To Boldly Go

In September, 1966 a show aired that would change the face of television and , eventually, the face of technological advancements world wide. Seems a bit far reaching for a campy sci-fi show, I know, but Star Trek , with is cardboard computers and strange aliens would open doors some didn't even know where there to open.

In a tumultuous time, when our streets and newspapers were full of hate and war, Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, envisioned a future where our greatest enemies were far away in space. A future in which the people of this world had overcome their trivial biases, cleaned up our planet and moved forward in the intellectual pursuit of space exploration.  The crew of the Enterprise, while surely facing their share of alien foes, were one people, only human.  The first on screen bi racial kiss happened on the decks of the Enterprise.  A multi racial cast, where in the issue of race came up only through the eyes of the alien crew member Spock, who was ever pointing out the "flaws" of being human, gave inspiration to all Americans, not just the white male ones.

While avoiding the racial issues among their own crew, those on  board faced bigotry as it was through the galaxies,  pointing out the pointlessness of it all through characters with even less reason to hate each other.  A lot of people will only ever see a silly t.v show, but for those of us who really know, Star Trek has long been a stunning example for us all to follow.

Years after the original series had stopped bringing new episodes, as it still did remain on television, a new vision came forth. Into the even more distant future and holding onto the original ideals of the first series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, brought yet more hope.

Not only would humans create a peaceful society, they would bring that peace to even the most volitile of planets.  The Federation of Planets, like some stellar U.N., would help to bring waring planets together, they would banish those that wished harm on lesser beings, women would not only serve on ships, but captain them, they would instill faith and trust into even their youngest crew members because in this world anything is possible. In this future the blind can see and even a man made of latex and wire can feel and love. 

Every time I pick up my cell phone, I see a tricorder and communicator in one.  When I hear of advancements in invisibility technology, I think of those damn Romulans. Gene Roddenberry has returned to the stardust from whence he came, but he has left behind him a golden trail of inspiration. 

Star Trek has inspired the imagination of children, Scientists, engineers and developers and it is my greatest hope that it will continue to do so.

Perhaps if we could get politicians to be likewise inspired we might have hope, hope for a future in which we do boldly go, to seek out new worlds and new civilizations. Live long, and prosper.