@Background Pony  
That is so dumb, I can’t even fathom it.
 
So, let’s try this again.  
Destiny is preprogrammed. If destiny exists, free will doesn’t. They contradict each other.
 
Also, who planned out “our destinies”? God?  
Look, I won’t start a religious argument here, mainly because I am religious myself. But even in a religious context free will is a thing. It was given to man by God and is the defining characteristic that seperates human beings from animals.  
Therefore there is no such thing as destiny, even in a religious context.
 
Badda-bing Badda-boom, problem solved.  
Destiny is not existent and

@The_Mungoman  
Cute, but here in reality land words can and do change meaning. Quote a thousand dictionaries if you like.
 
Destiny and Fate mean different things.

@Background Pony  
You can’t possibly be referring to me, because either I’d get fired after the first day, or everyone else would quit.

@The_Mungoman  
Flaming? Perhaps not. Yelling opinions as indisputable facts? Oh yes, there’s a whole lot of that going on.

@The_Mungoman  
Well, guess what? We live our destinies! We follow our destinies that have been planned out for us. How we HANDLE them determines how we fulfill them.

@Background Pony  
It would certainly be beneficial.

@Background Pony  
I looked it up.  
“1. The inevitable or necessary fate to which a particular person or thing is destined; one’s lot.  
2. A predetermined course of events considered as something beyond human power or control”
 
You’re wrong. This ain’t a matter of opinion, you’re just wrong.

Sounds like several people in this thread need to apply for a writing position at DHX.

@Background Pony  
You seem to be taking definitions from works of fiction which are deliberately trying to play with the meanings of words.
 
Look it up; it doesn’t mean what you think it does.

@bboifatz  
It’s not like they weren’t acknowledged. Didn’t she admit that she wouldn’t have accomplished anything without her friends? They wouldn’t be even present in half of those Equestria-threatening scenarios if it weren’t for Twilight.
 
If the instrument served the narrative purpose, what does it matter if it’s made of cardboard? I think you need a better analogy, I don’t understand your point.

@Princess Celestia  
You probably didn’t even bother reading this discussion, because this is not just screaming insults. Neither side is truly flaming.

@The_Mungoman  
Actually, yes it is. Fate is predetermined for us. Destiny is something we either are SUPPOSED to follow or we choose to follow

@bboifatz  
Did you even read what I said? It was HER destiny. The others have their OWN destinies.

@Background Pony  
…Nnnnnnnnnnnnope.  
Destiny is NOT the same as life goals.  
Destiny is something predetermined. Destiny destroys choice and reason. Destiny put responsibility into someone else’s hands.
 
That’s another reason why I adore the Harry Potter series so much: Because Dumbledore says that all this destiny and prophecy stuff is useless and all that matters is our choices and that it are our choices that make us who we are, not our “destiny”.
 
So, that’s wrong. Destiny and Rainbow’s ambitions to become a Wonderbolt are not the same.

@EvilTon  
My point is that they are a team, and treating one as exceptionally better than the others belittles their importance.
 
And like I said, I don’t give a shit what MA Larson or Meghan McCarthy say it’s supposed to be– calling the “change destiny spell” a great accomplishment for Twilight is like calling a cardboard tube Excalibur in a big budget movie about King Arthur. It’s bullshit, and the audience saw right through it.

Oh wow, you guys are still at it.  

 
Can you all, both sides, neither side, whatever, tone it down? Like, Less of the “SHOW IS RUINED” or “FUCKING FAUST WORSHIPER” type language?
 
Thanks.

This is the kinda flamewar that makes people quit entire fansites.

@ClownDicks  
Even so, destiny was around in MLP, MMC made it more obvious. We know, in some way, shape or form the other ponies will find their own paths.
 
Applejack: To have her apple business go beyond just farm-life.
 
Rarity: Become one of Equestria’s most renowned fashion designers.
 
Rainbow Dash: Become a Wonderbolt.
 
Pinkie Pie: Become one hell of a party-pony.
 
Fluttershy: To be one of Equestria’s best animal care-takers.
 
We all have a destiny. It is something we either follow ourselves or what we make without even knowing it. We all follow our destiny every waking day.

@bboifatz  
Like I said, she led them most of the time. Without her, they’d be running around clueless or watching in glee as an evil impostor took over their country.
 
And doesn’t comprehending the unsolved spell of a famous magician that revolved around being virtuous qualify her as a fair ruler exactly?

Telling*

@Background Pony  
That means Twilight has no free will. She is Celestia’s meat puppet, and cannot do anything that Celestia did not plan for her. Which is another problem with MMC, though like the destiny spell, it is the result of opaque, heavy-handed writing that is more concerned with wrapping shit up within 20 minutes than it is with yelling a good or even logical story.

@Background Pony  
Destiny wasn’t a thing until MMC.

@bboifatz  
They already have their own destinies and plans for the future.
 
Twilight until now was only about gaining knowledge and pleasing the Princess.

@Background Pony  
Though the law forbids it, this is kismet!

@Background Pony