I'm really hoping season two fleshes out earth pony "magic" a bit more, because in the current state, these poor creatures really did get the short end of the stick.
Maybe their secret talent is actually 4th wall breaking like Pinkie Pie? Has she unlocked some hidden earth pony potential?
There's this great fan-theory that while all unicorns can use telekinesis, earthponies and pegasi use a very limited form of that known as "tactile kinesis", which means they can lift objects, but only while touching them. This is because keratin is an excellent conductor of magic (hooves and pegasi feathers are made of keratin, and unicorn horns are keratin with a bone base).
This explains why ponies sometimes seem to "hold" things with their hooves and why Applejack can grab things (like rope) with her tail (a friend of mine came up with the groan-inducing pun "tail-o-kinesis"). This also infers that unicorn horn can grow back, but very, very slowly, and only if the bone core remains unbroken.
Also, read "Midnight Run" by Midnight Shadow: http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/06/story-midnight-run.html
Pinkie Pie seems to be made of plastic, or maybe rubber, in that second comic. It's almost like looking at a sentient inflatable Pinkie Pie...I now want an inflatable Pinkie.
You're darn RIGHT I won't be happy, Pinkie! Let's get to work!
Also, yeah, #1 definitely raises the very good point that there's an awful lot of pre-made stuff that the ponies use whose origins never get explained. For example, when AJ's using a lasso... who in the world tied it in the circle?
I think Earth Pony Magic is twofold. First off, they're really strong and durable. I think Rainbow Dash is at the positive peak of Pegasus Pony potential, whereas Applejack is merely 'notable' by Earth Pony standards. Secondly, I think they're connected to the land to the point that things won't GROW for other ponies. If Canterlot had to grow its own food, it'd have a lean year for sure! And forget about growing *anything* in Cloudsdale! They'd starve outright.
If a unicorn or a pegasus does want to garden, they have to do it in predominantly earth-pony areas so as to benefit from the magic (and probably on occasional the outright assistance) of earth ponies.
Looking at it this way, the earth ponies and the pegasus ponies are the land and the air. Unicorns have an innate connection to magic. Think of them as being three elements. Earth - air - magic.
(Not that it's immediately relevant, but presumably Princess Celestia and Princess Luna would be good at gardening if they cared to garden.)
1. hohoho 2. HOHOHO Seth, what do you mean Earth Ponies got the short end of the stick? Their physical strength surpasses Pegasi and Unicorns, so they're even.
AND 4TH WALL BREAKING IS OWNED BY PINKIE EXCLUSIVELY
2-Greater strength and endurance, possibly durability as well.
3-Versatility. Earth Ponies seem to be able to fit into nearly any role in pony society with ease. While most unicorns (especially in fanon) seem to be magicians of some kind, and nearly all pegasi in both canon and fanon are weather ponies (Cloudsdale anyone?) Earth Ponies have been seen in a huge number of jobs, not just farming. The whole fashion industry seems to be run by Earth Ponies. The social elite of Manehattan are all Earth Ponies (with unicorn butlers!) Earth ponies are the ones out there colonizing the western frontier. Health care in Ponyville is handled by Earth Ponies, as is the spa. Earth ponies run literally all of Ponyville's Quill and Sofa stores. And of course, the mayor of Ponyville is an Earth pony too.
Unicorns and Pegasi are powerful, but their power limits what they can do in life. Earth Ponies have the power of POSSIBILITY.
How managed to grow rock like it was nothing!? How are the best musicians performing for the princess herself in the grad galloping gala!? How wrapped up the very first winter!? How conquered the Wild West in merely 1 year!? How doesn’t need witchcraft to get things done!?
Special power for earth ponies? Hmmm...Nah. I'm fine with what the fanbase has given them, being the strongest among ponies.
Look at Applejack and the Applebuck season. How much energy does it require to keep bucking trees for days with minimal or no sleep at all?!
Or Pinkie Pie. That pony is jumping all day. Have you ever tried jumping all day? It's friggin exhausting, and she doesn't even break a sweat! Not to mention she can keep up with RainbowDash.
I tell ya, these ponies are stronger than they look. I also reckon they are way more dexterous than unicorns, given they can only use their hooves and mouth to solve problems.
Earth ponies and what they can and can't do and whether they have stuff that puts them on an equal level with Unicorns and Pegasi seems to be a big debate in this fandom.
