What's with conservative Trekkies?

[Gary Sebben]

I'm just a noob around here, for sure, but I can't help noticing - mostly through avatars - that there are a lot of conservative trekkies. And I'm wondering how that could be?

I mean Roddenberry was pretty much a miscegenating, atheist, commie at least by the time of TNG. Trek is pretty much all about progressive politics, with its on again, off again currency, socialized medicine, shunning of material gain, and rehab colonies. I know Enterprise was more "Bush Era" in its phylosophy, but it didn't really work out, possibly for those reasons.

So what do these Obama-fearing, right winging, some times homophobic Trekkies see in the series? Is it all about the tech and sci-fi and not about the culture and politics? I'm not saying get the F out or anything, Im just curious.

 

[Gepard]

Totally OT, but your username: Star Trek:TOS and Harvey Birdman fan, by any chance?

 

[trekkiedane]

I too have always found it strange that 'people of that persuation' liked Trek; I have found that mostly they just take what they like from Trek and disregard the big picture altogether…

 

[Amaris]

I'm just a noob around here, for sure, but I can't help noticing - mostly through avatars - that there are a lot of conservative trekkies. And I'm wondering how that could be?

I mean Roddenberry was pretty much a miscegenating, atheist, commie at least by the time of TNG. Trek is pretty much all about progressive politics, with its on again, off again currency, socialized medicine, shunning of material gain, and rehab colonies. I know Enterprise was more "Bush Era" in its phylosophy, but it didn't really work out, possibly for those reasons.

So what do these Obama-fearing, right winging, some times homophobic Trekkies see in the series? Is it all about the tech and sci-fi and not about the culture and politics? I'm not saying get the F out or anything, Im just curious.

There's something in Star Trek for everyone. When I was a conservative Christian (and I mean like super conservative back in high school), I actually wondered how I could square away my faith and still watch Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Remember, too, that conservatives merely want to preserve the things as they are, that doesn't mean they don't hope for an optimistic future as well. In fact, you might say that Starfleet serves up to many conservative ideals, but that's a generalization and may not be entirely accurate. Each person is different. Either way, they're all welcome as members of the club.


J.

 

[The Old Mixer]

The election poll that I conducted here would indicate that while the conservatives are certainly around, they're substantially less prominent here than in the American population in general. Part of this at least can be attributed to the fact that we're an international board, and many posters from other countries have indicated that both of America's major political parties are relatively conservative compared to those in their own countries.

If the conservatives here seem very prominent, it's probably just because they're a vocal minority.

 

[Sheliak]

"He is a very shallow critic who cannot see an eternal rebel in the heart of a conservative."

 

[JuanBolio]

There are indeed elements of Trek for all to enjoy. I once raised an eyebrow or two with my admitted liking of the Sword of Truth series, despite being a rather liberal-minded guy. Until it was pointed out to me, I was oblivious to the supposed "conservative theme" of the series.

 

[RAMA]

I'm just a noob around here, for sure, but I can't help noticing - mostly through avatars - that there are a lot of conservative trekkies. And I'm wondering how that could be?

I mean Roddenberry was pretty much a miscegenating, atheist, commie at least by the time of TNG. Trek is pretty much all about progressive politics, with its on again, off again currency, socialized medicine, shunning of material gain, and rehab colonies. I know Enterprise was more "Bush Era" in its phylosophy, but it didn't really work out, possibly for those reasons.

So what do these Obama-fearing, right winging, some times homophobic Trekkies see in the series? Is it all about the tech and sci-fi and not about the culture and politics? I'm not saying get the F out or anything, Im just curious.

I find it odd myself. There are a fair number of bible belt, gun-toting trekkies on here, and just downright old fogies. It just doesn't add up.

RAMA

 

[trekkiedane]

/.../ and just downright old fogies. It just doesn't add up.

HEY! -I grew up in the age of Star Trek (without any addition to the title)!


Git off my lawn

 

[FalTorPan]

I'm just a noob around here, for sure, but I can't help noticing - mostly through avatars - that there are a lot of conservative trekkies. And I'm wondering how that could be?

I have no clue. After all, everyone who likes Star Trek should be just like you!

 

[JuanBolio]

There are also very few straight conservatives or straight liberals out there. I myself am often mocked by the right in TNZ as being a "liberal loon", yet I own guns and fully support legalization of almost all military weapons for civilian ownership and use, and the right to carry them either concealed or openly without a any type of license or permit. I'm also against affirmative action and "hate speech" laws.

 

[TheBrew]

There are indeed elements of Trek for all to enjoy. I once raised an eyebrow or two with my admitted liking of the Sword of Truth series, despite being a rather liberal-minded guy. Until it was pointed out to me, I was oblivious to the supposed "conservative theme" of the series.

