I can go on and on about why Star Trek is one of the greatest forms of entertainment, ever created! I could go on for years about why, I completely envy the genius of the creator of Star Trek, the late Gene Roddeberry. But, I will try to restrain myself. I am compelled to state how important I think Star Trek is for our YOUTH!
Star Trek teaches values, morals, ethics, open mindedness and tolerance -- in the ultimate entertaining way. Star Trek stimulates your brain to be open to the possibilities. Tell me these aren't the stories that should be taught to our youth. I won't go as far to say Sunday school should be replaced with Star Trek Sunday school...well, I guess I just did. If you aren't a Treky yourself you are saying to yourself, "Chanele what heck are you talking about". Well, I am glad you asked, because I am completely ready to answer your question in a reasonable and logical matter (as the android Data would say. The next passages is my 7 points proving why Star Trek is or at least should be life! So stay tuned ... this will be fun!
Star Trek can be greatly described by it own shows intro dialog , I know your curious so here it is: "Space...the final frontier...these are the voyages of the starship enterprise...its continuing mission, to explorer strange new worlds, to seek out new life and civilizations..to boldly go where no man has gone before" followed by theme music (I know you trekies are singing it right now - lmao) For the rest of you, go ahead, lie to yourself and say that isn't moving. I mean really -- what does our president say to the astronauts before they take off, oh I remember the extremely exciting word ... you ready.. here it comes...brace yourself.. our President tells the astronauts, "GodSpeed", whoa now that was moving, inspiring even ... NOT!
Sorry got side tracked - back to my point, there entire mission is to explore both new locations and civilizations. Not: I am going to "discovery" (world history shows discovery means: put your flag up, declare its yours and if you kill, enslave or move enough of the original civilization -- its now yours) a new location & civilization. By the way that is point one on our journey to prove Star Trek should be taught to our youth.
Next, Star Trek shows everyday life with all different types of being and even androids. There is no discrimination but, they do depict a less evolved time (present day) where there was – and explain how wrong it was. That was point 2.
Now point 3 – Star Trek has its David and Galith stories just like another influential book we all know, yet it doesn't damn the person who was wrong – sending them to hell for being a imperfect being – in fact it only points out the choices that could have been made, situations of that nature and realistic consciouses of those actions.
Point 4 – Star Trek allows a person to be open to the possibility of something bigger than there problems, bigger than the worlds problems – simply giving them an alternative out look. It doesn't fool people into thinking it is anything more than a television show – but it dose get minds open to looking at problems and situations differently – which promotes creativity, as well as questioning what appears to be true.
Point 5 – Star Trek shows that since there is no longer a need for financial gain (because there is no longer any kind of currency for humans in the future) that you can concentrate on whats important, loving ones neighbor, self discovery, pushing yourself to be better, and knowledge.
Point 6 – Star Trek and the federation (the main characters, the good guys, & the heroes)is built around 1 major rule. The prime directive. The prime directive states:
As the right of each sentient species to live in accordance with its normal cultural evolution is considered sacred, no Star Fleet personnel (good guys) may interfere with the healthy development of alien life and culture. Such interference includes the introduction of superior knowledge, strength, or technology to a world whose society is incapable of handling such advantages wisely. Star Fleet personnel may not violate this Prime Directive, even to save their lives and/or their ship unless they are acting to right an earlier violation or an accidental contamination of said culture. This directive takes precedence over any and all other considerations, and carries with it the highest moral obligation.
Basically, its not your home, you are visiting, behave don't mess nothing up. Rules to live by. Finally my last point – point 7 – Star Trek helps in developing and preparing teens for the emotional difficulty of being human. I can best sum it up with a quote from: Doctor Roger Corby and Captain Kirk, "Can you imagine how life could be improved if we could do away with jealousy, greed, hate ..." Dr. Roger Corby " It can also be improved by eliminating love, tenderness, sentiment -- the other side of the coin"Cpt. Kirk, star date 2712.4
Tell me thats not the greatest reference to any teen or even adult who has had there heart broken and wish they didn't feel. It shows the good and the bad of being human.
Al-right-y-then my argument is done – I have proven my point and if you feel differently – e-mail, instant message, snail mail, text message, ftp transfer or call me. I am always up for the debate.
Bonus: For all you true Star Trek fans: There has always been the debate of the better captains. The debate that has come up recently is, who is better the original Captain of the Enterprise, James T. Kirk or Captain Jean Luc Picard from the Next Generation. I personally love, the original Captain James T. Kirk. But, as a true fan i am willing to debate both sides. Truly if you aren't a Star Trek fan you will want to skip this part.
James Tiberius Kirk vs. Jean Luc Picard
Kirk rarely pulled punches and did not engage in flowery prose prior to resolving an argument, so shall endeavor to emulate his modus operandi. There is one overriding comparison as why Kirk is a superior officer : James T. Kirk was born in Iowa & became the you youngest captain in Star fleet's history where on the other hand Jean Luc Picard is French and eats croissants for breakfast.
James T. Kirk did however did love the drama and definitely spoke slower and with a captive audience. Mainly to try to figure out where he was going with the conversation – he was definitely a man of action and honor.
Picard is a responsible gentleman, who rarely goes on away missions. Captain Kirk is a quick-to-the-draw playboy, whom will hump anything no matter how many arms or legs.
Where Picard would rather debate his enemies and turn a foe into a friend. Kirk has the old you push me, I will push you back , then and sleep with your enemies women. While both in there own way create or demand peace, I tend to side with the realistic-average-human approach, that Kirk has. Kirk is the unadulterated cave-man gets big ship and gets to go fast checking and indulging in the sites of the universe. You make the call.
Although I am a firm believer in Ying & Yang, and if anything requires a balance it would be the universe. Debate and reason are all very needed qualities yet, sometimes you have to do what is for the best no matter the way. Plus Kirk shows us, if we can't have fun what are we here for. You decided!
As a writer:
I am a a typical American young adult. I am a fan of the show for the entertainment value as well as, what it stands for yet, because of that many would feel I am a geek, nerd or other various derogatory terms. However, I do not fit the average mold media depicts like: I do not go out of my way to be home whenever it airs (although I do tape it). I do not dress of as characters (unless I am at a convention) . I am a minority as far as race. I am extremely outspoken, as well as, a extreme advocate on topics of in justice and prejudice. I come from a broken home. I am creative. I am a adrenaline junky. I am adventurous and at times an extremist, as well, as I have a wide variety of other interests.
written by: Chanele"theRockStar" Lovelace
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