I think if a person has time to travel to go to these kind of conventions, then they've got wayyyyyy too much time on their hands.

I am a bit of a Trekkie. I don't think any conventions are a scam, not unless you have to pay a real lot to see the actors.

Ive never attended a Star Trek convention because, not being a SciFi fan, this show did not mean that much to me back in the day. However, I have attended two Dark Shadows Festivals and I had a blast both times. Dark Shadows was one of my favorite memories from childhood; it sparked my imagination and actually helped me become more interested in the classic literature they so often blatantly ripped off for their storylines. Today, its something I view as a combination of nostalgia with a touch of humor and innocent lost romance. And, regardless of the opinion of the cool police (whoever they are LOL), I have to say that what I experienced at these two Dark Shadows Festivals was a very large cross-section of the population. Oh, yes there were definitely some die hard fans willing to go that extra few steps into off-the-wall fandom. But a large portion appeared to be your average former kid who ran home from school to see what was up at Collinwood that day. I think there are lots of ways to amuse yourself and attending these types of conventions from time to time is no more or less foolish than anything else you might do for fun. Getting overly caught up in anything tends to make you a bit on the nerdy side including but not limited to less esoteric and more socially acceptable activities such as golf, football, baseball, doing crafts, working too much, or being overly concerned with what people may think of you. Have fun, chase the White Rabbit and remember - we dont own the earth were just here on a lease.

They're not too bad. . .but these people have to try and date more often.

I went to a convention, and had fun checking out the display booth, buying stuff, and getting an autograph from a celebrity. I wouldn't go all the time, only if I am intersted enough.

These are not too irritating -- unless someone tries to invite me to one. Granted, Star Trek is a show I can take or leave. However, if these folks want to have a convention based on Star Trek (or any other program) -- hey, let 'em have their fun!!

Although I haven't been to a TrekCon yet, Star Trek isn't going to be stopped anytime soon. The millions of fans across the world will see to that! As for the costumes, how is it any different than PRETENDING to be a sports star by dressing up in his uniform and helmet? And, there's nothing wrong with pretending.

If you like the show fine watch it, even talk about it with your friends, but it's the wackos who like this thing that is kind of scary. Dressing up and pretending to be somebody else, what, is your own life so crappy that you need to pretend to be a pretend guy? I'm not sure about anyone else but I think that is pretty pathetic.

I'm not a Star Trek fan, and I don't mind the conventions, it's the people who get way too obsessed about the show, the characters, the actors that bug me. I think going to a convention or even a couple is fine, but to some it's like a religion, it's scary.

Sometimes it's good to have a place for all of the freaks to go.

I think it is sad that these people have so little going on in their real lives that they feel compelled to role-play in someone else's fantasy.

The show isn't bad. But I really dislike TrekCon. When you see 80-year old women walking around in plastic dresses, You know something just isn't clicking.

I went to one of these once, and I felt almost as scared as I do when I go to gay bars on DRAG QUEEN night......can't really explain why....I am kind of scared of clowns..and sometimes drag queens remind me of clowns..maybe it was all the strange outfits the Trekkies were wearing..not sure. But I don't necessarily think Trekkies are nerds or anything like that....I just felt kinda frightened by the large amounts of idolatry going on in the convention I guess..not sure...

I'd give this a five, except for the fact that these conventions regularly gather up all the geeks and social misfits and give them a place to interact with their own kind. I am astonished, nay, aghast, that ClassicTVFan states he has not attended such an event. I fully expected him to have the full range of costumes, including Uhuru's. In fact, having examined his web site, I expect that he wears a StarFleet uniform every day while he's working in Mom's basement.