Be a Trekkie

If you are a new Trek fan, or already a fan in need of a revival, this is the guide for you! Being a Star Trek fan might include watching Star Trek TV shows or movies, collecting Star Trek memorabilia, and sometimes attending conventions where Star Trek devotion is celebrated. In this article, you'll learn how to be an avid Star Trek fan in many ways, allowing you to pick and mix what's of most interest to you!

Steps

  1. Decide how you want to be known in your Star Trek fan capacity. You could just be a plain old "Star Trek fan", but it's helpful to know that Star Trek fans have two names: Trekkies or Trekkers. There is some debate as to the appropriate term, however, and some Star Trek fans can take offense at having the "wrong" term applied. This article carries the title of "Trekkie" because it's more commonly used but the term that you choose is really up to you to decide, with a little help from knowing the following:
    • A Trekkie is sometimes viewed as a fan who devotes their entire interest time to Star Trek and does little else.[1]
    • A trekker is viewed by some as a very keen fan of Star Trek who manages to balance other interests in their life as well.[1]
    • The creator of Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry, referred to fans as trekkies.[1]
    • Leonard Nimoy, who played Mr. Spock, prefers fans to be known as "trekkers".[1]
  2. Watch the series and the movies, if you haven't already done so. Even if you're already an avid Trekkie, if there are holes in your viewing, now is the time to catch up!
    • Watch the first Star Trek series. The Original Series (TOS) are still aired on TV on some channels, depending on where you live. It is recommended that the best way to catch up on the entire original series is to watch them on DVD because this will ensure that you see them in the correct order. Keep in mind that the Add Special Effects With Microsoft Paint and Windows Moviemaker are bad compared with what we're used to nowadays because it started as a low-budget show back in late 1966! Be kind in your Give Criticism!
      • There were three seasons of TOS. All three seasons can be found for free at the CBS website under the tab "classic shows".
    • Watch The Next Generation. Once again, Watch a DVD is best, so you can see them in order. There are 178 episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation!
    • Watch the movies. The movies are:
      • Star Trek I-VI (1-6)
      • Generations
      • First Contact
      • Insurrection
      • Nemesis; and
      • The newest Star Trek movie (2009), it's sequel "Star Trek Into Darkness" (2013), and "Star Trek Beyond" (2016). Even if you do not agree with the new movies, it still bears the label of Star Trek, but is actually an alternate reality and thus is still canon. That means it's a new timeline, and thus they are NOT prequels.
    • Continue watching the spin-offs. Deep Space 9, Voyager, and Enterprise. Be sure to pay attention to technology, terms, creatures, and characters.
  3. Read the Star Trek books. They are still being published and there are hundreds to choose from. Maybe at first just focus on the books to accompany your favorite series. To consider yourself a true Trek fan and not a 'dabbler', you must have read some of the books.
    • One book that is a complete must-have is The Star Trek Encyclopedia. This contains detailed information on STV (or VOY), TOS, TNG, and DS9, as well as the movies. It is the Star Trek "bible". And if you're going to be a fully fledged Trek fan you're going need a reference book, for those times in the middle of the night when you absolutely need to go check what episode a certain ship was in, or what year Harry Kim was born.
    • Search for used copies of books in the science fiction section of your local Meet Someone Like You in a Bookstore, or check an online auction site.
  4. Join the Star Trek wiki, Memory Alpha. Memory Alpha aims to be "the most definitive, accurate, and accessible encyclopedia and reference for everything related to Star Trek." It can be found at: http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/Portal:Main. This wiki contains more information than the encyclopedia because it is constantly updated as new information is created. You'll need it if you want your knowledge to extend further than Voyager's fifth season, and being a part of the wiki means that you can collaborate with other Star Trek fans if wished.
    • On the internet generally, consider always using Trek themed usernames. For example, Klingonscienceofficer7777777.
