A little comment for the cool kids

[El Chupacabra]

Yeah, you know who you are. The ones who think us old time fans who didn't like the movie are in some way said as a result.

Now, what about years ago, when half of you were bullied and school and you were never quite normal. Stood out from the crowd? A bit of a geek because you liked Star Trek and not football or shopping like the other boys and girls? Yeah? Sound familiar? That's because you were people who decided it didn't matter what was popular, you just wanted to like what you wanted to like.

Well, here we are. The majority like JJ Trek, but there is some of the majority that are attacking those of us who choose to disagree. Now I feel like I, and the other long term fans, have built up enough respect for sticking with the franchise decade after decade that if we choose not to like something our opinions should be respected.

So those of you who think you are one of the cool kids now because JJ Trek is cool, and think its ok to insult a ridicule, should maybe stop and remember that to each his own. That's how you became fans in the first place.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I haven't insulted or ridiculed anyone, I just find it puzzling why people would expend so much energy being upset about it.

 

[Greg Cox]

Just a reminder: some of us "old time fans" think this is the best thing that's happened to Trek in years.

And I haven't been bullied at school for over thirty years . . . . .

 

[DiSiLLUSiON]

Now, what about years ago, when half of you were bullied and school and you were never quite normal. Stood out from the crowd? A bit of a geek because you liked Star Trek and not football or shopping like the other boys and girls?

No, not really, because being a fan of Star Trek has never precluded having other hobbies. It hasn't precluded having friends or going out to clubs as well. It hasn't precluded having sex nor flirting with women, old and young, either. It also hasn't precluded having fun, studying and making the most of your life.

Usually, when someone isn't in his/her element during high school, it has more to do with their personality and social abilities then the love of Star Trek. If someone sits in a corner, sulking, because the latest episode has a continuity error, he/she doesn't try to make friends because they don't love Star Trek and he/she tries to inject their singular hobby in every conversation; yes, you can be assured that person will get bullied. But that's not Star Trek's doing, it's their own.

The stereotype does have ground in reality, you know. There are a lot of long-time Star Trek fans who both love the show and are somewhat estranged of reality or social contacts outside of their little circle. But there are a lot of other people who, even later in life, still have those same personality quirks. Even though they've never loved Star Trek.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

You know, when geek kids get together in a group in middle school they're just as mean to one another as any other crowd - I rather thought a little more so in my day, since one thing the "cool kids" kind of have down are the basic principles of healthy and effective social interaction. That's one reason they're the "cool kids."

Just a reminder: some of us "old time fans" think this is the best thing that's happened to Trek in years.

Well yeah, there's that too.

I don't think that kids who are bullied often understand the real reasons that they're picked on - only the offered reasons. Bullying has very little to do with the kid being bullied and a whole lot to do with the inner life of the bully.

 

[DiSiLLUSiON]

I don't think that kids who are bullied often understand the real reasons that they're picked on - only the offered reasons. Bullying has very little to do with the kid being bullied and a whole lot to do with the inner life of the bully.

Not only with the inner life of the bully, but that of the bullied as well. I've seen enough people get bullied to note certain similarities in social adeptness and personality quirks of those bullied kids.

Not only that, but I've been bullied as well. Not in high school, but in pre-school. And it didn't took much to realize that it was me who should change, not the bullies (because they'll ultimately change in time, not a moment before). And by improving my social abilities, among other things, it made me one of the coolest kids in school and I never had a problem since.

 

[StCoop]

Yeah, you know who you are. The ones who think us old time fans who didn't like the movie are in some way said as a result.

You do know a lot of those "kids" are (a) old time fans and (b) probably older than you?

 

[Greg Cox]

Yeah, you know who you are. The ones who think us old time fans who didn't like the movie are in some way said as a result.

You do know a lot of those "kids" are (a) old time fans and (b) probably older than you?

My point, exactly. This isn't a generational thing.

 

[Jackson_Roykirk]

Yeah, you know who you are. The ones who think us old time fans who didn't like the movie are in some way said as a result.

Now, what about years ago, when half of you were bullied and school and you were never quite normal. Stood out from the crowd? A bit of a geek because you liked Star Trek and not football or shopping like the other boys and girls? Yeah? Sound familiar? That's because you were people who decided it didn't matter what was popular, you just wanted to like what you wanted to like.

Well, here we are. The majority like JJ Trek, but there is some of the majority that are attacking those of us who choose to disagree. Now I feel like I, and the other long term fans, have built up enough respect for sticking with the franchise decade after decade that if we choose not to like something our opinions should be respected...

A. I have the feeling that old-time TOS fans (from the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s) are probably more inclined to like this film that the fans who got into watching Star Trek because of TNG. This film was more like TOS TV and TOS films than like TNG TV or a TNG film. (Except FC -- it was a little like FC).

B. I respect everyones opinion. I may not agree with the opinion or even not understand the opinion -- and I'll even tell you that I don't agree. However, I respect your right to have an opinion.

