Forums / Discussion / General

The simpsons:

Homer: Marge, I'm bored
Marge: Why don't you read something?
Homer: Because I'm trying to reduce my boredom

Maybe more than halfway done…

The point is, I can guarantee you the attacks on Derpy as a character are just as much fueled by emotion as the defenses. There isn’t much logic to either side.

• Logic? Health outcomes. I got a ton saved away. Would you like to see the abstracts or the credentials of the authors?
• I presented an emotional appeal. Where's the logic in that?
  • Which is greater:
    • The preserving of Derpy Hooves in one scene (because she's not being animated out of the show according to Kreoss) and she hasn't been removed from previous episodes.
    • Or not reinforcing a hurtful stereotype for a small group of people who hold no power against the majority?

For me, the answer is obvious. Derpy's scene is small. It was nice to see her given the name we had for her, but it's not suitable for Hasbro. Her voice acting was much, much better previously, but even without the name, it sounded more offensive than Patrick's and Ed's or Pinky's at some points.

And you don't have to deal with any potential lawsuits or parents wondering why "Derpy" was used. Remember: parents don't know the fandom in-and-out. They don't know what we mean by "Derp" or "Derpy." Neither do kids. But they have seen people with some particular developmental disabilities who make those sounds. Every little bit where it is reinforced helps to create a lack of sympathy.

In a small instance like this, and in the midst of other shows that won't shy away from it, this is far from the overly concerned, overly sensitive, no-fun-allowed, politically correct world some people talk about. It actually comes off as very conservative.

…and obviously the only reason it’s an issue is because it’s this show with this fanbase.

…The fanbase it what created the name Derpy Hooves, yes. So in that sense, yes. We're the source of the problem, but I don't think that's what you meant.

…"Derp" sounds, like you say, "simple." You don't need a history of the word to know where it originally, originally came from. It combined with the voice…it's too much to leave it.
 
 
Look, I know Derpy isn't retarded or anything in the fandom. At worst, she speaks incoherently, is a little slow to understand things, and can't see straight. And in those instances, authors and artists portray her as being a multifaceted character with feelings and redeeming traits. More than just being helpful but only causing destruction.

But for Hasbro's My Little Pony, it shouldn't have stayed. I'm a little disappointed that it was written in, but like others have said, they didn't know the origin of any of the connotations. DHX is about making a good show, and Derpy added to that while showing love for the periphery demographic. They are less concerned with being overly politically correct. However, Hasbro is concerned with such things. They haven't asked many things to be written out before, but they have done it. So when they got letters and emails saying that Derpy is a beloved character and that "Derpy" isn't meant to cause harm, it was irrelevant in decision making. They had just a few emails and letters saying that "derp" sounds bad and combined with her simple portrayal and her voice, it came out as being offensive.

It doesn't take much, but if slight changes can keep people from believing that there is no way to stop the reinforcement of stereotypes, then I'd say make the changes. Especially in regards to My Little Pony.

The Internet and fandom is different. There aren't any age or experience restrictions. It isn't to be censored in regards to individuals. Shows directed toward an older audience wouldn't have made that change, because their goals are different. The Boondocks was terribly offensive and uses the word "nigga/nigger" all of the time, but it was used to serve a point and the target audience is much more mature than young children. Hasbro and The Hub is family-friendly, and Derpy's portrayal wasn't suitable. It belongs in DHX's version, because it's not like The Boondocks or South Park. They weren't trying to be edgy or offensive or were trying be evocative. They wanted comic relief and wanted to use a fan character (in how she's portrayed) in their show. But not Hasbro's.

And just because the two may differ on their stances, I'm sure they both understand why Hasbro went about it in the way that they did. And I think we should as well.

If there ever was an unedited, "Brony" version with those hard slapstick moments or Derpy moments edited out, then by all means. Just say Hasbro's not involved (but that won't happen. It's Hasbro's product.) As it stands, Derpy didn't belong in there as such. It was simply the voice and the name that did it, because the combination of the two came off fairly poorly.

I have other arguments for the issue. I'll take all comers.

I've got no obligations for today.

