Hmmmm.......an interesting, yet intriguing enigma, Space.
In my age bracket (44), I don't get this problem. But I can see how the younger, pre-warp generations might find entertainment in belittling something as harmless and as innocent as a preference (or obsession) with a TV series.
If I was to come across such an attitude, I would just chuck a Worf and growl. That's if I couldn't fell them with my "Q" like wit and sarcasm.
Here in the Continuum (Aust) most have grown out of such behaviour.
Remember, there are only 3 things which cause a person to make fun of or belittle anothers' interests. Jealousy, lack of understanding (stupidity) and childishness. Me thinks the latter be the case here.
Oh, and Craig, I took a little while to cotton onto DS9 also (I think mainly because it wasn't taking place on a ship, and concerned mainly politics and semantics to begin with), but I kept getting the tapes from blockbuster and after the first season or two, things really hot up and you get to know the characters. The Station gets it's own "war ship" (the Defiant) and many a space adventure is had battling and outwitting all kinds of aliens and phenomena. There's even an "arch enemy" - the Dominion. So give it a go for a while. It's especially easy to do now that you can get about 10 or 12 episodes at a time and watch them in a short period. Beats waiting for weekly installments, that you may or may not be able to see.
All this goes for you too, Rifle, you................infidel

The Next generation is the very best ever series and my life would not be complete if i hadn't seen each episode at least 4 times over the years. Just give yourself time to get attached to the characters. ;D

Live long and prosper........
