Golden Oak Library: My Little Pony Friendship is Magic

[Seshephe]

You just don't make any sense, Wis. Absolutely none.

Look at the air. Do you see ice cream? If the answer is no, then it is not. Look at the show. Do you see roughly equal numbers of males as there are females? If the answer is no, then there are not. This is basic. If X does not equal Y, then X does not equal Y.

Well, I mean, this math isn't really relevant to the question I think. Since we have never seen the full count of populations x and populations y, what we have are only samples z and c, say.
The question then isn't; "Is population x equal to population y?" but; "Given samples z and c what is the probability that population x is greater than population y?" Of course, this question, while more accurate, stil fails to address the question of biased sample distribution (such as would be the result of non random sample selection for example, see mane 6).

Even more problematicaly, we can not establish the size of our samples as it is impossible to verify with any accuracy which background ponies are the same pony. As a result, the probability of counting one pony more than once is very high. One might plausibly correct for this by counting only ponies in a single frame as it should be a reasonable assumption that no pony can be in two places at the same time. However, this will decrease the sample size and increase the likelyhood of selection bias (though selection is of course already non-random).

Then there is of course the problem of ponies that demonstrably can be in several places at once, namely Pinkie Pie.

(Image)

Cute.

Those were some really weird pictures.

[Wisconsin9]

Well then, this is turning out to be a fantastically shitty day.

[Wilgrove]

Well then, this is turning out to be a fantastically shitty day.

What's wrong Wis?

[Wisconsin9]

Well then, this is turning out to be a fantastically shitty day.

What's wrong Wis?

Alarm clock didn't go off, and I missed the bus for the field trip. I was hoping my dad would let me stay home... nope. Told me to grab something to eat and get out. He was already pissed, for whatever reason, and when I asked again he flipped out. I've locked myself in a bathroom in case he got to the point where he was willing to start hitting.

The man's insane. He yells at me, swears at me, gets in my face, hits me if he gets mad enough, tries to piss me off just to piss me off, tries to provoke me into hitting him, threatened to call the cops for abuse, since apparently swearing at someone who's trying to provoke you counts as that... right now he's standing outside the door trying to insult me into responding to him.

It's not usually like this. When he's not angry, he's perfectly fine. Problem is, he and I don't really see eye to eye on much stuff, and when things don't go his way he gets mad fast.

[Wisconsin9]

On the bright side, I've got nine hours to get some of the fanfic backlog out of the way.

[Seshephe]

What's wrong Wis?

Alarm clock didn't go off, and I missed the bus for the field trip. I was hoping my dad would let me stay home... nope. Told me to grab something to eat and get out. He was already pissed, for whatever reason, and when I asked again he flipped out. I've locked myself in a bathroom in case he got to the point where he was willing to start hitting.

The man's insane. He yells at me, swears at me, gets in my face, hits me if he gets mad enough, tries to piss me off just to piss me off, tries to provoke me into hitting him, threatened to call the cops for abuse, since apparently swearing at someone who's trying to provoke you counts as that... right now he's standing outside the door trying to insult me into responding to him.

It's not usually like this. When he's not angry, he's perfectly fine. Problem is, he and I don't really see eye to eye on much stuff, and when things don't go his way he gets mad fast.

I'm so sorry Wis, that's terrible. How old are you? If I was you I'd try to get out of such a destructive relationship/situation as fast as possible. Of course, I realise that isn't exactly easy.

"It's not usually like this. When he's not angry, he's perfectly fine"
That's no excuse for behaving like that. Certainly not for violence.

"threatened to call the cops for abuse, since apparently swearing at someone who's trying to provoke you counts as that...

This is clearly an empty threat, most likely reverse psychology as he's afraid that you will do so.

[Wilgrove]

What's wrong Wis?

Alarm clock didn't go off, and I missed the bus for the field trip. I was hoping my dad would let me stay home... nope. Told me to grab something to eat and get out. He was already pissed, for whatever reason, and when I asked again he flipped out. I've locked myself in a bathroom in case he got to the point where he was willing to start hitting.

The man's insane. He yells at me, swears at me, gets in my face, hits me if he gets mad enough, tries to piss me off just to piss me off, tries to provoke me into hitting him, threatened to call the cops for abuse, since apparently swearing at someone who's trying to provoke you counts as that... right now he's standing outside the door trying to insult me into responding to him.

It's not usually like this. When he's not angry, he's perfectly fine. Problem is, he and I don't really see eye to eye on much stuff, and when things don't go his way he gets mad fast.

Wow....sorry to hear that Wis. IMHO, you need to call the Cops or CPS and get the fuck out that home. :/

[Seshephe]

"From one to another, another to one. A mark of one's destiny singled out alone, fulfilled."

Celestia says that Twilight has done something that no one else has done before. If this is true, how did Celestia, Luna and Cadence become alicorns? Were they born like that (or have they always existed?). Is the process unique in every case?

Starswirl the bearded seems to have failed because he tried to coax cooperation, yet Twilight had to try his spell in order to be able to complete the real one.

