
In 1964, Gene Roddenberry developed the idea that would become Star Trek and in doing so created history. The franchise is not only beloved for its compelling characters and fascinating stories, but for an optimistic look at the future; a future where many of the divisions that currently exist have fallen away and have been replaced by core values of compassion, curiosity, and hope. This has been the case since Star Trek: The Original Series and continues to thrive into the present day with Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, and Star Trek: Lower Decks.
On what would have been Roddenberry’s 100th birthday, we’re celebrating the man who made this all possible with 10 empowering and optimistic quotes about Star Trek and the future. As always, live long and prosper.
"Star Trek was an attempt to say humanity will reach maturity and wisdom on the day that it begins not just to tolerate but take a special delight in differences in ideas and differences in lifeforms."
"Diversity contains as many treasures as those waiting for us on other worlds. We will find it impossible to fear diversity and to enter the future at the same time."
"The human race is a remarkable creature, one with great potential, and I hope that Star Trek has helped to show us what we can be if we believe in ourselves and our abilities."
"In a very real sense, we are all aliens on a strange planet. We spend most of our lives trying to reach out and communicate. If during our lifetime we could reach out and really communicate with just two people, we are indeed very fortunate."
"If we cannot learn to actually enjoy those small differences, to take a positive delight in those small differences between our own kind, here on this planet, then we do not deserve to go out into space and meet the diversity that is almost certainly out there."
"It is the struggle itself that is most important. We must strive to be more than we are. It does not matter that we will not reach our ultimate goal. The effort itself yields its own reward."
"I believe in humanity. We are an incredible species. We're still just a child creature, we're still being nasty to each other. And all children go through those phases. We're growing up, we're moving into adolescence now. When we grow up - man, we're going to be something!"
"It isn't all over; everything has not been invented; the human adventure is just beginning."
"Star Trek speaks to some basic human needs: that there is a tomorrow - it's not all going to be over with a big flash and a bomb; that the human race is improving; that we have things to be proud of as humans."
"If man is to survive, he will have learned to take a delight in the essential differences between men and between cultures. He will learn that differences in ideas and attitudes are a delight, part of life's exciting variety, not something to fear."
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