The F**k word in Star Trek

[The Wormhole]

All this pearl clutching about "people don't swear in professional settings." How do y'all cope with that other sci-fi show in which the Secretary General of the UN uses profanity extremely liberally, even while on the job and in a "professional setting"?

 

[F. King Daniel]

Star Trek needs to be more inclusive. I suggest they include a character with tourettes.

 

[Qonundrum]

All this pearl clutching about "people don't swear in professional settings." How do y'all cope with that other sci-fi show in which the Secretary General of the UN uses profanity extremely liberally, even while on the job and in a "professional setting"?

Because fiction and real life are very different things, with the former allowing for more imagination and creativity and to show entirely new worlds and situations? It's a virtual sandbox. It's been well-known since the mid-60s that Trek is showing what humanity could be like in the distant future. That's what helps make Trek differentiated/unique from every other franchise out there, though it's a low-hanging reason given most sci-fi made similar distinctions in their own ways across the board.

The UN isn't exactly the Federation or vice-versa, either, because one of them isn't scripted in its own imaginative realm. Some people like these new imaginative universes and understandably believe those can tell interesting and encompassing fictional stories without swearing, especially if the script can't set the scene right or, worse, if the actors can't convey it with the level of depth to sell it right. Assuming the show in question is about people just like us and not from the future where maybe they don't swear so frequently and ebulliently* in the future and for any underlying reasons they wish to tell or show? Is that really a problem, especially when Trek, for decades, told engaging and compelling stories to sell the mood without F'ing it up multiple times during the episode? (Pun intended.) There are no pearls, aka the calcium carbonate byproduct of clams, are being held as such.


* Rather, using the archaic form of the word ("agitated"), which has more gravitas ("seriousness") to it than the revised/current use of it (which means "cheerful, full of energy", which clearly doesn't apply, isn't the English language kewl? Or some will say "Gag me with a spoon", etc, etc...)

 

[Kamen Rider Blade]

All this pearl clutching about "people don't swear in professional settings." How do y'all cope with that other sci-fi show in which the Secretary General of the UN uses profanity extremely liberally, even while on the job and in a "professional setting"?

Some people aren't "Role Model" material, that's one of them.

 

[TroiFan4ever]

The F-word in Star Trek doesn't bother me. But I could see why it would bother some people.

Saying that word on the show wouldn't have flown back when the show was airing in syndication (TOS, TNG, DS9, VOY, and ENT). So I'm guessing the people bothered by it aren't used to it being spoken on-screen... now that we're in such an era when we have all these streaming services and we need paid subscriptions to Paramount Plus to access the new Trek so the word is allowed there.

I liked hearing the admiral lady drop the F-bomb on Picard in season 1 and hearing Picard say it in season 3!

 

[HotRod]

Some people aren't "Role Model" material, that's one of them.

Because someone swears, they're not a good role model?

Odd statement, considering that some of the smartest, most loyal, dedicated, trustworthy, and hardest working people that I've ever known, were people that would say things that'd make sailor blush.

 

[Turtletrekker]

Some people aren't "Role Model" material, that's one of them.

I have a family member who goes through every conversation in life like he's speaking to a room full of kindergarteners, and he's the biggest piece of s*** I've ever met in my life. Hardly role model material.

 

[Kamen Rider Blade]

Because someone swears, they're not a good role model?

Odd statement, considering that some of the smartest, most loyal, dedicated, trustworthy, and hardest working people that I've ever known, were people that would say things that'd make sailor blush.

Most people I know have grown out of swearing once they reach adult-hood. It's very rarely done.

 

[HotRod]

Most people I know have grown out of swearing once they reach adult-hood. It's very rarely done.

This is not the case in my world. I know many successful people, including lawyers who have practiced law for almost 50 years, who swear far more than people *significantly* younger.

I don't know what world you live on, but in my little slice of Canada, we fucking swear.

From all the blue collar workers, such as myself, up to all the cops, lawyers, doctors, nurses, teachers, etc. Doesn't matter the age or profession, swearing is commonplace.

Are there some that don't swear as much? Of course. But even my ultra evangelical boss is known to throw a fuck around, when the occasion calls.

