I don’t think Andy’s problem is that Trek is stupid, and that his version of it would make the Chris Pine trek look intellectual.
Savber on
And he does it on the The Critical Drinker podcast?
Oof, I bet he ate that up. Disappointing that Weir gives attention to a Youtuber who was more obsessed about “woke” and “cultural wars” than actually understanding movies that go beyond his comfort.
I know it’s easy grifting to loudly proclaim on Youtube that men aren’t manly anymore in media or DEI ruined movies (maybe watch more films beyond your mainstream schlock) but using woke as the reason for shit writers like Kurtzman and many more is such a rudimentary, lazy excuse for shitty corporate garbage.
Infinite_Escape9683 on
“I dislike social commentary. Like… I really hate it. When I’m reading a book, I just want to be entertained, not preached at by the author.”
Doesn’t sound like the guy I want running Trek.
aphilipnamedfry on
I don’t feel like he “blasts” them, he is very accurately conveying feelings that many Trek fans have. He does call out the execs that rejected his pitch though, and that was interesting considering everything else had more nuance than just saying “fuck em” like he did on that part lol
Coltons13 on
Frankly, I think it’s bizarre that Wier even likes Star Trek given this quote.
> **“I dislike social commentary. Like… I really hate it. When I’m reading a book, I just want to be entertained, not preached at by the author. Plus, it ruins the wonder of the story if I know the author has a political or social axe to grind.** I no longer speculate about all possible outcomes of the story because I know for a fact that the universe of that book will conspire to ensure that the author’s political agenda is validated. I hate that,” Weir said. **“I put no politics or social commentary into my stories at all. Anyone who thinks they see something like that is reading it in on their own. I have no point to make, and I’m not trying to affect the reader’s opinion on anything. My sole job is to entertain, and I stick to that.”**
As an admitted sci-fi snob, I think it’s positively bonkers that any author can suggest science fiction can be written apolitically. It is a genre completely rooted in examining humanity, concepts, ideas, and using them to contextualize or challenge real-world problems or views.
> “For instance, as a lifelong Star Trek fan, it’s always bothered me that there is a presumed ‘responsibility’ within Star Trek shows to talk about social issues,” the writer added. “I just want to watch Romulans and the Federation shoot at each other.”
I mean, I genuinely can’t believe anyone can be a Star Trek fan and think like this. The entire point of the series is an examination of humanity, life, meaning. The setting is essentially just a backdrop to examine questions of idealism and concepts. It basically misses the entire point of the show.
aLegionOfDavids on
lol you’re a bit late for the karma farm. These were out of context quotes taken from critical drinker, a terrible space in itself, which Weir has already come out and said “hey, everything has been taken out of context, it was basically a joke and I’m not used to being in the limelight where anything you say is used for whatever suits people’s narratives, sorry”.
IIIaustin on
SNW and LWD whip fucking ass tho
LatencyLullaby on
Rejecting Andy Weir for Trek feels like rejecting a chef from cooking because you prefer microwaving.
Happy_Chimp_123 on
It’s as bad as Tarantino and his Star Trek pitch.
Seriously, stay in your lane…
wihannez on
Weir writes entertaining fiction but his social intelligence is bottom barrel stuff. Also what an idiotic thing to say about Star Trek of all series.
drvondoctor on
Did anyone read Artemis?
The Andy Weir novel that hasn’t gotten a movie?
He attempted to write from the perspective of a woman. It wasnt an awful story, but it did have some pretty cringe worthy shit thrown in there.
If I read that and then Andy Weir came to me saying “I’ve got a script for star trek” id probably also say “… no thanks…”
I enjoyed The Martian, and Hail Mary, but Artemis was… a miss. I respect the guy for writing outside of his comfort zone, and I dont think he’s a bad author, but there were some times where I found myself thinking “…wait… is Andy Weir an asshole?”
Maybe Andy Weir *and* someone with a little more star trek “cred” could pull off something awesome *as a team.*
kmtnewsman on
“When did Rage get political” o’clock
sevgonlernassau on
In the time period The Martian was written, there was a witch hunt within NASA for people who were born in China and naturalized, so it’s hard to believe that section of the book is not political. He clearly doesn’t believe what he said enough to not write political segments in PHM.
terriaminute on
Don’t care, dude.
quietmachines on
Corny guy
classic4life on
Kind of hard not to read any kind of socio-political commentary in Project Hail Mary.
