A world where human beings have set aside their differences, eliminated disease and poverty, and have dedicated themselves to self-improvement rather than the accumulation of material wealth. It doesn't sound much like the world of today. But in the mind of Eugene Wesley Roddenberry, it's a world that humanity can achieve.

On this tenth anniversary of the death of Star Trek's creator, it may seem like we are further away from Roddenberry's vision of the future than ever. The world is steeped in fear and conflict, the gap between rich and poor continues to grow, and manmade environmental damage is taking its toll. But it is precisely at a time like this that we must reaffirm the vision that has made Star Trek a cultural force. It is a vision of optimism that we as human beings are indeed capable of overcoming our difficulties, transcending our baser inclinations and evolving as a species.

As its community of fans knows, Star Trek is more than a franchise of television shows and movies. It is more than escapist entertainment. It is a concept, one intentionally designed to — in Roddenberry's own words — "ultimately change the face of America" (from "The Making of Star Trek" by Stephen E. Whitfield & Gene Roddenberry). Originally pitched as "Wagon Train to the stars," Star Trek was really a vehicle for Roddenberry to comment on contemporary issues under the guise of science fiction. He could never speak directly about politics, sex, race relations, and the futility of war on television during the 1960's. "But Gene was able to take these subjects and change them up; he gave them monsters, put people in funny clothes, and painted them funny colors, and he got away with everything. Frankly, the censors didn't understand it, so they let it go," said his widow, Majel Barrett Roddenberry, in this month's issue of Star Trek: The Magazine [October 2001].

It was a struggle to get the show on the air, and as much of a struggle to keep it on the air. It took a letter-writing campaign from fans to extend the series into a third season, but a poor time slot doomed the show in primetime. It was in syndication that Star Trek secured its audience. And it hasn't let go of it since. With the premiere of its fourth spin-off series and a tenth feature film going into production, the Star Trek concept is stronger than ever, ten years after the passing of its originator.

Why? Perhaps because somewhere inside of us, we feel that the world imagined by Roddenberry is, in a sense, more real than the one we live in today. The fears, prejudices and limitations that we impose on ourselves must someday pass, because they are not as real as hope, tolerance and possibility. And yes, the really cool spaceships and gadgets and mind-bending adventures inspire us to believe that maybe we are destined to be a spacefaring civilization. And that that's a good thing.