When did sci-fi become a dirty word and why does being a fan of sci-fi make someone a geek?

I remember, when I was in high school, being labeled a geek or a nerd was the worst insult. It was the social kiss of death. Have things changed? Not so much.

So the question becomes, why is there such a negative connotation for something as innocent as your choice of what you watch on TV or at movies? Here's my theory: People tend to make fun of things they don't understand. If a sci-fi show doesn't make sense to them, then it doesn't make sense period. So why would anyone in their right mind bother to watch it?

Apparently, there are many people out there who do bother to watch sci-fi. According to the list of All-Time Box Office (Domestic) Leaders on movies.go.com, eight of the top 10 movies are (gasp!) sci-fi/fantasy. They are as follows:

• Star Wars
• E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial
• Star Wars: Episode I
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
• Spiderman
• Star Wars: Episode III
• Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
• Spiderman II

Our neighbors across the Atlantic at the BBC released the results of a poll taken last year by an interactive TV firm, Home Media Networks, listing the most missed shows on British TV. Any guesses? The number one most missed show on British TV was Star Trek! Also making the top 10 were Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Blake 7, Stargate: SG 1, Babylon 5 and The X-Files.

Personally, I think for people to enjoy sci-fi, they have to be open-minded and adventurous. Sci-fi shows take you on exotic, multi-galactic journeys and introduce you to countless species with different ideals. If you are a person who tends to close your mind to learning new things, you might as well sit back and continue to wonder what we sci-fi fans see that others don't. The shuttle to Utopia Planitia will take off without you.

Sci-fi is a genre for thinkers. That's not to say that sci-fi fans are more intelligent than the rest of the population. It simply means that sci-fi fans tend to think about and analyze what they see more than most.

Sci-fi also has an anything is possible aspect to it. It has the ability to disguise socially relevant issues in out-of-this-world (or galaxy) scenarios.

It has the ability to disguise socially relevant issues in out-of-this-world (or galaxy) scenarios.

Stargate: Atlantis gave fans something to think about in the Season Two episode, "Michael", with Connor Trinneer. Michael (Trinneer) finds himself in the Atlantis infirmary. He is told he has amnesia after being nearly killed in a Wraith attack. In truth, he is a Wraith, although after being injected with a retrovirus, he appears human. Later, Michael finds out that he has been lied to. With the genetics issues of today, this episode asks the question: Is genetic manipulation acceptable?

Jericho, although it takes place in present-day earth, is another show that makes you think. Considering this country's current overseas issues, a show about surviving nuclear devastation is not beyond the realm of possibility. How do you prepare for something you don't want to think could ever happen and if it does happen who do you trust?

Star Trek was well-known for inserting social issues into the 23rd century. In the episode, "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield", the issue of racial hatred was explored. An alien named Lokai has been chased by another alien named Bele for centuries. They hate each other because one is half-black, half-white and the other is half-white, half-black.

In the episode, "Plato's Stepchildren", Star Trek made history with TV's first interracial kiss between Uhura and, of course, Kirk. This came in 1968, at a time when interracial relationships were absolutely frowned upon.

Some non sci-fi fans seem to think that those of us who watch or read sci-fi are escaping reality. But much of sci-fi is based on reality, only taken a step or two further. If you think about the stories being told, although they take place in other times and places, they do tackle present-day concerns. So, are we geeks for watching shows that make us think about humanity's future?

So, are we geeks for watching shows that make us think about humanity's future?

The popularity of sci-fi, though not understood by all, certainly can't be denied. My first taste of sci-fi came with watching reruns of the original Star Trek when I was just a little kid. Then came the original Battlestar Galactica. I also remember waking up early on Saturday mornings to watch Land Of The Lost. In fact, I can't remember a time when I wasn't hooked on sci-fi.

But I think Star Trek, though not everyone's favorite sci-fi show, holds a special place in the hearts of all sci-fi fans. Star Trek was voted the number one cult favorite in a poll by TV Guide in 2004. TV Guide also created a series of 35 different covers in one week to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Star Trek, covering all five series. TV Guide has never done this for any other show in any other genre.

Even though Star Trek only lasted three seasons, it became such a cult favorite that over the last 40 years it has spawned five other Trek series (including The Animated Series) and 10 movies. What other short-lived show has created such a loyal following that still thrives 40 years later?

Gene Roddenberry's view of our future had a positive effect both on Earth and beyond. The US government named the first space shuttle Enterprise after Star Trek's famous starship. The cast was invited by NASA to witness the unveiling of the Enterprise. Astronaut Mae Jemison found her future because of watching Uhura on Star Trek.

Star Trek has had far-reaching influence beyond being simply a popular TV show. It was a show that had people from many ethnic backgrounds working together. It allowed people of all races to dream of brighter futures. Star Trek also inspired kids to enter careers in technology, science and space exploration.

