Probably the most often asked question about the show is why the Star Trek phenomenon
and it could be an important question because you can ask
how can a simple space opera with blinking lights and zap guns and a hobgoblin with pointy ears
reach out and touch the hearts and minds of literally millions of people and become a cult
in some cases, obviously what this means is that television has incredible power they're saying
that if a Star Trek can do this then perhaps another carefully calculated show could move
people in other directions. What's to keep selfish interests from creating other cults for selfish
purposes? industrial cartels, political parties, and governments. Ultimate power in this world
as you know has always been one simple thing the control and manipulation of minds, fortunately any
attempt however to manipulate people through any so called Star Trek formula is doomed to failure.
We did not accept the myth that the television audience has an infantile mind. (applause)
As a matter of fact we decided to risk the whole show on that premise. We believe that the often
ridiculed mass audience is sick of this worlds petty nationalism and all it's old ways and old
hatreds and that people are not only willing but anxious to think beyond those petty beliefs that
have for so long kept mankind divided. (applause) So you see that the formula the magic ingredient
that many people keep seeking and many of them keep missing is really not in Star Trek it is in
the audience there is an intelligent lifeform out on the other side of that television too. (applause)
The whole show was an attempt to say that humanity will reach maturity and wisdom on the day
that it begins not just to tolerate, but to take a special delight in differences in
ideas and differences in lifeforms. What Star Trek proves as faulty as individual episodes could be
is that the much maligned common man and common woman has an enormous hunger for brotherhood they
are ready for the 23rd century now and they are lightyears ahead of their petty
governments and their visionless leaders. If you read science-fiction the more you
read it the more you realize that you and the universe are part of the same thing science still
knows practically nothing about the real nature of matter, energy, dimension or time, and even less
about those remarkable things called life and thought, but whatever the meaning and purpose of
this universe you are a legitimate part of it, and since you are part of the all that is part of it's
purpose there is more to you than just this brief speck of existence, you are just a visitor here in
this time and this place a traveller through it. What a difference that makes as a traveller
here it no longer crushes you that this world is not always fair or orderly or understandable
your passport allows you to fix what you can, to love to refuse to take part in ugliness,
but meanwhile you are delighted that this is such a varied colourful exciting place as a traveller
you are not here to judge but to experience, you begin to feel a new affection for the lifeforms
here, you no longer feel threatened that some may be greater or lesser than you it's only
important that you've been given this marvellous opportunity to enjoy this trip to learn from it,
and in my case write about it. Perhaps you know where I'm leading? On a trip like this and it is a trip it's
loveliness is not in the sameness of people and things but in their incredible variety, eventually
this led me to the Star Trek statement edict infinite diversity from infinite combinations.
Thank whatever created us we are different each of us and everything around us. to the end of time
if it ever does end no combination will ever come up quite the same, that's quite a travel package.
All of this is how Star Trek began and is also something of what is about
I am an alien and so are you, and yet and this is the loveliest thing of all
somehow we're all so part of each other and part of everything that is.