scrape_r_rational/data/cache2/3sqxid.md

## Rational Pony Fanfiction Compendium

* Author: u/None *
* URL: https://www.reddit.com/r/rational/comments/3sqxid/rational_pony_fanfiction_compendium/
* Score: 28

* Created: 2015-11-14T04:44:21

### Post:

If rational/rationalist pony fics are for you, then you're in luck! We've just finished sorting through the list of nominated fics on the LessWrong group on FiMFiction.net. You can find all of the approved fics [here](http://www.fimfiction.net/group/1418/lesswrong). Many of the approved fics deal heavily with subject matter that might interest LessWrong members (uploading, transhumanism, etc.) without being rational fics, though it should be possible to figure out which fics are which by reading the story descriptions.

Cheers!
-Flutters

### Comments:

> **u/mhd-hbd** [+5]  *Writes 'The World is Your Oyster, The Universe is Your Namesake'* (5 hours later)
> 
> RHJ's [The Great Alicorn Hunt](http://www.fimfiction.net/story/92077/the-great-alicorn-hunt) and its prequel [Parting Words](http://www.fimfiction.net/story/60523/parting-words) certainly qualify.

>> **u/None** [+2]  (6 hours later)
>> 
>> Thanks for the recommendations. Great Alicorn Hunt was already included. I've just given Parting Words a read, and it doesn't seem quite as relevant to our interests, since Celestia's treatment of Twilight makes more sense in a world where friendship is actually magic and where existential risks can't actually occur (because that would wreck the show's continuability) than it would in our own world.
>> 
>> If you want to press the case for a specific piece of fanfic being included, the best place to do that is the [story nomination thread](http://www.fimfiction.net/group/1418/lesswrong/thread/199827/story-nomination-thread)

>>> **u/mhd-hbd** [+2]  *Writes 'The World is Your Oyster, The Universe is Your Namesake'* (14 hours later)
>>> 
>>> ... \*squints.\* Sir, you are aware that Parting Words is a *direct* sequel to The Great Alicorn Hunt, yes? As in, they are part of *the very same narrative* and that one provides if not crucial, then at least important back-story for the other?
>>> 
>>> Parting Words is a *prologue* for TGAH. It is not a separate story, and I am genuinely confused by your reply to my post.

>>>> **u/NotAHeroYet** [+4]  *City of Angles Municipal Government* (18 hours later)
>>>> 
>>>> There are rational-fic with irrational, or less relevantly rational, prequels. If someway made Belatrix lestrange and the rational terror as a prquel to HPMOR, it might be less rational, or less relevantly rational, as belatrix is no rationalist even in HPMOR canon

>>>> **u/None** [+1]  (22 hours later)
>>>> 
>>>> NotAHeroYet's reply to your comment is spot on-- that's basically part of what I thought, too. Also, I try to use the same rules and heuristics that the other two admins use when approving stories--and in deciding whether or not to approve things, relevance to LW is more important than quality, or whether or not something's a prequel to a rational fic. So, it would be rude to the other mods, and the community, to approve something that I liked (like Parting Words) if it didn't properly fit into the group.
>>>> 
>>>> Parting Words won't be approved because rationality/LW relevant things aren't a big part of the plot, or of the story. There's some munchkining, but that's only a small part of the story.

> **u/TBestIG** [+4]  *Every second of quibbling is another dead baby* (a day later)
> 
> I can't for the life of me remember what it was called, but there was a really good one where some pony comes across [](#s "an ancient human relic, which turns out to be a nuclear waste storage facility. Despite the best attempts of the ancients to discourage exploration, the ponies go in anyway")

>> **u/Transfuturist** [+5]  *Carthago delenda est.* (a day later)
>> 
>> Daring Do in... [The Writing on the Wall!](http://www.fimfiction.net/story/42409/the-writing-on-the-wall) \^\^

>>> **u/TBestIG** [+1]  *Every second of quibbling is another dead baby* (a day later)
>>> 
>>> Yes, that's it. Thank you!

