Star Trek's topics - tribe.net

Synthahol

2008-08-13T19:48:45Z

Discuss....

Personally, I hate the idea of synthahol. Dammit, I want a real beer, not a fake one.

And fake chocolate? PUHLEEZ!

posted in Star Trek - 10 replies

Holodecks

2008-08-13T18:18:32Z

What would you use a holodeck for...

...other than porn?

posted in Star Trek - 31 replies

Cloaking materials theorized!

2008-08-11T18:25:33Z

Researchers used 3-D metamaterials, or composites with the ability to bend electromagnetic waves, to negatively refract light.
By K.C. Jones
InformationWeek
August 11, 2008 10:57 AM

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, say they have created materials that bring them closer to creating invisibility cloaks.
They will publish their work in two journals, Nature and Science, this week. The researchers used 3-D metmaterials, or composites with the ability to bend electromagnetic waves, to negatively refract light.

"What we have done is take two very different approaches to the challenge of creating bulk metamaterials that can exhibit negative refraction in optical frequencies," Xiang Zhang, professor at Berkeley's Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center, said in a statement. "Both bring us a major step closer to the development of practical applications for metamaterials."

Zhang heads the research teams that developed the two new metamaterials. He is also a faculty scientist in the Material Sciences Division at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

The Berkeley researchers stacked layers of silver and nonconducting magnesium fluoride and cut nanoscale-sized fishnet patterns into them for the metamaterials. They measured a negative index of refraction at wavelengths as short as 1,500 nanometers, or the near-infrared light range, according to a university announcement.

The researchers also demonstrated a second method of negatively refracting light. They used silver nanowires grown inside porous aluminum oxide to create a structure about one-tenth the thickness of a sheet of paper. The metamaterial refracted red light wavelengths as short as 660 nanometers, according to the researchers.

"The geometry of the vertical nanowires, which were equidistant and parallel to each other, were designed to only respond to the electrical field in light waves," Jie Yao, a student in UC Berkeley's Graduate Program in Applied Science and Technology and co-lead author of the study in Science, explained. "The magnetic field, which oscillates at a perpendicular angle to the electrical field in a light wave, is essentially blind to the upright nanowires, a feature which significantly reduces energy loss."

"What makes both these materials stand out is that they are able to function in a broad spectrum of optical wavelengths with lower energy loss," Zhang said. "We've also opened up a new approach to developing metamaterials by moving away from previous designs that were based upon the physics of resonance. Previous metamaterials in the optical range would need to vibrate at certain frequencies to achieve negative refraction, leading to strong energy absorption. Resonance is not a factor in both the nanowire and fishnet metamaterials."
Scientists hope the research can lead to improved antenna performance, reversing the Doppler effect, higher-resolution optical imaging, nanocircuits for high-powered computers, and, eventually, cloaking devices that could render objects invisible to humans.
However, they cautioned that they are far from being able to create invisibility cloaks.

The National Science Foundation, the U.S. Army Research Office, and the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research helped funded the research.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/hardware/peripherals/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=210001982

posted in Star Trek - 0 replies

Buzz Aldrin blames Star Trek for boring people from space

2008-08-08T19:50:17Z

I love Buzz. Buzz is my hero. But he's off the mark (or the meds) here:

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=0&id=57491&type=0

"I blame the fantastic and unbelievable shows about space flight and rocket ships that are on today. All the shows where they beam people around and things like that have made young people think that that is what the space program should be doing. It's not realistic."

and there's more:

"But, if you start dealing with fantasy and beaming people up and down and traveling seven times the speed of light, you are doing damage. You're not helping. You have young people who have got expectations that are far unrealistic, and you can't possibly live up to the expectations you have created in young people. Why do they get bored with the space program? That's why."

posted in Star Trek - 28 replies

About damn time... Star Trek MMORPG

2008-08-08T19:23:08Z

http://www.startrekonline.com/node/62

"Cryptic will unveil the first Star Trek Online gameplay footage as well as details about this highly anticipated MMO at the annual Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas on Sunday, August 10, 2008. Trek fans from around the globe can also view the event live via webcast at http://www.startrekonline.com/."

posted in Star Trek - 2 replies

Speaking of Scotty...

2008-08-05T17:10:22Z

"Falcon 1 flight 3 was lost during the attempted separation of the second stage."

"Perhaps less seriously, but probably more newsworthy, the ashes of over 200 people were also on board, including a pair of rather well known astronauts, one actual, one fictional. They were Gordon Cooper, one of the original Mercury 7, and "Scotty" himself, James Doohan."

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080803-spaceflights-not-easy-space-x-loses-scotty-and-a-rocket.html

Well, scattered across the atmosphere is a close second...

posted in Star Trek - 3 replies

Now we know where Scotty's transparent aluminum wound up

2008-08-05T00:17:47Z

http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20050820/fob1.asp

"Scientists have come up with a way to efficiently produce thin, transparent sheets of carbon nanotubes that are several meters long and could have applications as diverse as automobile windows that double as antennas and electronic displays that can bend like paper.

"Nanotubes, minuscule cylinders of carbon atoms just a few nanometers across, are lightweight and stronger than steel, and they can conduct electricity. Now, Ray H. Baughman of the University of Texas at Dallas and his colleagues have developed a way to produce sheets of nanotubes with an ease and speed that could make their manufacture commercially viable."

posted in Star Trek - 13 replies

Fantasy / sci-fi / horror / thriller / etc.

2008-08-05T00:15:59Z

I've been watching Star Trek now for at least a week, close to forty-two years, and I find it interesting that it can be so many genres.

Lately, I've been rewatching the third season of the original series, and it amuses me to see how episodes switch from being basically hard sci-fi, moral plays set in a tech setting, paranoid fantasy, etc.

I've also just returned from watching a variety of Shakespeare plays, many of which had been recast in different time periods, such as the 1920's, the near-future, etc.

So, it's been making me think about genre, setting, etc.

Discussion about Buzz's Bitch has also stirred the pot a bit.

So, genres...

What makes a particular genre that genre, to you? I realize this is purely subjective, so I'm looking forward to more of a round-robin discussion.

I'm also intrigued by genre-bending, such as fantasy with a sci-fi bent, horror with a sci-fi bent, and so forth.

posted in Star Trek - 9 replies

Warp Drive - you KNOW you want it...

2008-08-04T23:55:26Z

Despite the protestations of folks who aren't reading the big words, there IS a lot of research going on out there regarding how to be trickier than normal space.

For example, this paper:
http://arxiv.org/abs/0807.1957

and this article reprint:
http://www.we-make-money-not-art.com/archives/2006/01/welcome-to-mars.php

Heim's work is very interesting, but apparently very dense.

posted in Star Trek - 2 replies

Why do the 'Borg...

2008-08-04T23:53:38Z

...need a flag?

http://startrek.wikia.com/wiki/Image:Borg.jpg

posted in Star Trek - 10 replies

Alexander Siddig as "Hannibal"

2008-07-30T14:06:48Z

The general not the cannibal! http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0766213/

He's very good and the production is informative and entertaining.

posted in Star Trek - 0 replies

Randy Pausch succumbs to cancer

2008-07-25T14:32:06Z

(topic: he's briefly in the new movie)

Randy Pausch, the Carnegie Mellon University computer science professor whose final lecture inspired millions, has died of pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Pausch, 47, who turned the lecture into a book, said that no one would have been interested in his words of wisdom were he not a man in his 40s with a terminal illness, leaving behind a wife and three young children.

