Crush...Yiff...Destroy!

GoManVanGogh · Prattler Joined: 18 Nov 2003 Posts: 194

They made a sequel to "Trekkies".

I hear it's pretty much more of the same.

I can't understand why people look down on Trek fans so much. I mean, sure, some of 'em are kinda creepy, but most of the ones I've met are pretty decent folk.

And hey, why not be highly interested in Star Trek? I mean, it's probably the most utopian view of the future of mankind to ever succeed in the public conciousness. All humans are considered equal regardless of race or gender, education is an administrative priority, and furtherment of of your fellow man is the main motivation for action, not monetary profit.

Then again, considering who runs things around here, I guess it's not that big a mystery why the mainstream media feels the need to mock it.

Wayd Wolf · Vociferator Joined: 06 Oct 2003 Posts: 522

Why do Trekkies get mocked and slapped? Well, if you go to that scene in Ace Ventura Pet Detective where he goes to the home of the prime suspect and sees his bedroom, you hear Ace ask aloud, "Obsess much?!"

THAT is why.

Just over 50% of all real Trekkies give me that sort of creepy feeling where I hear that line in my head and expect Rod Serling to step in and the Twilight Zone music to strike up.

I fully respect buying every episode of the series on DVD. I can accept going to a few conventions and meeting some of the stars. They've made themselves over the years some of the most accessible personalities in television. George Takei has tried to teach "Waltzing Maltilda" to a con hall full of people.

BUT... when you wear the damn t-shirts every fucking day, talk about NOTHING but, and you can recite every line from half of all episodes across all series, you've taken things way too far.

THAT sort of creepiness is what gets Trekkies their low social station. If they kept it a little lighter and stopped trying to equate Trek to the secret of perfect human living, they might be better off.

Fuck that. They WOULD be better off.

Of course it doesn't help that so many furry freaks are also Trek freaks. The LAST thing Trekdom needs is more people who've already bid farewell to reality and good behaviour.

Mitch · Vociferator Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Posts: 335

They made a sequel to "Trekkies".

I hear it's pretty much more of the same.

I can't understand why people look down on Trek fans so much. I mean, sure, some of 'em are kinda creepy, but most of the ones I've met are pretty decent folk.

And hey, why not be highly interested in Star Trek? I mean, it's probably the most utopian view of the future of mankind to ever succeed in the public conciousness. All humans are considered equal regardless of race or gender, education is an administrative priority, and furtherment of of your fellow man is the main motivation for action, not monetary profit.

Then again, considering who runs things around here, I guess it's not that big a mystery why the mainstream media feels the need to mock it.

Hey, it's not just the media, a lot of SF fans mock it too, but not for what you said, rather for all the dippy madeup physics and the way all aliens everwhere are basically people in latex and, well, you get the drift, I'm sure. It's SF for people who don't really like SF, because that nasty "sense of wonder" disturbs them and they don't care for weird new ideas.

Donotsue · Venter Joined: 17 Jan 2004 Posts: 209

Heck, I watch Cap'n Picard's adventures whenever I see it's on...
Shatner-season is too comical by now ...=)

ZenZhu · Vociferator Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 669

I think the main thing that earns Trekkies such status is the folks that you want to shake and say "IT'S A TV SHOW!" These are the folks that not only pour over the trippy physics, but actually apply all of their science and math skills to debating them.

On one hand, many technical innovations have been inspired by sci fi. Think of how cell phones are very much like Trek's old communicators... even right down to the flip top. Seeing something someone imagined and applying your skills to make it a working reality is a worthwhile goal. Getting into a serious argument over whether or not Picard could kick Kirk's or which would win between the Enterprise and a Star Destroyer is.. well.. in my humble opinion, is a waste of time. Sitting around idly bullshitting about it might be one thing, but coming to blows over it is another.

Trek, furries, Beanie Babies, Star Wars figures, anime, football...... obsessing over anything just tends to trip the old Spidey sense.

Donotsue · Venter Joined: 17 Jan 2004 Posts: 209

KITT would kick HAL's ass...and my mom would beat Knightrider!

Schoolyard chats have moved to teh intarnet! =)

Pycnopodia · Coadjutor Joined: 31 Dec 2003 Posts: 72

I used to think StarTrek was pretty geeky as well.. But then a friend came and made me see some eps at somewhere in town, it was pretty good actually so now I go there once a week to see some episodes with other people. I still think its pretty geeky :)

Ebonyleopard · Coadjutor Joined: 15 Sep 2004 Posts: 92

Never liked the cast of Generations. Really didn't grow up much of a Sci Fi, tv show fan either. I think of the newer STs that came out I liked Deep Space Nine's cast and story the best.

