The Trekkie Conundrum

[Majic Walrus]

even as a nerd...I've always put Trekkies in their own special category

I've never met a Trekkie who was just a Trekkie. There's always other geek things that they do.

 

[Darthkush]

Give this man a button.

I wanted to throw my little worthless two cents into something I couldn't help but notice around these parts that kinda irks me:Seems to me the preamble "Well, I'm not a trekkie but" Has started far too many sentences for my taste. I dont like it. Its like you're trying to tell me you're not a blind sheep who'll eat anything served at the troth of Trek.
"As a Christian,..." or "Well , as a Cannibal...."

I myself never wore another humans flesh as a mask, yet still enjoyed Silence of the Lambs,.. Strange I know.

I was just gonna say that. Why is EVERY review on this board start with, "I'm not a trekkie but...", like if you WERE one we shouldn't take you seriously? Also, there are even MORE people here who say,"You know I LOVE TNG, lke the original series and have seen a few of the movies...BUT I'm not a star trek fan". Yes you are. There's a LOT OF us here who are fans. You don't have to like every incarnation of Trek to be a general fan of the franchise.

 

[BlackLantern]

I was just gonna say that. Why is EVERY review on this board start with, "I'm not a trekkie but...", like if you WERE one we shouldn't take you seriously? Also, there are even MORE people here who say,"You know I LOVE TNG, lke the original series and have seen a few of the movies...BUT I'm not a star trek fan". Yes you are. There's a LOT OF us here who are fans. You don't have to like every incarnation of Trek to be a general fan of the franchise.

but it applies in a lot of cases....I don't see anything wrong with it...it's not like they have conventions for Law and Order or Everybody Loves Raymond

 

[Metamorpho1977]

of course not, where's the fun in wearing a suit and talking to other people wearing suits.

I'm a trekkie. Maybe not as hardcore as I once was, but at my heart I are one.

 

[xisaacx]

Um whats the difference between being a trekkie and a star wars fan, who gives a ****. Like a fan is a fan, no one is better than the other.

 

[JStorm]

I agree with most.

I saw the movie, last night, and was highly entertained - as being a fan, sci-fi fan, etc.

As to the post, the other day I said to my girl's parents that we were seeing Star Trek opening night with some of my friends and my parents. Here mother turned her nose and asked "you're a Trekkie?" I did not take offense and retorted with "yes. I'm a huge sci-fi fan."

Albeit, she knows that I am a HUGE Batman fan and has never turned her nose in the same way.

Here's the stigma. Her brother, like many from that generation is a true Trekkie. He speaks Klingon, has all the toys/posters/movies/etc. To her generation - if I may assume liberally - being a Trekkie is being a major geek, social suicide, etc. I imgaine it was not "cool."

With that said, the stigma of comics is out there. My father still wonders why his 29-year-old son is such a huge fan of the Bat. He gets the excitement of summer movies; but does not understand the comic collection, toy collection, etc.

 

[BlackLantern]

my cousin is a big Trekkie...has the Klingon dictionary and tech manuals for the Enterprise, Voyager, and Excelsior

 

[Majic Walrus]

I was just gonna say that. Why is EVERY review on this board start with, "I'm not a trekkie but...", like if you WERE one we shouldn't take you seriously? Also, there are even MORE people here who say,"You know I LOVE TNG, lke the original series and have seen a few of the movies...BUT I'm not a star trek fan". Yes you are. There's a LOT OF us here who are fans. You don't have to like every incarnation of Trek to be a general fan of the franchise.

I think it's okay to make a distinction between someone who isn't a fan and who is a fan and even who is a hardcore fan or Trekkie and who is a casual fan.

Why?

Interpretations will be different. I might like aspects of the movie that non-Trekkies won't like while they might like something that I didn't like as much. Also I like to see the number of people who loved this movie but are not fans of the movies or series. I know that I've talked to a lot of people who thought the movie was amazing but had never even seen an episode of Star Trek.

I think it's important to recognize that this is part of a franchise of movies and series and it is valid and "cannon" as some would say but at the same time it's designed to be accessible by everyone no matter how much Trek you watched or didn't.

 

[Majic Walrus]

I agree with most.

I saw the movie, last night, and was highly entertained - as being a fan, sci-fi fan, etc.

As to the post, the other day I said to my girl's parents that we were seeing Star Trek opening night with some of my friends and my parents. Here mother turned her nose and asked "you're a Trekkie?" I did not take offense and retorted with "yes. I'm a huge sci-fi fan."

Albeit, she knows that I am a HUGE Batman fan and has never turned her nose in the same way.

Here's the stigma. Her brother, like many from that generation is a true Trekkie. He speaks Klingon, has all the toys/posters/movies/etc. To her generation - if I may assume liberally - being a Trekkie is being a major geek, social suicide, etc. I imgaine it was not "cool."

With that said, the stigma of comics is out there. My father still wonders why his 29-year-old son is such a huge fan of the Bat. He gets the excitement of summer movies; but does not understand the comic collection, toy collection, etc.

