Dead ship

Fluttershy: What an adorable couple!

You still got Discord

@Background Pony #32E1  
Because, kids are stupid, plain and simple. They don’t easily grasp concepts such as biological relation vs adoption relation vs distant relations, etc. Some kids might, but most kids don’t think that deep into it, and their understandings are more superficial, more simple and broad in definition.
 
As I said before, shows have been pulled off the air for so much less. They even edited out Derpy’s first voiced appearance because it offended people on the grounds that they felt it was insulting the mentally challenged.

@Background Pony #004A  
They aren’t? Why not?  
That adults can be wrong and get worked up about non-issues wouldn’t surprise anyone. But they’re still wrong. Even given that, I still think you seriously underestimate both adults’ and children’s intelligence when you suggest that a concept like “incest doesn’t apply to distant relatives” is somehow beyond them. It really isn’t that difficult.  
Finally, it seems to me that being distantly related - so much so that they couldn’t be sure there was any relation at all - was pretty core to the whole Apple/Pie family connection. It wasn’t a throwaway detail, and it DOES make a difference.

@SFaccountant  
No they aren’t. Never mind that the number of adults who couldn’t come to the same conclusion might surprise you, kids aren’t as smart as adults. In fact, the only reason anyone even probably knows Pinkie Pie is not that closely related to Applejack is because they looked for any detail they could find in the hopes of keeping the ApplePie ships “wholesome”.

@Background Pony #004A  
Anyone old enough to know that cousins shouldn’t marry - never mind why - is also old enough to know the limits of that taboo.  
Now, as you say, the writers may decide that it’s better just to leave it alone rather than risk stirring up any controversy over a (slightly) challenging topic. But that’s an argument for simple-mindedness literally for its own sake, and I would be disappointed to see that happen.

@Corrderio  
Big Max not mute

@Background Pony #32E1  
No it doesn’t, because this is a cartoon for little girls who likely won’t piece that much together themselves. The intended audience for the cartoon would not be able to see the difference, all they know is Pinkie Pie calls Applejack cousin, so they won’t likely piece together the ‘cousin of a cousin’ details. They have dropped characters, entire episodes of shows, for so much less.

like people haven’t ever crushed on their hot cousin before

@Background Pony #004A  
It does matter. Incest as a taboo is a technical objection to perfectly innocent and legitimate feelings of romance and/or sexual attraction. Take out the intellectual rationale and all you have is a word - “cousin” - that you’ve stripped of any meaning, but still insist must be off-limits. That isn’t a good reason to break up a couple or stop two people from seeing each other.  
Even the “implication” of the family bond is extremely weak. The Pie and Apple families didn’t grow up close to each other, and they don’t generally think of themselves as kin.  
Finally, the show obviously isn’t making a case that “incest is okay”, and that impression is easily corrected. If the show really does bring about a frank and useful discussion about romantic taboos in general or incest in particular, I’m pretty sure “little Susie” is going to be better for it.

@Poptard  
Doesn’t matter. The context is still there, so even if biologically there’s nothing questionable about it there’s still the implication. Bear in mind that as cool as it is, it’s still a cartoon for little girls, and the last thing you need is for parents going “why does your cartoon teach little Susie it’s okay to have a crush on her cousin?”
 
Doesn’t help Big Mac and the Apple family has the southern mannerisms and ways attached to them.

@Background Pony #004A  
Besides the fact that even with Pinkie Pie’s explanation for their possible relation, they wouldn’t have shared any common ancestors?

@Background Pony #004A
 
Besides, I think the implication of possibly dating cousins is too thick for this particular ship to go anywhere.[/bq]
 
Pffft! Hahaha!  
Oh, good one!  
Haven’t laughed that hard since someone said Soarindash was the OTP.

Well… and Discord? Bulk Biceps?… Tree Hugger?

@Background Pony #1E7E  
Now Marbleshy is something I could crackship.

Plot twist! Marble is her waifu!

@VermiIIion  
Its why I ship Flutterbulk (under its superior pun name, Shyceps) because they’ve had two or three episodes together with the Equestrian Games stuff, repeatedly interacted, and genuinely seemed to enjoy eachother’s company. Plus I love the ‘big guy, small girl’ trope (which Marblemac also has going for it) and they have enough contrasting elements to keep it interesting (Loud but inwardly a big softie, quiet but has various inner beasts) which still manage to match.

 
I’m begging of you please don’t take my man…

Poor Fluttershy!

@Princess Tuna  
@VermiIIion  
These.
 
Fluttershy and Big Mac never really interact - in fact Fluttershy passes up a chance to spend time with Big Mac to go on an adventure she otherwise wouldn’t want to go on, so we can easily assume she thinks of him as a friend at best.
 
Besides, I think the implication of possibly dating cousins is too thick for this particular ship to go anywhere.

fluttermac never was a thing you know.

@VermiIIion  
Woops.
 
One simple trait that they share doesn’t make them a good couple.**

@Revenant Wings  
It needs to be a balance of differences and similarities, so one can both identify with someone but also be intrigued by them.  
But Big Mac and Fluttershy share nothing in common, interests or background-wise. One single trait (that only Big Mac shares, the “not talking much part.”) They’ve shown no real feelings beyond acquaintanceship and seem pretty comfortable keeping it that way.

Fluttershy and Marble in unison: “Big Mac is your sweetie? I’m sorry.”