Bronies are just men appreciating creativity

Bronies are just men appreciating creativity

Who'd be a brony? I mean, men who love My Little Pony. Weird, right?

So our feature on the local Brony community may raise an eyebrow or two.

Those same eyebrows were probably raised last year after The New Paper on Sunday featured Mr Jian Yang, 33, who owns one of the largest collections of Barbie dolls in the world.

But don't be so quick to look down on these enthusiasts - they're just showing an appreciation for someone else's creativity.

It's just that there is the perception of age- and gender-restriction around them.

Last weekend, I went to watch the brilliant Steve Wiltshire as he neared completion of his from-memory drawing of the Marina Bay Skyline.

For some reason, I didn't think such a thing would be that big a draw. I was very pleased to be proved wrong.

Considering how low creativity and art seem to be on the grown-up agenda, it was fantastic to see such a large crowd.

I can only hope that some were inspired to pick up a pencil.

But outside of "proper art", people are ever ready to pour scorn on pop culture, especially when it's for the kids.

While you can dismiss something like Sesame Street as nonsense, it's a very inspired form of nonsense.

Watch it without treating it as a kiddie show and there's an amazing amount of talent on display in every scene, from voice talent to puppetry to the script.

Of course, some of those most likely to look down on pop-culture - from a particularly snooty height - are those into other forms of pop culture.

Someone could be the biggest Star Wars fan, have all the toys, possibly even dress as a character.

But then, if someone else comes along and says he likes Star Trek, for example, the Star Wars fan would brand him as a nerd. Hierarchy exists everywhere.

There has been a trend of adults getting into supposedly childish things.

More adults (usually men) are buying toys for themselves, some of which tend to be associated with little girls.

So raise those eyebrows if you want.

Just as long as it's to show amazement at how passionate some are for the creativity of others - no matter how unusual.


This article was first published on July 27, 2014.
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