Big Brother Is Trekking You (Village Voice 1976)

[Maurice]

So, while doing some newspaper searches I ran into a page and a half spread from Feb 2, 1976 in the Village Voice discussing the Star Trek phenomenon. It's fun to look back on it with 42 years of distance, and I'm interested in your reactions/observations.

Both pages are below, but even after clicking to enlarge, it might be difficult to read, so I cut it up into 15 pieces at higher rez which you can see here (link) and click the right arrow to go to the next clip.

CLICK EACH TO EMBIGGEN!

 

[Marsden]

Thanks for posting this Maurice. I'm not through the whole way but I am enjoying reading this, it's nice to see something from that time.
I couldn't possibly imagine anyone writing this way about Star Trek currently and not just because of continued productions.

Edit: Now I've finished, I didn't think I'd finish in one go, as you said the words are small but I managed.

I really appreciate an example of what I've said many times here, there was a time calling someone a "Star Trek fan" was not a compliment. I think this guy is very full of himself to the point of pompousness and I really don't like anything he had to say, strange how the subject is different but the elitist attitude never goes out of style.

 

[Orac]

My favourite part is the account of trekkies embarassing the true science fiction fans at their convention so they started their own conventions without those serious fans.

 

[XCV330]

enjoyed the bit about Trek fans hating Space 1999 because its special fx are intoxicating.

 

[Maurice]

Well, I'm glad to see some reactions. I was wondering if anyone was actually interested in stuff like this.

 

[BillJ]

Interesting read. Thanks for posting it, @Maurice!

 

[Marsden]

Well, I'm glad to see some reactions. I was wondering if anyone was actually interested in stuff like this.

I am, thank you. I don't know why I didn't see the post until yesterday from Friday, tho.

And this was 76, the next year brought Star Wars, this guy must have plotzed after that!

 

[XCV330]

oh that Space 1999 and it's special effects! How it does make my blood boil and my Hai Karate simmer! Far out!

 

[TrickyDickie]

Stuff like that is great.

This was always one of my favorites, also from 1976. The article runs for quite a number of pages and includes some nice images. I don't have a copy any more, but they are out there. I am including an excerpt from one page of the article. The girl at the convention says, "If I get a chance to touch Mr Spock, I'll trample anybody in my way."

 

[Commishsleer]

My favourite part is the account of trekkies embarassing the true science fiction fans at their convention so they started their own conventions without those serious fans.

There's one science fiction book shop in the city I live in and they don't have any Star Trek books Just one or two Star Wars books. Star Trek doesn't warrant space in a serious science fiction book shop apparently. Oh well other regular bookshops are willing to take my money.

I don't get how Star Trek didn't have high ratings yet caused near riots when the stars appeared at conventions.

 

[1001001]

So, while doing some newspaper searches I ran into a page and a half spread from Feb 2, 1976 in the Village Voice discussing the Star Trek phenomenon. It's fun to look back on it with 42 years of distance, and I'm interested in your reactions/observations.

Both pages are below, but even after clicking to enlarge, it might be difficult to read, so I cut it up into 15 pieces at higher rez which you can see here (link) and click the right arrow to go to the next clip.

CLICK EACH TO EMBIGGEN!

Someone took freshman philosophy and journalism, and decided to prove how smart he was.

I would be very much surprised if the author isn't a current poster on this board...

 

[Noname Given]

My favourite part is the account of trekkies embarassing the true science fiction fans at their convention so they started their own conventions without those serious fans.

You laugh, but it was true in that PRIOR to Star Trek, most science fiction conventions dealt with literary (IE book-based) science fiction, but as Star Trek got popular in syndication, Star Trek fans started going to these conventions and doing Star trek panels, etc; and the literary sci-fi fans got really high handed and pissed off in the 1970ies.

That's where the 'Trekkie' term came from. IE - "Yeah, he's not really a fan of actual science fiction, he's just one of those %$#@! Trekkies..."

 

[Keith1701]

Thanks, for your post.