So was Star Trek saying that the riots at Capitol Hill on 6th January 2021 were one of the catalysts that leads up to World War 3 in the Star Trek universe?
Yes.
Because it's a work of fiction and that means they get to make that stuff up.
This surely can not be canon?
It is canon.
Well they shouldn’t be using *current* real life events/controversial footage as part of a fantasy storyline about a fictional World War 3 as it could be inflammatory to some people if there are real life political connections, connotations or insinuations.
They have every right to use current real-life events and controversial footage as part of a fantasy storyline about a fictional World War III. They have no obligation not to make some people angry.
Especially if there are ongoing legal proceedings or complications about the events being depicted…
So what if there are ongoing legal proceedings or complications? They have the same right to freedom of speech anyone else does.
it would then become a form of propaganda which can lead to bias and misrepresentation?
"Bias" is not an inherently bad thing and does not mean it's inaccurate. If you look at history and condemn slave-owners, that is a form of bias. It is also
good, because slave-owners deserve condemnation and being unbiased against slave owners is not actually a good thing. "Bias" does not equal dishonesty. Having a point of view does not equal dishonesty.
If Star Trek presents history I would hope that they would do so in an accurate, ‘canon’ and neutral way,
What the fuck does a "canon" way mean? Again,
Star Trek is a work of fiction. "Canon" is whatever the creators of that work of fiction decide it is.
Fictional Star Trek World War 3 and a potential *real* World War 3 should be a crossover that *never* happens.
By that logic, if
Star Trek had been in production in 1939, then they would rationally have been obliged not to condemn Nazism and fascism. But a reasonable person would say not only that
Star Trek would have a right to condemn Nazism and fascism, but that they also had a moral obligation to do so -- even if doing so offended people.
Star Trek is not only right to take a stand against things like the 6 January 2021 coup attempt, it has a moral obligation to do so if it is to remain consistent with the values it has espoused in the past.
Star Trek probably should stay in the 23rd century and beyond?
Star Trek can go wherever and whenever the fuck it well pleases.
Well at least they have always been subtle about it.
Pure nonsense, as plenty of other posters have already illustrated.
As long as they are presenting positive, optimistic, and moral social commentaries with values which are progressive
Condemning the 6 January 2021 coup attempt is a positive, optimistic, and moral social commentary with progressive values.