>>10401
> they also did this while providing a character who is an example of a braggart and show off in a negative sense (beyond the point of being a mere charming sometimes flaw like with Rainbow Dash) I think is very clever and gives a balance that maybe is lacking in our current era of online hype culture.
having that juxtaposition to hammer home the lesson is a very neatly efficient use of the episode's runtime and characters, and I appreciate that from a writing point of view and that this was almost certainly the entire intention with creating Trixie, but I can't help but also think that Trixie is the sort of person Twilight could have ended up as if she let beating Nightmare Moon get to her head. Part of why knowing just how much she relied on her friends to win back in the first two episodes is so important, I suppose.
> I disagree with the issues some had with Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity challenging Trixie. Trixie directly invited them to it and acted pretty antagonistic.
It seems like Trixie's standard act is to provoke audience naysayers and critics into challenging her directly to immediately defuse heckling and play up her power and prestige. It may possibly make more sense logically speaking for some more suited pony characters for that role to challenge Trixie, but since the whole conflict is centered around how Twilight's friend's feelings towards Trixie makes Twilight afraid of being seen like Trixie, it doesn't really make sense to skip out on our main characters interacting with Trixie, and this specific interaction serves to establish Trixie's quirks and personality too. It's again that sort of efficient, shortest-path method of achieving what the episode wants to get across that I think is on full display here and I find very admirable. We talked about how episode 5 kinda dilly-dallied a bit before introducing Gilda and it felt like the episode could have been a better-oiled machine, well this episode is run like a tight ship in comparison I'd say. Virtually no wasted space.
>Twilight Sparkle quietly pleaded this after she removed the Ursa Minor from the town. Rationally, as a adult, this monster was threatening the town and actual lives, at least to some extent. Of course her friends wouldn’t hate her for this and it is almost absurd for her to think otherwise.
It's possible Twilight had taken Trixie's initial claim of vanquishing an Ursa Major more seriously than the others and misinterpreted their skeptical reactions as ingratitude, or maybe she thought the townspeople wouldn't understand the threat an Ursa Minor presented... It is still a weird line though.
>Still, I like to think of this from an in-universe perspective as well.
Ponies clearly strongly value maintaining a very innocent, peaceful and sheltered society, which I think is an explanation I prefer to the specific mental maturity of the specific characters idea. Plus ponies are particularly conflict-averse as a species, something which can make them seem childish to a warrior species like ourselves where even simple debates are seen as a kind of contest of wills - like, a pony's reaction to adversity is never going to be that they've gotta toughen up or tough it out as is the adult norm among humans, with few exceptions ponies just seek safety the way human children do. That's part of why they're good for imparting lessons to children, because they grow emotional intelligence and maturity in their childlike adulthood rather than emotional callouses and numbness like human adults do.

