The Vancouver Sun, a newspaper whose readership has definitely seen an increase with the location of filming of this year's The Twilight Saga: New Moon (starring Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner, amongst many others - full cast list discussion here), has recently bitten (pun) the hand of Twilight-ers by comparing the devotion of the fan-base to that of Star Trek.
"Even the in the mid-sixties, the fan literature and fanzines for Star Trek were created mainly by women at least as old as the actors in the show,' she said. Star Trek fan lit in particular was often explicitly sexual, which might make Spock the first modern pseudo-vampire," says the Vancouver Sun (fuller excerpt available at PB).
Skipping over the latent gender discrimination issues that might be prevalent in this statement, the jist might be that the Vancouver Sun finds the Twilight fan community to be like Trekkies with our "[s]haring [of] information and thoughts."
When I spoke to the captain of the Twilight Fan Cruise, she told us that she has had experience in putting together these conventions on the sea - with Star Trek fans (see here).
While I agree that the Twilight fanbase does carry that special something (meaning devotion, community and massive international conversation about the various ins-and-outs of the series and films), I'm not sure that the comparison is fair.
Do you think there's any validity to this insituation? Do you think Twilighters are like Trekkies? Or do you think that this is just another unfair attack on the Twilight fanbase? Comment below and let us know!
UPDATE: Fun fact: Per a commentator's suggestion that the proper term is "trekker," I looked it up. While the Oxford Concise Dictionary does define "Trekkie" as "noun (pl. Trekkies) informal a fan of the US science-fiction television programme Star Trek," and does not define "Trekker," a number sources (this one, for example) have explained that there is a slightly important distinction between the terms. Interesting, eh? That said, slight correction: term "Trekkies" to signify "Trekkers" as well within this article without intention of offense to those that may prefer the term "Trekker."
Thanks PB!
Comments
I think the obsessions are the same but it shouldn't be compared THERE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS ! But honestly I think Twilight fans are crazier !
Treks have been here a long time and well you have a male driven fanbase and then you have a woman driven fanbase so yea I'll say it again YOU COMPARE THEM JUST LIKE YOU CAN'T COMPARE HARRY POTTER.
fanfic comes to so many popular stories and tvshows. i guess it started in the startrek days (start of mass-communication) and twilight is just one of the more recent shows and stories that inspires masses of people to recreate new stories.
and if it is like startrek, i doubt it. twilight isnt far as enriched with worlds and creatures as star trek is. i think harry potter is more like star trek than twilight is. twilight reminds me more of anime shows, same level of stretch. thats cool.
and an unfair attack?
what is that choice of words about?
First thing: the term for Star Trek fans is Trekkers..not Trekkies. Now as far as comparison is concerned..Twilight fans like Twilight for lots of different reasons..but the biggest reason is because we love the story..we liked what Stephanie put out there. So in that sense we are the same as Trekkers, Harry Potter fans and Twilighters. We fall in love with the possiblities of the worlds that are created because lets face it, our world has a lot of problems. It's nice to be able to escape it even if it's just for a little while. So thanks Stephanie..and Gene..and J.K. It's a great ride!!!!!
OK. The gender discrimination issue really is upsetting. Globally, men obsess over soccer (football). In the U.S. in particular, men obsess over American Football. Football is far worse than those of us simply enjoying a good story. Football contains the two worst things in the world...violence punctuated by committee meetings. Give us a break and let us have some fun with Stephenie's story! With Stephenie's amazing imagination, I've found release from an overstressed lifestyle, a way to connect even closer with my teen daughter, and some really good belly laughs! (I'm thinking the blood typing scene!) Everyone has a hobby. Let Twilighters enjoy themselves for who they are and what they enjoy. At least Twilighters aren't promoting actual, real-life violence.
actually I agree.. I love twilight.. and I don't know neccesarily that the shows in general compare but I do see a likeness of the fan base.. I've actually said that before only I said "I wonder if how people are now with twilight is how it was in the 70's when star wars came out." I totally agree about the likeness of fans devotions but not neccessarily on the shows in general..
So let me get this straight... you mention the Vancouver Sun and Twilight several times through this, quote their piece, but you don't actually link to them at all? Sounds to me like what you're trying to do is get position on "Vancouver Sun"+Twilight Google searches, which is pretty shallow and weak. By all means discuss another outlet, but protocol would seem to suggest you should at least involve them in the discussion.
People if you think Twilight fans are crazier your wrong!!! Twilight fans can't speak alien languages or have spent 10's of 1000's of dollars on Star Trek memorblia that has filled there basements! And is there a town that's dovoted to Twilight no I didn't think so. Vulcan is if your wondering what town. Back to the topic I belive you cannot compare them because of the older fans but are attracting younger from the new movie which is supperior to Twilight my Twihard friend even agrees and also it has been around much longer and has more fans!!! Live long and prosper!
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