According to Dr. Pausch's Web site, a biopsy last week revealed that the cancer had progressed further than expected, based on recent PETscans.

"Since last week, Randy has also taken a step down and is much sicker than he had been," the Web site said. "He's now enrolled in hospice. He's no longer able to post here so I'm a friend posting on his behalf because we know that many folks are watching this space for updates."

Last fall, Dr. Pausch delivered the lecture at CMU, which still posts it on its Web site. The lecture has attracted more than six million viewers.

(more) http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08207/899511-100.stm

posted in Star Trek - 0 replies

Excalbia looks like Io

2008-07-02T14:56:09Z

In the remastered version of "The Savage Curtain", I noticed that they made the planet Excalbia look a lot like the moon Io except without the giant volcanic eruptions. Anyone else notice that?

posted in Star Trek - 3 replies

Leonard Nimoy an Obama donor

2008-07-01T09:22:03Z

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j3MP7O---5Qv3NLR8ebCRHNiSqsQD91FU1B00

"While wealthy celebrities often lavish money on multiple candidates, Obama's donors already include Will Smith, George Clooney, Jennifer Aniston, Leonard Nimoy and singer Harry Connick Jr. Oprah Winfrey's fundraiser for Obama at her Santa Barbara-area estate was one of the biggest events of the primary season, helping cement Obama's position as a credible challenger to Clinton."

Not trying to throw a political pitch, only pointing it out. If Shat comes out for McCain I'll post that also.

posted in Star Trek - 3 replies

Of Gods and Men

2008-06-28T15:31:27Z

Anybody have any updates on the release of the "Of Gods and Men" mini-series?

posted in Star Trek - 10 replies

Space hippoes fly SpaceShpOne!

2008-06-26T16:53:28Z

I just saw the remastered version of "The Way to Eden", and I noticed that they made the space hippies' spaceship look a lot like SpaceShipOne. Is that some kind of subtle homage to Burt Rutan?

posted in Star Trek - 6 replies

TNG Rap

2008-06-17T15:31:26Z

Quite hilarious, but watch out for the naughty words!
http://www.cracked.com//video_16363_star-trek-tng-rap-warning-explicit-lyrics.html

posted in Star Trek - 2 replies

Star Trek PEZ !

2008-06-11T19:45:25Z

Oh these look nice ...

http://mattmcnutt.wordpress.com/2008/06/07/star-trek-pez/

posted in Star Trek - 2 replies

Wedding Bells for George Takei

2008-06-10T04:22:26Z

Best wishes to George Takei and his soon to be spouse Brad Altman. The couple will tie the knot this fall. California this summer will join the 21st Century when same sex marriages become legal on June 17th.

Walter Koenig will be the best man and Nichell Nichols will be the matron of honor.Leonard Nimoy is also on the guest list.

Live long and prosper, George and Brad.

posted in Star Trek - 2 replies

TAKE 2 - Q The Dark Knight

2008-06-10T04:15:58Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlkjkgqHxjs

OK, Here's the right one. Good looking out Tom!!

posted in Star Trek - 0 replies

Watching an old episode of "Star Trek," Shatner likes the hero

2008-06-05T19:42:26Z

Well, yeah!

http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_9481556

This particular night, though, he was recovering from hip surgery and couldn't sleep, so he was watching TV. An old episode came on — the one where the crew of the USS Enterprise visited a society that had modeled itself after Chicago gangsters of the 1920s. Kirk and Spock dressed up in pinstripe suits and held court as tough guys.

Watching, Shatner was more pleased than he expected.

"I haven't seen myself playing Capt. Kirk in a long, long time," he says. "And I watched it now, from my perspective of 40 years later, and I thought, 'You know, that's rather good.' It's a starship captain trying to do the accent, the Noo Yawk accent, trying to play tough, trying to be one of the guys. It's not quite right, but it's what a starship captain would have done — a decent imitation, enough to fool those guys but not the audience."

posted in Star Trek - 0 replies

RIP Joseph Pevney

2008-06-01T17:52:28Z

One of TOS's best directors passes at 96! See any episodes here you like?

"Arena"
"The Return of the Archons"
"A Taste of Armageddon"
"The City on the Edge of Forever"
"The Devil in the Dark"
"Catspaw"
"Friday's Child"
"Amok Time"
"Wolf in the Fold"
"The Apple"
"The Deadly Years"
"The Trouble with Tribbles"
"Journey to Babel"
"The Immunity Syndrome"

http://www.legacy.com/TheDesertSun/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=110273305

posted in Star Trek - 2 replies

Self Help Reading

2008-05-25T16:36:31Z

Seven Habits of Highly Effective Starship Captains:

http://io9.com/353543/seven-habits-of-highly-effective-spaceship-captains

The Seven Types of Bad Bosses According to Star Trek:

http://io9.com/392142/the-7-types-of-bad-bosses-according-to-star-trek-and-how-to-survive-them

posted in Star Trek - 0 replies

"In bed with Captain Kirk ..."

2008-05-19T23:37:04Z

"... William Shatner tells of his 40-year Star Trek"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=565380&in_page_id=1879

posted in Star Trek - 1 reply

Did you see this?

2008-05-16T04:08:05Z

This is a friend's blog with a pic comparing the characters of Star Trek. Not sure where he got it: http://people.tribe.net/ta2joynt/blog?topicid=4cd65745-41e4-4880-94ad-70747319e43c

posted in Star Trek - 6 replies

No "Star Trek" aboard ISS

2008-05-09T01:21:35Z

http://io9.com/386277/on-the-international-space-station-you-can-watch-star-wars-but-not-star-trek

"Imagine if you will that you are on the ISS for a tour of duty. You can only bring a few things with you, so you're relying on the ISS library to keep you entertained. And you arrive only to discover there is ABSOLUTELY NO STAR TREK. That's right: you can watch every single Star Wars movie, every single Matrix movie (including Animatrix), every Lost episode, all the X-Men, tons of Stargate episodes, and even The Princess Bride (yay!). But no Star Trek movies. No Star Trek TV shows. WHAT THE HELL, people? Why does the government hate Star Trek?!"

posted in Star Trek - 5 replies

1701D

2008-04-23T06:47:38Z

Did anyone notice on the Friday, April 18 episode of Battlestar Galactica on Sci-Fi channel, that the number on the weapons locker door was 1701D.

And in one of the final shots of the 2003 BSG miniseries, one can make out in the distance the original NCC1701 version of the Starship Enterprise.

I think its rather nice that shows such as Battlestar Galactica, Stargate SG1, and others, have paid homages to Star Trek.

posted in Star Trek - 4 replies

"Card Trek"

2008-04-21T16:39:48Z

"Fascinating, Captain. Sensors indicate a ship...made of cardboard!"

http://www.freewebs.com/jaybats/cardtrek.htm

Actually various Trek ships. Fantastic work!

posted in Star Trek - 0 replies

Broke Trek Mountain

2008-04-20T05:30:46Z

Very well done
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xSOuLky3n0&watch_response

posted in Star Trek - 3 replies

New Convention...Uni-Con, Rindge, NH April 26

2008-04-19T01:59:57Z

Walter Koenig will be appearing at a first time convention at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH on April 26. This con, run by the Science Fiction Club at the college, is a chance to experience cons the way they used to be...before they became big business. Hang out with Walter and other fans, and see his new movie "InAlienable". There will also be a representative from Star Trek: Phase II there.

