Hello I'm a student in a college english class, and our asignment for this semester is to talk with people who are in some sort of subculture. The group that I chose, due in part to my own enjoyment of the show was Star Trek fans. I was curious if anyone here would be willing to nlet me interview them for my paper. If you are interested please send me a PM or reply to this thread saying that you would be willing to. once you do I will send you a set of about 15 or so questions that I need you to answer. Please help me, my grade depends upon it.
Help!!!
- Thread starter BillfBuckley
- Start date
Yeah, no PM, so in your research notes you will have to specify that this is a semi private interview setting, where some respondents could see other responses prior to their answering of the question.
Unless your professor has explicitly required that the interviews be private, then as long as you disclose the research method, you will be fine.
Additionally, part of the subculture (at least on this board) is that the communication is out in the open. So having the immersion into the culture be in the same manner that those in the culture meet is anthropologically sound.
Good luck with your paper, and post your questions.
Unless your professor has explicitly required that the interviews be private, then as long as you disclose the research method, you will be fine.
Additionally, part of the subculture (at least on this board) is that the communication is out in the open. So having the immersion into the culture be in the same manner that those in the culture meet is anthropologically sound.
Good luck with your paper, and post your questions.
Agreed.
I'd be willing to answer some questions as well.
I'd be willing to answer some questions as well.
As a fellow beleaguered student I'd love to help ya out.
I'm in, I'm a college student myself, and I can talk trek all day.
hey sorry for the lag in reply time. Thakyou for the intrest. you can send any replies tobaldwise@gmail.com Oh, I'd like to apologize in advance for any erors in spelling as I wrote up some of these q's here rather than in word.
1, When did you start watching trek?
2, What series was your introduction to Star Trek?
3, What series is your favorite?
4,Along those same lines who is your favorite character?
5,What is your least favorite series?
6, Why do you think it is that Trek has been able to maintain it level of prominence in the general culture for so long?
7,Do you think that Star Trek has remained true to what Gene Rodenberry intended it to be?
8, What do you think about the handling of Star Trek by its corporate owners?
9, What do you think about the new movie coming out?
10, Would you describe yourself as a “Trekker?”
11, In your opinion is there a stereotype in the general population about Trek and if so why, and is it accurate?
12, Are you active in any fan clubs, and if so since when?
13, Have you ever participated in any Star Trek role playing games?
14, Do you like any other Science Fiction shows besides Trek?
15, What would you say is the general political leaning of the trek fan community?
16, Do you ever read Trek novels and other forms of fiction?
17,Do you think Trek has changed in tone from TOS to today?
18, Do you think trek is has risen, declined, or stayed the same in terms of popularity recently?
19, How do you feel about slash fan fiction?
Thank you for the time.
1, When did you start watching trek?
2, What series was your introduction to Star Trek?
3, What series is your favorite?
4,Along those same lines who is your favorite character?
5,What is your least favorite series?
6, Why do you think it is that Trek has been able to maintain it level of prominence in the general culture for so long?
7,Do you think that Star Trek has remained true to what Gene Rodenberry intended it to be?
8, What do you think about the handling of Star Trek by its corporate owners?
9, What do you think about the new movie coming out?
10, Would you describe yourself as a “Trekker?”
11, In your opinion is there a stereotype in the general population about Trek and if so why, and is it accurate?
12, Are you active in any fan clubs, and if so since when?
13, Have you ever participated in any Star Trek role playing games?
14, Do you like any other Science Fiction shows besides Trek?
15, What would you say is the general political leaning of the trek fan community?
16, Do you ever read Trek novels and other forms of fiction?
17,Do you think Trek has changed in tone from TOS to today?
18, Do you think trek is has risen, declined, or stayed the same in terms of popularity recently?
19, How do you feel about slash fan fiction?
Thank you for the time.
Last edited:
Ditto.^ Done.
Ditto.^ Done.
as above...
1, When did you start watching trek?
My earliest Star Trek memory is Descent II's original airing, but I assume I was exposed as early as the beginning of TNG's original run (born in '85).
2, What series was your introduction to Star Trek?
The Next Generation
3, What series is your favorite?
Deep Space 9
4,Along those same lines who is your favorite character?
Kirk
5,What is your least favorite series?
Voyager
6, Why do you think it is that Trek has been able to maintain it level of prominence in the general culture for so long?
"Had" might be more accurate than "has", in my opinion. Initially, I think the fanbase was created through its appeal to idealists of all ages and races. It could appeal equally well to children as to adults, creating lifelong fans. Furthermore, this fanbase was nutured by the show's creators in a way that perhaps no other fanbase has enjoyed, having been rewarded with official conventions, literature, merchandise, and even further television and film adventures.
7,Do you think that Star Trek has remained true to what Gene Rodenberry intended it to be?
