Help!!!

[D'deridex]

Another Cadet, who introduces himself here:

1, When did you start watching trek?

Late 90's

2, What series was your introduction to Star Trek?

TNG (because it was the one, which was shown by SAT1 at this time)

3, What series is your favorite?

DS9

4,Along those same lines who is your favorite character?

Bashir

5,What is your least favorite series?

TOS (it simply is too old for me)

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?

Because it has really important stories to tell and in Addition it was one of the erlaiest SF-Shows and gathered many fans years ago and they stick to it till today.

7,Do you think that Star Trek has remained true to what Gene Rodenberry intended it to be?

I think the spirit is still there, but sometimes the quotes simply have more power.

8, What do you think about the handling of Star Trek by its corporate owners?

The do what they can, but the quotes are a point, which cannot be ignored by them.

9, What do you think about the new movie coming out?

I'm not shure, if a new Kirk&Co-Story is necessary, but nevertheless I#ll go and see it.

10, Would you describe yourself as a “Trekker?”

Yes, but there are times, when I simply forget Star Trek, but it appears again some weeks or months later.

11, In your opinion is there a stereotype in the general population about Trek and if so why, and is it accurate?

I think for every franchise there is such stereotype and most times it is esaggerated. Star Trek is no exception. There are this "freaks" but most fans are pretty "normal".

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 Stargate, Andromeda, Battelstar Galactica (new and old) and Raumpatroullie Orion

15, What would you say is the general political leaning of the trek fan community?

Like idreamedmusic, I think this depends on every single fan and there is no general political leaning.

16, Do you ever read Trek novels and other forms of fiction?

Yes

17,Do you think Trek has changed in tone from TOS to today?

Yes, because Trek is a mirror of society and its Problems, so Trek changes like society.

18, Do you think trek is has risen, declined, or stayed the same in terms of popularity recently?

I think it declines slowly since TNG, but perhaps the new movie will change that.

19, How do you feel about slash fan fiction?

Again like idreamedmusic, I don't read it.

 

[greenmystik]

Ya know, I don't think I've seen this many noobs in one thread at once. It's kinda refreshing to know that Trek isn't dead.

 

[Count Zero]

It seems as if the thread got taken over by Germans. I wonder if the OP should sort out the answers reagionally as I suspect the fandom varies in different parts of the world. Anyway, here are my responses:

1, When did you start watching trek?
Around the age of 6, in the mid-80s.

2, What series was your introduction to Star Trek?
TOS, which at the time was shown on TV.

3, What series is your favorite?
Difficult question. DS9 or Enterprise.

4,Along those same lines who is your favorite character?
Captain Archer.

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?
I don't know. Maybe it is because it has a positive message and doesn't fall into the good humans/evil aliens trap. It's inspirational, I guess.

7,Do you think that Star Trek has remained true to what Gene Rodenberry intended it to be?
Depends on what he intended it to be. I think it has been true to the ideals established in TOS.

8, What do you think about the handling of Star Trek by its corporate owners?
It could have been better. I think that Voyager, the last 2 movies and Enterprise were too mainstream, treading on worn-out paths.

9, What do you think about the new movie coming out?
I'm looking forward to it.

10, Would you describe yourself as a “Trekker?”
I'm not sure what exactly that means. I'm a passionate Trek fan and I openly admit that.

11, In your opinion is there a stereotype in the general population about Trek and if so why, and is it accurate?
I'm not sure I understand the question correctly. If you mean "stereotype about Trek fans" I'd say yes. It's not as strong here as it is in the US but the stereotype that Trek fans are nerdy exists. I guess, there is some truth to it.

12, Are you active in any fan clubs, and if so since when?
Nope.

13, Have you ever participated in any Star Trek role playing games?
Nope.

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?
I'd say it's more liberal than not.

16, Do you ever read Trek novels and other forms of fiction?
Yes, I read novels and fan fiction.