@Anonymous I believe it is nothing of strange actually. We are who we are, we live on this planet, and in this society and we can't change its influence on us. What am I talking about? Equality.
Equal rights, the removal of all discrimination has been of outmost priority in our culture for a long time now and still is. A pressing matter and subject of many political and legal debates, campaigns. It appears in many books and stories aswell, in our everyday lives. Of course, not as a main subject, more like sidenotes, but it is there. We can't help it, it is embedded into our thinking by now, not that it would be a bad thing.
So, we are given the pony society, with 3 different races. In human history that difference alone was enough to wage wars. Now given that these 3 pony races have different strengths, is another ground for speculations. With are sinful and corrupted minds, it is not difficult to imagine that in such a world there would be a hierarchy among the races. Given magic users have the greatest potential, flyers are in control of the weather and have supreme dominance in the sky it is possible for earth ponies to be considered as the lowest race.
//Let's not discuss the alicorns, The Royal Pony sisters are pretty much godlike creatures and noone questions their supremacy.//
That would surely happen in a human-like world, I don't think anyone would doubt that.
However, this is Equestria. I like to assume ponies have such good inherent nature they are simply above these questions. One pony might think he/she is better because of her talents and skills, but not because of her race.
Prince Blueblood is just a flankhole. I believe there could be some collison between nobility and common ponyfolks, but I think it's not powered by a legal background i.e. nobles have more rights and so on.
Anyways, my two cents. I think it's completely normal that the fandom is itnerested in the topic, I presume any other fandom or group would be.
P.S: Yes I am putting way too much thought into a cartoon.
57 comments:
...And then Applejack's teeth fell out.
ReplyDeleteThe End.
Snouts are a bit short and odd looking in the second one. Plus the punchline just... isn't really very punchy. =/
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a job for:
ReplyDeleteEQUESTRIAN INNOVATIONS SELF-ADHESIVE DEVICE!
Now available in bubblegum flavor!
as long as they're not... the cupcakes... I want to help pinkie pie!
ReplyDeleteFor Fluttershy everypony!
It looks like Pinkie Pie *put on shades* Just went Pro Status
ReplyDeleteYEEEEEAAAAAAAAA
I'd like to believe that toothbrushes are mounted onto walls next to the sink. Works for Pegasai as well.
ReplyDeleteinb4 Rocky and Mr. Turnip in comic 2
ReplyDeleteEarth Ponies got that passive magic going for them >_>
ReplyDeleteBut damn, that sucks.
Also, loved the second one.
Gecko hooves, I tell you. It’s the only possible explanation.
ReplyDelete—Dave Bryant
Oh wow, both of those are great!
ReplyDeleteAnd the contrast in art style just proves that if you work it right then any style can do great!
Um, why is AJ's bathroom in the barn?
ReplyDeleteThat explains Colgate's presence. She provides constant maintenance of everypony's teeth in Ponyville. Probably makes a killing, too.
ReplyDeleteThere's this great fan-theory that while all unicorns can use telekinesis, earthponies and pegasi use a very limited form of that known as "tactile kinesis", which means they can lift objects, but only while touching them. This is because keratin is an excellent conductor of magic (hooves and pegasi feathers are made of keratin, and unicorn horns are keratin with a bone base).
ReplyDeleteThis explains why ponies sometimes seem to "hold" things with their hooves and why Applejack can grab things (like rope) with her tail (a friend of mine came up with the groan-inducing pun "tail-o-kinesis"). This also infers that unicorn horn can grow back, but very, very slowly, and only if the bone core remains unbroken.
Also, read "Midnight Run" by Midnight Shadow: http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/06/story-midnight-run.html
here goes a dozen of cupcakes!!!
ReplyDelete:D
poor applejack D:
Pinkie Pie seems to be made of plastic, or maybe rubber, in that second comic. It's almost like looking at a sentient inflatable Pinkie Pie...I now want an inflatable Pinkie.
ReplyDeletelet me guess: the radishes are making the frosting.
ReplyDeleteYou're darn RIGHT I won't be happy, Pinkie! Let's get to work!
ReplyDeleteAlso, yeah, #1 definitely raises the very good point that there's an awful lot of pre-made stuff that the ponies use whose origins never get explained. For example, when AJ's using a lasso... who in the world tied it in the circle?