No
8, What do you think about the handling of Star Trek by its corporate owners?
I think the chief fault in the franchise has been in sheer volume of material. While this saturation was immediately extremely rewarding for the fan, airing multiple series concurrently served to divide a formerly monolithic fanbase. You became either a Niner or a Voyager, a Next Genner or an Original, with fewer and fewer fans pledging their allegiance to the franchise as a whole. As a result, when only Enterprise remained, it commanded only a fraction of the fanbase that The Next Generation had when only one incarnation was airing, despite its high level of creative quality. So, if we had it to do all over again, I think it would have been best to leave us always wanting more, by trickling these shows out one at a time. All that being said, if one must fall victim to something, let it be one's own success, eh?
9, What do you think about the new movie coming out?
I am pumped, and hope it revitalizes popular interest in the franchise as a whole.
10, Would you describe yourself as a “Trekker?”
Yes
11, In your opinion is there a stereotype in the general population about Trek and if so why, and is it accurate?
Yes; like most stereotypes, it's grounded in real events that have unfortunately been used to characterize the fanbase as a whole.
12, Are you active in any fan clubs, and if so since when?
No
13, Have you ever participated in any Star Trek role playing games?
No
14, Do you like any other Science Fiction shows besides Trek?
Yes
15, What would you say is the general political leaning of the trek fan community?
Idealist
16, Do you ever read Trek novels and other forms of fiction?
No
17,Do you think Trek has changed in tone from TOS to today?
Yes
18, Do you think trek is has risen, declined, or stayed the same in terms of popularity recently?
Declined
19, How do you feel about slash fan fiction?
It does nothing for me.
Mendon
My earliest Star Trek memory is Descent II's original airing, but I assume I was exposed as early as the beginning of TNG's original run (born in '85).
2, What series was your introduction to Star Trek?
The Next Generation
3, What series is your favorite?
Deep Space 9
4,Along those same lines who is your favorite character?
Kirk
5,What is your least favorite series?
Voyager
6, Why do you think it is that Trek has been able to maintain it level of prominence in the general culture for so long?
"Had" might be more accurate than "has", in my opinion. Initially, I think the fanbase was created through its appeal to idealists of all ages and races. It could appeal equally well to children as to adults, creating lifelong fans. Furthermore, this fanbase was nutured by the show's creators in a way that perhaps no other fanbase has enjoyed, having been rewarded with official conventions, literature, merchandise, and even further television and film adventures.
7,Do you think that Star Trek has remained true to what Gene Rodenberry intended it to be?
No
8, What do you think about the handling of Star Trek by its corporate owners?
I think the chief fault in the franchise has been in sheer volume of material. While this saturation was immediately extremely rewarding for the fan, airing multiple series concurrently served to divide a formerly monolithic fanbase. You became either a Niner or a Voyager, a Next Genner or an Original, with fewer and fewer fans pledging their allegiance to the franchise as a whole. As a result, when only Enterprise remained, it commanded only a fraction of the fanbase that The Next Generation had when only one incarnation was airing, despite its high level of creative quality. So, if we had it to do all over again, I think it would have been best to leave us always wanting more, by trickling these shows out one at a time. All that being said, if one must fall victim to something, let it be one's own success, eh?
9, What do you think about the new movie coming out?
I am pumped, and hope it revitalizes popular interest in the franchise as a whole.
10, Would you describe yourself as a “Trekker?”
Yes
11, In your opinion is there a stereotype in the general population about Trek and if so why, and is it accurate?
Yes; like most stereotypes, it's grounded in real events that have unfortunately been used to characterize the fanbase as a whole.
12, Are you active in any fan clubs, and if so since when?
No
13, Have you ever participated in any Star Trek role playing games?
No
14, Do you like any other Science Fiction shows besides Trek?
Yes
15, What would you say is the general political leaning of the trek fan community?
Idealist
16, Do you ever read Trek novels and other forms of fiction?
No
17,Do you think Trek has changed in tone from TOS to today?
Yes
18, Do you think trek is has risen, declined, or stayed the same in terms of popularity recently?
Declined
19, How do you feel about slash fan fiction?
It does nothing for me.
Mendon
Maybe we should let every new member fill out this form? But then again, this would take away much of the fun getting to know them. 
I've been lurking here for SOOOOOO long (except for a few comments over in literature) I might as well be counted as a new member ... so here my public answers:
1, When did you start watching trek?
- second run of TOS in german TV (must have been the seventies)
2, What series was your introduction to Star Trek?
- TOS
3, What series is your favorite?
- DS9
4,Along those same lines who is your favorite character?
- Spock
5,What is your least favorite series?
- VOY; wonderful concept, BAD execution
6, Why do you think it is that Trek has been able to maintain it level of prominence in the general culture for so long?
