Episode 6.06: Rum Trek: Nerdfleet Academy: This week we jump to warp and dig into Star Trek: Starfleet Academy on Paramount+, and spoiler alert—we actually like it. The show tackles some genuinely compelling sci-fi questions, especially how societies evolve over 800 years, with 130 of those in the post-Burn era. That long-view look at cultural reset, institutional memory, and rebuilding after collapse feels very Star Trek, and it’s where the series is at its strongest.
That said… let’s talk about programmable matter. We get it. It’s clever. It’s flexible. It can turn into whatever the plot needs this week. And honestly? It’s kind of meh. When everything can become anything, the tech loses its magic—and sometimes its stakes. Give us constraints, buttons, levers, and blinking lights we can argue about. Not everything needs to be space Silly Putty.
More importantly, we use this episode to speak up about something we’ve officially had enough of: toxic fandom. Criticism is fair. Debate is healthy. But harassment, review-bombing, and screaming that a franchise is “ruined” every time it tries something new? That’s not fandom—that’s just noise. Sci-fi is supposed to explore empathy, growth, and better futures… so maybe act like it. And while we’re here: bring back Star Wars: The Acolyte. Seriously.
Snarky? Absolutely. But we’re dead serious about protecting the space for new stories to exist. Pour a rum, roll your eyes at programmable matter, and join us for a Trek-forward, no-nonsense episode of Rum & Nerdy. 🖖🥃
Two rambling idiots—Greg and Garrick—bring you the *Rum & Nerdy Podcast*, a weekly dive into the world of nerd culture through the eyes of late 40s/early 50s dads who still can't get enough of their favorite movies, TV shows, and theme parks. With a deep love of all things nerdy and a shared passion for good rum, these two buddies mix laid-back humor, nostalgic memories, and plenty of laughs as they discuss everything from classic sci-fi to the latest pop culture trends.