Pinkie Pie's baking 400 cupcakes. That's as many as four hundreds and that's...amazing actually now that I think about it.
ReplyDeleteScrew the theories, everypony rub yer teeth on that there toothpaste pony.
ReplyDeleteAppleJack has the magical power... OF FARMING!
ReplyDelete400 cupcakes?? what is FS up to??
ReplyDeletefirst one, I lol'ed..
That night, 400 ponies had gone missing in Ponyville.
ReplyDelete...why am I thinking this stuff?!
Madame Leflour is suspiciously absent from that comic... What did Pinkie say she was making?
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteThat's crazy!
I'm sure you could get about 6-12 cupcakes out of a pony. So really only 67-34 ponies missing.
Also, curse you for making me think about this.
This looks like a job for:
ReplyDeleteEQUESTRIAN INNOVATIONS SELF-ADHESIVE DEVICE!
Now available in strawberry flavor!
Trollface: Problem?
Earth pony sinks have extra indentations on either side of the sink with a small bump in the center to put the tooth brush on.
ReplyDeleteAll pony sinks include a holder that can hold the tooth brush and also spray it with water to clean and/or rinse it.
I think Earth Pony Magic is twofold. First off, they're really strong and durable. I think Rainbow Dash is at the positive peak of Pegasus Pony potential, whereas Applejack is merely 'notable' by Earth Pony standards. Secondly, I think they're connected to the land to the point that things won't GROW for other ponies. If Canterlot had to grow its own food, it'd have a lean year for sure! And forget about growing *anything* in Cloudsdale! They'd starve outright.
ReplyDeleteIf a unicorn or a pegasus does want to garden, they have to do it in predominantly earth-pony areas so as to benefit from the magic (and probably on occasional the outright assistance) of earth ponies.
Looking at it this way, the earth ponies and the pegasus ponies are the land and the air. Unicorns have an innate connection to magic. Think of them as being three elements. Earth - air - magic.
(Not that it's immediately relevant, but presumably Princess Celestia and Princess Luna would be good at gardening if they cared to garden.)
1. hohoho
ReplyDelete2. HOHOHO
Seth, what do you mean Earth Ponies got the short end of the stick? Their physical strength surpasses Pegasi and Unicorns, so they're even.
AND 4TH WALL BREAKING IS OWNED BY PINKIE EXCLUSIVELY
I prefer to adopt the Jetfire theory about earth pony magic. Earth ponies are Unbreakable.
ReplyDelete...seriously, just finished 'Its Dangerous Business, Going Out Your Door' today, and have never been more blown away.
I wish Lauren would read it and make semi-canon... I wanna see AJ stand firm...
Earth Ponies have three things going for them:
ReplyDelete1-Earth affinity
2-Greater strength and endurance, possibly durability as well.
3-Versatility. Earth Ponies seem to be able to fit into nearly any role in pony society with ease. While most unicorns (especially in fanon) seem to be magicians of some kind, and nearly all pegasi in both canon and fanon are weather ponies (Cloudsdale anyone?) Earth Ponies have been seen in a huge number of jobs, not just farming. The whole fashion industry seems to be run by Earth Ponies. The social elite of Manehattan are all Earth Ponies (with unicorn butlers!) Earth ponies are the ones out there colonizing the western frontier. Health care in Ponyville is handled by Earth Ponies, as is the spa. Earth ponies run literally all of Ponyville's Quill and Sofa stores. And of course, the mayor of Ponyville is an Earth pony too.
Unicorns and Pegasi are powerful, but their power limits what they can do in life. Earth Ponies have the power of POSSIBILITY.
That first comic, lmao! Hah, aww, poor AJ. She's going to get so many cavities. :(
ReplyDeleteAhh, Pinkie pointing at all of us! At least pretend the wall in there Pinkie. lol Also, I concur. This needs more Madame LeFlour.
@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteI facehoofed at tailokinesis.
Hahaheeheeho...
ReplyDeleteCute.
Ah'r bathroom's in thuh barn because we live in it. All thuh apples go in thuh silos or straight tuh market.
ReplyDeletePinkie's a unicorn. It's just that her horn is an innie.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteTailokinesis is genius! I could groan, but I'd rather give you two hooves up!
