Found this gem while going through my vacation pics from over New Year's. [See pic below]. This is actually zoomed in. The boat was rather far away, and it appeared to be anchored and no one was aboard, so I couldn't give the guy a high-five Vulcan salute.
Of course, this brings up the age-old debate of "Trekkie" vs. "Trekker."
The Star Trek fandom has been around since the original series premiered in 1966, and over the decades, fans have developed a strong identity. But what do we call ourselves? Trekkies? Trekkers? Both terms exist, and the story behind them shows how Star Trek fandom has evolved over time.
Originally, fans of Star Trek were called "Trekkies." While it seems like a harmless label today, in the early years it carried a bit of a sting. The term was often used by outsiders to poke fun at the fandom, much like calling someone a "nerd" or a "geek." It wasn't exactly a badge of honor at first.
In response, some Star Trek fans started using the term "Trekker" instead. This was an attempt to move away from the negative connotations of "Trekkie" and present a more serious or respectable image of the fandom. The distinction became a point of pride for those who wanted Star Trek enthusiasts to be taken seriously.
Over time, things changed. In my generation, terms like "nerd" and "geek" were embraced as sources of pride. Being passionate about Star Trek (or anything else, for that matter) is something to celebrate. The term "Trekkie," once seen as an insult, has been reclaimed and is now worn like a badge of honor like a proud Klingon. Many of us are proud to be Trekkies, quirks and all.
Of course, there are still fans who prefer "Trekker" to "Trekkie," and that's perfectly fine. Personally, though, I think insisting on one term over the other feels unnecessary. At the end of the day, we're all Star Trek fans, united by our love of exploration, discovery, and boldly going where no one has gone before. Whether you call yourself a Trekkie, a Trekker, or just a Star Trek fan, what really matters is the shared passion for this incredible universe.
So, what's in a name? Quite a bit of history, it turns out. But whatever term you prefer, let's focus on what brings us together instead of what sets us apart. After all, infinite diversity in infinite combinations is what Star Trek is all about.
Here are the Trekkie Shelves in my office. You can see my Enterprise, the awesome coffee mugs that John Davy sent me, my picture with William Shatner (I sponsored him at a Comic Con years ago). You'll also see my Rush shelf, my Lord of the Rings shelf, and of course my Microsoft MVP and YouTube Button shelf. :)
I have yet to unpack ALL of my stuff. But hey, I've only lived here for 2 years now... it takes time. So much in storage still...
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