Why Were Star Trek Fans Considered 'Nerds' in the 1970s?
In contemporary times, Star Trek has attained a level of global popularity that would have been unimaginable to the show's 1970s fans. Yet, during the show's early days, particularly the 1970s, these same passionate enthusiasts were often seen as oddballs or 'geeks' by the general public. But why did Star Trek fandom in the 1970s attract such a peculiar label?
The Evolution of Star Trek
A 1975 parody video of Star Trek provides a humorous glimpse into the show's nascent audience. The video's humor heavily relies on the exaggerated and often nonsensical language used in the series, but it also captures a spirit of mockery aimed at the fans themselves. This early portrayal suggests that even in its nascent form, the show and its fans were the subject of some scorn.
The portrayal in 1975
In 1975, an article titled 'Believing in Captain Kirk' emerged, offering a more direct critique and description of Star Trek fans. The author’s vehement and critical depiction of the audience paints a picture of unrefined individuals: “smelling of assembly line junk food, hugely consumed the look is of people who consume it habitually and at length, overfed and undernourished, eruptive of skin and flaccid of form, from the merely soft to the grotesquely obese. The facial expression is of a near sultry somnolence except when matters of textual minutiae are discussed; then it is as vivid and keen as a Jesuit Inquisitor's for these people know more of the production details of Star Trek than Roddenberry who created them and are a greater authority on the mystery of Captain Kirk than William Shatner who fleshed it out.”
Such harsh critiques bring to light the extreme devotion that some fans held for the show, which bordered on obsession. The detailed knowledge of production and characters, as well as the physical appearance and behavior described, suggest that there were indeed fans who embraced the show with such passion that it affected their lifestyle and physical condition. It is these individuals that likely garnered the bulk of the negative attention and led to the association of Star Trek fans with the term 'nerds'.
The Influence on Star Trek Actor William Shatner
William Shatner, the iconic Captain Kirk, also experienced the brunt of this fandom frenzy. In the 1970s, he was frequently targeted by fans, often leading to near-riots or unwelcoming experiences at conventions. One can easily understand why Shatner, despite his love for the show, grew frustrated with the wild behavior of some fans. This led to his avoidance of conventions in the 1970s and his later appearance on Saturday Night Live as a fictionalized version of himself, where he vented his frustrations about the fans in the 1980s.
Conclusion
Normal is expected; it’s the strange or unusual that becomes memorable. In the 1970s, thus Star Trek fans, with their extreme passion and devotion, became memorable precisely because of their eccentricities. The reputation of Star Trek fandom was often dictated by its most vocal and fervent members.