Why is Star Trek fandom different than Star Wars?

[BillJ]

In the end, these differences make Star Wars more accessible than Star Trek. This accessibility led it to become a hit kids' movie.

I've seen The Force Awakens twice in theaters and there's been exactly one kid at each showing, mine. There simply isn't as much material to in Star Wars that one has to familiarize themselves with to get the general gist of the story. Star Wars is the story of a family, Star Trek is kinda all over the place with no real focus.

 

[The Wormhole]

You mean like criticizing US policy on drone warfare and executing criminals without trial and frowning on our entire outlook post-9/11?

Abrams filth doesn't count as True Star Trek.

 

[2takesfrakes]

It wouldn't be all that hard to bridge the gap, in the future ...

 

[The Wormhole]

That sure would be a conversation.
Dathon: Darmok and Jilad at Tenagra.
Picard: Gilgamesh and Enkido at Uruk.
Ewok: Yub-nub.

 

[Griffeytrek]

The most basic core difference to the fans is the very nature of what the two properties are. Star Trek tends to appeal to the more classic Science Fiction Fans. Star Wars appeal is more weighted towards Action Adventure. While each series has elements of the other at core that is what each is when done right. And neither is a negative. Both are the best at what they deliver. Star Trek tends to look at the real world and real world questions through the filter of their made up universe. Whereas Star Wars tends to be 100% pure escapist fantasy.

 

[topcat]

the fandoms can be summed up succinctly.

star wars
the huddled masses of a planet cower in their basements as a fleet of imperial war ships takes orbit and demands tribute. Hoping that a jedi will come save them.

Star Trek,
The huddled masses go oh crap as the star destroyers take orbit, make a call to star fleet. And mount a resistance throwing every last thing they have, ala bajor thrust ships, at the invader while giving star fleet time to get their.

ie, one is hoping someone saves you. the other is saving ourselves.

 

[BillJ]

the fandoms can be summed up succinctly.

star wars
the huddled masses of a planet cower in their basements as a fleet of imperial war ships takes orbit and demands tribute. Hoping that a jedi will come save them.

Star Trek,
The huddled masses go oh crap as the star destroyers take orbit, make a call to star fleet. And mount a resistance throwing every last thing they have, ala bajor thrust ships, at the invader while giving star fleet time to get their.

ie, one is hoping someone saves you. the other is saving ourselves.

Which is nonsense. The entire Star Wars saga is about rebellion of one form or another.

 

[The Wormhole]

Yeah, the OT and the new trilogy are all about ordinary people rising to the occasion to defeat evil oppressors. Even the prequels was more about acting on your own initiative to save yourself than relying on others to save you. Okay, Anakin did turn to Palpatine to save Padme, but look where that got him.

 

[T'Arwen]

Star Wars appeals to more primal themes to people...simple ones, easier to understand. Black and white. Not a lot of thought process for them. It rejects most science and appeals to faith, also something which is popular to many. It's anti-technology. It's easy to like and fun..it's a fling.

The prequels are far from black and white. There was a lot corruption among the Jedi and Old Republic. How do you think Palpatine was able to take over? And in what world would hyperspace and flying cars be anti-technology?

Star Wars is built on primal story types though. The OT is a mash up of fairy tale and the mythical hero's journey with the clash of good and evil (Rebels vs Empire). The PT is a Greek/Shakespearean tragedy of Anakin and the Republic.

One heck of a forty year fling folks have been having with it.

I'm the sole Trek fan in a house full of Star Wars fans. They dissect their shit to an absolute ridiculous degree, just like we do.

When Star Wars and Harry Potter fans dissect their shit a lot, why do Trek fans have the more nerdy reputation?

 

[BillJ]

When Star Wars and Harry Potter fans dissect their shit a lot, why do Trek fans have the more nerdy reputation?

We were doing it first, before it became cool.

 

[J.T.B.]

Yeah, the OT and the new trilogy are all about ordinary people rising to the occasion to defeat evil oppressors.

In Star Wars as a stand-alone, maybe. But looked at as a whole, it wasn't really ordinary people at all; the important events all centered on a group of well-connected relatives who have extra doo-dads in their blood.

 

[stardream]

When Star Wars and Harry Potter fans dissect their shit a lot, why do Trek fans have the more nerdy reputation?

They ain't got nothing on the Tolkien fans.

 

[Vandervecken]

I think it boils down to Star Wars having broader appeal than Star Trek, and that's because its' themes are so broad and universal. Lightness and darkness, good and evil, the longing for bigger things than the normal things of life, spirituality, and other themes are pervasive throughout Star Wars, and those are things that people everywhere can understand.

So if there is a difference between Star Wars' and Star Trek's fandoms, it could be that SW has a little something for everybody and is more easily accessible, whereas Star Trek has tended to have a rather exclusive fanbase and places a heavy emphasis on being knowledgeable about the lore. Therefore, their respective fanbases will reflect those attitudes.

Corollary: the characters are generally far simpler.

 

[Griffeytrek]

Corollary: the characters are generally far simpler.

Corollary to your Corrollary: Their fans are generally far more committed... as well they should be. 48 hour hold minimum. Don't believe me? Go to a Star Wars fan gathering and ask the experts if the Millenium Falcon's Mandibles "Toe In" or are "straight". Once you've lobbed that grenade in run and get to a safe distance. And those are just the modelling nerds. The Star Trek Fans seen more intense at a glance, but really are fairly mellow. No great crusade for who the best captain is etc. But the Star Wars guys... there is some scary intensity in that fandom in places.

 

[Vandervecken]

They ain't got nothing on the Tolkien fans.

Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo.

 

[BillJ]

But the Star Wars guys... there is some scary intensity in that fandom in places.

Both groups have their "fans" that have lost touch with reality. Check out the Axanar fans over on Facebook.

 

[stardream]

Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo.

Hantal

 

[woodstock]

It takes more (worthwhile) effort to be a Star Trek fan.

 

[JeffinOakland]

Star Trek is for adults. Star Wars are family films. I generalize, of course. I love both.

 

[fireproof78]

Fans are fans. If it is one thing I have observed over the years is that people get involved with fandoms for a variety of reasons, and for every supposed difference I find in Star Trek fandom, I invariably find in the other.

Star Wars certainly has broad appeal to kids, especially with all the merchandising and cartoons that, on the surface, can be very kid friendly and accessible. But, at least in my experience, the Star Wars fan group that I was a part of consisted of mostly adults, with only one child who came consistently. Also, in comparison, I started watching TOS at 8 or so, and was costuming and reading Star Trek books when I was 11.

There is a lot more to it than surface level comparisons can draw. I can have just as technical or philosophical discussions in both groups, among others.