SOO glad I'm getting this in right after Dr. Brown's post. Make sure to address all of the points I made…and tread carefully.

I still think someone was being uber PC, and that doesn't sit well with me. As I posted on a picture, I don't get riled up to often, but censorship and political correctness piss me off to no end, and both things were used here.

Not only that, but the redub is AWFUL. Well, Dash anyways, and as you all may know, I'm not a big Dash fan, but her lines just sounded bad bad bad.

Yes, I'll be seeing if I can get a 1st gen Friendship Express DVD as not to have to deal with the awful as Hell redubs.

@Verbose
How many word do you type in a minute ? It's very impressive.

@Dr. Brown

I don't mind if you don't read that. This is my magnum opus so far in terms of the tl;dr. But I took that argument apart in the posts. I said why it's offensive and why action was needed.

Again, if you don't read it, sure. It's really long and pretty dense. But to say I still believe a certain way without posing an argument is pretty much the exact definition of ignorance.
 
Anyway, I have no problem with Derpy. I feel like I like her as much as anyone else. But it shouldn't go into MLP on The Hub as she was portrayed.

@Epicus

That actually took me about an hour. It had over 5,000 characters, so I just opened a duplicate tab and divided them out.

Any side of a debate that's worth its salt needs to consider points and mull them over to some extent, so I had to think about Gigatoast's point. It's not completely invalid, and I'm not a fan of censorship, but there's a time and place for it.

I think the argument lies in whether My Little Pony and The Hub is the place for it. Most people simply see it as a slight to the community, and I believe that it's unsuitable in how it could easily be interpreted.
 
 
 
Having said that, I really wish it wasn't quite so thrown together, because it doesn't match the quality of the rest of the voice acting in the show. But if it had to be edited in the midst of living life and handling schedules inside and outside of FiM, then I guess the only other alternative is cutting it out altogether and leaving it short (which has its own problems, because Derpy was the reason why Applejack felt she was letting down Ponyville in not getting prize money to repair town hall.)

After hearing these changes about Derpy. I went to check out what's new…and well

I wasn't to pleased with it.

Bah, I'm still sticking with my deal, to much PC and to much censorship, as I said, something like this would not have flown back in the 80's, and I'm sticking with buying a Friendship Express DVD ASAP so I don't have to hear Dash's new awful lines.

@Engie: You're not the only one bro, me no gusta on these new changes.

I hope that this is just an iTunes thing, cause I would hate that a minor set of complainers could influence the show this badly, cause who knows who'd be next, quite possibly Zecora since the haters could say she's "rassit" or something stupid like that.

@ verbose

Sorry, but Jesus tity fucking christ that was long! You sir are the tl:dr champ.

Also, what is with all the hate and whining guise? I thought we were better than that. I also noticed that the whole "65 episode rule and mlp being canceled next season" thing was brought up again. To that, this is all I have to say…

I refuse to explain again why it most certainly will not end because that would be the 100th time now. It just won't, take my word for it. I am so confident im right, that I promise if it ends next season, I will eat my left testicle with some soy sauce… mabye with a dash of wasabi as well to give it that spicy bite. Or I just dice it into a stew.

I'm also heading back to my shitstorm bunker.

Doors are open to anyone that wants to come.

@dac

It's cool. I didn't really expect people to read it, but Giga asked why. I needed all of that to explain why given the backlash. Also, it's less hate and whining and more debate. Well, I'll still stick to what I said about Dr. Brown. It's opinions like that in the face of evidence that makes me feel bad about the world.
 
But Imma post images for a while and lay off of the writing. Surf the threads. Surf the Web. Enjoy my Saturday. Hopefully, we're done with it.

 
 
You could also talk about that yellow pony who's getting her airtime soon. I'm more interested in seeing how they'll portray her as being too assertive.

By god, that was long. I normally prefer non-serious posts, but I'll be damned if every word of that didn't make perfect sense.

Verbs broke KYM

Yes, let's talk about Fluttershy.

Mostly because I don't want to argue with Verbose, he'd win.

Sorry bro, but I don't take kindly to political correctness or censorship. As I said, very few things rile me up, but those two set me off like no ones business.