> **u/2-4601** [+3]  (a day later)
> 
> Thank you for getting me addicted to [The Moon's Apprentice](http://www.fimfiction.net/story/196256/the-moons-apprentice), you *monster*. How am I going to function while I wait for the next update?

>> **u/FuguofAnotherWorld** [+2]  *Roll the Dice on Fate* (a day later)
>> 
>> Same here, I have honestly never before found a fic quite like it.

> **u/2-4601** [+2]  (9 hours later)
> 
> > Put stories in here whose central ideas are relevant to our interests.  If you don't know what's relevant to LessWrong because you haven't read LessWrong, don't put stories here. You don't need to be as strict about quality as about concept.
> 
> I can't help but think this is overly harsh. I'd suggest that prospective authors spend time here or reading rational fic to get a feel for what rfic is first, and then submit to nominations in addition to the above to sound less exclusive. I can guess you've had a spamming problem, but they wouldn't listen to warnings anyway.

>> **u/None** [+0]  (22 hours later)
>> 
>> Yeah, I agree. I think that maybe I'm going to go be shy at myself in this nice corner over here instead of changing it, though, since I wasn't the one to write that there.
>> 
>> (Maybe I should just go change it, though. I don't know.)

>>> **u/FuguofAnotherWorld** [+1]  *Roll the Dice on Fate* (2 days later)
>>> 
>>> Something like: 
>>> 
>>> If you've read at least a few rationalfics then you probably know what we're looking for but for those just joining us rational fiction is generally found when:
>>> 
>>> Nothing happens solely because 'the plot requires it'. If characters do (or don't do) something, there must be a plausible reason.
>>> 
>>> Any factions are defined and driven into conflict by their beliefs and values, not just by being "good" or "evil". 
>>> 
>>> The characters solve problems through the intelligent application of their knowledge and resources.
>>> 
>>> The rules of the fictional world are sane and consistent.

> **u/ton4200** [+2]  (10 hours later)
> 
> I recommend in particular [Happily Ever After](http://www.fimfiction.net/story/57744/happily-ever-after) (2500 words) and [The Thousand Year Romance](http://www.fimfiction.net/story/138977/the-thousand-year-romance-of-clover-the-clever) (2500 words). *Both have happy endings.*
> 
> I do not approve of the inclusion of [Blink](http://www.fimfiction.net/story/269332/blink) (4000 words). It's dumb. Teleportation is not murder.

>> **u/None** [+2]  (20 hours later)
>> 
>> Warning to readers: *The Thousand Year Romance* is basically, "What if cryonics *actually worked?*"
>> 
>> It's basically the first time I was made to apply the term "heartbreaking" to something involving pastel colors and magic.

>>> **u/ton4200** [+2]  (a day later)
>>> 
>>> > the first time I was made to apply the term "heartbreaking" to something involving pastel colors and magic
>>> 
>>> I take it you've read neither [Biblical Monsters](http://www.fimfiction.net/story/87619/biblical-monsters) (10,000 words) nor [Souvenir](http://www.fimfiction.net/story/211007/souvenir) (3500 words). Both are accessible to readers with a minimum of background knowledge. The latter fic is tangentially related to futurism.

>>>> **u/None** [+1]  (a day later)
>>>> 
>>>> ... No, I haven't.  Oh bugger.

>> **u/None** [+1]  (22 hours later)
>> 
>> ETA: Happily Ever after was actually already included, and I only failed to notice it since it was actually the third story added to the group. I'll leave it where it is.
>> 
>> Thousand Year Romance is already included, thanks! I'll have a look at Blink later. ~~Happily Ever After was a good story, and I just gave it a like, but I'm having trouble seeing exactly how it fits in with the group.~~

>>> **u/ton4200** [+1]  (a day later)
>>> 
>>> The fics I mentioned are already approved. To clarify, I think [HEA](http://www.fimfiction.net/story/57744/happily-ever-after) and [TTYR](http://www.fimfiction.net/story/138977/the-thousand-year-romance-of-clover-the-clever) are good but [Blink](http://www.fimfiction.net/story/269332/blink) is not.

