"Darth Vader and son?" (CC BY 2.0) by big-ashb
If there’s one genre that seems to inspire loyalty unlike any other, it’s science fiction. Thanks to a heady combination of escapism, exotic locations and generally intriguing characters, sci-fi has become its own culture over the last few decades. Indeed, when you rocket into low earth orbit and survey the sci-fi world from above, you’ll find a plethora of trinkets, tributes and even tattoos dedicated to some of genre’s most popular creations. Take, for example, tattoos. Even a cursory look through a site such as Pinterest reveals an endless array of designs. From people actually having the Superman logo inked on their chests to a back covered by a Storm Trooper, people feel so connected to sci-fi that they’re happy to etch it into their skin.
Humans and Horses Love Sci-fi
"SW Forever" (CC BY 2.0) by The Official Star Wars
Beyond tattoos, there are plenty of subtle examples of our love for sci-fi. For instance, when DJ Shadow dropped his single Hindsight, Star Wars fans will have noticed the sample of “the tracks go off in this direction” from A New Hope. Similarly, when Seth MacFarlane wanted to show the world his passion for science fiction, he did so by creating three Star Wars-inspired Family Guy shows called Laugh It Up, Fuzzball: The Family Guy Trilogy. Perhaps one of the most extreme ways fans have paid homage to sci-fi in recent years is changing their names. No doubt inspired by the horse racing industry, these people have actually taken one of their distinguishing features, tossed it aside and replaced it with a TV, literature or movie moniker.
Of course, this tradition of giving race horses quirky and exotic names is nothing new. Take a look at the starting line up for one of the world’s richest races, The Grand National, and all you’ll see all manner of names. In fact, even though many people try to read the latest racing tips and pick a Grand National Winner based on its age, form, weight and experience, most novices simply go for the one with the best name. Over the last three decades, we’ve seen a number of sci-fi runners take to the stalls. Obvious examples include Skywalker which raced in 1997 and Arthur B. Hancock III’s Princess Leia. For the hardcore fans, Hoth, Endor and Coruscant were all named after Star Wars moons and planets.
What’s in a Name?
"Sci-Fi Convention 2010" (CC BY 2.0) by Omarukai
Despite people and horses being slightly different, a number of sci-fi diehards appear to have taken inspiration from the racing industry. In 2008, Brit Laura Skywalker Matthews was refused a passport because her signature (L Skywalker) infringed a Star Wars’ trademark. In the US, the name phenomenon appears to be even more marked. According to local reports, Darth Vader now lives in Western New York, while Obi-Wan Kenobi Briggs is hiding out in North Carolina. Over in Europe, there is a Darth Mykolaiovych Vader in Ukraine and, get ready for it, a Julius Andreas Gimli Arn MacGyver Chewbacka Highlander Elessar-Jankov in Norway.
Basically, when it comes to fan loyalty, no one can beat the sci-fi community. Although changing your name is fairly easy in today’s world, it’s still a bold move. Indeed, to have official bills and documents, moreover your family and friends, refer to you by an obscure name is a big commitment to the cause. However, if you’re a true geek and you want the world to know it, then there are plenty of ways to show it.