  5. Use Star Trek lines in your everyday conversation. This is a must for the avid Star Trek fan! Trekno-babble is the fast "techno-babble" conversation that people on Star Trek always have that only a true trekkie could understand. You will be expected not to get lost just because they talk about all this future stuff. Some of the key phrases to pepper your conversation with include:
    • "Beam me up Scotty!"
    • "Make it so."
    • "Live long and prosper."
    • "That is illogical."
    • You're late to work because you had to go to the optometrist. On your way in, you happen to run into your boss and he/she asks you where you were. You can inform him that you had diagnostics performed on your malfunctioning visual sensory organs and the proper corrective measures have been implemented. You'll leave a lasting impression on his/her mind.
    • Know series abbreviations like STV (or VOY), TOS and TNG, etc. – these are musts. It would be so un-trek like of you to say, "I got lost in all that high future stuff talk." Instead say, "The trekno-babble threw me off."
    • Sound Smart and say long run-on sentences like Data.
    • Learn stardates. That way, if someone asks "when is the movie opening?", you can weird them out by telling them the stardate. See "Tips" on how to use a stardate.
    • Get into the habit of saying "Come to Terms With the Universe" instead of "world". Instead of saying you're the "best mom in the world", say "you're the Become the Best Working Mother There Is in the "universe"!
    • There is a Klingon language, and it is helpful to learn it. Do not make up your own version of Klingon. There is a Klingon dictionary by Mark Okrand which teaches you the basics - it's a great way to be able to weird-out those people who are oddly curious yet skeptical about Trek fandom.
  6. Learn how to do the Vulcan Peace Sign. Read wikiHow's article on how to do make the Vulcan peace sign.
  7. Learn the layout of the Enterprise. Any Trekkie worth their salt should know the Enterprise inside out!
    • Know what a Jefferies tube is.
    • Know how a warp core works.
  8. Play Star Trek games. There are games you can play by yourself, with a friend, or in a party setting, all themed around Star Trek:
    • Memorize how many ways Dr. McCoy says "I am a doctor not a...". A good exercise in observation and memory improvement!
    • Memorize Star Trek trivia then have trivia contests with fellow fans. This can make for a great party!
    • Memorize the movies line by line. For fun, you may challenge another Trekker to a quote war. The first person to be unable to name a quote loses. You also should know which episodes certain famous quotes come from.
    • Same goes for episode names. Learn all the TOS names first as there aren't so many of those. Then try TNG. It isn't that hard, and it makes things so much easier in conversation if you know exactly what goes on in an episode from its name.
    • Play Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock.
  9. Model Making of the Enterprise and other famous Star Trek ships. Look online for patterns if you can't reverse engineer or fashion a design template of your own.
  10. Collect memorabilia and display it. Star Trek memorabilia can be purchased online from hobby sites, fan sites, or online auctions. You can probably also find Star Trek memorabilia in real auctions and even in the attics of friends and family! Always be on the lookout for finding great objects to add to your collection.
    • Put Star Trek pictures all over your walls.
    • Create a shelf space to place models and other Star Trek memorabilia out on display.
    • Consider starting your own website with photos of your Star Trek collection for other Trekkies to drool over.
  11. Attend Star Trek Cons. Attending conventions which feature Star Trek, or include Star Trek fans generally, can be a fun way to meet other Star Trek fans and to really enjoy the spirit of appreciating Star Trek.
    • Go in costume. This is a must. All real fans have uniforms or other relevant costumes. Check online costume stores or auction stores for ready-made versions, or aim to make your own.
    • Be in character. For example, read wikiHow's articles on how to Act Like Mr. Spock, Act Like Deanna Troi, and Act Like Julian Bashir.
  12. Bake Star Trek food. If you're good at baking, creating cakes and cookies in the shapes of Star Trek characters, symbols, equipment, and ships can be an enjoyable pastime. Upload your photos to a fan site or a photography site to share with others and inspire them.

