I said that in my first post. |
| Anonymous #157664 1 year ago |
Right, the ability of someone to have both masculine and feminine traits is why it should not be measured on a linear scale of yes or no. |
| Kohdok #157811 1 year ago |
^ It means someone can have masculine traits and still be fairly feminine, like Fluttershy. |
| Anonymous #158194 1 year ago |
I understand that it is simpler, but will never comprehend why people feel the need to take everything and compress it into a dichotomy of one or the other. The complexity of the characters is one of the strong points of the series.
"It means someone can have masculine traits and still be fairly feminine," Indeed, identical behavior from men and women is often judged differently. When making the same criticism, men are viewed as being assertive, while women are just complaining. In India, it is stereotypically the woman that is aggressive in a relationship. |
| MonkeySmist #158277 1 year ago |
TOO MANY WORDS |
| Anonymous #159342 1 year ago |
high stress -> shadow functions |
| Professor_Ponystein #160557 1 year ago |
My Little Pony: Advanced Psychology is Magic. |
| Anonymous #162837 1 year ago |
Yeah...
Bad assumptions everywhere, can't really be arsed to point them all out. But what I will say is that the characters are reasonably complex, they cannot be organised into a scale such as that above because they are very dynamic and overall each belongs in multiple sections of your scale. Yes this has been said before, but I shall say it again. |