I think the stigma for Trek comes from people who dressed up as characters and went to conventions. I'll admit that I've done that on more than one occasion. It was the first kind of fan that people had ever seen dress up like a character and act out a fantasy.

I mean no one dressed up like JR from Dallas.

my cousin is a big Trekkie...has the Klingon dictionary and tech manuals for the Enterprise, Voyager, and Excelsior

I can speak Klingon fluently.

 

[JStorm]

I think the stigma for Trek comes from people who dressed up as characters and went to conventions. I'll admit that I've done that on more than one occasion. It was the first kind of fan that people had ever seen dress up like a character and act out a fantasy.

I mean no one dressed up like JR from Dallas.

Her brother did that as well. Just another example of my opinion.

Conversely, people are dressing up like Harry, Darth Vadar, Joker, etc - and I think that stigma is not there, or lighter than 'Trekkism.'


Possibly, Star Trek was one of the first to have a following that did the extreme fandom acts. Hence why people looked upon it oddly - another one of my stretch assumptions.

 

[BlackLantern]

Possibly, Star Trek was one of the first to have a following that did the extreme fandom acts. Hence why people looked upon it oddly - another one of my stretch assumptions.

I'd agree with you there

 

[Majic Walrus]

^^agree

 

[Handsome Rob]

I don't think this is quite a movie or tv question since this is more of an general obervation that i've noticed due to the release of the new star trek movie.

Do Trekkies as most people know them even exist anymore? I've heard people on and off this forum try to argue that the reason the theatres are so crowded for the new film is that trekkies are out in full force. Also, a lot of people are saying they're not going to the midnight or earlier shows because they "Don't want to be near the trekkies", etc.

First of all, do Trekkies even exist anymore? I'm sure there are still some SOMEWHERE but when is the last time you actually met one? If Trekkies were so powerful supposedly, why did Star Trek:Nemesis flop SO hard. Yes, it's not a very good movie but by many people's ideas Trekkies are such a huge fanbase that they can open and shutdown movies and...they just can't. Their numbers are miniscule. This movie is a success because tons of people who don't normally see Trek movies...saw it.

Also, what exactly IS wrong with being a Star Trek fan? Why is it such a stigma? How come nobody cares if you talk about comics, videogames, cartoons, anime, or even star wars in comparison. If you like batman, you like superheroes but if you like Star trek, YOU'RE A TREKKIE(SHAME ON YOU! YOU FREAK!).

I love Star Trek. I don't own everything related to it and I don't dress up during coventions or during movie premieres but I do love the property. I have about 2 dozen action figures, most of the movies, the original series on dvd, and an assorted mix of the next generation, deep space nine, voyager, and enterprise(mostly compilations). So for me, I'm a fan. But what really makes one a Trekkie and why are people more open about snorting coke and popping pills than how Kirk cheated on the koyabashi maru(or however you spell it lol)?

I used to be a Trekkie when I was in high school. I never went to a convention, but I did have a few memorabilia items. I even did a speech on the history of Star Trek in high school for my speech class (yes, I did ).

But, after I got to college, I lost interest in most of it. I still like some of the movies (like Khan and First Contact), but I have a hard time watching almost all of the TV episodes--they just seem dull to me. But, I am looking forward to the new Trek movie. In fact, I'm going to see it tonight with some friends.

 

[DeGenerate10]

I personally love Star Trek love the movies and TV series but I'm not about to go read the novels and dress up like Picard or Kirk. I consider myself a Trekkie but not a hardcore diehard Trekkie that'll go to conventions and what not

 

[JStorm]

To the point of extreme, the ratio of "dress-up" is uneven. My theory, a person that puts on a cape, mask, and a batman t-shirt is looked upon differently than one who spent hours dressing up as a Klingon.

However, with some that has pointed this out, where is the stigma of the guy that spent hours dressing himself up as Darth Maul?

On the opening of TDK, whenever a person came in dressed up as The Joker, the audience applauded. I'm sure there were some whom said "what a geek;" but the masses did applaud and cheer.

Moreover, I think Harry Potter and LOTR has taken over for the Trekkie of our generation. With the people whom applauded The Joker's, I've seen laughter in a theater when I person came in dressed as Harry or Frodo.

 

[Majic Walrus]

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To the point of extreme, the ratio of "dress-up" is uneven. My theory, a person that puts on a cape, mask, and a batman t-shirt is looked upon differently than one who spent hours dressing up as a Klingon.

However, with some that has pointed this out, where is the stigma of the guy that spent hours dressing himself up as Darth Maul?

On the opening of TDK, whenever a person came in dressed up as The Joker, the audience applauded. I'm sure there were some whom said "what a geek;" but the masses did applaud and cheer.

Moreover, I think Harry Potter and LOTR has taken over for the Trekkie of our generation. With the people whom applauded The Joker's, I've seen laughter in a theater when I person came in dressed as Harry or Frodo.

