It was going to happen. It was very nearly the very first episode of the podcast. You see, dear reader, my love for Star Trek is profound, long standing and slightly over the top.
I started watching Star Trek from a very early age, following the adventures of Spock and Captain Kirk on reruns. The Enterprise was filled with some of the most courageous, curious, respectful, adventurous and decent people I had ever seen. They listened to each other regardless of ethnic background. They respected each other’s perspectives. They were not greedy or vain or spiteful. They worked to gain knowledge for the betterment of the human race. They admired each other’s cultures. They worked together for the greater good. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Or the one. You are nothing without your crew, and your loyalty towards them should never falter. If we work together, we can create a better future for everyone.
From these Starfleet officers I learned the value of cooperation, compassion and the pursuit of knowledge. I was taught to question and stand up to injustice, and to never dismiss anyone out of hand.
I saw that people of colour made it to the future and were respected peers. It gave me hope.
I know this is just a TV show. I know that these are just fictional characters. I know that maybe I should have spent hundreds of hours investing in something else.
But I didn’t. And I don’t regret it.
I usually try to keep things light, and I promise a return to that format next week. I just thought I would take this opportunity to give you a glimpse into the kind of arguments I made to Kelly while introducing her to the geek this week. And although not everything in the Star Trek universe is perfect, I do hope that I have convinced you to check out at least some of the better episodes, because I think, perhaps naively, that they can help to make us all better versions of ourselves.
Live Long and Prosper Geek Steep Peeps.
Episodes watched:
S4E2 The Visitor
S6E13 Far Beyond the Stars
S6E9 In the Pale Moonlight
Teas drunk while geeking:
Marika- Épices de Cru Zi Ye Pu Erh
Kelly- David's Tea Chocolate Rocket
Teas drunk while recording:
Marika- Tea Runners Plum Blossom Dan Cong
Kelly- Camellia Sinensis La Cumbre Bitaco Organic