Is Celestia lying? Was Starswirl the Bearded the one who figured out how to become an alicorn?
Or did he fail because, while he figured out that there had to be an alicorn like Twilight eventually, and roughly how to become that alicorn, it was not his destiny?

[Xiscapia]

You guys would be so much more chill if you all got really high.

Wait.

Wait.

Wait.

Wis. Bro.

What if I look at the air and I do see ice cream?

Oh Xis.

Never change. <3

I've got no plans to! <3

You guys would be so much more chill if you all got really high.

The wisdom of Xis. Xisdom.

I have plenty of Xisdom as long as I keep listening to the little pony in my head.

What's wrong Wis?

Alarm clock didn't go off, and I missed the bus for the field trip. I was hoping my dad would let me stay home... nope. Told me to grab something to eat and get out. He was already pissed, for whatever reason, and when I asked again he flipped out. I've locked myself in a bathroom in case he got to the point where he was willing to start hitting.

The man's insane. He yells at me, swears at me, gets in my face, hits me if he gets mad enough, tries to piss me off just to piss me off, tries to provoke me into hitting him, threatened to call the cops for abuse, since apparently swearing at someone who's trying to provoke you counts as that... right now he's standing outside the door trying to insult me into responding to him.

It's not usually like this. When he's not angry, he's perfectly fine. Problem is, he and I don't really see eye to eye on much stuff, and when things don't go his way he gets mad fast.

What Sesh and Wil said. Get help, man. That's not a healthy relationship.

[Immoren]

What's wrong Wis?

Alarm clock didn't go off, and I missed the bus for the field trip. I was hoping my dad would let me stay home... nope. Told me to grab something to eat and get out. He was already pissed, for whatever reason, and when I asked again he flipped out. I've locked myself in a bathroom in case he got to the point where he was willing to start hitting.

The man's insane. He yells at me, swears at me, gets in my face, hits me if he gets mad enough, tries to piss me off just to piss me off, tries to provoke me into hitting him, threatened to call the cops for abuse, since apparently swearing at someone who's trying to provoke you counts as that... right now he's standing outside the door trying to insult me into responding to him.

It's not usually like this. When he's not angry, he's perfectly fine. Problem is, he and I don't really see eye to eye on much stuff, and when things don't go his way he gets mad fast.

Poor thing.

"From one to another, another to one. A mark of one's destiny singled out alone, fulfilled."

Celestial says that Twilight has done something that no one else has done before. If this is true, how did Celestia, Luna and Cadence become alicorns? Were they born like that (or have they always existed?). Is the process unique in every case?

Starswirl the bearded seems to have failed because he tried to coax cooperation, yet Twilight had to try his spell in order to be able to complete the real one.

Is Celestial lying? Was Starswirl the Bearded the one who figured out how to become an alicorn?
Did he fail because, while he figured out that there had to be an alicorn like Twilight eventually it was not his destiny?

Plot thickens.

[Seshephe]

Plot thickens.

Can the process be repeated indefinitely given enough friends? What would happen if someone else tried using the spell? Likely nothing because of the uniqueness of Twilights friends as "elements of harmony" (or bearers of or whatever). But what would happen if Rarity tried using the spell?

What if when Twilights friends die some other ponies become bearers of the elements? Can they "make another alicorn"?

[Immoren]

Can they "make another alicorn"?

Yes.

:p

[Seshephe]

Run for your lives!

uhm....

[Immoren]

*Dreamworks face*
Chess
Flutters

Run for your lives!

Hello hot stuff.

[Seshephe]

Also, clearly it either wasn't predetermined who that Alicorn was going to be or Celestia was unable to know with complete certainty which pony it was going to be or it is possible to fail at ones destiny in which case another pony is born with that destiny seeing as how Sunset Shimmer exists.

Or it could be that Celestia sometimes has students that aren't destined to become alicorns.

[Immoren]

Also, clearly it either wasn't predetermined who that Alicorn was going to be or Celestial was unable to know with complete certainty which pony it was going to be or it is possible to fail at ones destiny in which case another pony receives is born with that destiny seeing as how Sunset Shimmer exists.

Twilight Sparkle=Harry Potter
Sunset Shimmer= Evil Neville Longbottom.

[Seshephe]

Also, clearly it either wasn't predetermined who that Alicorn was going to be or Celestia was unable to know with complete certainty which pony it was going to be or it is possible to fail at ones destiny in which case another pony receives is born with that destiny seeing as how Sunset Shimmer exists.

Twilight Sparkle=Harry Potter
Sunset Shimmer= Evil Neville Longbottom.

Also Luna damn it, stupid iPad auto correct

[Magthere]

"From one to another, another to one. A mark of one's destiny singled out alone, fulfilled."

Celestial says that Twilight has done something that no one else has done before. If this is true, how did Celestia, Luna and Cadence become alicorns? Were they born like that (or have they always existed?). Is the process unique in every case?

