Which fans are we talking about?

[Ptrope]

After several discussions over the years, and observations of my fellow fans and those other fans out there who don't find Trek or its fans particularly palatable, I've boiled it down to these activities that seem to distinguish one group from the general public:

• A desire to dress up in costumes from the favorite group
• A tendency to wear make-up associated with that favorite group, sometimes covering a large portion of the fan's body
• Rooms filled with memorabilia
• A sometimes frightening, sometimes awe-inspiring ability to both know and recite the most minute details about any and every episode of the subject of the fan's obsession
• A constant need to armchair-quarterback the decisions and the results of the management
• Congregation in large groups of fellow fans
• Excessive purchasing of more memorabilia at those gatherings
• Arguments between fans of the various sub-groups within the overall fandom, sometimes even violent ones
• Decoration of the fans' transportation, proclaiming their fandom to anyone and everyone

What struck me was that this list, while completely applicable to Star Trek fans, is not about Star Trek fans. It is, instead, a more 'socially acceptable' fandom, with considerably more members. About the only thing Star Trek fans don't have in common with this group is a Super Bowl, or a Nextel Cup.

Personally, I think it would be the high point of my life to see Jeff Gordon get up in front of a <strike>convention</strike> race crowd and say, "Get a life!"

(And I say all this with complete respect, and as an auto racing fan in various forms my entire life ).

 

[archeryguy1701]

I've never thought about this, but it is completely accurate. I think the big thing that makes Trekkies stand out more is the "geek-factor". That alone is what makes Star Trek percieved as less socially acceptable than the other "obsessions".

 

[egonbeeblebrox]

I've had arguments with friends who mock my love of 'Trek' over this. I always ask "Why is it OK for me to own eleven seasons of MASH, but owning four seasons of Star Trek makes me a loser?" They never really have a good response, other than "Because it's Star Trek."

 

[StarryEyed]

There are no insane fans like European Soccer fans.

 

[Michael]

All I can say is that I like fans in general. Fans of something. I find persons who have no enthusiasm for anything rather odd. It shows that someone has passion and knows what he likes and doesn't like. And when he likes it he really likes it with all his heart. That's something I find sympathetic.

 

[Balrog]

Here's an old onion article that sums up our plight as Sci-Fi geeks:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/38664

Being both into sports and Trek, I see both sides. And I bust on my buddies who give me a hard time for liking Trek. "Nice Favre jersey. Are you and he dating?"

 

[Ptrope]

Priceless!!

 

[StarryEyed]

Oh, great! I'm a trekkie AND a citizen of Red Sox Nation. I guess I'm definitely a geek.

 

[tachibana]

yeah I have a friend who knows everything about star wars, I mean geek level knowledge, and he makes fun of me for being a star trek fan. But seriously it is a little embarrassing to admit to being a trek fan. One of my co-workers and I were shooting the sht and some how we started talking about star trek. I felt it was as if we were sharing a crazy sex fetish and discovered we went to the same "club". anyway

KALPA b*itches

 

[Nerys Myk]

Came up with a test called the geek-a-lizer a long time ago. Didn't hold back and included collectibles, TV, movies, books, gaming, sports and music. The high score was a guy into SF, sports, role playing games and comics. The biggest laugh was the Deadhead trying to explain why following a band around the country and having every live show on tape didn't make him a geek.

 

[Apogeal Alpha01]

Geeks are bright, intelligent people, if not leading totally balance lives as they submerse themselves in their favorite pastime. Deadheads may be socially conscious, but not always bright. And, don't they tend to take illegal drugs more often than the usual suspects? I'd call them fanatical.

OTOH, maybe someone can tell me, is this is where the terms Geek and Nerd diverge?

 

[M'Sharak]

Deadheads are most definitely geeks, and they're everywhere. A lot of them don't even wear uniforms. One could be sitting across the desk from you at at the bank or the office, right now!

 

[captcalhoun]

there was a kid i was at school with. he could quote chapter and verse on the history of Liverpool FC and FA Cup results, even going back to the 60s.

he was cool.

I know the names of every class of starship seen on-screen in Trek and when they appeared.

i'm apparently 'not cool'.

go figure.

 

[Mysterion]

So.

Does this make Trekkies better, or sports fans worse?

 

[Apogeal Alpha01]

It means we don't have to be pitied by anyone because of our particular infatuation with Star Trek.

It also seems a bit cautionary, in that, it's always easier to see someone else's obsessive behavior.

 

[CaptainStoner]

M´Sharak said:
Deadheads are most definitely geeks, and they're everywhere. A lot of them don't even wear uniforms. One could be sitting across the desk from you at at the bank or the office, right now!

 

[Apogeal Alpha01]

You mean they could look just like you or me? So do Trekkies!

 

[CommanderRaytas]

So I'm an insane, European soccer fan (and my team are a bunch of losers) and I'm a Trekkie.

Am I cool or uncool now? I wonder.

 

[M'Sharak]

Apogeal Alpha01 said:
You mean they could look just like you or me? So do Trekkies!

Isn't it amazing?

 

[Smiley]

I'm always amazed at how Deadheads and similarly devoted fans of musicians and sports teams have the funds available for travel, tickets, and time off of work. I'd love to follow Brad Paisley or Brooks & Dunn around the nation and the world, but it will not be possible until I retire.