I've only seen one show of that newest one...Can't think of the name, but that was when I was in Milwakee. We don't have UPN, the only network I think airs the new one, in this part of PA.

All I know is, folks can say what they want about furrie, but I remember going to those Chicago Duckons and those ST folks were the ones that creeped me out the most. People who dress up like Kingons take that crap waaaay to seriously.

Paul · Venter Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 215

All I know is, folks can say what they want about furrie, but I remember going to those Chicago Duckons and those ST folks were the ones that creeped me out the most. People who dress up like Kingons take that crap waaaay to seriously.

People who dress up as ZigZag just may take that too seriously as well. IMHO the implications in dressing up as an anthropomorphic porn star are somewhat creepier than dressing up as a badass alien.

Ebonyleopard · Coadjutor Joined: 15 Sep 2004 Posts: 92

All I know is, folks can say what they want about furrie, but I remember going to those Chicago Duckons and those ST folks were the ones that creeped me out the most. People who dress up like Kingons take that crap waaaay to seriously.

People who dress up as ZigZag just may take that too seriously as well. IMHO the implications in dressing up as an anthropomorphic porn star are somewhat creepier than dressing up as a badass alien.

40/35

Okay, that, I'll give you. Can't argue that the thing was very skillfully done, from an artistic point of view, and if there were a woman in it, that'd make it cooler (not that I know if it was or wasn't), but yeah, while I like the character, I don't think I'd want to be like the character.

M0us3_Zero · Venter Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 252

Ebonyleopard, there is a difference between wearng a costume just for a con (dressing up like a klingon for example), and just shoing off your skill, than dressing up pretty much all day.

Like a certain Jury Duty participating "Starfleet Officer" that we all know and chide...

Cosplaying isn't a bad thing, when kept in it's proper context and done at appropriate times (Halloween, Cons, Parties).

ZenZhu · Vociferator Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 669

There's also a difference between costuming and what some furries do when "fursuiting." (In fact, the term "fursuiting," IMO, tends to imply what I'm about to mention, rather than mere furry costuming.)

With costuming, you have a chance to step into the shoes of another character and indulge in a little bit of escapism. One Halloween, I did a costume that looked like.... hmm...... maybe Dr. Doom if his armor was from Stargate with a dash of Sauron thrown in.... or Klytus from the cheesy 80's Flash Gordon movie on steroids and acid. It's hard to describe, really. Anyway, it was fun being at the party for about 30 minutes before anyone even realized who I was. I wish I had a reason to do a costume for this Halloween, because I'd love to do one of the lion dancers from kabuki plays.

It's also a creative process. It's art you can wear. Many people enjoy doing their own costumes. Other people prefer to do existing characters, like Klingons, Tron, Legolas, whatever.

"Costuming" in the sense I'm using it here, however, is just a little bit of fun with a dash of temporary escapism. It's a novelty.

"Fursuiting," on the other hand, tends to conjure up images of people for whom the costume is not considered simply that.. a costume... but either an extension of self or, as we've seen some people report to the media the only time they feel like their real selves.

Now, let me quickly follow that up by saying there are both ways of costuming in and out of furrydom. Some folks dress up as furry characters for fun and creativity. There are some for whom it's the only time they feel like their "true" selves. There are also folks that to anime cosplay, Star Wars characters, Starfleet uniforms or Klingon outfits for fun. There are others that prefer to wear such things any chance they can get. I don't want to single the fursuiters out as the only ones capable of freakish behavior... but the term "fursuiting" rather than "costuming" does lend itself more to images of the freaks than the funseekers.

M0us3_Zero · Venter Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 252

True... True.

Besides, who'd wanna wear such an uncomfortable fursuit for more than... ten minutes. Makes me feel for the mascots on a Sunday Afternoon.

I mean, in an empathic sort of way. It gets damned hot I'd wager.

I would cosplay myself. But there are several problems. I'll mention the glaring ones.

1: I'm not exactly of a clear complexion. My Teenage years were wicked for the acne.

2: I so need to lose some weight.

3: I refuse to bubba-ize a convention.

4: I barely have enough money to cover all obligations I have, so making or getting someone to make a costume for me is OUT.

So, I'm in street-clothes while everyone on saturday night is showing off their best. -.-;

To me, it's a competition of one-upsmanship. Who can make the better costume.

Skunkfuckers Inc. · Prattler Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 159

I don't want to single the fursuiters out as the only ones capable of freakish behavior... but the term "fursuiting" rather than "costuming" does lend itself more to images of the freaks than the funseekers.

I think the message is that there are losers in every fandom, but furry pulls ahead of the pack into it's own speed class due to the fact that a disproportionate number of furries surrender themselves completely to being losers.