Don't worry, Pinkie! Rocky's totally got this.
ReplyDeleteYou know, earth ponies sometimes remind me of Hunter: The Vigil players (for those of you that get the reference)
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteYou said it, son!
Make those earth ponies proud of who they are!
if you want to see Earth Pony Magic, watch Look Before you Sleep. Keep your eye on Daisy in the background...
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteMy god Daisy lifted that stick up
How managed to grow rock like it was nothing!? How are the best musicians performing for the princess herself in the grad galloping gala!? How wrapped up the very first winter!? How conquered the Wild West in merely 1 year!? How doesn’t need witchcraft to get things done!?
ReplyDeleteThe earth-bucking-ponies!!!!
Well... shoot, better get my baking utensils then.
ReplyDelete@Atiarotias
ReplyDeleteShe used the power of staring angrily at an object!
Pinkie Pie is going to have to use here utensil-kinesis in that second one.
ReplyDeleteI mean, four hundred cupcakes?! That's like forty tens!
--
Sotha is in complete support of tactile kinesis. And the whole earth ponies not being constrained by specific powers.
Special power for earth ponies?
ReplyDeleteHmmm...Nah. I'm fine with what the fanbase has given them, being the strongest among ponies.
Look at Applejack and the Applebuck season. How much energy does it require to keep bucking trees for days with minimal or no sleep at all?!
Or Pinkie Pie. That pony is jumping all day. Have you ever tried jumping all day? It's friggin exhausting, and she doesn't even break a sweat!
Not to mention she can keep up with RainbowDash.
I tell ya, these ponies are stronger than they look.
I also reckon they are way more dexterous than unicorns, given they can only use their hooves and mouth to solve problems.
Is it just me, or did Pinkie Pie just totally chanelled Gordon Gecko in the second comic strip?
ReplyDeleteEarth ponies and what they can and can't do and whether they have stuff that puts them on an equal level with Unicorns and Pegasi seems to be a big debate in this fandom.
ReplyDelete#2 She can offialy break the 4th wall!
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteI believe it is nothing of strange actually.
We are who we are, we live on this planet, and in this society and we can't change its influence on us.
What am I talking about? Equality.
Equal rights, the removal of all discrimination has been of outmost priority in our culture for a long time now and still is. A pressing matter and subject of many political and legal debates, campaigns.
It appears in many books and stories aswell, in our everyday lives. Of course, not as a main subject, more like sidenotes, but it is there.
We can't help it, it is embedded into our thinking by now, not that it would be a bad thing.
So, we are given the pony society, with 3 different races. In human history that difference alone was enough to wage wars.
Now given that these 3 pony races have different strengths, is another ground for speculations.
With are sinful and corrupted minds, it is not difficult to imagine that in such a world there would be a hierarchy among the races. Given magic users have the greatest potential, flyers are in control of the weather and have supreme dominance in the sky it is possible for earth ponies to be considered as the lowest race.
//Let's not discuss the alicorns, The Royal Pony sisters are pretty much godlike creatures and noone questions their supremacy.//
That would surely happen in a human-like world, I don't think anyone would doubt that.
However, this is Equestria. I like to assume ponies have such good inherent nature they are simply above these questions. One pony might think he/she is better because of her talents and skills, but not because of her race.
Prince Blueblood is just a flankhole. I believe there could be some collison between nobility and common ponyfolks, but I think it's not powered by a legal background i.e. nobles have more rights and so on.
Anyways, my two cents. I think it's completely normal that the fandom is itnerested in the topic, I presume any other fandom or group would be.
P.S: Yes I am putting way too much thought into a cartoon.
Pinkie Pie breaks the 4th wall even in comics.
ReplyDeleteOH MY CELESTIA! OK! OK! I'M SORRY!! I'LL MAKE THE CUPCAKES! PLEASE MA'AM! JUST DON'T HURT ME!!!
ReplyDeleteOH GOD, MUST MAKE FLUTTERSHY HAPPY!
ReplyDeleteIf ponies are some how dexterous enough to play the piano, I'm sure that toothbrushing isn't beyond them.
ReplyDeleteThats too funny
ReplyDeleteOK get me the flower and milk and stuffz and we are ready YEAH :D
ReplyDeleteI always thought they had gecko hooves.
ReplyDelete