"Trekdom" is short-hand for Star Trek fandom, which is separate from and independent of mainstream sf fandom, while at the same time having a great degree of overlap. Star Trek fandom began with a letter-writing campaign that originated with Bjo Trimble in sf fandom, appealing to fans to write Paramount to urge reconsideration when the network intended to cancel the show after only two seasons. The letter-writing campaign actually paid off and the network reconsidered. But fans of the show began publishing their own fanzines and, while attending multi-media conventions under the broad umbrella of sf fandom, also began having conventions of their own.
"Trekkers" is a polite way to refer to these people – the one the majority of them accept.
"Trekkies" has derogatory overtones – even though the term was coined by Gene Roddenberry, the Great Bird of the Galaxy, himself.
It has been remarked that, in the mundane world, some of the most devastating holy wars have been between, not different religions, but different sects of the same religion. It is true that there is something of this going on here, as many sf readers consider Star Trek to be mediocre or even "dumbed down" sf.
Contributors: Dr. Gafia