>>10401
>This episode is 8/10. Solid/Great!!!!! This is my favorite episode of this season so far.
I can certainly understand that. For me it had that "bigger" feeling the first two episodes had as well, but I think that may be down to the persistent misinterpretations my brain loves to make as I rewatch, even though the more slice-of-lifey stuff reminds me more of what it was like before this show had the significance both of personal connection and of the epic fantasy scale of the story towards the end. In particular I think this episode fed into that feeling for me because it returns to Twilight as *main* character. She's definitely our audience surrogate, but we have other viewpoint characters and the story's never just about her, it's an ensemble cast right to the end. But this is the first of my mind's automatic misinterpretation: Twilight as the central figure of the story, and the overall arc of the entire show as being about Twilight and her journey and growth. The second misinterpretation is of the show as a cohesive narrative from beginning to end - this is easily logically picked apart but particularly when Twilight's on screen I keep finding myself reading her in context of foreshadowing and future events even though very little was really planned beyond the realm of a given episode's season. I'm sure it'd still be up there in enjoyability for me but I recognise my weird brain biases me since it applies more significance to Twilight-centric episodes than is actually there.
>>10402
>Just the whole internet I feel there is a lot of... negativity sometimes, with overly affirmational and blindly positive even if I dislike those who want to bring back bullying and shaming behavior.
The internet at large is what I'd describe as "hauntingly hollow". The fact you can get a chatbot to scrape the internet and spit out an opinion is particularly weird, it gives the internet at large a personality and the dominance of social media and self-censoring corporate speak in all the trash shoved online so massively outnumbers everything weird, awful or wonderful elsewhere on the internet that you get this sensation as though the whole world or the inner thoughts of others are made up of this bland, emotionless, corporate robot view of reality where everybody is equally rational and has equal access to the facts, except for the crazies. Especially when the internet makes up the majority of your daily experiences, as it does for me, it feels like the sterile soullessness can surround you until you wonder if you're the last receptacle of thoughts and feelings left.
>>10404
>And 25 is a lot of spells by pony standards it seems. What counts as a spell, considering that, Rarity created the gold parts of that dress from thin air seemingly. Is that a separate conjuring spell? Or is it some sort of single spell related to her special talent?
Perhaps given how unicorns often use their magic like a pair of hands, lifting and manipulating objects casually and with little thought given to it, I wonder if to unicorns, a 'spell' can be articulated in so many different ways that it essentially operates as a whole class of magic, whilst to a more humanoid caster it would have more limited effects. That is the effect I'd imagine from having a wand plugged straight into your brain as like an extra limb, to be honest.
>Didn't get it done for the episode but still happening. It does relate to this episode.
Looking forward to it, but no rush!

Shower thoughts: old guard /b/ronies traditions are well memed but not well preserved or understood by newcomers.

I have fair bit of half finished OC for this board that I ought to dump someday if I don't get around to finishing it.

Rabies.


Uh, I am sorting of writing from a sleep drunk state (I mean in this sense:>>9287). Had a bit of a rough week and this is the first time I have felt my mind somewhat clear in awhile. Cheap content for the board I guess.

>>10420
Wow, I am tired, wrong thread! Eh, oh well I make it work this time.

>>10411
>>10412
>We talked about how episode 5 kinda dilly-dallied a bit before introducing Gilda and it felt like the episode could have been a better-oiled machine, well this episode is run like a tight ship in comparison I'd say. Virtually no wasted space.
I completely agree. Pacing was perfect.

>Ponies clearly strongly value maintaining a very innocent, peaceful and sheltered society, which I think is an explanation I prefer to the specific mental maturity of the specific characters idea. Plus ponies are particularly conflict-averse as a species, something which can make them seem childish to a warrior species like ourselves where even simple debates are seen as a kind of contest of wills - like, a pony's reaction to adversity is never going to be that they've gotta toughen up or tough it out as is the adult norm among humans, with few exceptions ponies just seek safety the way human children do. That's part of why they're good for imparting lessons to children, because they grow emotional intelligence and maturity in their childlike adulthood rather than emotional callouses and numbness like human adults do.
If there is ever a featured hits of /endpone/ this is going in it. I like this articulation nyself. Let's see if my tired mind can put together my thoughts on how I view the show real quick...


I think understanding the intent of writers and artists matters more than a lot of modern culture gives credit too. Like, Faust's going into the show with this mentality does give some context to Twilight's actions here. Though I think the show also can be looked at, and should be looked at through an entirely in universe lens. Not just as a thought exercise.

> The second misinterpretation is of the show as a cohesive narrative from beginning to end - this is easily logically picked apart but particularly when Twilight's on screen I keep finding myself reading her in context of foreshadowing and future events even though very little was really planned beyond the realm of a given episode's season
Think about this for example. You can say that FiM, especially at this time, was just a kids show with no intent to maintain a coherent narrative and world. Yet, Faust had a lot of particular ideas of how the world work and tried to enforce rules. Certain things sometimes were set up or hinted out, maybe not with the level of a high fantasy epic with grand plans but look at Star Trek, I am not just talking about the Original Series. I'd make the bold claim that The average Star Trek show is often more internally inconsistent from season to season and episode to episode than FiM is. If the Trekkies can try to cobble together, rationalize, and theorize everything than so do we and we have greater grounds then they do!