C. It's been at least 4 or 5 years since I've been bullied by high school kids...but now that I'm 44 years old, I've learned how to stay away from them.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

A. I have the feeling that old-time TOS fans (from the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s) are probably more inclined to like this film that the fans who got into watching Star Trek because of TNG.

That may be true, too.

 

[El Chupacabra]

Yeah, you know who you are. The ones who think us old time fans who didn't like the movie are in some way said as a result.

You do know a lot of those "kids" are (a) old time fans and (b) probably older than you?

My point, exactly. This isn't a generational thing.

Sorry, "cool kids" was a figure of speech. My comment wasn't directed at just young fans, but all fans in general who are having a go at us.

 

[Greg Cox]

You do know a lot of those "kids" are (a) old time fans and (b) probably older than you?

My point, exactly. This isn't a generational thing.

Sorry, "cool kids" was a figure of speech. My comment wasn't directed at just young fans, but all fans in general who are having a go at us.

Understood. But I wish people would stop assuming that all "old time fans" are universally offended by the movie. I sometimes bristle when my fannish credentials are impugned!

 

[DiSiLLUSiON]

Understood. But I wish people would stop assuming that all "old time fans" are universally offended by the movie.

To be honest, those fans who stubbornly dislike any aspect of the new movie and state that in every other topic do seem to be TOS fans.

That being said, even my mother (fan of TOS since it first aired) loves the new movie.

 

[ireactions]

I find it rather sad that the original poster has to resort to mass generalizations in order to make his point, assuming that very generic groupings of people will likely share the same opinions.

- Ibrahim Ng

 

[USS Gettysburg]

Is it just the way of Star Trek fans to find ways to ostracize themselves? Them against us is really getting old. There has got to be 20 threads on this. Just express your opinion, argue your opinion. People will disagree and typically they do so strongly. That's life.

Take it like a Vulcan, don't cry about it.

 

[El Chupacabra]

My point, exactly. This isn't a generational thing.

Sorry, "cool kids" was a figure of speech. My comment wasn't directed at just young fans, but all fans in general who are having a go at us.

Understood. But I wish people would stop assuming that all "old time fans" are universally offended by the movie. I sometimes bristle when my fannish credentials are impugned!

I'm not assuming that. I don't know how much clearer I can make this, but what I am saying is that just because some fans feel they are now in the popular majority it doesn't mean that those of us who are not who have devoted a lot of time to Trek over the years should be trolling, flames and generally had a go at.

 

[TheBrew]

Remember the Vulcan Creed: Infinite Dicks in Infinite Combinations.

 

[Greg Cox]

Understood. But I wish people would stop assuming that all "old time fans" are universally offended by the movie.

To be honest, those fans who stubbornly dislike any aspect of the new movie and state that in every other topic do seem to be TOS fans.

That being said, even my mother (fan of TOS since it first aired) loves the new movie.

I'm in your mother's camp. I was raised on TOS, and it's still my favorite version of Trek.

 

[Butters]

Yeah, you know who you are. The ones who think us old time fans who didn't like the movie are in some way said as a result.

Now, what about years ago, when half of you were bullied and school and you were never quite normal. Stood out from the crowd? A bit of a geek because you liked Star Trek and not football or shopping like the other boys and girls? Yeah? Sound familiar? That's because you were people who decided it didn't matter what was popular, you just wanted to like what you wanted to like.

Well, here we are. The majority like JJ Trek, but there is some of the majority that are attacking those of us who choose to disagree. Now I feel like I, and the other long term fans, have built up enough respect for sticking with the franchise decade after decade that if we choose not to like something our opinions should be respected.

So those of you who think you are one of the cool kids now because JJ Trek is cool, and think its ok to insult a ridicule, should maybe stop and remember that to each his own. That's how you became fans in the first place.

Wow. Theres some real demons there that need facing. I was ridiculed for the size of my nose and would have given up my left bollock for someone to have made a big snout sexy. Still would.

What if some long term fan like the new film because it ticks their boxes? So what if it has mass appeal, that doesn't dumb it down. Theres nothing wrong with being popular, and swimming again the tide serves you no favours.

I'm sorry you were bullied for being a geek but that shouldn't determine your identity and lifelong loyalty to a TV show. Indeed, if being a trekkie was the only thing you were bullied for you should be dammed grateful it was something you could change or hide. Many aren't so lucky.

At the risk of bullying you further, such a reaction to a film really isn't that healthy and you should look at your loyalties and outlook on life in general. Its just a TV show, sometimes excellent, sometime poor but often mediocre. I don't know what to advise you, maybe try some of those normal activies the scary people do. Get some perspective maybe?

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

Understood. But I wish people would stop assuming that all "old time fans" are universally offended by the movie.

To be honest, those fans who stubbornly dislike any aspect of the new movie and state that in every other topic do seem to be TOS fans.

Among the most angry and vociferious few, if you go back through earlier posts you'll find that there were large parts of the post-TOS "Trek Universe" that they disliked and rejected years before Abrams came along with this reboot. So in a number of cases this is just the extension of existing frustration with the direction of Trek over the last twenty years into a new area.