>> **u/nerdguy1138** [+1]  *GNU Terry Pratchett* (a day later)
>> 
>> It's sort of a recursive fanfic, based on "dying to get there"

>>> **u/ton4200** [+1]  (a day later)
>>> 
>>> Other way around. TD wrote [Dying to Get There](http://www.fimfiction.net/story/273539/dying-to-get-there) (5000 words) as a response to [Blink](http://www.fimfiction.net/story/269332/blink).

> **u/None** [+1]  (3 hours later)
> 
> (Ok, nevermind, I was just being sensitive and dumb, and things seem to be going better now).
> 
> It seems like his post has been getting about as many downvotes as upvotes since I posted it. Sorry if posting this was a silly idea. I'm the worst pony. I'm a dumb pony, too. :(
> 
> Should I keep from posting pony stuff here in the future? Did I do something in particular wrong with this post, or is there just not a particularly high tolerance for pony stuff on this subreddit?

>> **u/Kodix** [+7]  (4 hours later)
>> 
>> So long as your total is above 0, you're doing fine.
>> 
>> I don't think you've done anything wrong, it's just that some people dislike pony fics (and/or the culture surrounding them).

>> **u/None** [+4]  (15 hours later)
>> 
>> N-No, you're a great pony, the best pony ever. 
>> 
>> *Pets mane uncomfortably*

>>> **u/None** [+1]  (22 hours later)
>>> 
>>> Squee! You're so nice. You're the best human. Sorry for having low self confidence at you.

>> **u/FuguofAnotherWorld** [+2]  *Roll the Dice on Fate* (13 hours later)
>> 
>> Pony stuff is fine, so long as it is still rationalist fiction. Some people are against it, but they aren't the majority around here so don't take it to heart. Rather, most people seem to be neutral. If a story is interesting I'll read it regardless of if the protagonists are humans or crystal aliens or ponies or gas beings that live in Jupiter.

>> **u/Empiricist_or_not** [+1]  *Aspiring polite Hegemonizing swarm* (10 hours later)
>> 
>> There will always be people with a dislike of ponies around.  Don't worry about it.

>> **u/None** [+1]  (20 hours later)
>> 
>> You're missing an important question: what kind of funny flair should be by your username?
>> 
>> >I'm the worst pony. I'm a dumb pony, too. :(
>> 
>> Clearly not.  You wouldn't be here if you were dumb, or the worst pony.
>> 
>> >Should I keep from posting pony stuff here in the future?
>> 
>> Yes.

>>> **u/None** [+0]  (22 hours later)
>>> 
>>> I can't think of anything incredibly clever, but how about making "would like to emigrate to Equestria" my flair? Thanks so much for the offer!

>>>> **u/None** [+1]  (a day later)
>>>> 
>>>> Done.
>>>> 
>>>> Although, you know, lifestyle choices you cannot ever revoke or change?  So I hope you were *really* sure about that.
>>>> 
>>>> Btw, you can actually set your own flair.

>>>>> **u/Transfuturist** [+3]  *Carthago delenda est.* (a day later)
>>>>> 
>>>>> > I hope you were really sure about that.
>>>>> 
>>>>> The Basilisk CelestAI won't come to fruition, unless FIO fans succeed in their evil plots, or the emulation of CelestAI in your brain manipulates you into eating us all.

>>>>>> **u/None** [+2]  (a day later)
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> > The Basilisk CelestAI won't come to fruition, unless FIO fans succeed in their evil plots,
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Oh?  I was expecting /u/xamueljones to make this one happen.  Or you?  I mean, come on, we're all counting on you to make sure we get turned into pretty ponies.

>>>>>>> **u/Transfuturist** [+1]  *Carthago delenda est.* (a day later)
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> No, I'd worry more about Prime Intellect coming from me.

>>>>>>>> **u/None** [+1]  (a day later)
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> What. The. Buck.

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