And I really, REALLY don't like the half assed voice over from Rainbow Dash either.

@Verbose
Good, you responded. Really the most suspect thing about the situation is how the people responsible refuse to explain themselves so we're forced to make assumptions about their identity and motives.

But moving on, it doesn't matter how many paragraphs someone writes defending them, what the whole thing boils down to is the question "why is the word 'Derp' considered offensive?", I've never heard it used in a hateful manner, it's generally considered around the same level of obscenity as the word "dumb". Anyone who recognizes the word would know that.

And my question remains, how is it relevant to someone who wouldn't? Anyone savvy enough to recognize that the word "Derp" even has a meaning would presumably also be aware of it's use. The fact is, it's not a word used much if at all outside the confines of the internet, so the ones who take offense must be people within the culture who do understand the internet at large.

I very much doubt Hasbro was receiving angry letters from any real angry parents, I know the type, if none of them complained when Pinkie made a "Spike the punch" joke, they wouldn't even know the name Derpy had an ounce of relevance. And I know there are people on the internet who'll take offense to trivial things if it means they can control what other people watch.

@verbose
Oops, I didnt mean you were whining. Hell, I didn't read that post haha. I have no idea what you were talking about! For all I know, it could be a clopfic…

@Giga
Wasn't there a half page long paragraph in there explaining that the word "derp" has an inherent sound that likens it to an offensive steryotype?

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I LEAVE THE THREAD FOR 2 DAYS AND NOW I DON'T WHATS GOING ON AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

It was a clopfic.

I came marshmallows everywhere after reading it.

@My earlier post.

LOL

Well somebody better tell Matt and Trey then cause it's all over this video.

Bitch, I came marshmallows and then used them for my hot cocoa after reading verboses clopfic! Top that.
Also, why are you loling at your last post? Do explain

But that leads into my second point from before where once you get through that absurdly weak connections how is it relevant enough to take seriously? The work kumquat sounds vaguely dirty, should we complain to Hasbro about it and make them change another scene from that episode?

Yes, if you can rally enough people together to complain about one specific thing you can probably make Hasbro cave and change it because they are incredibly sensitive about their public image. But that doesn't mean the cause warrants defending, it's simply angry people controlling a company through intimidation.

What no one has provided us with is some kind of solid association between the word "derp" and hateful stereotypes.

I'm tired of talking about Derpy.

90% of what's being said is stuff that's already been said several times. Fuck your shit, this thread is now about fanart and fan music.

But first, one quick thing. There was a mention of ME3 earlier. Is there a thread for that? I'd love to discuss that, but this doesn't seem like the place.

That looks amazing. Is that a humanized Celestia with an arm cannon?

Oh man, that's great. Best reference ever (the picture itself, not the caption).


I discovered a YouTube channel last night with some cool pony music on it, named NickThePunkRockPony. He's only got 6 videos so far, but they are wonderful.

Here's an instrumental version of At The Gala:


Here's an original creation, Rainbow Dash's theme:

(Major props to you if you recognize the shout-out in the song)

And here's another original creation, Discord's theme:

(Once again… shout-out)

FOR SCIENCE indeed! I'm glad to hear that you got so many responses to your survey, Verbose. Best of luck to you in sorting out the data!

It was a screencap of Firefox derping on me (WHOOPS Now people are offended. Derpity-derp) and giving me a blank screen. So to poke fun, I said it was Verbs' fault. Then the picture derped thereby causing moar derp which one could interpret as Verbs breaking KYM. (even though all of us know, KYM lieks to eat random pictures)

tl;dr someone haz derped.

How dare you say derp you insensitive prick! I'm pretty sure someone in my family was diagnosed with a severe case of derp ( derpadrical syndrome) and here you are saying it wily nily. You should be ashamed of yourself….

Be careful what you say, someone will censor your post since you used the word derp several times.

Yes, I am still annoyed, I think once I'm done with the birthday party I have to go through, I'm going to go into DR2: OTR and kill things in Sandbox mode to take out some frustrations.

verbose, what the hell was that

@dravitar
Thanks man.

