Since it first aired in 1966,Star Trekhas led American television into a more progressive era by presenting a diverse cast interacting as equals, demonstrating expertise and efficiency as they lead a starship across the galaxy. To this day, theStar Trekfranchise strives to inspire viewers to find beauty in diversity and progress. InSocial Movements and the Collective Identity of theStar TrekFandom: Boldly Going Where No Fans Have Gone Before, David G. LoConto explores the development of theStar Trekfandom from its uncertain beginnings in the 1960s, to the popularity explosion in the 1990s and its triumphant return in 2017. LoConto analyzes the cultural phenomena ofStar Trekthrough a social psychological approach, using symbolic interactionist and strategic ritualization theories, as well as ideas from Habermas and Foucault to track the fandom's movements, values, and evolution.