For directions check out their website: www.uni-con.org/index.html

posted in Star Trek - 0 replies

He's Dead, Jim!

2008-04-18T23:54:23Z

http://www.youtube.com/v/qJQwHwP0ojI&hl

posted in Star Trek - 1 reply

Sub Rosa question

2008-04-10T21:38:27Z

I just finished watching the Next Gen ep called Sub Rosa, where Crusher's grandmother has died and Crusher is taken over by the ghost/energy. To me it felt like they left a loose thread. Crusher talks about how every Howard woman except she and her mother had bright green eyes. And we find out later it's the entity that makes the eyes green. Okay, I want to know why Crusher (or the writers) didn't think of that or use that more when Crusher was fighting the entity. How did her mother die and was her mother ever approached by the entity? If so, did she resist, is that why she died? Or did the entity kill the mother so that it could have all the attention of the grandmother? Maybe I'm making too much of it, but it's a part of the story that could have really been used and seems to have just been ignored after it was brought up.

posted in Star Trek - 6 replies

Klingon Horoscope

2008-04-04T14:33:27Z

And scary accurate! My sweetie is a Challenge (which I already knew, lol) ... and I'm Duty; which although I hate to admit it, is true.

from a Magazine called 'Strange New Worlds'; the Article was Written by Shirley Simpson, specifically for February 1994

"SAN QUV QAT (literally translated as Fate-Honor-Life)

This San Quv Qat is translated in the simplest terms for Earthlings seeking wisdom from Klingon mysticism. At birth, a child’s San Quv Qat (Path to Greatest Glory) is determined to ensure his victory in life. Earth warriors should consult dates below to determine the Aspect of War under which you were born. This forecast is for the earth time known as “February of 1994.”

THE NINE ASPECTS OF WAR

BATTLE (those born March 1 – April 7)

Warriors born in the Aspect of Battle must beware of too much emotion. You are ruled by your passions and are the ultimate killing machine. This Aspect destines you for glory on the battlefield. Wear red, the color of blood: it stimulates you to greater glory. February is a period of contemplation for you. You will find answers you’ve been seeking for some time. But, you also need battles. Channel your energy into work by the middle of this month. Love is not for you now.

SIEGE (those born April 8 – May 19)

None can withstand the Siege warrior. You outlast your enemies. Your one weakness – you stink of a Ferengi’s love of money. This is forgiven for you are the ultimate aggressor: all-powerful, unyielding. This month denies you the action you crave. You will assuage this lack by acquiring wealth. There are many days of conflict (Feb. 1, 7, 8, 21, 22, 27, 28) where you are torn between desires. Choose noble desires. Last month’s weakness is gone: you feel renewed energy.

ALLIANCE (those born May 20 – July 1)

You are clever. Very clever. A master manipulator, you waste no time spilling blood. You let others spill it for you while you dine in the halls of power. Wealth means little to you, just a way of achieving your goals. You speak well and often. Others fall under your spell. This month you’ll think you’ve lost your powers of persuasion – it is only temporary. Patience. Lie fallow. Enjoy your health, avoid conflict. Your word this month is balance – work towards it now.

RETREAT (those born July 2 – Aug 10)

Do not underestimate the warrior born in Retreat. You conquer by appearing to give in. Those who pursue you get lost in mists, disappearing forever. You choose contemplation over conflict. This month discard the unnecessary from your life: false friends, fruitless work, unworthy gifts. It is a good time to do what you’ve been hesitating. You’re now stronger than before, but your peers weaker. Beware those in power: they may see your friends’ weakness as your and attack.

GLORY (those born Aug 11 – Sept 19)

At the front of every change, you have no fear for you are invincible! The greatest warriors are born into the Aspect of Glory! You are a great leader: fearless, generous, charismatic. This occasionally costs you great losses, but nevermind – glory is all! This month you are less vibrant than usual; guard your health zealously. Money will flow into your hands; lavish it on yourself. Accept the submission of those who rightfully adore you. Wear gold, it gives you strength.

DUTY (those born Sept 20 – Nov 2)

You are a perfect warrior. You follow orders. You die on command, so choose those you follow wisely. Under your quiet, loyal exterior lies wisdom and contemplation. Take time to follow your heart as well as your head. This is a month of confusion for you. Make no decisions! Fall back into the comfort and safety of routine. By the middle of February look for the leisure you usually scorn; this month is vital for your survival. Rest and wait. The path you should take will soon become clearer to you.

BETRAYAL (those born Nov 3 – Dec 13)

Betrayal is the deadliest Aspect of War. You lull others into false security. Hiding your innermost feelings, you are a chameleon and become whatever people believe you are. But you are always true to yourself. Betrayal warriors are impossible to destroy. They rise from the dust, stronger than ever. You will be greatly challenged this month, pushed toward false decisions. Those close are in betrayal mode, beware! Finish what you start. Keep to yourself, wait for better times. Someone from your past becomes important once again.

CHALLENGE (those born Dec 14 – Jan 20)

A Challenge warrior’s motto is “Don’t tread on me!” You make an excellent second-in-command; you call all aspects of a problem to commander’s attention. You never take things at face value. Your strength is in moving quickly and decisively. No contemplation for you. Act at all times! Your instincts are those of a warrior. Believe in them. February is a boring month for you. It is a time of thought, something you usually loath. Use it wisely. Near end of month, an opportunity to make money. A family member will show the way.

INVASION (those born Jan 21 – Feb 28)

You are an intelligent warrior, a superb strategist. You have the ability to draw battle lines and to think as your enemy. In the Empire’s history, Invasion warriors have been the most brilliant, winning impossible battles. You were born to lead warriors and command great armies. This month the wealth you care little for will flow into your hands. Use it to build armies. February brings a great challenge; you will, overcome it in a unique way. Your health is excellent. Those you conquer will lie at your feet and beg your caresses."

posted in Star Trek - 2 replies

Short TNG Quiz

2008-04-03T17:18:25Z

Just for fun :-)

http://www.jinx.com/trivia.aspx

posted in Star Trek - 27 replies

Star Trek bead work

2008-03-29T23:25:02Z

Outstanding! Check these out:

http://www.gearfuse.com/star-trek-bead-and-thread-mosaics-make-every-deck-a-holodeck/

