When I shoot back that sports fans regularly wear the colors and shirts of their teams (or worse, don't wear shirts and PAINT themselves the colors of their teams) they never have a good response except "But that's different!".
I know, I LOVE that response, because it's the last refuge of a person with no logical or intelligent comeback, and it's also completely untrue.
Let's compare:
1. Star Trek fans gather en masse to celebrate their fandom at conventions. Many people will be dressed in the gear of their favorite character. They'll buy memorabilia and may even get a chance to meet one of the stars.
Sports fans gather en masse to celebrate their fandom at stadiums or arenas for games. Many people will be dressed in the gear of their favorite player. They'll buy memorabilia and may even get a chance ot meet one of the players (provided they're in the right place at the right time).
2. Star Trek fans will set aside time in their day to sit down and watch classic or new Trek episodes. Sometimes they'll even get together in groups to enjoy them, and snacking and general merriment will ensue.
Sports fans will set aside time in their day to sit down and watch classic or new sporting events. Sometimes they'll even get together in groups to enjoy them, and snacking and general merriment will ensue.
3. Star Trek fans will often log on to the internet to talk about episodes past, present, or future, and voice their opinions of what transpired, either positive or negative. "The original series is quintessential Trek!" "Kirk or Picard: Discuss!" "The Kelvin's registry number starts with a zero! OH NOES!!!"
Sports fans will often log on to the internet to talk about games past, present, or future, and voice their opinions of what transpired, either positive or negative. "Lombardi's Packers were the quintessential team!" "Tony Romo returns: Discuss!" "Brett Favre signed with the Jets! OH NOES!!!"
4. Addressing the costume issue, permit me to call your attention to the following:
a.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/agtsmithreloaded/Forum Stuff/Cleveland061.jpg
b.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/agtsmithreloaded/Forum Stuff/IMG_0511.jpg
Oh, how I rest my case.
Sports fandom is just that: another type of fandom. The focus may be different, but the "game" is the same. And, as much as they want to convince me that their fandom is legitimate because it focuses on "reality", I can tell you, since I live in Milwaukee, that the level of devotion people have here for the Green Bay Packers is anything but realistic.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a Trekkie, a Trekker, a Trekkist (!), a Star Trek fan, or whatever designation one who enjoys Star Trek wants to give his or herself. It's just the narrow-mindedness of a few that spawned the social stigma about it. Sadly, enough fuel has been added to keep the flames of ignorance about Trek fandom going for a long time.
Sure, there are those amongst us who take their fandom to an awkward extreme (I'm looking at YOU, "Fleet Commander" Barbara Adams!), but I think it's safe to say that there are plenty of sports fans who take their fandom to awkward extremes as well. What's unfortunate is that the latter is accepted as reasonable while the former is dismissed out of hand.