 

[Mage]

I want every other word in any future Star Trek to be the F-bomb (just say Fuck, you child) from now on.
Humans have been swearing since for fucking ever. Get fucking used to it.

 

[fireproof78]

"Fuck" is a lot stronger swear word.

Vs. shit?

I get that fuck was considered unprofessional but I've been in work settings were it was used by trained professionals. It doesn't bother me as much as it used to and Picard's "not good enough damn it" feels far more out of place.

Everyone is different and has different tastes. I don't think we're going to convince each other of anything. For me, I still think it is very out of place. But, then again, I don't use "fuck" in professional settings and very, very rarely hear it used in such environments. Contrary to popular perception, not everyone is going around dropping f-bombs constantly and there are many contexts in which it is still frowned upon.

I really don't like this assumption that acceptance of an f word means "constantly" hearing it.

 

[HotRod]

 

[Kamen Rider Blade]

This is not the case in my world. I know many successful people, including lawyers who have practiced law for almost 50 years, who swear far more than people *significantly* younger.

I don't know what world you live on, but in my little slice of Canada, we fucking swear.

From all the blue collar workers, such as myself, up to all the cops, lawyers, doctors, nurses, teachers, etc. Doesn't matter the age or profession, swearing is commonplace.

Are there some that don't swear as much? Of course. But even my ultra evangelical boss is known to throw a fuck around, when the occasion calls.

In my slice of Los Angeles, CA; within "Professional Settings", most people I know don't swear at the work place.

On private time, sure, it's whatever you want to do between friends & family.

Doesn't matter if it's Blue or White Collar workers.

 

[TRON JA307020]

Was watching some clips on YouTube recently with Star Trek scenes. And a scene from Picard popped up. Anyway the clip in question had a character drop the F-Bomb. I don't know why but that use of swearing in Star Trek is bad imo.
I'm no prude, can watch many programs with the worst language. But having it in Star Trek just rubs me the wrong way. It's like nails on a chalkboard to my ears and takes me out of the immersive experience. Maybe it's because we had many years of mild swearing on Star Trek and nothing that I would consider as tasteless profanity.
I really hope this trend will stop with any future trek projects.
Also I always got the impression that use of swearing was uncommon by the 23rd century. It was puzzling to Mr Spock in Star Trek IV and he couldn't get that knack. I know his mind was still not fully there after the events of previous films but his mind was good enough to attempt time travel.

Agree or disagree?

Agreed. I totally get what your saying. They set it up.in STTVH that swearing was uncommon in the 23rd century. By the time of picard it looks like 29th and early 21st century lexicon is common again. They even say p!s$ off now. Its exactly like the way we talk with all the slang. It takes me out of it being in the future. Also in picard everyone seemed to at one point wear cloths off the rack from walmart.

 

[fireproof78]

But merde or "in a pig's eye" or "hobgoblin" are totally futuristic figures of speech.

 

[Firebird]

In my slice of Los Angeles, CA; within "Professional Settings", most people I know don't swear at the work place.

On private time, sure, it's whatever you want to do between friends & family.

Doesn't matter if it's Blue or White Collar workers.

I'm in LA, working in the engineering, design, and construction industries - plenty of professionals in all of these industries - regardless of age or if they're in the field or in the office - swear. Not for a second would I allege any of these licensed people are anything less than professional. The clients we work with swear, and I have worked with all kinds in my near decade in the industry.

I feel compelled to bring up one of my favorite bits from Stephen Fry on the joys of swearing:

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[Kamen Rider Blade]

I'm in LA, working in the engineering, design, and construction industries - plenty of professionals in all of these industries - regardless of age or if they're in the field or in the office - swear. Not for a second would I allege any of these licensed people are anything less than professional. The clients we work with swear, and I have worked with all kinds in my near decade in the industry.

I guess we run in different circles.

 

[HotRod]

It's times like this that I like to refer to the master:

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[TRON JA307020]

But merde or "in a pig's eye" or "hobgoblin" are totally futuristic figures of speech.

Again it was set up in sttvh. Sorry but picard swearing was out of place.

 

[HotRod]

Again it was set up in sttvh. Sorry but picard swearing was out of place.

And yet, they swore plenty of times before STIV