Do you live as a Klingon?

[njh82]

Hello

I am a TV researcher with Love West..we are currently developing a series for the BBC called 'My life as...' (working title..it will potentially include themes such as 'My Life as a Storm Trooper' , 'My Life as a Superhero'. I am intrigued to hear peoples experiences of living immersively as a Klingon. We want to explore what attracts people to live alter ego lives and the reality of living out the dream.

If anyone has a story to tell please email naomi.harvey@lovewest.co.uk

Thanks

[Kesvirit]

Naomi, I know nothing of you personally or the organization you represent, and do not wish to think ill of someone I don’t know. My response is not to you, but to fellow Klinfolk who may read your notice.

To those of all fandoms, be careful when dealing with the media, especially if it is they who approach you. Journalists and others want to know the motivations behind your interests, how you got into fandom in the first place, what you do in (or out) of costume with your fellow fans, what the overall community is like, etc.

Unfortunately, “what attracts people to live alter ego lives and the reality of living out the dream” too often ends up as “Look at the freaks! Aren’t they funny? Did you know that science has proved that they all deeply disturbed individuals who live in their parents’ basements?”

You may think I’m exaggerating, but some fandoms have been badly burned. MTV, Vanity Fair, and CSI set the Furries on fire with petrol and a Bic, and now that fandom has an undeserved reputation as a freak show, even among other fandoms who should know better. The movie "Trekkies" didn't do Star Trek fans any favors. I even saw a piece ridiculing Warsies at Comicon.

If you are a member of a Klingon fan organization, you may be fortunate to have a Communications officer or Diplomatic representative whose duties include dealing with the media. If you agree to an interview, talk to these people first. They can best advise you how to present yourself and represent your organization.

If possible, look into the work of the interviewer and their employer(s) (you may be dealing with a freelancer.)  Is this for an academic journal, a pop-culture exploitation rag, a human interest story for a local television station?  It’s rarely that simple when guessing what tone a piece will take. Even after the interview, the piece faces The Dread Pirate Editor, who can shred a well-written and well-meaning piece into an “expose”. And bear in mind that you never know when you may be misunderstood or misquoted until you read something you never said in the newspaper.

Insist on a brief pre-interview conversation to agree on specific questions to be covered, what if any costuming or props they want you to bring, etc. It is important to know what will be covered ahead of time so that you can compose and rehearse your answers before showtime. A well thought out answer (or smooth demonstration if props are to be involved) makes you, your organization (if any), and your fandom look good, whereas “Ok, er, well, you see, it’s kinda, um...” reflects badly on everyone.

If your potential interviewer will not give you specific questions ahead of time (“Oh, you know, we just want to know what makes fans like you tick,”) reconsider.

I’ve gone on a bit longer than I had intended, and I don’t want to cast the entire Fourth Estate as a rogues’ gallery. On the contrary, they can be very helpful in gaining publicity for your meets and fund-raisers. }}; )

In short, the same Klingon principles apply to dealing with the press as to all aspects of life:
 - Do not be scared. (Don’t let fear dictate your behavior: act to reduce the threat.)
 - Do be prepared. The other players in the komerex zha are scoping you out even as you should be learning all you can about them before you meet afield.


-=- Kesvirit, who has been on both sides of the pen, and has just edited this post for coherence's sake.

[qoSagh]

This is somewhere where the qaptaQ has a bit of an advantage. The few times I have been interviewed and they ask about the club, the media gets all happy when they find out we explore Klingon religion and spirituality, then quickly looses interest when they find out we firmly enforce the fact that this is in role play and not in real life, and we didn't form ourselves into some secret baby eating cult.

I did have a couple of very positive experiences with local TV stations at cons, but I think that is because fandom, especially when costumes and props are included is visual in nature. TV seems to like and represent us better than print media.

Pre-qaptaQ, when I was a Karizan I was involved in a newpaper article, which was actually quite positive. It was done by a paper that while widely circulated is also well known as a counter culture paper, so I think they were ready to deal with anything in a good light. So it can happen, but I have also read my share of "Look at the Freak" stories, and generally will not participate myself.

[Ky'lath]

Well, as much as the beliefs I have been raised with allow me to, I do.
It is a delicate balance indeed.

[Klythe]

    I wouldn't say I live as a Klingon, I would not believe anyone who claimed to, and if I was being truly serious ,I wouldn't even claim would want to live as a Klingon.  I would say, an undeniable part of me understands and reacts according to the Klingon worldview.   

   You cannot live among Terrans and live AS a Klingon.  Sure you can get the species reassignment surgery, could do all the rites and rituals, have all the right attitudes and the correct worldview, but then you would still only be living like a Klingon.   Even a Klingon living among Terrans isn't living AS a Klingon.   Because a key aspect to living AS a Klingon is to live in an environment similar to one Klingons live in.  Living in a culture where everyone around you is living as a Klingon.  Living where anyone could challenge your worthyness to exist (you have no right to exist, you must be able to defend it), your value to the empire and your physical prowess, and if you are found wanting, this random fellow subject of the empire would not only not be facing criminal sactions for attempting to kill you, they would in fact be commiting a bit of a social faux-pas if they didn't.

    I'm not saying this is a good or a bad thing, but overall it does make for a strong species, though individuals of that species would be under considerable recurring, persistant, even chronic stress.

[Gemini29]

Very well said!





[Edit -- block removed, PM sent]

[QorvaS]

Greetings.

I agree with what Kesvirit says; it is better to be wary than to end up wounded.

My own question would be; What do you mean by, 'living AS a Klingon?'

It is an important question, because much can be implied by such a question and many doors can be open to interpretation.

If one means that they live an otherwise ordinary life but are involved in fannish pursuits for fun and recreation, that is one Way of expressing oneself in a Klingon like fashion.

If one means living  like a Klingon as portrayed in the various series or films, books, etc,? Then good luck with that. Most of the so-called 'civilized' nations on this world
are very non-accepting of the direct, blunt, confrontational and HONEST worldview held by the fictional Klingons.
To truly 'live' as a Klingon in that context would end with one spending time incarcerated I would think.

Yet, if one means that to live as a Klingon is to embrace the 'spirit' of the Warrior race as much as one can in their day-to-day life; even here on Terra that is a noble enterprise to undertake.

Living as a Warrior in this world and time is an uphill battle on a very steep grade - as those of my fellow Warriors here, I'm sure will agree.
I personally have tried to integrate as much of the Klingon Code of living into my experience as possible.

As a pagan and a follower of the old Heathen Ways I have found that the Way of the Klingon blends in well spiritually and philosophically with that as well.
Someone I know once described Klingons as Samurai and Viking Warriors blended together - and I don't think they were too far off the mark.

We might not be able to be 'all the way' Klingon in today's day and age, but we can come close in many ways. It is difficult to live with honor in an honor-less society, but to try one's best and be proud of what and who we are, is a start.

QorvaS