Being a science fiction fan, I’m forced to admit that, as a whole, the genre has a rather bleak outlook on the future. Some of Sci-fi’s greatest works are among its most disheartening and dystopian. In spite of this, there is still one great, shining beacon of hope and positive energy guiding the way to a brighter future: Star Trek.
It’s safe to say that the Star Trek franchise, particularly Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation, epitomizes all of the wonderful and positive things that humanity can become. It is filled with characters that, even when faced with insurmountable choices, still manage to do the right and moral thing, even if there are consequences that must be paid. This of course is no accident, but instead the vision of one man brought to life on the small screen. As a bomber pilot during World War II, Gene Roddenberry had a first had view of the absolute worst of humanity. I can’t help but think that his experiences in the war helped shape his view of what he wanted humanity to be like in the future. Continue reading