I like the SoT series a lot too... I didn't really see its Objectivist themes until someone here pointed it out to me.

To answer the OP, I think like all entertainment, if a show really entertains, you don't have to agree with its politics to enjoy it. I'm sure a lot of people like Boston Legal who disagree with some of its soapboxing.

 

[freak]

I consider myself conservative at times but I have always liked Trek in the way that everyone got along, whether it be race, religion, or alien. And of course there is the concept of going into space and exploring new worlds and civilizations too!

 

[Kelso]

A genuine conservative would celebrate individual liberty, a non-interventionist foreign policy, and a limited government. Those may not line up with Roddenberry's beliefs... but they don't seem too out of place for the Trek universe.

Now, as for why a neo-con/modern Republican would like Trek? I dunno... space battles and hot chicks?

 

[ialfan]

I never saw Star Trek as being particularly liberal to be honest. I don't really compare a show that is set 350 years in the future's politics to today's system.

I find the fact that the majority of people here practically worship Obama to be perplexing.

 

[Kirk-Fu]

I.D.I.C. I guess.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

I enjoy '24,' yet I don't support terrorism, nuking Six Flags Magic Mountain, constantly betraying my coworkers, or torture.

I enjoy 'The Shield,' yet I don't support murder, robbery, police corruption, or gang wars.

Since when do one's views have to align perfectly with an entertainment program in order to enjoy it? I'm a liberal yet I've found many things in the various incarnations of Star Trek that I disagree with, just as I'm sure many conservatives have found many things in Trek they support.

Furthermore, while Trek itself and by extension its fanbase generally skews liberal more than most shows, there are some conservative ideas espoused, just as there are conservative fans. Trek is not all one uniform set of ideas that can be easily classified, just as the fanbase can not be so easily labeled one thing or the other.

The idea of saying that Trek should only be enjoyed by one type of people would seem to be contradictory to the very tenets of the franchise, would it not?

 

[c0rnedfr0g]

I'm just a noob around here, for sure, but I can't help noticing - mostly through avatars - that there are a lot of conservative trekkies. And I'm wondering how that could be?

I mean Roddenberry was pretty much a miscegenating, atheist, commie at least by the time of TNG. Trek is pretty much all about progressive politics, with its on again, off again currency, socialized medicine, shunning of material gain, and rehab colonies. I know Enterprise was more "Bush Era" in its phylosophy, but it didn't really work out, possibly for those reasons.

So what do these Obama-fearing, right winging, some times homophobic Trekkies see in the series? Is it all about the tech and sci-fi and not about the culture and politics? I'm not saying get the F out or anything, Im just curious.

uhhh it's called being a realist. Sure, the "perfect future" of Trek is something to strive for, but we're nowhere near it today. We may never be, but that doesn't mean we need to stop trying. GR intended Trek as an optimistic view of what the future could be, not what the present is. But in order to reach that wonderful future for humanity, we need to do so via realistic, and sometimes bitter, methods. Which means sticking with our morals and dealing with adversaries in terms that they would understand; something which i would argue was shown in Trek (dominion war, anyone?).

everyone would like to live in a perfect society, but so long as we are susceptible to our human vices, we need to bear down, grit our teeth and slowly plow our way there, which never means that nobody will get hurt.

 

[RJDiogenes]

First of all, it's more accurate to say that this question is about Right Wing versus Left Wing, not conservative and liberal.

Having said that, I was shocked when I first came online and discovered that there were Right Wing Trekkies. Of course, having grown up in the Civil Rights Era, I'm shocked that there's still a Right Wing....

Now, as for why a neo-con/modern Republican would like Trek? I dunno... space battles and hot chicks?

No, they want the hot chicks censored. They do like violence, though.

The idea of saying that Trek should only be enjoyed by one type of people would seem to be contradictory to the very tenets of the franchise, would it not?

Not really, because the question is not about a franchise that advocates tolerance, it's about a demographic that is inherently intolerant.

 

[Pingfah]

Conservativism theoretically doesn't equal racist or sexist, nor does it preclude society from making the sort of leaps seen in Star Trek.

Fiscal Conservatism, right or wrong, is a reaction to what we actually have at hand. Obviously if we all had machines that would replicate anything we wanted and scanners that heal people at the touch of a button the face of Fiscal Conservatism would be significantly changed, socialised medicine and poverty wouldn't be an issue anyway.

I've always thought that the society we see in Star Trek is a result of techology rather than some altruistic shift in the nature of mankind. The fact that they now all simply try to better themselves was made possible by a massive shift in technological ability. Not because humans actually became better people, but because the fear of poverty, starvation and ill health has been removed.