Starswirl the bearded seems to have failed because he tried to coax cooperation, yet Twilight had to try his spell in order to be able to complete the real one.

Is Celestial lying? Was Starswirl the Bearded the one who figured out how to become an alicorn?
Or did he fail because, while he figured out that there had to be an alicorn like Twilight eventually, and roughly how to become that alicorn, it was not his destiny?

Well According to the book Twilight Sparkle and the Crystal Heart Spell (which having been referenced in the comics means it's canon) Cadance was originally a Pegasus who ascended through her comprehension of love. Twilight was the first to ascend through that particular path, but not the first ascension.

And I think someone mentioned somewhere that Celestia and Luna were always Alicorns, can't remember where I heard that though.

[Wilgrove]

I'm thinking about trying my hoof at drawing ponies, but the last time I tried drawing, I sucked out loud at it.

[Seshephe]

I'm thinking about trying my hoof at drawing ponies, but the last time I tried drawing, I sucked out loud at it.

Go for it! Our society greatly overvalues talent . The reality is that hard work and dedication is worth allot more than some ephemeral talent. Anyone (within reason, obviously people with disabilities may have problems with some activities) can become really good at pretty much anything if you just spend enough time practicing (in a focused manner, 9000 hours is a commonly quote figure to become one of the best in a field and comes from a study on chess I believe). Talent only really helps speed up the process of becoming good and is only really important if you want to become the best in a field.

If all you want to do is to become good, or even great, at something then all you have to do it practice, practice, practice. Practice makes perfect as they (our evil reptilian overlords ) say.

[Wilgrove]

I'm thinking about trying my hoof at drawing ponies, but the last time I tried drawing, I sucked out loud at it.

Go for it! Our society greatly overvalues talent . The reality is that hard work and dedication is worth allot more than some ephemeral talent. Anyone (within reason, obviously people with disabilities may have problems with some activities) can become really good at pretty much anything if you just spend enough time practicing (in a focused manner, 9000 hours is a commonly quote figure to become one of the best in a field and comes from a study on chess I believe). Talent only really helps speed up the process of becoming good and is only really important if you want to become the best in a field.

If all you want to do is to become good, or even great, at something then all you have to do it practice, practice, practice. Practice makes perfect as they (our evil reptilian overlords ) say.

Most of my problems came from drawing the circles, I can't draw circles. They end up looking like oblong ovals.

[Cadonica]

I'm thinking about trying my hoof at drawing ponies, but the last time I tried drawing, I sucked out loud at it.

I need to draw ponies again. I've drawn 2-5 so far, one back in July 2012 and other ones in... early 2013? Can't remember...

[Cadonica]

Go for it! Our society greatly overvalues talent . The reality is that hard work and dedication is worth allot more than some ephemeral talent. Anyone (within reason, obviously people with disabilities may have problems with some activities) can become really good at pretty much anything if you just spend enough time practicing (in a focused manner, 9000 hours is a commonly quote figure to become one of the best in a field and comes from a study on chess I believe). Talent only really helps speed up the process of becoming good and is only really important if you want to become the best in a field.

If all you want to do is to become good, or even great, at something then all you have to do it practice, practice, practice. Practice makes perfect as they (our evil reptilian overlords ) say.

Most of my problems came from drawing the circles, I can't draw circles. They end up looking like oblong ovals.

My biggest problem is the goddamn laziness, 90% of the time I'm too lazy and 10% of the time I find some other excuse for not drawing.

[Seshephe]

Go for it! Our society greatly overvalues talent . The reality is that hard work and dedication is worth allot more than some ephemeral talent. Anyone (within reason, obviously people with disabilities may have problems with some activities) can become really good at pretty much anything if you just spend enough time practicing (in a focused manner, 9000 hours is a commonly quote figure to become one of the best in a field and comes from a study on chess I believe). Talent only really helps speed up the process of becoming good and is only really important if you want to become the best in a field.

If all you want to do is to become good, or even great, at something then all you have to do it practice, practice, practice. Practice makes perfect as they (our evil reptilian overlords ) say.

Most of my problems came from drawing the circles, I can't draw circles. They end up looking like oblong ovals.

Try drawing from the elbow instead of from the wrist. Most people when they try to draw circles will move their wrist in roughly a circular motion. This makes sense for small motions like writing but doesn't work very well for bigger objects such as lines or circles. The reason is that the wrists natural range of motion is limited to quite small movements, especially when drawing circles. Keep your wrist locked steady and move your elbow and shoulder instead. Should give you better results with a little practice.

[Wilgrove]

Most of my problems came from drawing the circles, I can't draw circles. They end up looking like oblong ovals.

Try drawing from the elbow instead of from the wrist. Most people when they try to draw circles will move their wrist in roughly a circular motion. This makes sense for small motions like writing but doesn't work very well for bigger objects such as lines or circles. The reason is that the wrists range of motion is limited to quite small movements, especially when drawing circles. Keep your wrist locked steady and move your elbow and shoulder instead. Should give you better results with a little practice.

Thanks, I'll give that a try!