It has a lot to do with the people that dress up and the way people act when dressed up. Acting like Jeff dressed up as the Joker is a lot different than having people refer to you as Kurg the Merciless while you talk about your prowess with a pair of bloddy mek'leths.

 

[JStorm]

It has a lot to do with the people that dress up and the way people act when dressed up. Acting like Jeff dressed up as the Joker is a lot different than having people refer to you as Kurg the Merciless while you talk about your prowess with a pair of bloddy mek'leths.

Agreed.

But in the defense of the Trekkies, if Jeff did decide to act like The Joker, he would not be looked upon as "Kurg."

Of course, acting like The Joker does not include a new language and powers. Just dress up, crack a smile, laugh a lot, and the crowd will love it.

 

[BlackLantern]

I remember watching 'Trekkies' and seeing guys dressed up like Klingons going into a fast food place and ordering IN KLINGON....what kind of sense does that make?? you know they can't understand you

 

[Crazy Flakes]

Because it sucked SO hard. Trekkies put up with 7 seasons of Star Trek Voyager, but they saw the first half hour of Nemesis and said "I CAN'T TAKE THIS ****!"

I'm a Trekkie, I guess (I could only get into TNG to be honest, but it's one of my favorite shows of all time...and I guess TOS is alright but it turns me off a little with Shatner's horrible acting and the cheese-factor), and I don't get the hate. There are some pretty rabid Trekkies out there, but there are rabid fans of everything. But I don't get what there is to be ashamed of unless you can't go out in public without wearing Spock ears; there's no harm in dressing up for conventions or midnight showings!

The only Trekkies I can't stand are the elitists who refuse to acknowledge the new movie just because it's something different and mainstream. Sure, there were some historical inaccuracies and stuff, but it was a lot of fun either way! And if they don't like the movie, that's fine, but they shouldn't judge people or say that someone is a "bad Star Trek fan" just because they liked it.

 

[JStorm]

I remember watching 'Trekkies' and seeing guys dressed up like Klingons going into a fast food place and ordering IN KLINGON....what kind of sense does that make?? you know they can't understand you

I went to jail, one night in Athens, GA. For obvious reasons.

Anyhow, I spoke like The Joker, the entire time, during the interrogation. The officer told me to "quit joking." I smiled and said "you know the thing about chaos. . . "

They threw me in holding, for a few hours, to cool off.

Campus cops don't like it when you run from them on.

 

[Manic]

Speaking as a Trekkie, do you know what has always bothered me? The Klingon language being audibly heard in an episode of Star Trek. There are universal effing translating devices in Star Trek. Languages that the crews of the Enterprises had never even heard were translated into perfect English, but Klingon sounds like a series of grunts and clicks every other word.





I just noticed that Firefox's spell checker recognizes the words Trekkie and Klingon.

 

[Majic Walrus]

Agreed.

But in the defense of the Trekkies, if Jeff did decide to act like The Joker, he would not be looked upon as "Kurg."

Of course, acting like The Joker does not include a new language and powers. Just dress up, crack a smile, laugh a lot, and the crowd will love it.

That's true. Point taken.

I remember watching 'Trekkies' and seeing guys dressed up like Klingons going into a fast food place and ordering IN KLINGON....what kind of sense does that make?? you know they can't understand you

I went to a convention once that included the "Imperial Klingon Opera Troop" which were dancers singers and actors that performed exceprts from Klingon operas for terminally ill patients, especially children.

The state of Virginia gave them all a community service award.

Speaking as a Trekkie, do you know what has always bothered me? The Klingon language being audibly heard in an episode of Star Trek. There are universal effing translating devices in Star Trek. Languages that the crews of the Enterprises had never even heard were translated into perfect English, but Klingon sounds like a series of grunts and clicks every other word.

I just noticed that Firefox's spell checker recognizes the words Trekkie and Klingon.

I always hated that "Federation Basic" didn't include any Vulcan words or Andorian words or Tellerite words or any other language at all other than English. Even if it was very small it would've been nice to have some words akin to Frak and Felgerkarb in Federation Basic.

 

[Manic]

In all fairness, I think it only sounds like English to us and most of the characters because they speak English. I imagine the occasional alien that speaks only... Clemish... would hear everything as Clemish. Except for Klingon, which the Clemish alien wouldn't be able to understand because the universal translators refuse to translate half of that language for some reason.

 

[BlackLantern]

I went to a convention once that included the "Imperial Klingon Opera Troop" which were dancers singers and actors that performed exceprts from Klingon operas for terminally ill patients, especially children.

The state of Virginia gave them all a community service award.

and that's great....there is a time and a place for that....the problem is that Trek fans feel the need to inject their fandom into everything.....good example...last year at SDCC I was at the Eureka panel, they were taking questions, and in asking a question a Trekkie managed to cram a Star Trek reference in a question that just wasn't necessary....and to the person who was dressed as the Joker and still being a **** when the cops came 'round....not smart

 

[EdRyder]

I just noticed that Firefox's spell checker recognizes the words Trekkie and Klingon.

Klingon Google?
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