17,Do you think Trek has changed in tone from TOS to today?
Of course it has. Every piece of art is also a product of its time. As times have changed so has Trek. A good example would be the portrayal of women in TOS compared to modern Trek.

18, Do you think trek is has risen, declined, or stayed the same in terms of popularity recently?
It has definitely declined. Enterprise was cancelled, after all.

19, How do you feel about slash fan fiction?
It can be fun (though most of the time it's not).

 

[Sector 7]

Hey Karl! Another German, how nice. Why do you hide in the shades?

19, How do you feel about slash fan fiction?
( unknown slang term, probably; I like (some) fan fiction; what would "slash" mean here ?)

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.

The newest incarnation of slash fiction (& where I learned about it) is the Harry Potter movies on YouTube.com .

 

[SiorX]

Hey Karl! Another German, how nice. Why do you hide in the shades?

19, How do you feel about slash fan fiction?
( unknown slang term, probably; I like (some) fan fiction; what would "slash" mean here ?)

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.

For the sake of being nitpicky:

Slash fiction started out in Trek fan magazines as meaning any stories that involved a romantic or sexual plot. It was standard procedure that if you labelled a story as being "Kirk, Spock" it meant Kirk and Spock were the main characters, but if you labelled it as "Kirk/Spock" it meant the story involved Kirk and Spock in a sexual or romantic relationship. It could be used for other pairings (eg Spock/Chapel) but Kirk/Spock was the main one.

Nowadays, the term is used in a slightly different context. Slash now always denotes a same-sex romantic or sexual relationship in fanfiction. The majority of that is two male characters, though female/female slash (often called 'femslash') is growing (hurrah!).

Slash is big in certain fandoms, and when people come poking to see what fanfiction is all about, it tends to get most of the attention. However, the majority of fanfiction in most fandoms is either het romance, or gen (no romance).

If y'all are ever wondering where all the women are on the internet, there're millions of 'em in the fanfiction end of the web.

Sending questionaire response by email.

 

[greenmystik]

1, When did you start watching trek?
When I was about 11 or 12

2, What series was your introduction to Star Trek?
The Next Generation

3, What series is your favorite?
The Next Gereration

4,Along those same lines who is your favorite character?
Worf

5,What is your least favorite series?
The Original 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?

I think it has strayed somewhat. I'm not versed in what Rodenberry's original design was for Star Trek.

8, What do you think about the handling of Star Trek by its corporate owners?
I think they tried to bring in numbers (meaning viewers) rather than produce a quality series. They wanted money more than they wanted a show.

9, What do you think about the new movie coming out?
I am genuinely excited about it.

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?
I think that the stereotype is that if you watch Star Trek then you are a "nerd" and that you still live with your mom and never come out of the house.

12, Are you active in any fan clubs, and if so since when?
No fan clubs.

13, Have you ever participated in any Star Trek role playing games?
No

14, Do you like any other Science Fiction shows besides Trek?
Star Wars and anything that I might stumble upon that interests me.

15, What would you say is the general political leaning of the trek fan community?
I don't really pay attention much to the politics in Trek so I can't say.

16, Do you ever read Trek novels and other forms of fiction?
I read Trek novels on a regular basis and have only delved into a couple of other books besides Trek.

17,Do you think Trek has changed in tone from TOS to today?
I believe it has gotten a bit more darker and more action oriented than when TOS was first on
.
18, Do you think trek is has risen, declined, or stayed the same in terms of popularity recently?
It seems to have lost some of its luster in recent years but that seems to be more from the "trekkie" side than the "new to trek" lot.

19, How do you feel about slash fan fiction?
Having just heard about this form of fiction only a few weeks ago I don't have an opinion on this since I haven't read it or seen it.

Thank you for the time.

You're welcome.

 

[drasche]

1, When did you start watching trek?
Late 90's too, although my first contact was in the 80's when TOS was first broadcasted in France, and I occasionnaly picked up TNG during the 90's on Belgian television.

