It is no secret that I love Star Trek. My daughter asked me why. I told her the following: I love it for its aspirational nature, its optimistic outlook for humankind, it’s marrying of science and art, and its borderline Shakespearean drama. I also love it for its horrible effects, its over-emoting, and the sheer high-corniness of most of the story lines. To me, Trek is the epitome of important television1. It entertained me. It made me think. It spurred me to action. Trek and Raiders of the Lost Ark are directly responsible for my pursuing undergraduate and graduate education. I learned things from Star Trek. Our conversation got me thinking about what I have learned from Trek.
So in the spirit and honor of Cal Fussman’s “What I’ve Learned” column in Esquire magazine, Star Trek’s 50th and my 44th, I want to share “What I’ve Learned: Star Trek Edition.”
- You need both the smart ass (McCoy) and the stoic (Spock) in your crew. They will hold you accountable in different ways and they will force you to negotiate between them, allowing you to find your balance.
- You also need the person who will handle things when they go pear-shaped. You also need a Garak in the crew.
- Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. Why is difference coded as bad? The more types of beings there are, the more folks you have to learn from. Cultural homogeneity is stagnation. See the Borg.
- Technology is not always the answer.
- Technology can greatly enhance your life.
- Science and art can and do complement each other.
- Making a better society demands sacrifice.
- Almost any dire situation can be made better with humor.
- If your friends are correct, back them up to the fullest. If they’re incorrect, you let them know and try to stop them from doing something foolish.
- If you find yourself in a no win situation (shout outs to the Kobayashi Maru) and you… adapt to win, that isn’t cheating. That is called thinking and acting outside the box.
- Sometimes you have to let love go, even if it is staring you in the face. Sorry, Worf. She’s gone.
- Only “appropriate culture” if the culture is enhanced by your contributions.
- One of the primary characteristics of being a leader is sitting back and letting people with more knowledge and skill act in your stead.
- Want to talk to kids about war, post-war occupation, and the costs of war? Use Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as their entrée.
- Not everyone wants your version of utopia. Shout out to the Maquis.
- Authority (rank) doesn’t matter when it comes to your family. Family first. Always.
- I always thought Quark was the most ethical character in the entire franchise. Say what you will, but Quark always stayed true to himself. He never flip-flopped. He evolved while continuing to adhere to his core values.
- Diplomacy works when people are in diplomatic moods.
- You don’t have to go it alone. Asking for help is a significant sign of strength.
- If you took the good leadership qualities of Janeway, Sisko, Kirk, Picard, and Archer, you could develop one helluva management seminar.
- The ability to explore a wider world (universe) should be a right, not a privilege.
Happy 50th Anniversary Star Trek