Star Trek, over the years, has been the butt of many jokes. Remember SNL with John Belushi's take on Captain Kirk? Then there's the new Weird Al video, White and Nerdy, which shows him paying what looks like a drug dealer. But the package he opens doesn't contain drugs, it contains a Star Wars holiday video. Not to mention the pictures of Kirk and Picard above his bed. Also, in the Halloween episode of NCIS, McGee figures out the type of vehicle they need to look out for, after a murder, with only a one word clue, because of his obsession with the video game Grand Theft Auto. Tony makes fun of him by saying "McGeek with the save." Later, McGee saves the day again when their suspect will only speak Klingon.

Surprisingly, it is also celebrated in unexpected ways. The quiz show Weakest Link had a special Star Trek edition for charity. William Shatner, Denise Crosby and Robert Picardo were among the contestants. The recent Eddie Murphy movie, Daddy Daycare, was full of Trek references. Including a scene with a little boy that nobody could understand. They thought he spoke gibberish, but Steve Zahn's character realized the boy was really speaking Klingon. Then there is the '99 hit movie, Galaxy Quest, with Tim Allen. It's about a group of washed up sci-fi actors making their living doing conventions, until actual aliens arrive asking for help. They end up becoming the heroes they always played in the show.

Star Trek may have been the catalyst for the sci-fi movement, but it certainly isn't the only example of sci-fi around, especially lately. Two of the most popular shows on TV now are Lost and Heroes. Lost, of course, is about plane crash survivors on an island full of strange things including a smoke monster. Heroes is a show about seemingly ordinary people who are discovering that they have strange powers. They include Claire, who heals almost instantly from any injury, Isaac can paint the future and Hiro can transport himself in place and time. All of them are being drawn to each other in an attempt to save the world. Hiro, by the way, was voted TV's Hot Geek by TV Guide, geek being a term of endearment here.

Other popular shows include Jericho, about small town folk surviving a nuclear blast and all the craziness and mistrust that follows. Supernatural, with Sam and Dean Winchester battling demons, dolls and shape-shifters. There's even a new animated show called Skyland. It's about a band of space rebels fighting the evil Sphere for control of water distribution in a future where Earth has been shattered into a million pieces.

Of course, no one can forget the world of the Jedi with Star Wars. Also, 10 years with our favorite planet-hopping team on Stargate: SG1 and it's popular off-shoot, Stargate: Atlantis. Does anyone remember the great, but very short-lived Space: Above And Beyond? All these shows seem to have a common theme: People putting aside their differences to save our world and make it a better place. Isn't that something everyone wants?

Aside from watching sci-fi, the worst thing we so-called geeks can possibly do is go to conventions -- "Geeks on Parade"

Aside from watching sci-fi, the worst thing we so-called geeks can possibly do is go to conventions -- "Geeks on Parade"

Some of my friends get angry or hurt at being called geek, freak, loser etc. They even lie about going to conventions to avoid ridicule. To my way of thinking, those who make fun don't know what we do at conventions, since they wouldn't be caught dead at one. So who cares what they call us? It just goes to show, they have no idea what they're missing out on. Tell anyone outside the realm of sci-fi that you go to conventions. I bet I know what you'll hear. "Oh, you're one of those people," "Who are you dressing up as?" or "You're kidding, you actually go to those things?" Am I right?

Ask those same people if they know what happens at conventions. Most will say that we dress in weird costumes and talk funny. Plus the obvious, watching episodes of sci-fi shows and discussing them in minute detail.

They haven't a clue how much fun we have. Getting to meet and talk to actors we've watched and admired for years. Getting to have your picture taken with those same actors. The stars put on cabaret shows, skits, plays and improv shows. Some conventions even offer weekend classes on acting, writing, and filmaking. The kicker, of course, is getting the autographs (hopefully personalized) of your favorite stars.

Try convincing a non sci-fi friend to go to the next convention with you. It might just make them realize that we aren't quite the freaks they think we are. I took a sci-fi skeptic to a convention. She was surprised at how much fun she had and even said she wouldn't be opposed to going again.

Should we let labels like geek, freak and loser keep us from enjoying the exotic worlds of sci-fi? Are you kidding? Give up Star Trek, Stargate, Star Wars, Heroes and other fun sci-fi shows? NEVER!

Sci-fi isn't just goofy, out-of-this-world shows with lots of technobabble. Sci-fi deals with hot issues of the times. It makes us think. Makes us care. Gives us hope.

Never again be embarrassed for what you are. Someday, those that ridicule us will realize what we have known all along. There is nothing wrong with us. So sci-fi geeks, stand proud, for from now on we are SCI-FI CHIC!