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?
I don't think I have a favorite, but I know I'm very fond of Spock.

5,What is your least favorite series?
Enterprise.

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?
I'm not sure I can answer that, being on another continent. Star Trek never enjoyed here the popularity and impact it has in North America.

7,Do you think that Star Trek has remained true to what Gene Rodenberry intended it to be?
Who would know, really? I don't think it remained true. First reasons that come to mind are the Maquis and Section 31.

8, What do you think about the handling of Star Trek by its corporate owners?
They should not interfere with creative people. We see the good on DS9, and the bad on Enterprise.

9, What do you think about the new movie coming out?
I try very hard to learn nothing about it so I can make a complete discovery when I'll go to the theater. Then I'll be able to form an opinion. I'm certainly happy new creative people are working on it, for the best I hope.

10, Would you describe yourself as a “Trekker?”
I see things related to Star Trek every day, and not only on my shelves, so I would say yes.

11, In your opinion is there a stereotype in the general population about Trek and if so why, and is it accurate?
Everything popular carries stereotypes, I don't care. I know it's not accurate. My life is not driven by Star Trek.

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?
Yes, I continuously participate to one for two years and a half, being captain of my own ship for more than a year now.

14, Do you like any other Science Fiction shows besides Trek?
Galactica (old and new), Star Wars, a bit of Stargate, Firefly, Doctor Who, the list goes on.

15, What would you say is the general political leaning of the trek fan community?
I have no idea.

16, Do you ever read Trek novels and other forms of fiction?
I'm writing some scenarios for the trek RPG I participate in and that's as far as I go about Trek other forms of fiction.

17,Do you think Trek has changed in tone from TOS to today?
Definitely since Enterprise.

18, Do you think trek is has risen, declined, or stayed the same in terms of popularity recently?
Risen and declined, yes.

19, How do you feel about slash fan fiction?
I don't know, never read a thing about it.

 

[Mr. Fergy]

Done.

 

[EnsignJulka]

I'll fill this in just to enlighten everyone about me!

1, When did you start watching trek?

Since the late 80s.

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?

Spock!

5,What is your least favorite series?

Enterprise

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?

The relationship between the characters, the fact you could be white, blue, black, male, female or whatever in the Trek universe and no one would bat an eyelid!

7,Do you think that Star Trek has remained true to what Gene Rodenberry intended it to be?

I think it has but it seems with recent series and movies, it has been about pleasing the studio rather than the fans.

8, What do you think about the handling of Star Trek by its corporate owners?

Like in my previous answer, the owners have at times perceived Trek as just a money making machine and not as an art form.

9, What do you think about the new movie coming out?

I'm sooooo looking forward to it and what it has to offer, I've read interviews with the cast and crew and it seems it will probably go back to GR's original vision!

10, Would you describe yourself as a “Trekker?”

I call myself a Star Trek fan.

11, In your opinion is there a stereotype in the general population about Trek and if so why, and is it accurate?


Trek is seen as nerdy and boring. I think because we live in a culture where everything is immediate and instant and with Trek you have to let it simmer (if that makes any sense). In way it could be accurate because wasn't the first pilot The Cage rejected because it was seen as too "cerebral"?

12, Are you active in any fan clubs, and if so since when?

Nope, can't afford it, yet!

13, Have you ever participated in any Star Trek role playing games?

Nope, don't have time!

14, Do you like any other Science Fiction shows besides Trek?

I used to watch the X Files, Red Dwarf, the original Battlestar Galactica.

15, What would you say is the general political leaning of the trek fan community?

I think it swings both ways!

16, Do you ever read Trek novels and other forms of fiction?

I've read The Lost Years!

17,Do you think Trek has changed in tone from TOS to today?

Yes, especially the perception of women.

18, Do you think trek is has risen, declined, or stayed the same in terms of popularity recently?