>>10412
>The internet at large is what I'd describe as "hauntingly hollow".
Oh, indeed I get that. For me, my experience with the internet has often been primarily little corners left behind by social media and what little groups that either formed organically or I could carve out myself in "what's left".

>Especially when the internet makes up the majority of your daily experiences, as it does for me, it feels like the sterile soullessness can surround you until you wonder if you're the last receptacle of thoughts and feelings left.
The problem with a lot of the places that are left and at least partly outside of it, they are often just soullessly reacting to the mainstream without having their own soul. Like... if you only speak in a billion wojak memes parodying the soullessness of pop culture, you're part of that souleness and have no spark left yourself.

Speaking of "you're the last receptacle of thoughts and feelings left." I have enjoyed yours! If something ever happens and this board dies and no bunker is built I would like to stay in touch:
https://twibooru.org/profiles/BridgesAndLadders
...though I would understand if you didn't want to. Anon posting as I do. This link up here is my only outside contact point from /endpone/ that I have publicly available at the moment myself.

>>9646
Did the noodles taste good?

In all seriousness, I am trying to recall if I have ever been "tricked" by such a scenario for that long. That doesn't seem too weird but I understand it freaking you out thinking that Rarity had been there, in the flesh, for more than 5 minuets.

Vaguely, something with a arm, like touching me. Reaching out from somewhere. Was trying to lay down and watch Frasier or something. Otherwise nothing. Boring dream that would be spooky if I was a kid. Sorry for the EQG pic if that isn't allowed here. Just posting a arm reaching out.

>>9700
>You'll have to trust us.
>Either you'll sink, or you'll swim.
>Your test begins now.
This and Applejack's presence make me want to suggest that this is the dark and edgy version of Applejack's trial of honesty from Friendship is Magic's premiere episodes! As summarized better by bridgefag (?) >>8895
>Applejack, arguably the weakest and weirdest. Her line, ‘’Now listen here. What I'm sayin' to you is the honest truth. Let go, and you'll be safe.'’ feels... odd. Why couldn’t she just say that Twilight Sparkle would be caught by Fluttershy? Feels more fitting for her to have been the Element of trust, faith, or as I have heard Faust wanted, integrity. Even then, this test felt like they could’ve built something a little better here. She would’ve had no reason to lie here. It doesn’t really show her character other than prove her general competency and being a dependable friend and ally.

>>9700
I had a dream also vaguely involving Applejack. She was a minor presence on these Apple themed greeting cards and in the background while my grandmother was trying to get us passports to go to Hawaii, don't ask me about geopolitical situation...

>some american tough-guy cartoon figure, who was being projected onto a shelf, so it was approximately like when Twilight was a wind-up ballerina figurine in Dolores's room, only it was this guy. Whose image I can't find but anyway.
I legit laughed for some reason at this one.

>(or had already drawn it as I saw AJ; not sure now) and upon realizing I was being set up for an accidental death,
I know that dreams are vague but do you recall who or what force? I mean, it seems that Applejack was only one on your side here.

>>9716
>Sorry for the EQG pic if that isn't allowed here. Just posting a arm reaching out.
It is fine. EQG ain't banned, I just the the board has been neutral indifference for the most part. Or at least that is how I would describe my relationship with EQD anyway.

>As summarized better by bridgefag (?)
Yes, you are correct, that is me.

Still dreaming more normal and IRL stuff. A couple of anons here have even popped up more than once, usually in vague background rolls. My dreams used to be far more surreal and only in the last two to three years have they taken a somewhat "realistic" turn. Despite strong stresses having been a feature for a great deal of my life. I wonder what has brought on this turn. Now, granted, there can still be some pretty surreal things in them, but it hasn't been bizarre viruses spread by song and random elements thrown together as much.

One notable exception: had two rare instance of a lucid dream recently. There was someone that looked grotesque and creepy. I realized I was dreaming. I started to laugh at him and attack him over just switching the scenario to something I wanted. Another time, I don't remember much. Flying in the clouds (?) and I realized it was dreaming and fought hard to not wake up yet.