- That's hard - probably has to do with being one of the first SF-TV-series not into that "alien invasion" scenario - something new and "fascinating"
7,Do you think that Star Trek has remained true to what Gene Rodenberry intended it to be?
- No; which is good !
8, What do you think about the handling of Star Trek by its corporate owners?
here I'm at loss for adequate vocabulary not being a native speaker of english, but oversimplified - it could have been MUCH better
9, What do you think about the new movie coming out?
- I'm positively THRILLED at the prospect
10, Would you describe yourself as a “Trekker?”
- most definitely
11, In your opinion is there a stereotype in the general population about Trek and if so why, and is it accurate?
( again, a vocabulary problem ...)
12, Are you active in any fan clubs, and if so since when?
- No
13, Have you ever participated in any Star Trek role playing games?
- No
14, Do you like any other Science Fiction shows besides Trek?
- Yes: BAB5, SG-1, SG-A
15, What would you say is the general political leaning of the trek fan community?
Don't know about the US; here in Germany I've met Trek fans of any political leaning - except for them NeoNazis ...
16, Do you ever read Trek novels and other forms of fiction?
- very big YES
17,Do you think Trek has changed in tone from TOS to today?
- yes; which is good (see answer to question 7
)
18, Do you think trek is has risen, declined, or stayed the same in terms of popularity recently?
- declined; I hope the new movie might change that
19, How do you feel about slash fan fiction?
( unknown slang term, probably; I like (some) fan fiction; what would "slash" mean here ?)
Best wishes
Karl
--
please excuse my english, remember: I'm not a native speaker
1, When did you start watching trek?
- second run of TOS in german TV (must have been the seventies)
2, What series was your introduction to Star Trek?
- TOS
3, What series is your favorite?
- DS9
4,Along those same lines who is your favorite character?
- Spock
5,What is your least favorite series?
- VOY; wonderful concept, BAD execution
6, Why do you think it is that Trek has been able to maintain it level of prominence in the general culture for so long?
- That's hard - probably has to do with being one of the first SF-TV-series not into that "alien invasion" scenario - something new and "fascinating"
7,Do you think that Star Trek has remained true to what Gene Rodenberry intended it to be?
- No; which is good !
8, What do you think about the handling of Star Trek by its corporate owners?
here I'm at loss for adequate vocabulary not being a native speaker of english, but oversimplified - it could have been MUCH better
9, What do you think about the new movie coming out?
- I'm positively THRILLED at the prospect
10, Would you describe yourself as a “Trekker?”
- most definitely
11, In your opinion is there a stereotype in the general population about Trek and if so why, and is it accurate?
( again, a vocabulary problem ...)
12, Are you active in any fan clubs, and if so since when?
- No
13, Have you ever participated in any Star Trek role playing games?
- No
14, Do you like any other Science Fiction shows besides Trek?
- Yes: BAB5, SG-1, SG-A
15, What would you say is the general political leaning of the trek fan community?
Don't know about the US; here in Germany I've met Trek fans of any political leaning - except for them NeoNazis ...
16, Do you ever read Trek novels and other forms of fiction?
- very big YES
17,Do you think Trek has changed in tone from TOS to today?
- yes; which is good (see answer to question 7
)18, Do you think trek is has risen, declined, or stayed the same in terms of popularity recently?
- declined; I hope the new movie might change that
19, How do you feel about slash fan fiction?
( unknown slang term, probably; I like (some) fan fiction; what would "slash" mean here ?)
Best wishes
Karl
--
please excuse my english, remember: I'm not a native speaker
Hey Karl! Another German, how nice. Why do you hide in the shades?
Why do you hide in the shades?You haven't heard about slash fiction? The term actually came to be because of the slash in "Kirk/Spock". I've never read it, but from what I understand it's the enlivened fantasy that Kirk and Spock had a homosexual relationship. This fan fiction spawned a whole subgenre now called "slash fiction" where several characters from the series have sexual relationships.
Hi NCC-1701,
another German, really nice
. I have to admit to "hiding" because too many of the discussions here are verging on pointless - and I guess I don't have to show examples?!
Thanks for the explanation of "slash fiction"; I have stumbled across stories of that kind, some are funny, some even interesting - but the idea of Kirk and Spock having a homosexual relationship is quite off the mark IMHO. If you consider the number of straight relations (or incidents, at least) both (!) have had - well, they COULD have been (very) bisexual
Best wishes
Karl
another German, really nice
. I have to admit to "hiding" because too many of the discussions here are verging on pointless - and I guess I don't have to show examples?!Thanks for the explanation of "slash fiction"; I have stumbled across stories of that kind, some are funny, some even interesting - but the idea of Kirk and Spock having a homosexual relationship is quite off the mark IMHO. If you consider the number of straight relations (or incidents, at least) both (!) have had - well, they COULD have been (very) bisexual
Best wishes
Karl
This is a nice way of getting to know people, so since I'm fairly new myself, I'll do it on here as well
1, When did you start watching trek?