posted in Star Trek - 4 replies

Cho

2008-03-12T01:20:40Z

John Cho in for Frenzy With `Star Trek'
(03-11) 13:44 PDT Austin, Texas (AP) --
John Cho thinks he has a cult following now as Harold in the "Harold & Kumar" movies — he ain't seen nothing yet.
Cho will co-star as Sulu in J.J. Abrams'"Star Trek," due out next summer. He's shooting his last scenes this week as the Starship Enterprise's helmsman, just as he's promoting "Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay," the "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" sequel that premiered over the weekend at the South by Southwest film festival.
The 35-year-old actor is fully aware of the pressure he and the rest of the cast and crew are under to please the legions of voracious "Star Trek" fans.
"Right after I got the gig, a friend of a friend e-mailed me and said, you know, `Congratulations, I'm so happy for you, and also I just wanted to impart to you how great a responsibility this is,' and, like, just went on for a while about how important it was and how `Star Trek' changed his life and how it's responsible for everything good in his life," Cho said. "And he also went on to claim that `Star Trek' is the predecessor to the iPod, cell phones and all that.
"So it is daunting, it's scary. Frankly, I'm not used to this kind of heat," he added. "Usually somebody asks, `What are you working on next?' and you tell them the name of the project and they're like, `What is it?' and you're like, `Uh, two guys go to a hamburger place.' They're like, `Yeah, right. Good luck with that.' And this is the first time everyone knows what I'm talking about."
Naturally, Cho can't say much about the film, given Abrams' typical reticence about his projects. (We know it's about an early adventure of Capt. James Kirk, Spock and their shipmates.)
"But I think he sees it as a favor to fans to keep everything on the down-low because he's a very enthusiastic moviegoer, and he wants to be surprised and he wants things to be kept from him until the last minute," Cho said of the director, who also created the TV series "Lost.""But it's been going great, what can I say except that it's really thrilling. There are a few dreams that you have when you're a little boy: It's cowboys and Indians, it's being on a spaceship. This is one of the great fantasies of my life."
"Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay," co-starring Kal Penn, opens April 25. "Star Trek" is scheduled to come out May 8, 2009.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/03/11/entertainment/e134425D66.DTL

posted in Star Trek - 2 replies

Any conventions in Seattle soon?

2008-03-10T23:16:37Z

posted in Star Trek - 5 replies

Wanna watch Star Trek seasons 1-3 online for free from CBS?

2008-02-25T15:23:42Z

Go here now: http://www.cbs.com/classics/star_trek/video/video.php

posted in Star Trek - 1 reply

Trek remastered

2008-02-23T04:44:07Z

Has anyone been watching these? They seem to be done in good taste, and it's fun to watch the old eps again.

posted in Star Trek - 66 replies

Jefferson Airplane and Star Trek

2008-02-22T19:14:15Z

This is a scream - very well done:

http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=27660

posted in Star Trek - 1 reply

Scene It? goes Trekking

2008-02-22T17:03:51Z

http://trekmovie.com/2008/02/17/toy-fair-report-2-new-trek-board-game-playmates-movie-toy-details-but-no-prototypes/

Scene It?, the "most popular DVD board game on the planet" is headed to the final frontier. Carrie Peters, Director of Public Relations for Scene It?, told TrekMovie.com today that Star Trek has been the most requested Scene It? version and so they have listened to what the people want. “The Star Trek game will encompass all the TV shows and movies, so we have content from all the generations. We wanted to put together the best game we could so we really feel like this is going to be a great one.” Peters says the game will have some unique puzzlers to Trek and all the content and clips are from the original material.

Unfortunately since the game will include material from the upcoming movie, they planned to release the game in fall ’08, but it could get pushed to spring of ’09. Decisions will be pending in the coming months. More info on other Scene It Games (such as Harry Potter and Bond editions) available at their official site.

(Pictures at link)

posted in Star Trek - 5 replies

STNV becomes STP2

2008-02-19T15:59:34Z

You tell me what's going on ...

http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/news021708.html

Star Trek: New Voyages Becomes Star Trek: Phase II

On Saturday, February 16th, Executive Producer James Cawley announced to fans during an appearance at the 2008 Farpoint Science Fiction Media Convention in Baltimore, Maryland, that Star Trek: New Voyages would shed the “New Voyages” moniker and become Star Trek: Phase II. Cawley assured fans that the change would be more than just the name, promising that the production will have access to new people, new materials, and a new direction, but will remain focused on his original vision for the show.

“Make no mistake about it, this is a new beginning for our production. This will be the next step in our effort to provide the quality show fans have come to expect, with commitment and dedication to keeping the original series look and feel that fans have come to enjoy,” said Cawley, “As before, we will strive to involve familiar faces from Star Trek’s 40-year legacy in our episodes, as well as actors from other classic SciFi shows when we can. You will see the changes taking place over the next few weeks, but you will really appreciate the changes when we release our future episodes.”

This change naturally generates questions and we have chosen a few that immediately come to mind and tried to answer them for fans.

Q. Why are you changing the name of Star Trek New Voyages?
A. New Voyages began as a fan film project, as a bunch of friends who love Star Trek working together to prove there was still plenty of creative life in Gene Roddenberry's original vision of Star Trek. With our recent Online Video Award from TV Guide for Best SciFi Webisodes, we think we've proven that. We're ready now to move to a higher level -- Phase II, Gene's proposed title for a second Trek series that would've aired in the 1970s.

Q. Why make this name change now?
A. The almost universally positive reviews of our latest episode, "World Enough and Time," combined with our next episode, David Gerrold's "Blood and Fire" convinced us that this was the time to re-brand ourselves, to demonstrate our commitment to keep raising the bar for our stories and our production values. What better way than to literally move to our next phase, and to continue to honor Gene Roddenberry's vision.

Q. What about your original mission to continue the original voyages of the Enterprise, Captain Kirk's five-year mission?
A. Our series will continue to tell the stories of the final two years of the Enterprise's five-year mission under Captain James T. Kirk. What we want to depict, though, is the transition between what we saw in the first three seasons of the original TV series and the look and feel that we saw in Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

Q. What changes will we see? How will "Phase II" be different from "New Voyages"?
A. Some changes will be immediate, like our new cast members. Our next episode, Part 1 of David Gerrold's "Blood and Fire" will introduce our new Mr. Spock (Ben Tolpin) and Lt. Uhura (Kim Stinger), and bring a new character to our regular cast, Ensign Perter Kirk (Bobby Rice), Captain Kirk’s nephew. Upcoming episodes will feature our new Sulu (J.T. Tepnapa) and Chekov (Jonathan Zungre). Other changes will be more subtle, as we introduce new technology and story elements. Phase II will also feature our first spin-off series, "Star Trek: First Voyages," whose pilot episode will be shot this summer and be released originally as an episode of Phase II.

posted in Star Trek - 0 replies

I found a first image for the 'new' USS Enterprise from TREK 11

2008-02-19T01:14:12Z

I know, a little dark (!) but it is what it is, or was, or soon to be.... Damn Q!!!

posted in Star Trek - 6 replies

STXI slips into next year

2008-02-15T00:35:45Z

http://www.trektoday.com/news/140208_01.shtml

Star Trek XI will be released on May 8, 2009, depriving Star Trek fans of a Christmas Day movie present.

As reported at Variety, the new Star Trek movie has been delayed by Paramount, who believes that a greater gross potential would be realized in the summer.

The move was part of a major reshuffling to the studio's release calendar as they try to balance out their 2008 and 2009 calendars now that the writer's strike has ended.

Thus far, Star Trek XI has no competition in its new release slot, although it is now due to open one week after 20th Century Fox's X-Men Origins: Wolverine and one week before Sony's Angels and Demons.

posted in Star Trek - 3 replies

"Building on my work"

2008-02-14T04:42:02Z

In the episode "The Ultimate Computer" Dr. Daystrom has some great dialogue as he wigs out, in one of Trek's classic morsels:

"Seminars and lectures to rows of fools who couldn't begin to understand my systems.
Colleagues -- colleagues laughing behind my back at the boy wonder and becoming famous, building on my work. Building on my work!"

I saw a remastered version recently in which that last phrase was excised as the scene cuts to a worried McCoy instead. I feel that repetition emphasizes the exposure of Daystrom's emotional core (so masterfully played by William Marshall).

