If we were to choose a nerd icon, who would it be? Star Wars’ Darth Vader or Star Trek’s Captain Picard? There are some valid points to both. Which one has a more epic vision? What about the Force? What’s more important, Star Wars or Star Trek? We’ll explore the points of both and find the answer that best suits you.
Table of Contents
Star Trek vs Star Wars
If you’re wondering what the difference is between Star Trek and Star Wars, the main difference is in the way each story was developed. Star Wars focused on thematic messages and entertainment over scientific accuracy. It’s a dramatic story about humans, set in completely fictional places. While Star Trek’s original series centered on a scientific crew that travelled through space, Star Wars focused on a purely fictional world.
Both shows are set in the far future, but they don’t share the same type of technological advances. The Jedi Force powers in Star Wars don’t count as technological advancement. Instead, Star Trek’s massive outward adventures are what set it apart from Star Wars. Regardless of which series is more exciting, the difference between them comes down to style. However, Star Wars’ Starship Enterprise is still a more impressive space opera.
Star Trek’s cult status
If you’re looking for the definition of a cult hit, you’ve probably heard of the television series “Star Trek.” That show was a flop when it first came out in 1966, but the cult status helped it stay relevant in the 1970s and become a venerable entertainment powerhouse. While the franchise itself may have deserved a smaller audience at the time, it has since expanded to a whole fleet of shows.
The series has a devoted cult following, known as “Trekkies.” They attend conventions all over the world, dress up in costumes and discuss show-related issues. Some even learn the constructed language of Klingon! Las Vegas even had a Star Trek-themed theme park for ten years. Even NASA has named its space shuttle after the original Enterprise. But cult status isn’t limited to the series itself.
Star Wars’ Force
This debate has spawned countless arguments and debates, which you can read about online or watch on Youtube. Many have cited Chris Anderson’s article on 19 Obvious Reasons Why ‘Star Wars’ is Nerdier Than ‘Star Trek’, while others have referred to College Humor’s short titled Which is Nerdier?. This article will explore the differences and similarities between the two worlds, comparing Star Wars with Star Trek.
While Star Trek has a vast fan base and has been a cult phenomenon for over 40 years, its stale and dull space settings make it less suited for an audience of nerds. While Star Wars does revolve around chivalry and knighthood, Star Trek has a grander scope and a more detailed world based on science. Both are futuristic, but one has a nerdier tone.
Roddenberry’s vision for Star Trek
Gene Roddenberry is an American writer and producer of television series Star Trek. Born in El Paso, Texas, Roddenberry spent his boyhood years in Los Angeles. He was a B-17 bomber pilot during World War II and later joined the Los Angeles Police Department. After graduating from college, he studied aeronautical engineering. He earned his pilot’s license in 1941, and soon volunteered for the U.S. Army Air Corps. The United States entered World War II and ordered Roddenberry into flying cadet training.
Though many fans were appalled by Roddenberry’s vision for the show, most reacted favorably. His vision was for a perfect human race. It was important to him that the show’s plot lines fit the vision of his characters, and it helped him become a beloved television icon. The earliest episodes of the series had a “perfect” humanity. While Star Trek is the most successful series of all time, critics say Roddenberry’s efforts were not always a success. Some fans have criticized Shatner for his ego and his jealousy of his co-stars.