There's two reasons I really, really disperse this bit [when Picard tells Offenhouse how humanity has grown out of its infancy].
One is that you can put just about any agenda into what Picard says and have it make just as much sense because it's based on a presumed social transformation. Suppose you wanted to preach puritanical ideas about sex. Just a few words changes and finishing up by saying that we've grown out of our adolescence, and it would be EXACTLY the same argument. It is towering arrogance to presume that growing up means adhering to your own personal values.
But even worse is how hypocritical this message is. If your a Marxist, that's your business. If you want to preach Marxism, knock yourself out. But the price of the TNG DVDs were astronomical. I have a real problem with shelling out that kind money to acquire something that says it's infantile to acquire things. That seems a little hypocritical, don't you think? It's fine that they wanted more money for themselves, but I despise people who preach their tirade against money and then discuss how their going to get more money for themselves!
Finally, Gene himself wasn't immune to this. Not only did he want his share of Star Trek, he wanted other people's shares to. Did you know there are lyrics to the TOS theme song? Gene wrote lyrics, without the intention of ever using them, to that theme song because in so doing he'd get a share of the royalties for the theme - a share taken out of the pocket of the actual composer, I might add. Ripping off a composer who's trying to make a living is bad enough, but then using the show to preach your Marxist agenda is just adding a whole new dimension of being a douchbag.
And yet, what a perfect allegory for 20th century communism, huh? You rip off the guy who is doing the actual work and all the while talk about communist doctrine. Kodos, Gene!
