Sci-Fi Fans?

[davedove]

and have the blue-prints for the Enterprise.

Do I qualify?

Well, if that qualifies you, I'm qualified as well.

I've got probably an even distribution of science fiction and fantasy books in my library (or closet if you want to be accurate). Not to mention comic books, role-playing games,... Oh my stars! I am a geek!

[Caradoc]

and have the blue-prints for the Enterprise.

Do I qualify?

I dunno. Which blueprints of which Enterprise?

(looking over at the shelf)

The original NCC-1701 in the brown vinyl envelope, the reissue in the black vinyl, the reissue in the blue vinyl, the set that's included in the black vinyl covered release of the Franz Joseph Technical Manual, the set in the Officer's Manual, or the NCC-1701-D set in blue vinyl, or what?

I used to add stuff to my collection all the time from Star Station Aurora, from the ads in the back of Starlog Magazine.

(I've also got a pretty solid collection of Heinlein first editions, Asimov first editions, and one of the flowers of my collection is a first edition autographed hardcover of "Logan's Run.")

I think I'm qualified as a "science fiction geek."

[Tim Walker]

As I recall, both RAH and Jerry Pournelle had kilted characters in their science fiction, so there is a connection.

Also, in that some fans appear kilted at conventions.

I have my own creative writing project, a parody of space opera. As for serious science fiction, I think that-depending on the context-a writer should consider the future popularity of kilting. That may be just part of the background, but it would be an obvious, visible change.

[Zardoz]

Sure, some of the characters seemed a bit over the top, but I've know people just like every one of them (except River), including Jayne, and the personality conflicts between them were totally believable; much more realistic than the typical "everybody's a team here" pablum.

That pretty much describes Farscape! Only difference being the FS characters were more interesting (and attractive, IMO) Conflict, distrust and doublecross were part of everyday relations on Farscape, and that was just among the 'good guys'! Too bad you didn't watch more; you missed a lot of very original SF television!

""typical "everybody's a team here" pablum."" = Hey, that's a shot at Star Trek! I know what you mean though, after 5 different Trek shows; if you set them end to end, over 40 years of episodes, and 8 movies, that concept was wearing a little thin!

[Tim Walker]

Indeed, it had worn thin. Starting with the bland first season of Next Generation.

The best of Enterprise was the alternative Terran Empire show: backstabbing, mutiny, torture, power grabbing. Terrorism. (Special effects have come a long way-the Gorn seemed almost real).

The characterization, character conflicts and plotting made Firefly one of the best science fiction shows ever. A regular character who was certifiably crazy. Mad cannibals. Rebels.

[Iolaus]

""typical "everybody's a team here" pablum."" = Hey, that's a shot at Star Trek! I know what you mean though, after 5 different Trek shows; if you set them end to end, over 40 years of episodes, and 8 movies, that concept was wearing a little thin!

The fact that you knew what I was talking about simply proves my point.

Don't get me wrong, I grew up watching and loving the original when I was a kid - used to play impromptu trivia quizes with a good freind of mine when I was in my early twenties, and I was fairly happy with NG, but they pushed the franchise too far. ...and that whale movie? Give me a break!

Wrath of Khan was excellent though.

Life is one long game of cut-throat pool, with very few friends truely covering your ***; it's nice to see that portrayed in the future.

[Zardoz]

Iolaus said;"The fact that you knew what I was talking about simply proves my point."

No, no, I was being a little sarcastic! I'll say this and then drop it; I was making a point about how successfull the Star Trek franchise has been! I'm 43, I grew up on Trek, So did my wife. I don't have any NC1701 bluepints, or my own Starfleet uniform or anything, but we are, and always will be, dedicated fans.

Yeah, the last couple movies sucked, and "Enterprise" was pretty dull, and I never really liked DS9, But Trek is still the 800 pound gorilla in Sci Fi TV! The small but rabid fan following of other shows over the years like Space 1999, Galactica, Babelon 5, :rolleyes: Lexx, Red Dwarf, Farscape or Firefly always say our show is better than Trek because........

But apparantly the Star Trek formula of comradeship and diversity succeeding in a hopefull, peacefull, future seems to be the one most of the viewing public likes, at least that's what the numbers say. And in show business those numbers mean a lot.

Lest it sound like I only like Trek, No, I've been a 'rabid fan' of plenty of other Sci Fi shows, but they all went away pretty fast. I fully expected to like Firefly, I liked Weadon's other shows a lot. But the characters never grabbed me, and since it was mostly character development and low on action, it failed to hold my interest. It also seemed to be heavily influanced by some old Anime shows like Trigun but that's OK, I just didn't care about it. I don't mind that others did, good for them! I really liked the short lived super hero show "Birds of Prey" but everyone else in America thought it was crap!

We now return to the disscussion of Robert Heinlein and Sci-Fi Cons!

[smaughazard]

Okay, who are some of the other favorite authors? Mine include:

Larry Niven
Poul Anderson
Roger Zelazny
Elizabeth Moon
Robert Forward

and, especially, Philip José Farmer (think Riverworld and World of Tiers series)

[Caradoc]

Okay, who are some of the other favorite authors? Mine include:

Larry Niven
Poul Anderson
Roger Zelazny
Elizabeth Moon
Robert Forward

and, especially, Philip José Farmer (think Riverworld and World of Tiers series)

I'll second the votes on Larry Niven, Poul Anderson, and Philip José Farmer, and add Vernor Vinge, William F. Nolan, George Clayton Johnson, and of course Ray Bradbury.

[wgority]

Patricia Kenneally (nee' Kenneally-Morrison) has already trod this ground with her Keltiad books. Her tales include action, adventure, and a world-view alternately made interesting or tedious by her own adherence to wicca. Some of her characters and writing can be very entertaining. For myself, I prefer the earlier books to the later where she really wants to beat some drum or another.

Bill

See Below

I've even created my own Star Wars universe culture:

Planet: Caledon
Called by peoples: Alba
Race: Alban (human)

This planet is characterized by Lightsaber wielding guys in kilts (and belted plaids/great kilts) and blue face paint, a ubiquitious blue shape bearing a large white X, indecipherable writing (think P1M typing quite drunk), an elixer of life called: uisgebethe ("The water of life"), and so forth. You get the idea.