Interesting /g/ posts which contain the word "stabbed":
https://desuarchive.org/g/thread/31886521/#31887533
>I thought about getting a knife before. Then I realized if you get mugged the second you pull out your knife you turn it into a live or die situation. You can't just cut someones arm and incapacitate them. You pretty much have to slit their throat or cut a major artery. This opens the possibility to you getting shot or stabbed by someone with way more resolve/strength. Pepper spray is a much more effective deterrent than a knife. \\ TLDR: If you carry a knife you're a fucking retard.
https://desuarchive.org/g/thread/95324064/#95325283
>>and the people [in Europe] seem happier and healthier [than those of USA]
>Globalism means we're all eating the same microplastics and seed oils and if you've ever been to Europe they have plenty of fat fucks.
>\ Whatever statistics you're thinking of are leftoid propaganda designed to make you give up the autonomy that a car gives you and pay 40% income tax to pay for the privilege of cramming yourself into a steamy fart-tube of a bus or metro system rat maze like a good little worker drone until you eventually get blown up by a suicide bomber or stabbed in the street by an immigrant. All for the good of the planet of course.

Interesting video game video which reminds me of Russian Roulette:
https://iv.ggtyler.dev/watch?v=zaWPFbX7Q8A
https://iv.ggtyler.dev/watch?v=hGIG6hKEHI0

>>5893
>horsecock
Nice horsecock videos:
https://twibooru.org/1184842
https://twibooru.org/1184343

>>10403
>Buckshot Roulette
That game helps me understand the appeal of gambling. More on that:
. Moronic gamers: Jack https://iv.ggtyler.dev/watch?v=otQtQEeC-lA and Case https://iv.ggtyler.dev/watch?v=9ynISZj0mjw
. Mark https://iv.ggtyler.dev/watch?v=pln0lUgsWsU and Manly https://iv.ggtyler.dev/watch?v=I9DyGcnrMNk
. explained https://iv.ggtyler.dev/watch?v=PWSlfg1V380

>>10407
Image looks grey:
https://endchan.org/.media/95a226dcb69c4acea8b0da4c937dc47b-imagepng.png

Thumbnail image looks black:
https://endchan.org/.media/t_95a226dcb69c4acea8b0da4c937dc47b-imagepng

I like the black/dark grey color over a lighter grey, but must say that the thumbnail isn't a very good representation of the image colorwise.

>>10380
>[Democratic systems, are they any good?]
In the US, a system of representative democracy is used. So elected representatives supposedly do what their constituents want. Sounds OK, but was times under monarchy really that bad? Or is that just Whig History? An obvious criticism of democracy is that no one is really that dedicated or involved in politics. Most voters don't know a lot about politics and economics, so why should their vote matter? Quote from some TV show episode where an absolute democracy is criticized: "I think you're confusing knowledge with opinions." Additionally, politicians themselves aren't that dedicated. Presidents serve for 4 years. Senators and other higher-ranking politicians can have such a position for up to ~50 years. (Higher-ranking politician in the same position for decades is similar to the aristocracy class.) Monarchs on the other hand are supposed to serve and lead for their entire adult life. Makes me think of Putin - maybe he'll still be "president" of Russia when he becomes an old madman with Alzheimer's or dementia (such a corrupt system might enable such weirdness).

The question kinda becomes this: would those with governing power (politicians/aristocrats/monarchs/governors) do politics/ruling/leading/serving/war any better if democracy was not involved. In the book "Democracy, the God that Failed" I think the author argues that the economics of a nation without democracy is better than one with democracy. Or at least other(s) make that argument.

Reject Modernity. Embrace Tradition.

>>10413
*3-hour-long video

>generated image
Warhorse

>post the image you meant to post
Failed again - https://endchan.org/.media/512ed5d8b9933d616145fd477f2bc206-imagepng.png - see that Derpib'u ID.

>>10334
>It is MUCH harder to post or administrate when you're dead.
Or easier, depending on your view of said obligations!

>picking on you for posting after you died would constitute beating a dead horse, wouldn't it?
Unironically lol'd.

>>10355
>Unironically lol'd.