@CommanderNeeded
Aw, that's too bad. Don't worry, though, I'm more of a lurker so you won't see me too often. And I'm not really all that serious with my RP shtick.

Sweet pony pantheon, that is some impressive teal deering.

So, Fluttershy, eh?

She be my favoured equine, because aborable, and I'm quite a bit like her (shy introvert who likes animals, though I'm not terribly timid and have a tendency to act in a very unkind manner when provoked).

I've seen you folks often say she's got little personality. Well, yeah, I suppose that's true, but seriously now, you're expecting the least social of the bunch to openly display all her stuff? As they say, still waters run deep. There's certainly plenty of hints that there's quite a bit going on under the meek surface (fashion sense out of nowhere, threaten her friends and suffer, flutterrage…)

Now these next few episodes are probably gonna explore her a bit more throughly, given that they're primarily focused on her confidence issues rather than an epic quest or the troubles of caring for mythical beasts. So I think that there's something of a positive thing, no? We fans get more of Flutters and you doubters get that character development you've been hankering after. Sounds like a textbook win-win to me.

Haha, I just realized that my post at the very top of the page is about reading being too boring.

I started typing it, left for like 15-20min and then posted. In the meantime Verbose wrote his long posts so.

So it appears as if I said TL;DR at his posts. I was still talking about Rainbow Dash reading when I
typed that. lol

@ Twins below:

Link pls? Whats going on?

Lulz. The photo I posted with Bronies as the police and Hasbro as JB getting shot got -10 karma. Perhaps some context would have been nice.

Well, time to post a bunch of pictures to get my karma back.

What no one has provided us with is some kind of solid association between the word “derp” and hateful stereotypes.

• "Derp" innately sounds like it's mimicking a sound made by some of the mentally handicapped.
• People use it to insult those people to intentionally feel bad.
• Those insults are hateful on the basis of perceived and internalized identity. You'd be insulting them because of a part of who they are and can't change if they wanted to.

• "Faggot" is used to insult gay people. And it doesn't even relate to gay people innately like the sound of derp and its variants. Even if it doesn't mean anything online (much like "derp")
• People IRL use it to make gay people feel bad.
• Those insults are hateful on the basis of perceived and internalized identity. You'd be insulting them because of a part of who they are and can't change even if they wanted to.

If you're still calling it an absurdly weak connection, then you're calling "faggot" even weaker, because it isn't inherently insulting like "derp."

I can't say it any more concisely or simply. So I have to leave that discussion, because I've failed in my articulation. I won't say anything else on it.

So there's the yellow pony, right?
 
 
I hope she's portrayed more like Flutterbrute than Psychoshy from Best Night Ever for the Putting Your Hoof Down episode (Although it would be nice to hear Fluttershy demand love again.) I get the feeling like it's going to be something of a realization of power as opposed to hate based on frustration and angst based on inability.

Actually, I see Derpy as sort of an endearing name. I mean, sure, it may sound innately condescending, but the way the fandom uses it is extremely positive.

In fact, despite all the notions of "Derpy is offensive to mentally lacking people!" she's not, because even if she's a bit slow and clumsy, she is still one of the most popular characters on the show.

Sort of like how gay people made "queer" and black people made "nigga" positive. Except derp was never that offensive to start with.

Parents these days.

Anyone who visits anything around Memebase or KYM knows what Derp means. At least what it was made out to be on the Cheezburger® network.

The rest of the people don't know.

And that is the problem.

Anyone offended needs to go to the 'internet education center'.

@Verbose

That was tl;dr worthy of legends. Even in a thousand years, our ancestors will still recount the tale of the Great Teal Deer.

Seriously though, that was one hell of a post. I agree with just about all of it too (An added bonus is that for once I actually can give somebody more than 1 krama for a single post). I don't understand why everyone thinks 'derp' isn't supposed to be insulting to handicapped people. It seems pretty obvious to me that the term was supposed to sound like a noise a mentally handicapped person would make.

Brownmane wrote: (dammit, why didn't I think of a cool name like that?)

I’m looking forward to conversing with you fine folk.

