Photo of dolphin by NASA; photo of David Gerrold by Gage Skidmore.
What do science fiction novel and script author David Gerrold, and Discordian/SubGenius website administrator Dolphin Blue, have in common? They are both named to the Order of the Pineapple for 2026! And they both accepted the award almost immediately. The winners are announced each year on January 18 (in some timezone) which is Pat Pineapple Day.
The Order of the Pineapple (OP) is also called a DisOrder. It honors extraordinary service to “the participatorial study of comedic attitudes and eccentric tendencies.” Or whatever members think makes someone deserving.
David Gerrold
David Gerrold’s nomination states: ‘The author wrote what is possibly the most popular episode of Star Trek (the original series): “The Trouble with Tribbles”. Gerrold’s novel The Martian Child subtly challenges racism, parenting prohibitions, and sexual “norms.” When HARLIE Was One challenges ageism, and The Man Who Folded Himself promotes the right of an individual to be an individual.’
Dolphin Blue
Dolphin Blue’s nomination states: ‘(aka Dolphin Bluex) is an administrator/bureaucrat for the Discordian Wiki. And a bureaucrat/administrator for SubGenius Wikia Clench. And is also both for the Flying Spaghetti Monster Wiki. and is an admin at the Facebook Subgenius group. Under an alias, Blue is one of the main organizers of the annual Grove Gathering. In 2025, Blue was named to the Order of Shamlicht “for work for the rights, freedom and service of children.”‘
History
The Order of the Pineapple award was first given on January 18, 1982, by the college-based Ek-sen-triks Cluborguild (ECG). The “feel free to be yourself” club or guild was named Most Active New Club after its official founding on November 16, 1981. But its challenges to the “norm” got the founders, Zeus and Alien, threatened with formal charges (which were dropped).
The early award winners were all members of the ECG. After the group members moved off in different directions, the award expanded with both famous and not famous winners. Well-known recipients include cartoonist R. Crumb, parody singer-songwriter “Weird Al” Yankovic, and the Monty Python comedy troupe. Others include radio host Dr. Demento, science fantasy authors Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson, and authors and game designers S. John Ross and Steve Jackson. And there’s Emperor Norton I, the 19th century eccentric known as the self-proclaimed emperor of the United States.
It is traditional for members to consume something containing or resembling pineapple on January 18. Unless of course they forget it or don’t feel like it. (The OP is a “no obligation” DisOrder.)
David Gerrold needs help
The famed author, who turns 82 this month, is fighting leukemia. A fundraiser is ongoing at GoFundMe.
Alden Loveshade first thought of emself as a writer when in 3rd grade. E first wrote professionally when e was 16 years old, and later did professional photography and art/graphic design. Alden has professionally published news/sports/humorous/and feature articles, poems, columns, reviews, stories, scripts, books, and school lunch menus.
http://alden.loveshade.org
Delighted to see David Gerrold recognized for his comedic writing and his stands for individual liberty. I’ve long been a fan of his work and I was fortunate enough to see David last August at Bubonicon, where he kindly autographed a few of my books. I’m less familiar with Dolphin Blue, but the connection with Flying Spaghetti Monsterism and the Church of the SubGenius speaks volumes for earning the award.
This award came out of the blue. I flippered out. I had to do a deep dive, and got all wet. But now things are going swimmingly! Thank you so much!