Anybody else catch this? The new effects are nice (except the final hit on the Excalibur) but I hope the snipping was only local and not part of the official facelift.

posted in Star Trek - 0 replies

ST:XI Enterprise

2008-02-11T19:02:32Z

http://www.aolcdn.com/aolmovies/star-trek-uss-enterprise-full

What say you?

posted in Star Trek - 9 replies

TOS in LEGO

2008-02-05T00:24:20Z

http://www.blockaholic.com/tospage.htm

It's virtual but still ... !

posted in Star Trek - 1 reply

"Star Trek: The Tour"

2008-01-29T16:13:24Z

Forty-city tour, begins early next year:

http://www.startrek.com/custom/include/community/tour/

posted in Star Trek - 9 replies

STO Cancelled?

2008-01-24T18:08:38Z

I got a message from a facebook community moderator regarding Star Trek Online and looked into it...

http://www.startrek-online.net/

I guess Perpetual is no longer developing STO, tho the website is still up. Looks like there may be another company able to develop it, Cryptic Studios. But for now, things are looking bleak for this MMORPG version of Trek.

posted in Star Trek - 0 replies

YT: Nichelle Nichols remembers Martin Luther King

2008-01-22T03:00:16Z

http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=_igTZlsTPvU&feature=related

posted in Star Trek - 4 replies

Leonard Namor

2008-01-11T06:02:16Z

Namor, the undersea superhero from Marvel comics, looks a lot like Mr. Spock. As such, when I was a kid, I sometimes referred to Leonard Nimoy as Leonard Namor.

posted in Star Trek - 7 replies

Walter needs a star!

2008-01-10T18:35:56Z

Help Walter Koenig get his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame:

http://www.walterkoenigsite.com/waltersstar.html

posted in Star Trek - 1 reply

Leonard Nimoy

2008-01-09T01:14:22Z

Was on Craig Ferguson last night promoting his new photography book the Full Body Project.

posted in Star Trek - 19 replies

Christies auction a rip-off?

2008-01-03T06:38:49Z

I hope he takes them to the cleaners.
-=-=-
TREKKIE VS. CHRISTIE'S
SUIT OVER 'FAKE' MEMENTOS
By DAREH GREGORIAN

DATA ERROR: Brent Spiner, who played "Star Trek's" Data, poses with Ted Moustakis while wearing a visor the diehard fan had bought for $6,600 at auction.
December 28, 2007 -- Now playing in a Manhattan courthouse - "Star Trek 12: The Wrath of Ted."

Lifelong Trekkie Ted Moustakis has boldly filed a $7 million lawsuit against the show's producers and Christie's auction house, saying they sold him bogus "Star Trek" memorabilia at a heavily hyped auction last year.

In papers filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, Moustakis says Christie's was aware the goods it received from CBS Paramount were fakes but sold them anyway.

"They were given strong reason to believe certain items were not authentic," said the restaurateur's lawyer, Richard Borzouye.

"This was done knowingly."

Representatives for Christie's and CBS Paramount Television did not return calls.

The 46-year-old father of six attended the auction celebrating the 40th anniversary of the sci-fi franchise after winning a lottery to get in.

The New Jersey man bought three items having to do with Data, his favorite character on "Star Trek: The Next Generation."

Moustakis shelled out $6,600 for a poker visor, $6,000 for a uniform worn by Data on the show and $11,000 for a poker table.

"I was so proud to have these items," he said.

That pride was photon torpedoed a year later, when Moustakis attended a "Star Trek" convention in Las Vegas and shelled out $200 for a photo-op with the actor who played Data, Brent Spiner.

He brought along the visor in hopes of getting Spiner to autograph it.

"When I approached, he saw the visor, and he said, 'That's not my visor. You bought that at Christie's' " Moustakis recalled.

He said Spiner told him he had sold off the visor himself on eBay and had warned the auction house they had a fake.

A dejected Moustakis then researched his other items and found CBS had been selling numerous versions of Spiner's "one-of-a-kind" uniform and that the table he had bought had slight differences from the one that was on the show, he said.

He said Christie's told him it was standing behind its experts who verified the goods.

The suit seeks a refund as well as millions in punitive damages.

posted in Star Trek - 13 replies

Title tt0796366

2007-12-27T02:24:15Z

Star Trek (2008)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0796366/

posted in Star Trek - 3 replies

Twelve Days of Trekmas

2007-12-27T02:21:41Z

http://12daysxmas.thunderdownunder.org/

posted in Star Trek - 1 reply

LIGHTSPEED Sci Fi Convention Pics

2007-12-09T12:30:54Z

www.stardustcomics.com/_mgxroot/page_10853.html

posted in Star Trek - 3 replies

And the winner is ... STNV!

2007-12-04T20:19:38Z

Monday, November 26, 2007, TV Guide announced the winners of its 2007 Online Video Awards with Star Trek: New Voyages named best in the "Sci-fi Webisodes" catagory. The inaugural Online Video Awards honor the best professionally produced programming and other entertainment content that aired online, or in other digital media, between January and October of this year.

Chosen by fans, Star Trek: New Voyages won out over nominees such as the SciFi Channel's "Battlestar Galactica," the USA Network's "The 4400," and "Afterworld," a $3-million animated series produced by Santa Monica, Calif.-based Electric Farm Entertainment, for MySpace.com. Unfortunately, in light of the Writer's Guild of America strike, the planned televised awards show had to be cancelled. The cancellation of the ceremony in no way dampened the spirits of cast, crew, and fans when they flooded the website forums with congratulatory posts.

"I am still shocked, amazed, and humbled that we were one of the four shows nominated, but to have actually won - what a great thrill. This award is dedicated to everyone who has worked so hard to make New Voyages a reality and to all the loyal fans who voted, because none of this could have happened without you," commented Executive Producer James Cawley upon learning of the award.

Over 1.75 million votes were cast in 18 separate categories such as best TV Comedy Webisodes, TV Drama Webisodes, Animated Web Video, and best Sci-Fi Webisodes. Votes were the deciding factor in most categories, but TV Guide Editors were able to choose the winners in some categories. Rich Battista, Gemstar-TV Guide's chief executive officer said, "It's exactly the right time for the Online Video Awards. ...there is a wide range of innovative and high quality Web-only programming currently being created and we're excited to be among the first to single it out for recognition."

TV Guide's full listing of the winners and their videos can be viewed here:
http://www.tvguide.com/Special/OnlineVideoAwards/default.aspx

You can watch Star Trek: New Voyages' latest episode here:
http://stnv.dragonfly.com/

For more information on Star Trek: New Voyages visit our website here:
www.startreknewvoyages.com

posted in Star Trek - 2 replies

Will the WGA strike impact the movie?

2007-11-24T14:36:08Z

The papers say the script is "locked in place" since no one will cross the line to change a word. Was it already in sufficiently good shape? We'll see!

posted in Star Trek - 0 replies

Amanda a human again!

2007-11-15T03:31:21Z

From http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/2312444.html:

UPDATE: Variety.com originally stated that Ryder will play "the Vulcan mother of Spock," which was in error — unfortunately, one that has been replicated by many other news outlets around the world. The print version of Daily Variety Friday morning correctly identified the character as "the human mother of a young Spock," and the online story has since been corrected.

posted in Star Trek - 1 reply

A familiar face to play Amanda, Spock's Mommy??

2007-11-14T03:46:32Z

Winona Ryder Joins 'Star Trek'
Nov. 9, 2007, 11:58 AM EST

By Michael Fleming
Variety

"Star Trek" is beaming up Winona Ryder.

