Question of the Day, August 19, 2010

[Dioxide20]

Star Wars. Followed so closely by Star Trek and Alien & Aliens.

 

[oppp7]

Star Trek probably influenced Star Wars, so I'll go with that.

 

[Marter]

Batman. He gets referenced far more times than any of those other ones.

I just haven't seen Star Wars...okay?

 

[Guest_Star]

Of the ones on the list "Star Trek" is the most influential one (as long we're talking telly/movies)

Dune.

Star Trek debuted on the telly the same year as Dune was printed. So Star Trek had the deepest impact first.
Also, the Dune movie came out in 1984.

I'll give you that one, grudgingly. But back then Startrek, for all it's pros, was still very much running on fist fights and women - the cowboys in space formula. Albeit beginning to put creative spins on it and explore sci-fi concepts where it could.

Meanwhile Dune revolutionised the sci-fi novel, it opened the doors for it to be accepted that serious, contemplative sci-fi and good stories were not mutually exclusive to all but the most creative producers sneaking theoretical science into episode plots under the cover of the usual trek-speak.

'Least that's what my English lecturer was harping on about the other week >.>

No disagreement there, Dune is my all time fav book.

 

[JackRyan64]

Where's Lord of the Rings? Tolkien pretty much created the fantasy genre as we know it.

 

[DaxStrife]

Star Wars because it was a double-lesson: the original trilogy showed us creativity and amazing special effects in its first iteration, and 20 years later it gave us the prequel trilogy , full of disappointment and crushed dreams.

 

[Jaebird]

I'm gonna go with Star Wars (original trilogy, of course), only because I feel it appeals to all niches: action, adventure, fantasy and sci-fi.

 

[Jaebird]

Batman. Because he's the goddamn Batman.

I didn't see Frank Miller's Batman up there. I think you're confusing the two.

 

[Lightslei]

I'd say Star Wars; simply because everyone's seen Star Wars at some point or another. It may have had a lot of rubbish in the extended universe, but the orginial trilogy are still landmark films.

I've never seen Star Wars so no not everyone's seen it .

Star Wars, without question. Why? It's fucking Star Wars, that's why!

And how's that "nerdy"? I mean, it's cool and all, but nerds like to know the science behind stuff - which is never explained in Star Wars. What you really have in mind is a geek, I think...

Maybe, but it's included in the poll and if Star Wars is ever in a poll about anything, it will always get my vote. Because it is that awesome.

In a poll about the worst things humanity has created it would get your vote? . Careful there.


Honestly I think it really is opinionated. Star Trek is unfortunately somehow still running on some channels and still has its "cult" following. Even if you've never seen Star Wars you still know the references "May The Force Be With You".

As for the Super Heroes, sure they create comic books but honestly they don't make good games for the most part. *I will admit Arkham Asylum was damn fun to play. And no I don't consider most videogame characters superheroes, heroes yes.

Indiana Jones really opens the idea of Adventure and a random guy having an adventure which sort of lends itself to RPing I guess?

Ghostbusters gives us the concept of "neutralizing" ghosts and such, and most people have heard at least part of the theme song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9We2XsVZfc&feature=related

Back To The Future blows open the idea of alternate realities and time travel which has lent itself well to time.

As for what has the biggest impact? I'm going to say Star Trek because it's still on tv and still has a "cult" following.

I'm also going to ask where's LOTR, it still affects books, games, and more.

 

[GonzoGamer]

As much as I love star wars, there is no "most important" series in nerd culture. I don't even think I could find a most important sub-genre: fantasy or sci-fi.
Variety is the spice nerds get high on.

 

[itf cho]

well, I went with Star Trek, for two reasons.

First, I'd already loved Star Trek before I ever saw Star Wars.

Second, not even the ho-hum Enterprise series was a bad as what Lucas did to the Star Wars franchise. I saw the writing on the wall with Return of the Jedi and those ridiculous, sellout to toy company, Ewoks; but I never imagined the depths to which the series would fall with the prequel trilogy.

 

[Thirsk]

Lord of the Rings, of course. The good Tolkien is, to my eyes, the father of fantasy and the original nerd.

 

[Zannah]

What could possibly match this?

 

[MikailCaboose]

Anyone not picking "Star Trek" over "Star Wars" and thinking of himself as a "nerd" is wrong. Also, kudos for not putting Matrix on there.

Edit: I should explain. Star Trek with its infamous "techno babble" is the obvious choice. It's MADE for nerds. Some episodes are science-fiction masterpieces. The science of Star Trek is based on actual science, current theories.

Star Wars on the other hand is mostly a fairy tale in space, which is fine. It's about space pew-pew, which is fine. Of course they explain a lot of the technology in the expanded universe and books, etc..., but it's not the core of Star Wars.

And here we see Star Trek taking the lead. I'll pass my vote on with Star Trek too. Star Wars for the most part just feels like modern-day with a fancy costume.

 

[BlueHighwind]

Like this is a question that even needs to be asked.

 

[fenrizz]

Star Trek.

Star Wars is simply too mainstream.

 

[firemark]

My only question about this thread is how is "Blade Runner" a series? Also, I love Star Trek, but in my mind with the exception of the latest movie it has kind of fallen by the wayside.