When my cats get like this, they LOVE to skitter and scramble across my linoleum floors; practically running in place at times while trying to dig their claws in.
Interesting article and something for writers and readers to consider. I know my own series has certain expected story roles filled by the cultures I have created. I think one thing this article fails to point out is that Star Trek did break some of their own stereotypes.
For example, in DS9, we had storylines that involved female Ferengi pushing norms of Ferengi society, acquiring profit and trying to better their roles. So while ST may have created some stereotypes, they also sought to break them. I try to do the same with my own created cultures/societies, having characters break the mold; I find it makes for interesting plots and more interesting characters.
It feels rather too harsh to accuse science fiction (Star Trek certainly) of bigotry. At worst you could say weak writing, but I don't think that's typically the case either. Don't forget, these races are fictional creations usually dreamt up to make a point or to tell a particular type of story.
A typical Star Trek MO is to create a society with one very specific, pronounced cultural trait so it can hold up a magnifying glass to that aspect of our culture, without all the real-world baggage in the way. These episodes are like hypothetical questions with funny foreheads and the occasional phaser battle.
You mention Rom in this post, but don't forget that he did actually quit working in the bar and became a great engineer. And Nog joined Starfleet and became a capable cadet. Even Quark had countless episodes when the writers made him face the consequences of his greed. My point is, they're not all two dimensional stereotypes, they're certain types of character in service of a certain type of story.
Another example: The Borg. The first time we meet them they are soulless killing machines. The second time they try and take over Earth and end our civilisation. The third time they meet one in isolation and come to empathise with it. Even the Borg aren't as one-dimensional as they seem. This is not a show looking to peg any particular species as any one thing.
Star Wars, maybe you have a point. A lot of those races seem to be imitating human racial stereotypes without trying to make a bigger point about cultures and attitudes. But I'm not really well versed enough to be sure. Same for fantasy races. If Dwarves were all multi-dimensional complex beings, what would make them Dwarves? Just their appearance? Somehow I think that would result in less interesting stories, not more.
Looks like you could make one yourself for about $50 by cutting the top off a heating oil tank and a few parts form the hardware store. Of course, why you'd ever NEED to build your own is perhaps left undiscussed...
Real, actually scary, decorations are what's missing from Halloween. Mostly blotted out by PC, helicopter parents like the one above. Just had a discussion about that fact the other day.
When I was a kid there was a house in town that put on a huge display (back before everyone decorated.) the whole town went every year. The donation box was actually a coffin with a hand that would grab your money from you. (I suspect it was spring loaded but I was too afraid to get close.) Every year I begged to go, and every year I'd get so scared out of my little kid mind I'd wind up crying. Add that to the neighbor who had a flying ghost that attached you as you walked past (while he laughed at us whole time) or the guy who had the loudest, pee your pants inducing, buzzer, ever, in the window that he would set off when you walked up the path to his house and THAT is Halloween. That is why it's called TRICK-or-Treat not "let's decorate everything cute and go begging for candy handouts." I miss that Halloween.
Not only that, its a fundraiser against cancer...and he's doing it to earn money to stop the condition that killed his grandmother. How can you complain against that? Go ban Halloween if its scary; as well as all horror movies.
For example, in DS9, we had storylines that involved female Ferengi pushing norms of Ferengi society, acquiring profit and trying to better their roles. So while ST may have created some stereotypes, they also sought to break them. I try to do the same with my own created cultures/societies, having characters break the mold; I find it makes for interesting plots and more interesting characters.
A typical Star Trek MO is to create a society with one very specific, pronounced cultural trait so it can hold up a magnifying glass to that aspect of our culture, without all the real-world baggage in the way. These episodes are like hypothetical questions with funny foreheads and the occasional phaser battle.
You mention Rom in this post, but don't forget that he did actually quit working in the bar and became a great engineer. And Nog joined Starfleet and became a capable cadet. Even Quark had countless episodes when the writers made him face the consequences of his greed. My point is, they're not all two dimensional stereotypes, they're certain types of character in service of a certain type of story.
Another example: The Borg. The first time we meet them they are soulless killing machines. The second time they try and take over Earth and end our civilisation. The third time they meet one in isolation and come to empathise with it. Even the Borg aren't as one-dimensional as they seem. This is not a show looking to peg any particular species as any one thing.
Star Wars, maybe you have a point. A lot of those races seem to be imitating human racial stereotypes without trying to make a bigger point about cultures and attitudes. But I'm not really well versed enough to be sure. Same for fantasy races. If Dwarves were all multi-dimensional complex beings, what would make them Dwarves? Just their appearance? Somehow I think that would result in less interesting stories, not more.
The owner has trained the cat well ...
When I was a kid there was a house in town that put on a huge display (back before everyone decorated.) the whole town went every year. The donation box was actually a coffin with a hand that would grab your money from you. (I suspect it was spring loaded but I was too afraid to get close.) Every year I begged to go, and every year I'd get so scared out of my little kid mind I'd wind up crying. Add that to the neighbor who had a flying ghost that attached you as you walked past (while he laughed at us whole time) or the guy who had the loudest, pee your pants inducing, buzzer, ever, in the window that he would set off when you walked up the path to his house and THAT is Halloween. That is why it's called TRICK-or-Treat not "let's decorate everything cute and go begging for candy handouts."
I miss that Halloween.