Furry = all inclusive, non-judgmental welcome to even the saddest of the sad, the lowest of the low.

mouse · Vociferator Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 740

Now, let me quickly follow that up by saying there are both ways of costuming in and out of furrydom. Some folks dress up as furry characters for fun and creativity. There are some for whom it's the only time they feel like their "true" selves. There are also folks that to anime cosplay, Star Wars characters, Starfleet uniforms or Klingon outfits for fun. There are others that prefer to wear such things any chance they can get. I don't want to single the fursuiters out as the only ones capable of freakish behavior... but the term "fursuiting" rather than "costuming" does lend itself more to images of the freaks than the funseekers.

seriously, the vast overwhelming majority of the people I see wanting to make fursuits, its usually because they want to, be involved in the craft, have a skill for it, create a costume of thier character, show off, or just to fit in - just like everywhere else.

With the exception of a couple websites and the occassional comment from some furry retard, I really don't see too much evidence that fursuitting is often anything other than just 'cosplay for furries'.

Ebonyleopard · Coadjutor Joined: 15 Sep 2004 Posts: 92

Ebonyleopard, there is a difference between wearng a costume just for a con (dressing up like a klingon for example), and just shoing off your skill, than dressing up pretty much all day.

Like a certain Jury Duty participating "Starfleet Officer" that we all know and chide...

Cosplaying isn't a bad thing, when kept in it's proper context and done at appropriate times (Halloween, Cons, Parties).

I guess, but I've seen some cosplayers, in other fandoms as well as furry, get a bit too into character if you know what I mean. But then, I guess that just shows it's not like an exclusive thing.

Anime fans are not better really, cause I'd say the effort and time it takes to recreate a costume of a cartoon character can be close to making a 'fursuit', and I've been talked to death at those cons about particular characters, they're lives, ect. The only thing that really shocked me was when I went to Wizardworld, I was expecting to see a bunch of people in superhero costumes, and there were very very very few.

There were just real live porn stars selling pictures of themselves. Now that I gotta tell you wasn't something I expected to see at a comic convention. You be the moral judge on that one.

Paul · Venter Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 215

There were just real live porn stars selling pictures of themselves. Now that I gotta tell you wasn't something I expected to see at a comic convention. You be the moral judge on that one.

News to me, but I'm not surprised. Superhero comics have a core readership of adolescent males, often with less-than-good social skills when it comes to dealing with the opposite sex. In short, many of them are also big porn consumers. Those pornstars were simply showing up where they could be sure to find buyers for their product.

ZenZhu · Vociferator Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 669

Naturally you'd see less superhero costumes. Stretchy spandex super suits are a lot less forgiving than a baggy fursuit or amply-cut Sailor Bubba outfit. :)

Ebonyleopard · Coadjutor Joined: 15 Sep 2004 Posts: 92

Naturally you'd see less superhero costumes. Stretchy spandex super suits are a lot less forgiving than a baggy fursuit or amply-cut Sailor Bubba outfit. :)

Shudder, Sailor Bubba is something no straight man should have to see. NONE!

Computolio · Vociferator Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Posts: 405

Shudder, Sailor Bubba is something no straight man should have to see. NONE!

WIMP

M0us3_Zero · Venter Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 252

Sailor Bubba...

Yes, by seeing his visage, you truely remember your place in the world.

Indeed, all cosplayers should remember his example.

If you don't look the part, don't play it.

And... STOP TAKING YOURSELVES SERIOUSLY!!! YOU ARE NOT KENSHIN HIMURA! YOU'RE BOB FROM ACCOUNTING!

Paul · Venter Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 215

Sailor Bubba

Who, what? Never heard of that. Google search. WTF

Skunkfuckers Inc. · Prattler Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 159

Sailor Bubba

Who, what? Never heard of that. Google search. WTF

After that retina scorching horror, heal your eyes and your brain with the soothing balm that is Card Captor Will, one sexy black man in a dress (seriously, that's some quality work on that Sakura outfit, way cuter than what that skanky Sailor Bubba is wearing).

M0us3_Zero · Venter Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 252

No. Just... No.

Kadius · Venter Joined: 10 Feb 2004 Posts: 254

What, no Man Faye?

DA · Vociferator Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 355

What, no Man Faye?

Who the hell is he supposed to be cosplaying as? :shock:

Donotsue · Venter Joined: 17 Jan 2004 Posts: 209

How bout miss Cupid Stunt? =)

M0us3_Zero · Venter Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 252

What, no Man Faye?

Who the hell is he supposed to be cosplaying as? :shock:

Faye Valentine from Cowboy Bebop. And if there REALLY WAS a Faye Valentine... She'd kick his ass.

O_o because I tell you, I would.