I confess. I’m a Trekkie. I became one in 1966 and still am one today.
I was in college when “Star Trek” came on television – the original with William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. Oh, that enticing call of “Space: the final frontier…to explore strange new worlds…to boldly go where no man has gone before.” It may have been canceled after three years, but twelve different Star Trek series have followed, totaling 49 seasons and 938 episodes. No, I haven’t watched them all. Some series I’ve ignored, others have become favorites –The Next Generation and Voyager. I only attended one Star Trek “Con,” and it was a hoot seeing people dressed as Federation officers, Klingons, and other aliens. I can’t remember, but booths were probably selling Tribbles. Anyone remember that episode?
What is the appeal of Star Trek?
Here are my thoughts on that question:
Almost every episode was a morality tale with a good lesson.
The Enterprise was diverse, and everyone got along.
The prime directive – Starfleet was not to interfere with the development of another culture that was living and growing.
Money was no longer necessary. Everyone prospered. The focus was on developing your skills, abilities, and talents – which would, in turn, benefit all.
The Holodeck! The possibilities were endless. A free vacation to wherever you want to go. Just speak your preference into the computer station at the door, and voila! Paris in the springtime, a beach in Tahiti, a walk on the moon, a tour of a nebula…
It all sounds heavenly.
Star Trek-inspired innovation:
The communicator – almost everyone has one – a cellphone
Voice command – I can tell my TV to change channels!
Universal translator – now available on your cp, very useful when traveling.
Tablets – now available as ipads, laptops, etc.
Phasers – Tazers and stun guns
Replicators – 3D printers though I’m still waiting for one that will make anything we for breakfast, lunch and dinner – and dessert. Or snacks.
Telepresence meetings – Zoom, anyone?
The holodeck – virtual reality through headgear/goggles
I wonder if anyone out there is working on transporters which in my opinion may have been inspired by Revelation and the Rapture. Believers will be “beamed up” to join the Lord in the air, though it won’t be a machine doing it. A word from the Lord will be more than enough.
There is a lot to commend Star Trek. You know, some of it seems almost biblical.