Right back at you. You sound like you'll fit right in here. Cite even said he's going to hate you, and he already hates all of us, so you're already making some progress. We should be starting SynchTube within the next half an hour or so, and that'll be a great way for you to get to know everyone. Feel free to join as soon as someone posts a link.

verbose means incredibly wordy

Am I the only one who woke up today thinking there was a new episode only to be kicked in the nuts by reality?

@Verbose
Oh come on, leaving in the middle of a discussion isn't very sporting, it's kinda disrespectful too. Don't get me confused with some mindless internet rage machine, I'm perfectly capable of accepting defeat, but you have to answer my questions.

Like why are you comparing "derp" to the word "f*ggot" (yes I have to censor myself), they are nothing alike. The ladder already has a reputation as a hateful slur, the former is practically brand new.

People use it to insult those people to intentionally feel bad.

Seriously? This is where you lose me, I don't see this, I've never seen this, and this is the internet where nearly every obscenity is commonplace and prejudice of every kind is on display.

If you don't want us to keep bothering the thread with this then you can PM me, but I have too much respect for you to see you just give this discussion up. And yes it is a discussion on the nature of obscenities and offense, not an argument. I'm not angry, I just want to know where you're coming from.

Oh, there was a huge argument? Again? Come on, really now, it was bad enough yesterday with the 2 arguments going on at the same time (pages 13&14, I'd rather not go there if I were you).

Well, I'd rather not start it again, so HOW THE HELL DOES VERBOSE'S TL;DR ONLY HAVE +2?

Follow me into the shitstorm bunker, twins. Its the only way not to go insane.

Well, I wish I could contribute more to the derp argument civil discussion, but pretty muh all that could be said for both sides has been said. Sooooooo back to randomness!

@Brownmane

Welcome to the forum! Nice to see someone arguing for Flutters, usually it's just people cough verbose cough bashing her into oblivion (no, not the elder scrolls one) and back. Also don't mind cite, he hates alot of things. One more thing, commanderneeded = cite/citation. One more thing! /Uncle Try to post outside pony general, it's pretty fun around here (just minimize ponies, flamewars tend to ensue…)

Hey, I'm no fan of wrestling, but

Oh god lol

i noticed that while reading/watching bronies.memebase.com

My brother brought up an interesting thought:

Who was the voice actor for the new voice of Derpy.

Because I feel terrible about how that woman must feel. She thought that Derpy was a guy, and voiced her as such. Later to discover that Derpy isn't a guy. And then the voice was changed due to trolls or w/e.

Imagine that: voice acting, doing it wrong, yet super-cute and then discovering u did it wrong AND having it altered.

I was kinda hoping someone else would do this, but whatever:

SynchTube Room is now open. Come for the ponies, stay for the random banter

(Not sure if 'Dash is a lesbian' joke…)

Edit: I know I just started it, but I won't be there for the first five minutes or so. I'll be back very soon, promise!
Edit2: I'm back, but why is nobody else here?

And I will not pull any card because you shouldn't ever have to. If you do it shows your character and that you fall on to it like a crutch.
here is your flaw though……. Spanish. it's just a color that's not a derogatory term in Spanish.
azul -- blue
blanco -- white
dorado -- golden
gris -- gray
marrón -- brown
negro -- black
púrpura -- purple
rojo -- red
rosado -- pink
verde -- green

But I do know what you are saying and I agree with you most of the time

Derpy was voiced by Rarity's voice actor, and honestly, I think I'm more irritated by the half assed voice acting then anything…though underping her eyes and not calling her by name still irritates me very much, and nothing no one can say can change that.

…however, the fact that there is another Fluttershy episode helps…a little.

Ok, seems I've caused a massive discussion here by posting that news, so I'd like to appologize.

I also calmed myself down and said to myself "Well, let's see the bright said then:"

And once again, Faust gave her two cents about the issue

@Greg
Well at this point I think most of us have moved on from Faust leaving the show, and we're (thankfully) treating her as less of an all-powerful pony deity now. So I don't really expect too many people to bother her about these things anymore.

But ya can't blame her for expecting us.

WHY!

Might as well make big mac say "My nipples are hard" while you are at it.