Theorhetical Klingon "Waves" of Fandom...

[Abbot Nej vIt]

Upon the request of our most esteemed Kesvirit, I offer this reposted topic from another board. This did not originally appear as a "POLL", but has been reformatted as such for these forums... With the "POLL" idea firmly in mind, I encourage folks to add their own comments and observations after they have voted. Also, this "POLL" does offer the option of being able to change Ones vote. I figure some may vote before reading the full text, so this way if there is a misunderstood time frame it can be addressed by the voters themselves...

NOTE/DISCLAIMER:

Firstly, this is a theoretical Time line of Klingon Fan-dom and activity, based on nothing more than my own personal observances, and on the many discussions which I have had with others who have been around for a while...

Secondly, I do not presume to know every detail of every History of every Klingon Club or Organization out there... So I will not be offended if others care to toss their own Two Darseks in on this discussion...

By *My* reckoning a new *Wave* of Klingon-fans tends to coincide with the release of a new Film or Series... Thus I (And this is only my own opinion and classification) break down the various *Waves* as follows...

Pre - Sep 1987: Old Guard -

Those who became involved in some form of Klingon Fandom prior to TNG. (Between FASA and ST:III there were a few brave souls who rejected the Federation)...

Sep 1987 - Feb 1993: First Wave -

Those who got involved After TNG, but before the beginning of DS9. (This time frame also reflects those who were *Inspired* by ST: VI)... MANY Clubs hit the scene, Merge, Splinter or Fail during this time period.

Mar 1993 - Jun 1995: 2nd Wave -

1st thru 3rd Season of DS9. (I Doubt many were swayed by Voyager, but this also reflects that time frame)... I Think that the *2nd* Klingon Federation war had an impact on the Role-play seen at conventions during this time... Klingon Numbers Swell dramatically...

Oct 1995 - Nov 1996: 3rd Wave -

Sometimes considered the *Hay-day* of Klin-dom (Klingon Fandom), though the initial Large numbers seem to have vanish as quickly as they appeared. Curiously, more and more folks started attending Cons in *Borg* costumes... Coincidence?

Jan 1997 - Jan 2000: 4th Wave -

This was actually the beginning of the apparent dwindling of massive Klingon Fan Clubs. Though new recruits did seem to trickle in here and there... Bulletin Boards and E-mail greatly improve communication potential but are grossly under utilized...

2000 - Present: 5th Wave -

The impact of the Internet becoming more and more useful, and the number of On line Forums, Message Boards and SIMM activity has seemed to slowly been rebuilding the Fan-base... But it is in large part a *New* breed of Fan... Costumers are in far shorter supply, and it is much easier to interact regularly by electronic means relieving many of the *Burden* of attending Conventions...

I count myself in amongst the late 1st Wave of Klingons. (My interaction began before DS9, though I was not actually In Ridge until right about the time DS9 was starting, so if that were the measure, than I am really a 2nd Waver)...

maj! {Good}...

[SoplaHtaHwI']

I can go on my first visit to a "Klingon" con (ie a con other than the 6-hour cons I was used to here in the Netherlands).
Also I am not certain, but shows tended to be later in Europe than the US, so much so that the timeframes for Europe (pre-DSL) might have to shift a few years... But for now I'll keep to the 4th wave... strange though it might be...

[Kaptain WanraK]

Using my first uniformed appearance as reference back 2002; I was active in Klindom.
I attended a "Day of Honor" celebration with the mighty Warriors of the Stranglehold out of San Diego.

Before then it was emails, discussion, TV/Movies, and books.
There has always been an underlying interest in Klindom as it became known.

[elninjo]

Im not sure if I fit into any of the above. I had no idea that groups like this existed. I knew the Klingons had a documented language etc but that was it. I came across this site when I decided to make my own bat'leth. I was searching the net for info and found the KIWG, from there I came here and havent been able to drag myself away.

Cheers

[Abbot Nej vIt]

Im not sure if I fit into any of the above. I had no idea that groups like this existed. I knew the Klingons had a documented language etc but that was it. I came across this site when I decided to make my own bat'leth. I was searching the net for info and found the KIWG, from there I came here and havent been able to drag myself away.

Cheers

Well, at least you have found it to be worth your time...

It really is something of a unique community, (That of Klindom), and it is very interesting to see all of the different ways that folks wind up becoming a part of it... So, welcome to the fray!

maj! {Good}...

[Kehlan]

In some ways, mine is a two part answer.  I have loved trek and Klingons all my life but knew nothing about fans etc until meeting another English/American family while I lived in Madrid - I think that was around 1995 and that was when I made my first costume for a big party there.  At that point the only klingons I knew were Worf and Kehleyr so I did Klingon makeup with a starfleet uniform.

It was only after I moved to my current home, back in the UK, in november 1998 and met my husband that I learned about organised clubs and someone helped me make a Klingon uniform, that I got really involved with the local club.  Then a couple of years later I got internet access although even with that it was early this year before I started to hunt for (and find) Klingon stuff.

I have counted myself as first wave based on the description rather than the dates.  The shows were of course later in Europe than in the USA and it was very definitely TNG that got me hooked.

Kehlan

[qoSagh]

It is interesting that when looking back I realize that not as much time passed as I thought between what I consider to be my Introduction to Klindom and My actual start in Klindom. All told it couldn't have taken more than a year. I went to a trek convention with a friend I met through work (which puts this at 1989 or later) and met some members of Mortas te Kaase, picked up an application and did nothing else with it. I went to another convention thistime in NYC which had to be the 1990 Creation Thanksgiving Convention, and joined the Karizan Empire. So this all points me towards the 1st wave, which makes sense because most of the leaders I met were clearly old guard. I took a brief break from Klindom towards the end of 1993 but came back by the start of 1994 and walked into the beginnings of what would become the qaptaQ. I've been here ever since, which means in just under 2 years, I'll be celebrating my 20th anniversary in Klindom.