Star Trek, Science, and Science Fiction

[Smellincoffee]

Though I've been a Star Trek fan for most of my life, until recently I would not have thought of myself as someone who was 'into' science fiction. I liked Star Trek, which happened to BE science fiction. As the years have passed, I've developed affection for Star Wars, the works of Isaac Asimov, and Firefly. I've also begun to read other science fiction works, so at this point I supose it is more accurate to say I enjoy science fiction, not just a litany of books, shows, and movies which happen to be science fiction.

One of my favorite parts of Star Trek, beyond its relentless optimism and fun story telling, is the idea of scientific exploration. Nature has always fascinated me, though I did not become a reader of popular science (or someone who browses Amazon for used textbooks to read for please ) until the last few years.

I'm curious about the rest of you, though: how do you like science fiction in general, and are you interested in science...or drawn to Star Trek for other reasons, like the storytelling?

 

[Admiral Shran]

Star Trek and other science-fiction.

Real life science and I parted ways amicably a long time ago. When I had to take science and math classes in school, I was lucky to get through them, while acing classes like History and English. I'm just not built for science.

I like Star Trek, and other sci-fi (like Star Wars, B5, Stargate, etc...) for the fun story-telling and adventure.

But of course, meeting some chicks with an interest in Trek wouldn't hurt either.

 

[6079SmithW]

I've always been primarily interested in science fiction, but maybe that's because I grew up watching star trek. Star trek, star wars, and recently firefly and stargate are all shows I like. It's really the only genera I'm interested in with lord of the rings being my only fantasy interest. This spills over into video games too as most of the games i like are sci fi based.

As for science, I didn't take a liking to it until college and I've been a science major of one form or another for my whole college career. I find it fascinating and read beyond what is required for class in books I get off amazon. I doubt I'll ever be an actual scientist, though.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Star Trek and Science Fiction have ruined science for me.

 

[Rom's Sehlat]

I watch Star Trek because of the name. I liked TOS, so I wanted to watch the rest. Science fiction is preferred form of fiction, that way I can keep it clearly separated from historical fact.

 

[KDoug]

I mostly consider myself a Star Trek fan, but I also enjoy watching and reading other science fiction, such as Star Wars, Babylon 5, certain superhero comics, and the works of Issac Asimov and Ray Bradbury. I do have an interest in science, although I don't have the head to understand the nitty-gritty stuff.

 

[RegFan]

I got my interest in science from my father. I've read a certain Finnish science magazine ever since I was a child.

I like all kinds of sci-fi, but my favorite subgenre is easily space opera. The first series I watched as a fan were the Star Trek shows, but then I started to prefer other series. My current favorite is BSG, but aside from it and Star Trek, I've watched B5, Firefly and Stargate.

 

[Theodore Jay Miller]

I've always been interested in all three. I've been watching Star Trek and reading science fiction books since I was a child, and science and math were my best subjects in school.

 

[Nerys Myk]

I like all three. I'm better at Star Trek and Science Fiction than science. Though "hard Science Fiction" is my favorite subgenre. Guess I like a challenge.

 

[C.E. Evans]

I've always liked spaceships, aliens, ultra-futuristic technology, strong dynamic characters, and interesting stories. It's what drew me into Star Trek, Space: 1999, and Star Wars as a kid. For me, it's all about adventure stories set in science-fiction settings...

 

[mari]

I'd have to say all three, although Star Trek is the only SF franchise I've gotten into. While science classes never interested me, I like to do a lot of reading on my own now, particularly about the nature of matter, string theory and M-theory, and the possibilities of FTL travel; and about biology and the possibilities for life on other planets that is not carbon-and-water based.

(And I may or may not be here to meet guys and/or chicks...)

 

[Greg Cox]

I actually majored in Chemistry . . . until I realized I was much more interested in science fiction than real science.

(I was a pretty mediocre chemist, to be honest.)

 

[KJbushway]

Science fiction and science. I watch both stargate and star trek, my imagination lets me go further into the stories, further into the technology, while my scientific knowledge lets me keeps me from going to far into space. But my imagination always fights with my scientific knowledge.

 

[iguana_tonante]

I could not say if it was science that brought me to sci-fi, or sci-fi that brought me to science. I know I have loved both all my life.

Nowadays, doing science is my job and I enjoy sci-fi as my entertainment, but I am not against pulling an Asimov and doing the reverse.

I love Star Trek as one of my favourite sci-fi series, but that's about it.

 

[Shatnertage]

I like all three, even though I'm not proficient enough in science to really appreciate the work going on today in any meaningful way. I'm always happy to read layman-friendly texts and articles.

And there's a ton of sci fi that I haven't read, but I really like the genre.

 

[Nero's Shadow]

I've always liked how star trek used both and it does it for me science and sci fiction .?

 

[TigerOfDarkness]

Star Trek started me reading SF and I have maintained a liking for all three since childhood.

 

[KJbushway]

I like all three, even though I'm not proficient enough in science to really appreciate the work going on today in any meaningful way. I'm always happy to read layman-friendly texts and articles.

And there's a ton of sci fi that I haven't read, but I really like the genre.

You might be surprised to know that even those interested and knowledgeable in science read those Layman-friendly texts and articles. Its just quicker than reading a bunch of long winded big worded essays.

 

[xortex]

The new philosophies and big questions, even the supernatural occult side of things are interesting. The science is not as interesting as the metaphysics. After all you can't take a phaser with you into the next world. The science is only interesting politically, like say we have the cure for cancer and someone is supressing that knowledge for some reason or keeping oil away from the U.S., etc. as to motivations and intent which can be identified with the personal.

 

[ngc7293]

I like all three. There are writers who do science Fiction and then there are writers who do science Fantasy. Most if not all of Trek falls into the latter.