That's absurd.
Gene Roddenberry: Sinner or Saint?
- Thread starter BillJ
- Start date
From your own point of view, perhaps. It makes perfect sense to me.
I guess you disagree with the Jesus then, huh?
The "limited imagination" part is what I really find absurd. What does that have to do pointing out the man's vices?
I've had that book for years -- I need to finally give it a read. Was it written before or after the Solow/Justman book (since that book definitely suggests a relationship)?
I still think it isn't a stretch to say that he was a dick to his first wife, though. The fact that she was able to sue him (and win) for profits from Star Trek which he pretended didn't exist doesn't paint Gene Roddenberry in the best of light. Having said that, I still don't think the OP's question is of much interest, really.
I guess you disagree with the Jesus then, huh?
Well, since I'm not a Christian I'm not sure it matters whether I agree with him or not. I'm simply holding Roddenberry to his own standard of treating people with basic respect.
Or...
Say you have a child who creates a popular entertainment vehicle. Would you be proud of that child if you knew that they cheated, stole and disrespected people on his/her way there and continued to do the same things long after he/she became rich and famous? That's the most damning thing about Roddenberry, not the indiscretions of youth... but the fact that he continued those practices all the way until the end.
I'm sure there are many pastors, priests, politicians, school teachers and athletes that wished the public was so forgiving of their transgressions.
I think it's an interesting discussion on how we view our heroes in general. I'm obviously in the minority based on the posts here, but it doesn't necessarily make me wrong.
I am neither condemning not forgiving as I view the work of people involved in Trek as far more relevant than how well they have treated their subordinates or co-workers. Has Shatner been a jerk when he wrote something like the 'Scott bumps his head' scene in TFF? Perhaps but I liked the scene.
I'm sure there are many pastors, priests, politicians, school teachers and athletes that wished the public was so forgiving of their transgressions.
Take all the people who got a moral erection when Christian Bale, the most committed method actor that currently lives, has become rude and loud on a set once. Why should I care about this, I have not been present so I cannot judge whether his behaviour was justified or not. All I care about is how well this guy acts when I buy a theatre ticket.
See. I think this drives their sense of entitlement to do as they please.
Plus, in the case of Bale, we're talking about a one-time incident.
In my eyes nobody is entitled to do as he or she pleases and in my eyes I am not entitled to be the judge of ordinary human weakneses in the case of a famous person.
You can't become a CEO or a politician or reach a position with some influences if you have always behaved flawlessly. If somebody fights successfuly against climate change but drives a Porsche I will not focus on the latter. Being correct in small but corrupt in big matters is too petty bourgeois for me, I prefer it the other way around.
Back to the original question, has Roddenberry behaved flawlessly? Certainly not. Has he mistreated and exploited colleagues? Yes. Does this invalidate his vision? Not in the least. Trek is Trek no matter how wicked or virtuous The Rodd has been.
You can't become a CEO or a politician or reach a position with some influences if you have always behaved flawlessly. If somebody fights successfuly against climate change but drives a Porsche I will not focus on the latter. Being correct in small but corrupt in big matters is too petty bourgeois for me, I prefer it the other way around.
Back to the original question, has Roddenberry behaved flawlessly? Certainly not. Has he mistreated and exploited colleagues? Yes. Does this invalidate his vision? Not in the least. Trek is Trek no matter how wicked or virtuous The Rodd has been.
It should, but it most likely won't. We're running out of stuff to harp on, after all.
Sounds like the same stuff to me.
I wonder if "He was human" works for individuals who created something someone doesn't like?