Paramount Pictures and director JJ Abrams have set Ryder to play the Vulcan mother of a young Spock (Zachary Quinto).

Scripted by Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, the film revolves around the Starfleet Academy days of the crew of the Starship Enterprise. Chris Pine has been set to play Capt. Kirk, Simon Pegg will play Scotty, Karl Urban is Dr. McCoy and Eric Bana will play the villain, Nero.

Ryder recently wrapped "The Informers," a Gregor Jordan-directed adaptation of the Bret Easton Ellis novel, and the Geoffrey Haley-directed "The Last Word."

She is in pre-production on the Rebecca Miller-directed "Private Lives of Pippa Lee."

==================================================================
Gee and I though with her back ground she could play a better 'cling on' than a vulcan... ; ))

posted in Star Trek - 12 replies

"The Menagerie" - coming to theaters!

2007-11-13T22:26:39Z

http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Star-Trek-The-Menagerie-Adds-More-Showings-6708.html

Star Trek: The Menagerie Adds More Showings
By Josh Tyler: 2007-10-21 15:02:52

Trekkies are starting to wake up from their long slumber. Last week we told you here about a very special, theatrical screening of the classic, original series Star Trek episode "The Menagerie" happening in April. In the short time since the event's announcement, there's been so much interest that they're adding more showings.
<snip>

Already got my ticket. How 'bout you?

posted in Star Trek - 5 replies

Happy Birthday TNG!

2007-11-12T23:51:22Z

Twenty years ago believe it or not. How will you celebrate?

posted in Star Trek - 8 replies

More ST on Heroes

2007-11-12T02:51:06Z

Just after they killed off George Takei's character... Nichelle Nichols has joined the cast of Heroes!

Any body else watch this show? I can't wait to see what she can do!!!

posted in Star Trek - 10 replies

Darmok- what episode?

2007-11-11T13:56:04Z

Ok, I want to Netflix this ep b/c my bf hasn't seen it -- where is it in the million-disk options?

thank you, more-informed friends.

posted in Star Trek - 6 replies

Shuttle launched, with a sci fi item October 23 2007 (Yay!)

2007-11-05T21:27:54Z

I am very pleased the shuttle program continues into its own golden era, however, with today's launch they have aboard a light saber from George Lucas's collection to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Star Wars. BUT, wait, I ask it is now 40 years of TREK, 20 years of TNG and where in the hell is the props to go aboard a real space flight???? I think it would be very cool to see the Ent-D model just hanging freely within the shuttle. Or maybe even 'launch' one into the vastness of space as a classic tribute to all those who have kept interest in space and technology upgrades we have seen all these years....

Maybe Viacom could let loose with one TREK item and have to sell it in an online or store auction...whadda u tink??

But no Ford Pinto's in space, they only would explode....... ; )

posted in Star Trek - 8 replies

Add John Cho to the ST:XI Cast List

2007-10-15T22:58:06Z

Voila ...

http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/2310093.html

More than the info on Cho, I'm intrigued by the confirmation that Chrisg Pike and Kirk's parents are among the cast.

posted in Star Trek - 0 replies

new Uhura cast for Star Trek XI

2007-10-15T20:24:41Z

Acctress Zoë Saldana has apparently been cast as Uhura for STXI:

http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/2307054.html

posted in Star Trek - 15 replies

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

2007-10-14T07:34:53Z

Gets better every time I watch it. Just me?

posted in Star Trek - 8 replies

Two new castings for ST:XI

2007-10-12T23:42:18Z

Simon Pegg ("Shaun of the Dead", "Hot Fuzz") has been cast as Scotty, and Eric Bana ("Munich" and "The Hulk") has been cast as the villain "Nero".

The Bana picks seems fine, but I'm not thrilled about Pegg. He's afine actor and all, but he clearly looks older than Doohan did in '67.

Read more:

http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/2310073.html

http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/2309715.html

posted in Star Trek - 2 replies

RIP Robert Bussard

2007-10-11T10:56:34Z

Sharp as a pin to the end.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_W._Bussard

What's the ST connection? The bright twirlies at the front of the nacelles are traditionally accepted as Bussard collectors/ramscoops:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bussard_ramjet

posted in Star Trek - 0 replies

Asteroid Named After Takei

2007-10-09T00:16:53Z

http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/2308343.html

No, it's not one of those deals where you pay someone to "name a star" after yourself — it's legitimate and official. George Takei has been immortalized in the heavens with his name permanently affixed to an asteroid between Mars and Jupiter.

Last week the Committee on Small Body Nomenclature of the International Astronomical Union approved the name "7307 Takei" for the asteroid previously labeled "1994 GT9." The Takei reference will be used in the scientific community to identify this minor body from now on, presumably forever. Only about 14,000 asteroids have been named after specific people, out of about 400,000 such bodies known to exist.

"I am honored, indeed transported to the galaxies, to know that my name has been assigned to an astronomical object in our solar system," Takei told STARTREK.COM. "I am yet to come down to Earth."

Asteroid 7307 Takei is approximately 5 miles in diameter, located in an orbit ranging between 2.5 and 3.0 AUs from the Sun in the mid-solar system asteroid belt (an AU is the distance from the Sun to the Earth). It was discovered in 1994 by two Japanese astronomers.

<more at link>

posted in Star Trek - 4 replies

Bringing Shatner Back!

2007-10-08T23:52:29Z

http://my.break.com/content/view.aspx?ContentID=372672

J.T. "Sexy Back" Trekified....

Enjoy.

posted in Star Trek - 0 replies

Every Single Launch... Ever!

2007-09-28T00:30:11Z

Celebrating 50 years in space, Popular Mechanics details every lift off this rock we've made:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/air_space/4221976.html

Guess how many before checking the article - it may surprise you!

(Doohan and Roddenberry must be two of them - TOPIC)

posted in Star Trek - 1 reply

Merv Griffin Show, with Shatner, Nimoy, Kelley - STII

2007-09-25T14:07:03Z

Starts here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7xqsAyxl8Y&mode=related&search=

(Video burps a little at the beginning)

posted in Star Trek - 0 replies

Trek + NIN = Awesome

2007-09-25T03:53:56Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uxTpyCdriY

This is probably the best fan-made music video I've ever seen.

posted in Star Trek - 2 replies

19th century Star Trek

2007-09-19T20:50:17Z

It's Steampunk version of TOS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y39gHihP74

posted in Star Trek - 2 replies

"Schisms"

2007-09-12T05:26:34Z

Just finished watching Schisms, the ep where some people are being abducted for experiments. I love that ep! I forgot how much I loved it. It was great. The one after it is True Q - about the girl who discovers she's Q while on board the Enterprise. That one is okay. I still like it, but Schisms holds up way better.

posted in Star Trek - 2 replies

STNV “World Enough and Time” update

2007-09-12T04:33:17Z

Oscar and Emmy winners – along with the fans – team to complete a Sulu Star Trek episode that actually was begun 30 years ago.

George Takei, as we have been reporting here at Slice of SciFi, may be playing a hero on “Heroes” and serving as Howard Stern’s recurring sidekick on subscription radio, but it’s as the dashing Mr. Sulu, helmsman on the starship Enterprise, that he will be forever loved by the fans.