I think (even though I wasn't alive at the time) that Trek had a peak in the late 70s, early and mid 80s and then in the early and mid 90s, basing it on how well the films did and the ratings of the TV shows. It has been declining since the early 2000s, but I think there'll be an upsurge when the new movie comes out (hopefully).

19, How do you feel about slash fan fiction?

I have no problem with it and do indulge in reading it sometimes...

 

[c5maier]

Really quite a nice way to read about others on this forum (and there really seem to be more Germans on it than I had anticipated). So here goes:

1, When did you start watching trek?
With the first episode shown on German TV: Tomorrow is Yesterday in 1971. I then saw 23 of the (only) 25 episodes that initially followed, quizzing people that had seen the other two that I had to miss about all the details.

2, What series was your introduction to Star Trek?
TOS (obviously).

3, What series is your favourite?
TOS (possibly also obvious), closely followed by DS9.

4,Along those same lines who is your favourite character?
Spock, always doing the "logical" thing, sometimes not getting along very well with others (just like me).

5,What is your least favourite series?
I have only seen about a dozen episodes each of Voyager's and Enterprise's first seasons so I must reserve judgment.

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 is fun (for some) to see something out of the ordinary, something that lets you re-address your pre-conceived ideas and makes you think "what if?"

7,Do you think that Star Trek has remained true to what Gene Roddenberry intended it to be?
From what I know, it has generally shied away from the "we are the few good heroes that shoot up those hordes of bad enemies, but that is alright" story line that is so typical elsewhere, so in that way - yes.

8, What do you think about the handling of Star Trek by its corporate owners?
Entertainment as any business is there to make as much money as possible - it is not there to please the fans. Of course these aims do not cancel each other out but they are more often at odds with each other than one would initially think. Therefore: Could the management have milked any more out of the franchise? Maybe, but I am not sure. (Had I as a fan preferred some other decisions? For sure!)

9, What do you think about the new movie coming out?
I am going to see it when it comes out and hope that I will like it. But all the attention it is getting more than one year in advance really leaves me cold.

10, Would you describe yourself as a “Trekker?”
That, being the German word for farm tractor, might be a bit misleading. But I don't mind being called one (how could I, hanging around here?).

11, In your opinion is there a stereotype in the general population about Trek and if so why, and is it accurate?
There occasionally seems to be the impression (reinforced by Shatner's "get a life!") that Trek fans flee from real life issues into their fantasy world whereas I have gotten the impression that many fans have rather let Trek broaden their horizons. Star Trek has been the springboard for them to become creative in writing, drawing/painting or music and some have started into the profession they work in due to it - not just in the arts but also in science or engineering.

12, Are you active in any fan clubs, and if so since when?
Not any more, being half of the fan club of three boys. I used to be inscribed in one in the late seventies and than more actively involved in another in the first half of the nineties.

13, Have you ever participated in any Star Trek role playing games?
No, I rarely spend time on games.

14, Do you like any other Science Fiction shows besides Trek?
Some, but none I have seen so far came up to Trek (compare answer 7).

15, What would you say is the general political leaning of the trek fan community?
I want to believe they are more open-minded towards others than the average person - and thus an asset in any democratic society.

16, Do you ever read Trek novels and other forms of fiction?
On a much reduced scale (compare answer 12a).

17,Do you think Trek has changed in tone from TOS to today?
It takes itself more serious - for the better and the worse.

18, Do you think trek has risen, declined, or stayed the same in terms of popularity recently?
The public interest is obviously much reduced in recent years with no new (official) content being produced but this board (among others) seems to indicate that the hard-core fan base remains quite strong.

19, How do you feel about slash fan fiction?
Staying mainly with more "respective" publishings, I have gotten little to no exposure to it and I don't think I am missing out on something. On Trek as on TV in general I prefer if they deal with "real" problems/issues rather than some ever repeating romantic entanglements.