the delphic expanse

Got together with some Trekkie friends this weekend (we met at the Uni start Trek society). We had a great time, we've known each other for nearly 20 years - in fact the society was how I met my husband!
We have recently come to the conclusion that we are a bit embarrassing though - we've kinda lost touch with some people who have met partners outside the society (when it comes to relationships, the Society was/is pretty incestuous - including my husband I had 3 relationships with people in the society and snogged another three ) because their partners didn't want to socialise with us. In some of the cases (because the society member has confessed while in their cups!) it is because they are embarrassed due to our love of all things Star Trek. Me and another of the members are the black sheep due to our love for Enterprise, we say it's because they didn't give the series enough of a chance! Anyway I digress!
The thing is, it is ridiculous to define us by the fact we are Trekkies. Most of us have jobs, a couple of us (including myself) are SAHMs, we have other interests other than Star Trek. But apparently that is how some people view us.
Fortunately we are all way past caring what other people think I still think it is kind of funny and sad though!
Sorry this is just a bit of a ramble!

It's gotten a lot more acceptable lately. When I was in High School (class of, egad, 1979), you'd be bullied for being a fan.

Yeah, I'm high school class of '92 and we often got dismissed as "those folks who are into that kids' show." I still can't figure out how Dragon Con draws the crowds it does. Now it seems like it's almost something that a cool person can do...

The way I look at it, if the President of the United States flashes the Vulcan sign to Leonard Nimoy (which he did) that's all I need to know. The Geeks have taken over!

I've been fortunate, I've always been open about liking Star Trek and other science fiction and have never had a problem with it. I don't know that many other major "fans" of it in real life, but I've had the opportunity to watch shows like Star Trek, Farscape, Firefly with other friends who weren't necessarily fans and most of them usually enjoyed it.

High school was hell for entirely other reasons but that's almost a decade in the rear view mirror now too.

Frakme, this is the thing you said that makes me the saddest.

Frakme wrote:. Me and another of the members are the black sheep due to our love for Enterprise, we say it's because they didn't give the series enough of a chance!

How are we supposed to make non-Trekkies respect us when we can't even get along among ourselves. Unfortunately we have a horrible reputation among other fandoms for our infighting.

Thank goodness The Delphic Expanse doesn't allow bashing of any series or the movies.

I wish the Trek community would put their money where their mouth is about IDIC, maybe Gene Roddenberry could stop spinning in his grave and we could get some respect

bluetiger wrote:Frakme, this is the thing you said that makes me the saddest.

Frakme wrote:. Me and another of the members are the black sheep due to our love for Enterprise, we say it's because they didn't give the series enough of a chance!

How are we supposed to make non-Trekkies respect us when we can't even get along among ourselves. Unfortunately we have a horrible reputation among other fandoms for our infighting.

Thank goodness The Delphic Expanse doesn't allow bashing of any series or the movies.

I wish the Trek community would put their money where their mouth is about IDIC, maybe Gene Roddenberry could stop spinning in his grave and we could get some respect

Here here! I completely agree Bluetiger.

Honeybee wrote:The way I look at it, if the President of the United States flashes the Vulcan sign to Leonard Nimoy (which he did) that's all I need to know. The Geeks have taken over!

talyn wrote:I've been fortunate, I've always been open about liking Star Trek and other science fiction and have never had a problem with it. I don't know that many other major "fans" of it in real life, but I've had the opportunity to watch shows like Star Trek, Farscape, Firefly with other friends who weren't necessarily fans and most of them usually enjoyed it.

High school was hell for entirely other reasons but that's almost a decade in the rear view mirror now too.

That was my experience too except a lot longer than a decade ago. Sad to see somethings never change.

bluetiger wrote:
I wish the Trek community would put their money where their mouth is about IDIC, maybe Gene Roddenberry could stop spinning in his grave and we could get some respect

I second this. I'm, lucky I just a little ribbing now and again, especially about my Trip obsession. But I've seen some real vitriol about the series, that I don't think it really deserves.

It's been my observation that when TOS was new, being a Trekkie labeled you as somewhat eccentric. Now I believe we're called "Trekkers" and there are lot more people out there who accept Trek and those who love Trek without thinking we're weird. I noticed the first shift in attitude when TNG came out. Suddenly, characters like Data were cool. Didn't hurt that a "classy" actor like Patrick Stewart was the captain of that series.

I think we're slowly winning them over.

I don't dig the Trekker/Trekkie schism. I've heard too many fans use one to make themselves somehow "better" than the other. Fandom -- ours, in particular -- was meant to be inclusive and if we can't behave by example then Gene had it wrong and we really are doomed.