But, he hardly imagined his greatest Sulu episode would come over 40 years later in 2007! Takei is starring in “World Enough and Time,” a new Star Trek episode produced by an amazing mix of industry pros and fans that will be premiering at the Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills on August 23, 2007, with both the premiere and episode streaming real-time worldwide on the Internet – literally a world premiere.
<snip>
http://www.sliceofscifi.com/2007/07/28/marc-scott-zicree-talks-about-world-enough-and-time/

posted in Star Trek - 5 replies

Ever notice

2007-09-11T23:35:25Z

The older you get and the more you watch Star Trek the more layers of meaning they have? That's probably just projection, but I do find it interesting. I was watching the episode Inner Light (TNG) and I remember liking it okay the first time. Liking it better the second time. This time when I watched it, I hadn't seen it in a while, and maybe it's just because I"m older and understand mortality better, but I bawled my eyes out.

posted in Star Trek - 15 replies

Star Trek episode movie posters

2007-09-10T14:44:20Z

And other neat art in this gallery:

http://moiramurphy.deviantart.com/

I hope more are made, these are wonderful.

posted in Star Trek - 9 replies

STNV Episode 1, what do you think?

2007-09-07T14:09:25Z

I just watched it and found it pretty good. The story was not to bad the special effects were not to bad either. The acting could be better, but for what it is it was ok. I really like seeing some actors for the original series reprise their roles. The CG was almost as good as what they are doing to the original, but the motion could have been better. So what do you all think?

posted in Star Trek - 6 replies

"Make It So"

2007-09-01T03:14:12Z

Anyone listen to the "Make It So" podcast off the Simply Syndicated network?

posted in Star Trek - 2 replies

Anton Velchin to play Chekov-11 ?

2007-08-16T04:58:07Z

Looks like JJ is in negotiations with 18-year-old Russian actor Anton Yelchin to play Chekov-11.

Read the story here: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i4d705b8469ab9fb83668743013a63658

posted in Star Trek - 1 reply

Ships of the Line book

2007-08-08T14:26:00Z

Has anyone bought the Ships of the LIne book? Is so, what'a ya' think?

posted in Star Trek - 5 replies

Star Trek ships in the Orbiter simulator

2007-08-08T14:23:19Z

Any Orbiter users here? http://www.orbitersim.com

Probably the closest we'll come to piloting a shuttlecraft off the surface and up to dock with a starship. Many other ships from all generations of Trek (and other shows) available. Highly recommended if you like this sort of thing!

posted in Star Trek - 4 replies

Two, two ... two Spock's in one.

2007-08-04T20:56:23Z

TWO Spock's in the new Trek movie? Yup!

Read the story here: http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/2303393.html

posted in Star Trek - 6 replies

Michael Dunn finally goes home

2007-07-18T13:59:43Z

One of my favorite lines in Trek: "Alexander where I come from size, shape, or color makes no difference, and nobody has the power." - JTK

http://finaltaxi.wordpress.com/2007/07/17/star-trek-dwarf-buried-at-home-33-years-after-death/

Star Trek dwarf buried at home 33 years after death.

At 6 PM every night in the mid-70’s before the primetime shows came on, our local TV channel would air the syndicated “Star Trek.” I would make sure my homework was done so I could watch these older shows of Captain Kirk and Spock. The next day we would gather at school and talk about this series that was new to us. I can still, with ease, form my hand into the Vulcan sign for “Live Long and Prosper.” It is almost second nature for people my age isn’t it?

On of my favorite episodes was “Plato’s Stepchildren” which was first broadcast November 22, 1968. It is popularly cited as the first example of an inter-racial kiss on US television (between Kirk and Uhura). But we felt a kinship for one of the character on this episode, as a little person, whose name was Alexander, was pushed around by the Platonians who wears clothing reminiscent of Earth’s Ancient Greece and have special powers to make others do their bidding.

The dwarf in the role of Alexander was Michael Dunn. The renowned actor and piano prodigy, who stood 3 feet, 10 inches in height, has finally been laid to rest near his home in Oklahoma. What is most bizarre is that Dunn died 33 years ago.

(more at link)

posted in Star Trek - 0 replies

Star Trek II chat with Nick Meyer

2007-07-16T14:39:10Z

The audio is terrible but the chat is fascinating:

http://www.geekmonthly.com/geek-magazine/2007/07/10/1982-geek-film-series-star-trek-ii-panel-video-pt1/

posted in Star Trek - 0 replies

Undone episodes

2007-07-10T22:30:01Z

Some years ago, I heard that there might be a Star Trek Voyager episode where Q sends Voyager back to the Alpha Quadrant just as the Dominion completes their succesful conquest of the Alpha Quadrant. Anybody know why that episode never got made?

posted in Star Trek - 2 replies

"Blood and Fire" update w/photos

2007-07-09T00:09:48Z

http://www.afterelton.com/bgwe/07-06-07

<snippet>
TOO BAD WE WON'T SEE THIS IN THE NEXT STAR TREK MOVIE

Our friends over at Star Trek: New Voyages dropped me a note that they wrapped up shooting of their two-part special "Blood and Fire" episode. In case you've forgotten, this is the episode written by Star Trek alum David Gerrold which introduces Kirk's gay nephew Peter Kirk (Bobby Rice) who falls in love with fellow crew member Lt. Alex Freeman (Evan Fowler). And by fall in love, I don't mean one of those lame "allegories" that the other official Star Trek engaged in with genderless aliens or body-swapping Trills. These two fellas fall in love, and as proof the folks at New Voyager provided us with a couple of exclusive pics for your perusal."
</snippet>

posted in Star Trek - 3 replies

Star Trek and Monty Python

2007-06-27T13:43:54Z

http://youtube.com/watch?v=luVjkTEIoJc

posted in Star Trek - 1 reply

Can't Help Myself

2007-06-21T15:38:29Z

Posting this everywhere:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-scifi21jun21,0,6121281.story?coll=la-home-center
From the Los Angeles Times
COLUMN ONE
In a university not far away, sci-fi heaven
UC Riverside's library of science fiction, fantasy and horror books is the world's largest and a necessary trek for scholars.
By Sara Lin
Times Staff Writer

June 21, 2007

FOR the German monk searching for signs of God in "Star Trek," the obscure storeroom on the fourth floor of UC Riverside's main library was worth the trans-Atlantic pilgrimage.

Bernhard Janzen pored over television scripts and a video clip from "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," and noticed how an African American space station captain had found a religious stone tablet and, much like Moses, smashed it on the ground as he shepherded an oppressed people toward freedom.

The scene was central to Janzen's dissertation about religious symbolism in the space-age television series.

The monk is among a new breed of scholars flocking to UC Riverside for otherworldly research.

UC Berkeley has the world's premiere collection on Mark Twain — and Yale an unmatched trove of rare medieval manuscripts. But for research on Capt. Kirk, Frankenstein or Harry Potter, nothing tops the 110,000-volume Eaton collection at UC Riverside, the world's largest library of science fiction, fantasy and horror books.

"It's like going to Graceland if you're an Elvis fan," said Drew Morse, a creative writing professor who made the pilgrimage to Riverside from Ohio last summer to study rare poetry by "Fahrenheit 451" author Ray Bradbury.

As appreciation for the literary qualities of science fiction has grown in recent years, the UC Riverside collection has emerged from an academic ghetto. No institution had ever stockpiled science fiction like this, or subjected itself to such an internal clash over the worth of the genre.