TBH I was reminded recently of the joke as somewhere I came across "DnD Dad" who re-did this scene.
The earlier one, the drow wizard, Red, said to the rest 'yeah whatever I'm going to bed'
>Oh, you're pretty tired?
"By the Spider I just said as much!"
>So ... you're feeling
< PRETTY DROWSY?

Which is almost as funny but not as equine related.

>>10363
>beating a dead horse
>PRETTY DROWSY?
Slightly clever punny humor I am a sucker for.Equine related or not, I can appreciate!

Speaking of drowsy, I am pretty drowsy myself. Hopefully I'll get back here soon as I have a lot of things to post and comment on I also need to touch base with you again. In the meantime. Goodnight /endpone/.

>>10396
Message now sent.

Sexy stallion

I want to definitely say: horse butt does NOT look like this, human butt does (which is what I think ML pulled from). Horse butt does not have the gluteal cleft that humans have; thinking anatomically, it makes sense that humans have that fold/cleft under their butt and horses and ponies don't have that there. See attached image which is not entirely anatomically correct. (Also autocorrect kept making stupid "fixes" to what I typed when tapping out this post: weird/unusual.)

>>10393
Gayi generated

Kinky mares. I came.

>>9695
>I am board

I'm on board with those who are bored!

I didn't finish, but liked the experience of reading Subjunctive - a story about the Changeling invasion of Canterlot but it was all about the proposed differences in how Changeling language works.
Since words can fascinate me, I enjoyed it quite a bit.

I also started in on Project: Sunflower, which about a gal turned into a pony so she could spy on Equestria, since Earth was facing a gray-goo scenario and needed someplace to run to.
The reason I started on that, was I'd offered to critique a piece written in that universe that focused on building the apartment complex that would house the last billion people expected to be alive and retrievable by the time it had been cleared to begin construction.
That title, that I forgot, would only be interesting in you were fascinated by plumbing, and other engineering concerns. I could go either way, and this one didn't grab me since it was focusing on committee meeting drama and miscommunication, rather than the actual engineering of the building.

>>9702
> Subjunctive - a story about the Changeling invasion of Canterlot but it was all about the proposed differences in how Changeling language works. Since words can fascinate me, I enjoyed it quite a bit.
I skimmed through some of it and liked what I saw so far. It looks the kind of thing that I think was looking for: Off the beaten path from the big fics of old I see circlejerked while also not being something that was the reason people circle jerked them (Low tier self inserts and one shots). Thanks!

>I also started in on Project: Sunflower, which about a gal turned into a pony so she could spy on Equestria, since Earth was facing a gray-goo scenario and needed someplace to run to.
Can be interesting, can be not. HiE fics of this sort I don't autohate but have been done to death. I have always liked some of the anons' input around input so I'll give it a shot.

>I could go either way, and this one didn't grab me since it was focusing on committee meeting drama and miscommunication, rather than the actual engineering of the building.
I think this can be summarized as: Why have what happens in slack at work be the driving force of the plot? Plumbing, I known little but I can get engrossed in something if presented interesting enough.

>>9702
>>9733
I've now finished Subjunctive. I feel too low IQ to really get in the nitty gritty details but I did enjoy it and it felt "fresh", compared to the usual stuff I read. I think I am a fan of highly detailed world building that autistically focuses on subtler aspects like that.

>Rainbow Dash: Re-Animator
This was good but just when I was getting into it felt like that it ended abruptly. It isn't too sort a fic but I think it would have benefited from Rainbow Dash and Sweetie Belle having a little more time being partners in crime together.

>>10322
> Subjunctive. I feel too low IQ to really get in the nitty gritty details but I did enjoy it and it felt "fresh", compared to the usual stuff I read.
I have only just barely started to skim it. Will see how hard it is for me to grasp slight but VERY rudimentary interest in linguistics aside.

>I was getting into it felt like that it ended abruptly.
I remember partly thinking that myself, albeit:
>over 50k horse words
I wasn't sure if that was just my own warped sense of pacing from reading so many 100K plus word fics over the years.