The Secret of Star Trek (storytelling essay)

[Lukas Kendall]

Hi Folks,

I wrote this essay on my blog about the unique nature of Star Trek storytelling—and, I think, the secret behind it.

https://www.lukaskendall.com/post/the-secret-of-star-trek

I was hoping it would be interesting, if anybody wants to read and discuss. Thanks!

Lukas Kendall

 

[Farscape One]

An interesting read. Never thought of it in those terms, but some valid points are made and I can see that as a possibility. Particularly since Data is the reason why I became a scifi fan when TNG premiered in 1987... I was 8 years old.

Thank you for sharing!

 

[at Quark's]

Not sure whether I agree with all of those ideas or not, I'd have to think about it a bit. But the material certainly was well worth the time spent reading it. Thank you.

 

[lawman]

Thought-provoking!

One of the thoughts it provokes is that the entertainment world, and possibly society as a whole, would be in much better shape if it spent a little more time depicting human behavior "as children (or Roddenberry) see it" and a little less time depicting it as jaded cynics with a vested interest in dramatic conflict (i.e., writers) see it.

I mean, I think The Wire is arguably the greatest show ever put on television... but it (or Mad Men, or Breaking Bad) really doesn't depict ordinary adult behavior as I've experienced it in the vast majority of my life, and I'd hope the same is true for other viewers. I think most people, most of the time, actually want to do the right thing, and get along with others, and avoid conflict and suffering.

Taking it away from the SF context: to me, The West Wing is more like how real people behave.