The reason for my writing this is explained in the first two paragraphs. The reason for posting it is that cat people, being the most sane and sensible people anywhere, are also often Star Trek fans.
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IN DEFENSE OF STAR TREK
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Dear Teacher:
This letter is both a letter and my submission for Lesson Four. I am going to discuss a subject near and dear to my heart. I am rising "In Defense of Star Trek".
You brought this on by suggesting, in the interest of brevity, my paragraph referring to Star Trek in my last lesson might be eliminated. I think not, for various reasons, which I shall expound upon here.
First, a personal reaction of mine. You should know that I read a lot, and when the book I am reading makes even a passing reference to Star Trek, I immediately feel that the author and I have something in common, (and you'd be surprised how often that occasion arises), and that our outlook on the world would be simpatico. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to interact with a number of people, and when and if the subject of Star Trek comes up, I find three possible reactions; they like/love it, they hate it, or they just don't get it. It's only those people with whom a reference to Star Trek is readily appreciated that I find I am apt to form a lasting friendship. Just so with my readers. (I would here except the term "warp speed", as having become a household word. I have encountered it in the paper, on television, (by Peter Jennings, may he rest in peace), and my computer has a screen saver, 'Flying Through Space', whose warp speed is mine to command.
The History Channel, from time to time, shows a program titled 'How William Shatner Changed the World'. FYI, William Shatner played the part of Captain Kirk in Star Trek, The Original Series. It was not so much Mr. Shatner himself, although he played an engaging character, as the ideas the program offered for contemplation that had such a profound influence on today's society. The first interracial kiss on television was aired in a Star Trek episode, and the fact that a black woman played the part of a respected officer of Star Fleet, instead of a maid, was an inspiration to African-American wannabe actors. Whoopi Goldberg grabbed it and ran with it, and look at her now.
There was a fairly serious study made a few years ago, about which science fiction efforts, movies and television, were the "best', "most influential", had the most lasting effect on society. The two top contenders were Star Wars and Star Trek. They concluded that Star Wars was the most influential, and in terms of number of people, they may be right. The Star Wars movies are fun, and George Lucas has created a wonderful modern mythology, combining the archetypes one can find in Joseph Campbell with that other myth,"The Wizard Of Oz". What's not to like?
But if you go to Cal Tech, JPL, NASA, you'll find more people saying 'Live long and prosper.'(Vulcan), than 'May the Force be with you.'(Jedi). Gene Roddenberry, who was the guiding genius behind Star Trek, as George Lucas was for Star Wars, was an idealist. In the three hundred or so years in the future, Roddenberry's Earth has solved the problems that plague us today. Earth is a paradise. The troubles I envisioned with my Genie, (another story-KPMom), were apparently handled somehow, although Roddenberry never offers any solutions, just results. The youngsters who view the Star Wars movies may cheer for their heroes, and yearn for Princess Leia, but the Star Trek viewers go home figuring out ways to make it come true. They build rockets and go to the moon. Our modern cell phones are more versatile than Captain Kirk's communicator. Our computers are getting there; robots and androids are front and center in Japanese technology. Much of our modern world is catching up to Star Trek as fast as it can.
My son in Los Angeles had a t-shirt, (note past tense; I had to wrest it away from him). It said in the front of it 'RESISTANCE IS FUTILE'. Below that was a picture of a Borg. Below that it said 'YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED'
A Borg is a member of a collective that, in the Star Trek canon, is attempting to conquer the Galaxy. The face of the Borg was that of Bill Gates. I alnost fell off my chair laughing when I saw it, and if my son weren't the generous soul he is, I would never have gotten that shirt away from him. If those that I meet while wearing it do not react appropriately, I know a lot about them, and their state of mind, immediately. If they are seniors like me I don't take it too much to heart. I know some wonderful seniors who will never leave the 20th century, but I don't discuss computers with them any more than I discuss evolution with my evangelicsal friends.
I think one can look at Star Trek as a password to the mind set of society. If one is passed, he is looking to the future, and he's part of the solution; if not, he's part of the problem. (Nobody but a real old-timer could have written that last sentence.)
In general, the Star Trek episodes were fairly cerebral, even the funny ones, and it wasn't until after the death of Roddenberry that they devolved into the thud and blunder with which they ended. I think we Trekkers all had withdrawal symptoms when the last show aired. I know I did. But if anything makes me a little more hopeful about the future of mankind, it's the fact that there are people who are willing to pursue Roddenberry's vision of the future.
May you, Teacher, live long and prosper. KPMom.