Early 90's.
2, What series was your introduction to Star Trek?
TOS
3, What series is your favorite?
TOS
4,Along those same lines who is your favorite character?
Kirk
5,What is your least favorite series?
Voyager - good idea, but it proved to be too gimmicky in the long run.
6, Why do you think it is that Trek has been able to maintain it level of prominence in the general culture for so long?
It was fairly radical for its time in a positive sense and thus spoke to many people. Plus with the earlier shows, the focus was on the stories and characters as well as fairly universal themes, which makes them just as accessible today.
7,Do you think that Star Trek has remained true to what Gene Rodenberry intended it to be?
No. Nor should it, as times change and I also think Roddenberry wasn't the only deciding factor early on.
8, What do you think about the handling of Star Trek by its corporate owners?
Unfortunately, as with most things, it's been appropriated by big conglomerations and thus has been watered down.
9, What do you think about the new movie coming out?
I am cautiously optimistic, but would have preferred a more radical change instead of an attempt at rebooting the franchise.
10, Would you describe yourself as a “Trekker?”
Ya.
11, In your opinion is there a stereotype in the general population about Trek and if so why, and is it accurate?
There is a definite stereotype people outside the fandom have and its been perpetuated by the media, by focusing on representatives of that type of fan. Sadly, that excludes about 98% of the rest of the fandom which, due to its size, I'd say is pretty much a representation of people in general. You got your crazies, you got your "normal" fans, you name it.
12, Are you active in any fan clubs, and if so since when?
No.
13, Have you ever participated in any Star Trek role playing games?
No.
14, Do you like any other Science Fiction shows besides Trek?
Yes. For example: Firefly, Space: Above and Beyond
15, What would you say is the general political leaning of the trek fan community?
As stated above, I think you will find fans from any part of the political spectrum. Can't say I've noticed that one seems to dominate overall.
16, Do you ever read Trek novels and other forms of fiction?
Yes to novels.
17,Do you think Trek has changed in tone from TOS to today?
Yes. And it should, as any Trek show is a child of its time.
18, Do you think trek is has risen, declined, or stayed the same in terms of popularity recently?
Right now risen, due to the new movie.
19, How do you feel about slash fan fiction?
I don't mind it, but also don't read it. I don't read any fanfic.
1, When did you start watching trek?
Early 90's.
2, What series was your introduction to Star Trek?
TOS
3, What series is your favorite?
TOS
4,Along those same lines who is your favorite character?
Kirk
5,What is your least favorite series?
Voyager - good idea, but it proved to be too gimmicky in the long run.
6, Why do you think it is that Trek has been able to maintain it level of prominence in the general culture for so long?
It was fairly radical for its time in a positive sense and thus spoke to many people. Plus with the earlier shows, the focus was on the stories and characters as well as fairly universal themes, which makes them just as accessible today.
7,Do you think that Star Trek has remained true to what Gene Rodenberry intended it to be?
No. Nor should it, as times change and I also think Roddenberry wasn't the only deciding factor early on.
8, What do you think about the handling of Star Trek by its corporate owners?
Unfortunately, as with most things, it's been appropriated by big conglomerations and thus has been watered down.
9, What do you think about the new movie coming out?
I am cautiously optimistic, but would have preferred a more radical change instead of an attempt at rebooting the franchise.
10, Would you describe yourself as a “Trekker?”
Ya.
11, In your opinion is there a stereotype in the general population about Trek and if so why, and is it accurate?
There is a definite stereotype people outside the fandom have and its been perpetuated by the media, by focusing on representatives of that type of fan. Sadly, that excludes about 98% of the rest of the fandom which, due to its size, I'd say is pretty much a representation of people in general. You got your crazies, you got your "normal" fans, you name it.
12, Are you active in any fan clubs, and if so since when?
No.
13, Have you ever participated in any Star Trek role playing games?
No.
14, Do you like any other Science Fiction shows besides Trek?
Yes. For example: Firefly, Space: Above and Beyond
15, What would you say is the general political leaning of the trek fan community?
As stated above, I think you will find fans from any part of the political spectrum. Can't say I've noticed that one seems to dominate overall.
16, Do you ever read Trek novels and other forms of fiction?
Yes to novels.
17,Do you think Trek has changed in tone from TOS to today?
Yes. And it should, as any Trek show is a child of its time.
18, Do you think trek is has risen, declined, or stayed the same in terms of popularity recently?
Right now risen, due to the new movie.
19, How do you feel about slash fan fiction?
I don't mind it, but also don't read it. I don't read any fanfic.
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