Philosophy of the Final Frontier

Yesterday, while I was working on a project, I had the cast and crew of Star Trek: The Next Generation keeping me company.  One of the reasons I really like the show is that it makes me stop and think.  Yesterday, there were two such episodes. I thought I would share with you their profound quotes and why they gave me pause. (Warning: This may get philosophical and/or preachy.)

Season 4, Ep. 21: The Drumhead

After a Romulan spy is found aboard the USS Enterprise, a manhunt begins for any other Romulan collaborators.  One young crewman is suspected of creating an explosion on the ship and becomes the focus of the hunt.  Jean Luc defies the investigative team by allowing the crewman to go about his business instead of restricting him.  However, the trials continue until Jean Luc Picard, Captain of the Enterprise, is accused of espionage.  In the climax of his trail Jean Luc says, "'With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden , the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably.' The first time any man's freedom is trodden on, we're all damaged."  This struck me as incredibly relevant for two reasons: SOPA/PIPA and our treatment of suspected terrorists.  With the recent shelving of SOPA and PIPA, it appears that Jean Luc's argument would have been well received.  Many spoke out in a single voice, refusing to let their freedoms be infringed upon.  This was a monumental step forward for us.  An achievement that shows the true power an interconnected society can have.  However, I believe that Jean Luc's argument is lost when dealing with suspected terrorists.  I think back to the episode and how Jean Luc was willing to put himself and his crew at risk to not violate the rights of one man.  Meanwhile, we incarcerate people indefinitely without trial, even though as a society we believe that we are innocent until proven guilty.  Let me make it clear that I do not have a better solution to the problem.  I also realize that it is much easier for a television program to be idealistic.  But I do know that we should never stop in pursuit of our lofty ideals.  As Jean Luc says at the end of the episode, to maintain our freedom, "constant vigilance is the price we must pay."


Season 4, Ep. 23: The Host

When the two moons of a distant planet are on the brink of war, the Enterprise is enlisted to take an ambassador to the mitigate discussions between the two societies.  The ambassador is told by another delegate, "They are more factionalized then ever. Listening is a skill that seems to have evaporated with the heat of argument." To which the ambassador replies, "Speak softly Governor, those who cannot hear an angry shout may strain to hear a whisper." Another fascinating quote with relevant political implications. I often get the feeling that the mentality of our current political climate is fundamentally flawed. Words like compromise seem to be avoided at all costs. Indeed our past 112th Congress spent more time in Washington than ever before, but still managed to be the most unproductive session since records began being kept. The political climate has reached a point where no one listens to each and thus cannot agree on anything. My hope is that as a society we can be that whisper and change all that.