Help needed for my dissertation on cult fandoms! please!!!!!!

SianTrek · January 7 2010, 03:11 PM

Hi, I'm currently researching for my final dissertation at university and the title of my piece is: "Cult Fandoms within the Science Fiction genre". I am looking mainly at Star Trek for my specific research. I was just wondering why you think Star Trek became such a phenomenon with so many dedictated fans, what do you think the reason for this is? And what is it about the science fiction genre that creates such a buzz around its characters and production? And have you ever been to a science fiction convention, if so, what was the experience like?
If anyone wants to get in touch and reply that would be absolutely wonderful and a great help!!!
Any answers welcomed.

Mistral · January 7 2010, 09:21 PM

Might I suggest Star Trek Lives! by David Gerrold.

Nerys Ghemor · January 8 2010, 02:12 AM

I don't know that you're going to get a lot of people willing to contact you. There have been WAY too many cases of Trek fans being made to look like fools by the media, unfortunately.

Timewalker · January 8 2010, 05:14 AM

Mistral wrote:

Might I suggest Star Trek Lives! by David Gerrold.

Might I suggest that David Gerrold did not write Star Trek Lives!; however, he did write "The Trouble With Tribbles" (book about the making of the episode) and The World of Star Trek.

Star Trek Lives! was written by Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Sondra Marshak, and Joan Winston.

The Making of the Trek Conventions by Joan Winston is another excellent book about early Star Trek fandom.

That said, there must be umpteen thousands of college/university papers about this very topic already. What angle do you intend to take on it that's original?

sojourner · January 8 2010, 06:08 AM

Yea, just go rent the Trekkie movies. They covered this ground pretty much as thoroughly as you should need.

Or try a topic that is a little more original.

And Star Trek fans are positively main stream these days. You want "cult"? Google "Browncoats".

SianTrek · January 8 2010, 03:48 PM

Thanks for the replies. I am looking at what makes a person connect with a certain programme on a deep and extensive level, engulfing their life within it. Star Trek I know has such a tremendous fan base, but I am also looking at The Rocky Horror Picture Show; a stage show that is the longest theatrical run in history and how the fans still get caught up and are intrigued into this 'mad' world, over 30 years after the first production was made. I find it fascinating how a programme can change someones life, so to speak, and the obvious connections between 'reality and fantasy' that are there. What is it for you that makes Star Trek so profound? I would really like personal experiences, thoughts or ideas that you have on this subject as have read numerous academic reports, but what I now need is a fans thoughts on this.
Would be very much appreciated!

Mistral · January 8 2010, 05:19 PM

Timewalker wrote:

Mistral wrote:

Might I suggest Star Trek Lives! by David Gerrold.

Might I suggest that David Gerrold did not write Star Trek Lives!; however, he did write "The Trouble With Tribbles" (book about the making of the episode) and The World of Star Trek.

Star Trek Lives! was written by Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Sondra Marshak, and Joan Winston.

The Making of the Trek Conventions by Joan Winston is another excellent book about early Star Trek fandom.

That said, there must be umpteen thousands of college/university papers about this very topic already. What angle do you intend to take on it that's original?

Hey, its been 20 yrs, don't break my balls here. Whoever wrote it, it's a good starting point.

ed.- Perhaps you should read this:

http://forums.adastrafanfic.com/index.php?topic=387.0

I think you might find it interesting in regards to your project.

BolianAuthor · January 8 2010, 11:53 PM

My only response to this would be to ask that you please use the term "Popular culture", and not the word "cult", as that has kind of a negative connotation. It's just my own personal take that I've never been fond of the term "cult", when assigned to science-fiction, or any type of popular culture following.

SianTrek · January 12 2010, 05:42 PM

Why are you a fan of star trek? It's a pretty simple question to answer!

January 7 2010, 03:11 PM	#1
SianTrek Cadet	Help needed for my dissertation on cult fandoms! please!!!!!! Hi, I'm currently researching for my final dissertation at university and the title of my piece is: "Cult Fandoms within the Science Fiction genre". I am looking mainly at Star Trek for my specific research. I was just wondering why you think Star Trek became such a phenomenon with so many dedictated fans, what do you think the reason for this is? And what is it about the science fiction genre that creates such a buzz around its characters and production? And have you ever been to a science fiction convention, if so, what was the experience like? If anyone wants to get in touch and reply that would be absolutely wonderful and a great help!!! Any answers welcomed.

January 7 2010, 09:21 PM	#2
Mistral Vice Admiral Location: Between the candle and the flame	Re: Help needed for my dissertation on cult fandoms! please!!!!!! Might I suggest Star Trek Lives! by David Gerrold. __________________ ...sf fandom is only a personality disorder if you do it right.-Klaus http://www.adastrafanfic.com - archive stories! www.4rumboys.com for honest gaming

January 8 2010, 02:12 AM	#3
Nerys Ghemor Vice Admiral Location: Cardăsa Terăm--Nerys Ghemor	Re: Help needed for my dissertation on cult fandoms! please!!!!!! I don't know that you're going to get a lot of people willing to contact you. There have been WAY too many cases of Trek fans being made to look like fools by the media, unfortunately. __________________ Are you a Cardassian fan, citizen? Prove your loyalty--check out my fanfic universe, Star Trek: Sigils and Unions. Or keep the faith on my AU Cardassia, Sigils and Unions: Catacombs of Oralius!

January 8 2010, 06:08 AM	#5
sojourner Vice Admiral Location: I'm at WKRP	Re: Help needed for my dissertation on cult fandoms! please!!!!!! Yea, just go rent the Trekkie movies. They covered this ground pretty much as thoroughly as you should need. Or try a topic that is a little more original. And Star Trek fans are positively main stream these days. You want "cult"? Google "Browncoats". __________________ Baby, you and me were never meant to be, just maybe think of me once in a while...

January 8 2010, 03:48 PM	#6
SianTrek Cadet	Re: Help needed for my dissertation on cult fandoms! please!!!!!! Thanks for the replies. I am looking at what makes a person connect with a certain programme on a deep and extensive level, engulfing their life within it. Star Trek I know has such a tremendous fan base, but I am also looking at The Rocky Horror Picture Show; a stage show that is the longest theatrical run in history and how the fans still get caught up and are intrigued into this 'mad' world, over 30 years after the first production was made. I find it fascinating how a programme can change someones life, so to speak, and the obvious connections between 'reality and fantasy' that are there. What is it for you that makes Star Trek so profound? I would really like personal experiences, thoughts or ideas that you have on this subject as have read numerous academic reports, but what I now need is a fans thoughts on this. Would be very much appreciated!

STAR TREK

CSI

ABOUT US

January 8 2010, 11:53 PM	#8
BolianAuthor Writer, Battlestar Urantia Location: Torrance, California	Re: Help needed for my dissertation on cult fandoms! please!!!!!! My only response to this would be to ask that you please use the term "Popular culture", and not the word "cult", as that has kind of a negative connotation. It's just my own personal take that I've never been fond of the term "cult", when assigned to science-fiction, or any type of popular culture following.

January 12 2010, 05:42 PM	#9
SianTrek Cadet	Re: Help needed for my dissertation on cult fandoms! please!!!!!! Why are you a fan of star trek? It's a pretty simple question to answer!