Ron Moore:: Star Trek as a Dream of a Liberal and Tolerant Society

[Dr Ron]

Every Friday, Liberal Values features Sci Fi Friday. Today's installment includes quotes from Ron Moore (of Star Trek The Next Generation, Deep Space 9, and currently Battlestar Galactica) on the liberal values of Star Trek:

And as I grew into an adult, and my political views took shape, I treasured “Star Trek” as a dream of what my country could one day become — a liberal and tolerant society, unafraid to live by its ideals in a dangerous universe, and secure in the knowledge that its greatness derived from the strength of its ideas rather than the power of its phasers.

More at Liberal Values:
http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=349

[The River]

1. Space Opera

Morality tales at warp speed.
Something to look forward to.
A good dream.

We will get there eventually.
I'm afraid we will have to go through
a "Blade Runner-Soylent Green" period
first.

As a sci-fi fan you must be aware that
todays "Amazing Tales" are quite likely to be
tomorrows headlines.

Eventually...

[AnnieBW]

2. RDM Is Right

I recently attended the 40th Anniversay Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas. There was a lot of talk about Gene's vision, and whether it was still valid today. I was proud when our "Elder Statesmen", namely the cast of the Original Series, all came out as very committed to Gene's vision of a world without prejudice. George Takei and Nichelle Nichols were especially outspoken during their talk. Walter Koenig was with them, but he let George and Nichelle do all of the talking. They even wrapped up by singing "God Bless America". Several people were offended and walked out (including one member of our Star Trek club, who is a conservative and writes for a major conservative website). But they got a standing ovation from the 9,000 or so of us that were in the room.

That's one of the things that I like about the new BSG - all of the monotheistic religious fanatic Cylons committed genocide, and the Humans are polytheists.

[Aristus]

5. Conservatives were offended by the singing of "God Bless America"?

They must hate America, then. :silly:

[Vidar]

3. In dark times, its important to have an ideal, albeit fantasy, to shoot

for. Star Trek has provided that for many of us.

[magellan]

4. I still believe we can attain the ideal Roddenberry opened our eyes to

Although nowadays I feel as cynical as McCoy when he said, "It's a miracle these people ever got out of the 20th century."

We did, Bones. But the 21st century is looking far less certain.

[Dr Ron]

6. Things got worse before they got better

Star Trek did have a pretty bleak short term future history for us before humanity straightened itself out.

[magellan]

8. Well, the way of the entire universe is overall progress

That doesn't mean there aren't any bumps in the road, but everything generally tends toward improving itself and coming to some balance with its environment which can be sustained, barring external influence.

Human beings are subject to that law as well. We evolve, we better ourselves and our condition, or we become extinct. It's rather elegant in its simplicity.

I believe the overall course of humanity is progressiveness of spirit, and that most people -- given their 'druthers -- would prefer to live in peace and see others at peace too. Few can deny the psychological pain of seeing another living creature in torment; it affects us as surely as being denied sunlight and fresh air, even if we do shrug it off as someone else's problem.

We're having a tough time now, because the worst among us are also those best equipped to take advantage of human foible and gain power. The result of their influence has historically always been times of mass violence and bloodshed. But they come and go. It's the majority who persevere, those who refuse to buckle to tyranny and enslavement of their spirit to the ugly side of human nature. So we have that.

I don't think I'll be so lucky to see human civilization move back onto the path of goodness and justice. I think the forces in power are too strong to make them deviate now. But, if humanity survives the dark age we're entering, I have no doubt it will be better for it.

[Rex]

7. A liberal and tolerant society?

The Federation looks like an ultra-military organization and they were ALWAYS at war with some other lifeform!

How many times did Kirk or Picard break the Prime Directive?

[magellan]

9. You don't set out to discover the unknown

...without being armed. You never know when someone or something might decide to eat you.

I always viewed the Prime Directive like a Human Resources Manual. It's great advice, but it doesn't cover every circumstance you might run into...and sometimes that means you have to wing it. In most cases the end result absolved Kirk et al of the initial breaking of the Directive.

[Rex]

10. But what about all those other times? Hell, he stole goverment

hahahahah...I'm kidding! It was a joke! :rofl:

[Avalon Sparks]

11. Battle Star Galactica RULES!!

The new Battle Star Galactica RULES and so does Ron Moore.

Starts back up Oct 6th - can't wait - IMHO it's tied with Soprano's for best TV series of all time.

[Tiggeroshii]

12. That's why i don'tget the Repug trekkies. They must be confused