Even public libraries had considered the books disposable literature, mainly because early science fiction was published almost exclusively in paperback. But a handful of professors and a librarian at UC Riverside saw something else, and started building.

IN 1969, English professor Robert Gleckner helped the school acquire 7,500 rare science fiction, fantasy and horror novels from an eccentric Bay Area physician, J. Lloyd Eaton. Among them was a first edition of Bram Stoker's "Dracula." Eaton had scribbled plot summaries and succinct criticisms of nearly every book on faded sheets of letterhead.

But Gleckner's colleagues mocked the collection, and he banished the volumes to a storeroom and never touched them again.

And for 10 years, no one paid the books any attention — until UC Riverside's head librarian, Eleanor Montague, found them and cracked open a few. She and comparative literature scholar George Slusser began cooking up an improbable scheme: Science fiction, for all its talk of wormholes and galaxies far, far away was a form of 20th-century American literature that someone ought to keep as a cultural archive.

So in 1979, Montague dubbed Slusser the Eaton collection's first curator.

When he broke the news to friends, they shook their heads and warned him it would be career suicide.

"They told me 'You'd better not touch that, you'll never get tenured,' " Slusser said. "I said 'Hell, I'm going to do it anyway.' "

Slusser went by instinct and started scooping up every new science fiction novel that came out. With less than $10,000 to work with, he handed hundred-dollar bills to foreign graduate students so they could cart back sci-fi from Russia, Brazil, China and other worldly locales.

Slusser haunted used-book stores and estate sales on his own time. His best finds came from reclusive packrats who had refused to toss their paperbacks. One collector had drained his pool and turned it into underground storage for thousands of science fiction magazines and fan newsletters, including issues of "Amazing Stories," a 1920s-era pamphlet regarded as the world's first science fiction magazine.

All the while, fellow faculty tried to torpedo Slusser's efforts.

English professors went after his funding, arguing to library administrators and English department heads that hoarding collectible James Joyce titles was more important than any featuring Frodo Baggins, Slusser said.

Other professors snickered at him in campus hallways. They even grilled his students during departmental exams: Why not study something more meaningful like feminism or multiculturalism?

"It was guerrilla warfare," Slusser said.

Slusser did win a faculty ally, Jean-Pierre Barricelli, who helped him put on an academic conference in 1979 about science fiction. But their dealings had to be done in secret — "under the counter," Slusser said. About 70 scholars showed up.

Years later, Barricelli became one of Slusser's greatest supporters during his bid for tenure. Barricelli, a scholar on Dante and Leopardi who taught comparative literature, died in 1997.

The conference became an annual event. Attending academics published their papers and helped graduate students win fellowships to pay for their studies at the Eaton collection.

They sponsored a Finnish cosmologist who charted visions of the universe from Dante to the 21st century. An MIT scholar pondered whether comic-book architecture inspired the look of modern cities.

And Janzen, the Capuchin monk from Germany, compared "Star Trek" story lines with modern history and the Bible. The United Federation of Planets, Janzen said, represented an idealized U.S.

"I'm not going to Star Trek conventions and I don't have a Star Trek uniform in my closet, but I'm very interested in concepts of scientific progress and how that affects our day-to-day life and how that changes our notions of being human," said Janzen, 45, who earned his doctorate at UC Riverside in June 2006. "I think science fiction is that genre that deals with those questions."

As word spread about the conferences and the research being done by Slusser's students, more people showed up. Some years, the conferences drew 200 scholars. Slusser's legion of faithful followers were mostly closeted sci-fi fans.

One was Paul Alkon, 71, who bottled up a secret passion for science fiction as a graduate student in Chicago in 1960. He became an expert on 18th-century British writers Samuel Johnson and Daniel Defoe. But once Alkon earned tenure at USC, he started work on a long-anticipated project: a treatise on the origins of futuristic fiction. His book required several research trips to the Eaton collection.

"It's a high-quality collection," Alkon said. "It covers so completely what was written — the bad stuff and the good stuff. You get a picture of what America was like in the 20th century in books."

Slusser dreamed of opening a science fiction studies center and graduate program at the university. In 1982, he sold the idea to then-Chancellor Tomas Rivera, who pledged money and his support. But when Rivera died of a heart attack, plans for the center fizzled. One after the other, Rivera's successors all said the same thing: There wasn't enough money.

Ten years passed, and a battle-weary Slusser grew bitter and depressed. Even Slusser's original ally, the library, eventually turned its back on him, he said. New leadership grew tired of being the sole sponsor behind Slusser's science fiction conferences and cut his funding in 1999. Only the community of sci-fi fans kept them going, cobbling together the $5,000 Slusser needed for the conference.

To scholars like Alkon and others who had led academic double lives for so long, Slusser was their hero.

"All those years, George was the one-man show that kept the whole thing going — the conferences and the collection," Alkon said.

Even UC Riverside astrophysicists and biologists reached out to Slusser to lend moral support. Many owed their interest in science to futuristic stories they read as children.

Meanwhile, outside the university, something bigger was happening. The entertainment industry began cashing in on science fiction, which had struck a chord with the moviegoing public.

Many of the highest-grossing films of the last 30 years featured science fiction themes: "The Terminator," "Star Wars," "The Matrix."

Recent high-profile Hollywood films, such as "Déjà Vu" and "I, Robot," lifted their story lines from Philip K. Dick and Isaac Asimov, respectively. The "Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter" movies spawned cult followings.

The same academicians who thumbed their noses at science fiction began designing classes with titles such as "The Philosophy of The Matrix" or the "The Science of Superheroes."

Within the literary establishment, professional organizations dedicated to the academic study of scientific and fantastic literature sprung to life, while a handful of critical literary journals discussed major works and trends. Scholars now convene regularly at academic conferences — gatherings far more serious than the often satirized fan conventions that attract costume-garbed aficionados.

"It's come of age," said Rosemary G. Feal, executive director of the Modern Language Assn. of America, a professional group for language and literature scholars.

In 2004, the association's flagship journal and one of the most prestigious publications in literary studies, PLMA, published an issue that discussed science fiction exclusively.

Science fiction "is sort of at the edge of being canonized," said Georg Gugelberger, 66, UC Riverside professor emeritus of comparative literature. "I'm not the biggest fan. But it's significant. There are people who want to study it, and they should be allowed to."

There's been a change at UC Riverside, too. Six years ago the school hired a new director of special collections, Melissa Conway, who started spending more than half her $40,000 budget on science fiction acquisitions.

The English department succumbed to "Harry Potter" mania, holding a symposium in 2005. Fans garbed in pointy hats and capes munched on chocolate frogs while listening to professors debate disability and discrimination between non-magical muggles and wizards.

STILL, nearly 30 years of fighting with administrators as well as his own department took its toll on Slusser. He'd done double duty as Eaton collection curator and professor, teaching a full schedule of comparative literature classes and advising doctoral theses.

He retired in 2005 to work on several long-anticipated books about science fiction.

"I just ran out of steam," he said.

The library is still searching for a new curator.

But there's talk about starting the nation's first doctoral program in science fiction studies — and bringing Slusser, now 67, out of retirement to help build it.

He still can't quite believe the change in attitude at the university. When the library invited Slusser back in February to give a lecture about utopian societies in science fiction, they welcomed him with a big cake.

Finally, he said, his colleagues know they have a treasure in the Eaton collection, "and they're going to do something with it."

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sara.lin@latimes.com

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