Tips

  • Consider learning about the motivations behind Star Trek in terms of treatment of other cultures and difference. Star Trek has long promoted tolerance and open-mindedness.
  • You may choose to emulate a particular character, but so may anyone else. Star Trek is open to everyone, and there can be more than two "Scotty" emulators. Try not to feel jealous - band together with your fellow character fans and celebrate! There are many Yahoo Groups and websites dedicated to certain characters.
  • Despite differences you may experience with them, treat Star Wars fans or other science fiction fans with the courtesy and respect that you would want toward your interest. We agree to disagree. Be patient if a non-fan asks if Wars and Trek are the same thing, or which one Luke Skywalker's in. Keep the general population informed!
  • Have Trek themed voice messages for your answering machine like a recording of Picard saying, "Opening hailing frequencies." This will weird the heck out of non-trekkies.
  • '*'Here's how to use a stardate. This information applies to the 2009 movie, but is an official version (some people might not agree with the 2009 movie, but it IS star trek). You can't use this to figure out exactly when the show episodes and movies happened, besides the 2009 movie. The part of a stardate before the decimal is the year, and the part afterwards is the day of the year. For instance, 2010.11 is January 11th, 2010; 2010.38 is February 7, 2010; and 2233.4 (twenty-two-thirty-three-zero-four, recognize that?) is January 4th, 2233. of course, if you're starting your own group, you could create your own version of stardates. Just remember to spread the one that was just explained to other trekkies so they know it!
  • Try to sign up to as many different Star Trek websites and RPG games as possible.
  • Consider enrolling at the academy at http://academy.sfi.org/.
  • If you can't find a good Star Trek game to play, try downloading the free trial of Elite Force. This can be found at startrek.com under gaming and then under previews after you go to gaming. Click on the Elite Force picture (it shows the Borg) and download the demo.

Warnings

  • Some Trekkies behave appallingly on message boards and are not very nice if you cross them. It's usually stupid things, for example, you love a character they hate so they get all angry. This is negative fan behavior and is not acceptable. Fans should come together to celebrate their love of Trek and to compare opinions - not shoot others down. Beware of these people and make sure you know where the 'report to moderator' button is. And remember, don't feed the trolls.
  • Be prepared for criticism. People don't understand the uniforms, action figures and quotes so they make fun of them - they're just sore for not belonging to such a tight-knit group as the Trekkie world. Just smile and insult them in Klingon, and know that when you go home to your DVDs and model ships and weaponry, you are the better person. Always.
  • When the challenges mount up, a true Trekkie doesn't give up.
  • Likewise, be aware that there are Trekkies who may not like your favorite series. Go ahead and like Star Trek: Enterprise, but don't be surprised if someone bashes it.
  • Star Wars is not evil. Many Trek fans are also Star Wars fans, and most of the Trek-Wars battle takes place on SNL Skits and the like. It is popularized by the media because it paints a fantastical picture of what "how crazy Trekkies are!" Just don't buy into it; instead, if it's science fiction, it's pure. The science fiction multiverse is full of great SCIFI universes, from a broad variety of writers and film and TV show makers. Learn about as many of them as you like and enjoy them too.
  • Be ready for much criticism on the 2009 film. Many Trekkies seem to despise it as they claim it completely destroys what Roddenberry created. Don't listen to them if you are fond of the film, because they will do everything in their power to make you hate it and when you refuse, they will criticize you for liking what they called "mindless action".
  • Don't go around calling characters "Mr. Spock" or "Mr. Data" or "Ms. Troi". Drop the formality because you're a true Trekkie and know them well. Call 'em Troi or Crusher, that's fine, but don't ever call them Mr. or Ms. or Mrs. It means you are not familiar with them enough! (Although Spock was referred to as "Mr. Spock" many times, so this can be ok.)
  • This is a highly stylized idea of what a Trekkie is. If you don't like Trek, you don't like Trek. Don't go down the list and force yourself to watch every Spin-off. Don't buy a costume if it will just end up sitting in your closet. If you watch Trek, and realize it's not your thing, then don't stress. Besides; Trekkies come in all shapes, sizes and tiers! See Rediscover Sci Fi After Star Trek for more information.
  • As with all fandom, don't overdo and avoid getting angry with people who don't "get you". Ask yourself whether you're trying to "get" their passions in life if you feel hurt that they don't care about your passion; after all, it cuts both ways!

Things You'll Need

  • Star Trek episodes and movies (DVDs, etc.)
  • Star Trek books
  • Star Trek memorabilia
  • Costumes

Related Articles

  • Meet Girls Who Like Star Trek
  • Blend With Trekkies Socially
  • Modify Ships in Star Trek Legacy
  • Act Like Mr. Spock
  • Let Go of Star Wars
  • Become a Star Wars Fan
  • Make an Alpha Academy
  • Be the First to Watch a New Movie

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Wisegeek, What is a Trekkie?, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-trekkie.htm
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