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The
Twentieth Anniversary of the Twentieth Anniversary of Star Trek
One
need not be religious to recognize that there has been a significant impact on
society by people like Moses, Lao Tzu, Jesus, Krishna, or Mohammed. One need
not be a scientist, to realize that people like Galileo Galilei, Marie Curie,
Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla or Richard Feynman have had a significant impact
on society. Similarly, one need not be a follower of Kirk, Spock, McCoy or
Scotty, to recognize that Star Trek has had a significant impact on
society
Many
shows wind up with some extremely devoted fans, but unlike all others, the
original Star Trek pilot episode, The Cage, came with a warning
to potential fans. A warning similar to the health notes on the side of
cigarette packages. The story featured Talosians with the power of
illusion, and the ability to live and feel the experiences others go through
(real or illusionary). The warning to potential fanatical fans was presented as
dialog between the two main characters of the episode:
|
Captain Pike: “So the Talosians who came underground found
life limited here, and they concentrated on developing their mental power.” Vina: “But they found it’s a
trap, like a narcotic. Because when dreams become more important than
reality, you give up travel, building, creating. You even forget how to
repair the machines left behind by your ancestors. You just sit, living and
reliving other lives left behind in the thought record.” |
Susan Oliver and Jeffrey Hunter. |
Star
Trek has inspired some fans to produce artwork, poetry, prose, costumes,
props, movies, animations, etc. Star Trek has inspires some to produce
technology, paralleling the devices found in the show. Star Trek has
inspired some to try to make the world a place were people can get along,
regardless of race, sex, etc. Star Trek has also inspired some to
re-watch Trek episodes over and over and over, without the slightest
heed to Vina’s apt warning.
In
my case, I was inspired to contribute to the betterment of mankind by adding
some devastatingly funny captions to photos of Star Trek characters.
A more extensive version of this
article is available in issue 10 of Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine.
Karl Johanson
Editor of Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
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