17 Comments
Aaaand he’s already apologized.
I don’t think Andy’s problem is that Trek is stupid, and that his version of it would make the Chris Pine trek look intellectual.
And he does it on the The Critical Drinker podcast?
Oof, I bet he ate that up. Disappointing that Weir gives attention to a Youtuber who was more obsessed about “woke” and “cultural wars” than actually understanding movies that go beyond his comfort.
I know it’s easy grifting to loudly proclaim on Youtube that men aren’t manly anymore in media or DEI ruined movies (maybe watch more films beyond your mainstream schlock) but using woke as the reason for shit writers like Kurtzman and many more is such a rudimentary, lazy excuse for shitty corporate garbage.
“I dislike social commentary. Like… I really hate it. When I’m reading a book, I just want to be entertained, not preached at by the author.”
Doesn’t sound like the guy I want running Trek.
I don’t feel like he “blasts” them, he is very accurately conveying feelings that many Trek fans have. He does call out the execs that rejected his pitch though, and that was interesting considering everything else had more nuance than just saying “fuck em” like he did on that part lol
Frankly, I think it’s bizarre that Wier even likes Star Trek given this quote.
> **“I dislike social commentary. Like… I really hate it. When I’m reading a book, I just want to be entertained, not preached at by the author. Plus, it ruins the wonder of the story if I know the author has a political or social axe to grind.** I no longer speculate about all possible outcomes of the story because I know for a fact that the universe of that book will conspire to ensure that the author’s political agenda is validated. I hate that,” Weir said. **“I put no politics or social commentary into my stories at all. Anyone who thinks they see something like that is reading it in on their own. I have no point to make, and I’m not trying to affect the reader’s opinion on anything. My sole job is to entertain, and I stick to that.”**
As an admitted sci-fi snob, I think it’s positively bonkers that any author can suggest science fiction can be written apolitically. It is a genre completely rooted in examining humanity, concepts, ideas, and using them to contextualize or challenge real-world problems or views.
> “For instance, as a lifelong Star Trek fan, it’s always bothered me that there is a presumed ‘responsibility’ within Star Trek shows to talk about social issues,” the writer added. “I just want to watch Romulans and the Federation shoot at each other.”
I mean, I genuinely can’t believe anyone can be a Star Trek fan and think like this. The entire point of the series is an examination of humanity, life, meaning. The setting is essentially just a backdrop to examine questions of idealism and concepts. It basically misses the entire point of the show.
lol you’re a bit late for the karma farm. These were out of context quotes taken from critical drinker, a terrible space in itself, which Weir has already come out and said “hey, everything has been taken out of context, it was basically a joke and I’m not used to being in the limelight where anything you say is used for whatever suits people’s narratives, sorry”.
SNW and LWD whip fucking ass tho
Rejecting Andy Weir for Trek feels like rejecting a chef from cooking because you prefer microwaving.
It’s as bad as Tarantino and his Star Trek pitch.
Seriously, stay in your lane…
Weir writes entertaining fiction but his social intelligence is bottom barrel stuff. Also what an idiotic thing to say about Star Trek of all series.
Did anyone read Artemis?
The Andy Weir novel that hasn’t gotten a movie?
He attempted to write from the perspective of a woman. It wasnt an awful story, but it did have some pretty cringe worthy shit thrown in there.
If I read that and then Andy Weir came to me saying “I’ve got a script for star trek” id probably also say “… no thanks…”
I enjoyed The Martian, and Hail Mary, but Artemis was… a miss. I respect the guy for writing outside of his comfort zone, and I dont think he’s a bad author, but there were some times where I found myself thinking “…wait… is Andy Weir an asshole?”
Maybe Andy Weir *and* someone with a little more star trek “cred” could pull off something awesome *as a team.*
“When did Rage get political” o’clock
In the time period The Martian was written, there was a witch hunt within NASA for people who were born in China and naturalized, so it’s hard to believe that section of the book is not political. He clearly doesn’t believe what he said enough to not write political segments in PHM.
Don’t care, dude.
Corny guy
Kind of hard not to read any kind of socio-political commentary in Project Hail Mary.