Well, originally I was going to have another one of the fantastic DD writers we've got here at PR to post for me today but I've managed to find a few moments to type out this post real quick. I just finished my last final today at ITT Tech, met a really nice woman by the name of Liz, and I've only been in my new apartment for two days...(i.e., there is sh*t everywhere!). I almost started to assemble my computer desk but stopped when I realized that I'd rather have a newer one that I seen at Staples the other day. I've got a glass corner desk, but the monitor sits on one side with the keyboard drawer underneath. I'd rather have one with the monitor sitting in the corner.

See how I went off on a tangent? My mind is operating like that right now from the lack of sleep and extreme physical exertion from the weekend of moving from one side of town to the other. So if this post seems fragmented or that I didn't properly follow up on a thought, please forgive me and I'll get back to this thread later this week.

Anyway, late Saturday night (the day I moved all the furniture), I slept on the couch (side note...make sure you put down a sheet before falling asleep on a leather couch...ouch!) while watching TV. There was a television show on called "Trekkies 2"...have you seen it? If you haven't, it's hosted by Denise Crosby (she played Tasha Yar) and it highlights the world of Star Trek fans. It's almost laughable to a point as you watch it until it gets nearer the end.

Towards the end of the show, they travel halfway around the world to the country of Serbia. For those of you that lack a historical reference, Serbia is a Balken state that used to be part of a country called Yugoslavia until about 1992. After that, the entire region erupted into an ethic/religious war that left several thousands dead and forever changed the history of the country. While I'm not going to discuss the then-government of Serbia, I will talk about some of the citizens.

One of the people that they interviewed said that in times of despair, people tend to look back and wish for a return to a golden age. When he discovered Star Trek, he no longer looked back but rather began looking forward to that golden age. Star Trek gave him hope for a brighter future.

Other that they interviewed talked about Star Trek in words that I've never heard people talk about that show before. They spoke of a time when everyone, the entire human race, whether you are white, black, yellow, orange, purple, or polka-dotted or whether you are a Muslim, Christian, Buddist, or Wiccan, can all live together as one species rather than as several different races and classifications. Where they can look at another human and say to them, "you are my brother". Where people have moved beyond materialistic needs and dedicate their lives to looking forward, gaining knowledge, and generally trying to better themselves everyday.

They spoke of how for years everyone lived in fear. People disappearing off the streets and no one can account for them. Stray bullets splattering across intersections, indiscriminate of who they kill. Of not knowing when you wake up in the morning if this was going to be your last day.

What else could they do but rejoice in the moral lessons to be learned by watching Star Trek?

They showed the first ever Star Trek convention that took place in Serbia and the turnout was phenomonal. Folks were looking at one another in amazement, believing themselves to be the only Star Trek fan in the country. It was really moving to see this event unfold on television.

The movie got me to thinking alot about our world and the differences that we fight over. It's pathetic when you stop to think about it. The millions of people that have died to support one form of government or another, to praise one religion while condeming another, and a multitude of other stupid reasons. Don't get me wrong becaues their are things to fight for and against, however, we all need to learn to resolve our differences in a more humane manner.

This may seem like a tangent but I really look forward to the day when we find hard evidence that we are not alone in this universe. Perhaps an outside threat to the human race will help us solve our differences and band together to fight as a species instead of fighting each other. So, to end with a quote from Morgan Freeman in the movie, "The Shawshank Redemption"...

"I hope..."

Until next week, stay safe out there,

Rob

i cant say that i agree with you that it would be a good thing to find another species so that we could fight them instead of each other. no matter who were fighting, we are still fighting. doesnt matter if its aliens or humans, and i would rather it be humans if i had to choose. beyond that though i really think a single global government would be really cool, but it would take something like that to make it happen

Quote: Originally Posted by Rob The movie got me to thinking alot about our world and the differences that we fight over. It's pathetic when you stop to think about it. The millions of people that have died to support one form of government or another, to praise one religion while condeming another, and a multitude of other stupid reasons. Don't get me wrong becaues their are things to fight for and against, however, we all need to learn to resolve our differences in a more humane manner. This may seem like a tangent but I really look forward to the day when we find hard evidence that we are not alone in this universe. Perhaps an outside threat to the human race will help us solve our differences and band together to fight as a species instead of fighting each other. So, to end with a quote from Morgan Freeman in the movie, "The Shawshank Redemption"... "I hope..." Until next week, stay safe out there, Rob

I agree with you there, but what it all should come down is what is wrong and what is right. We all know it in our hearts, and is presented to us at birth. We shouldnt let religion rule over our lives nor let the government control us. We are all human, and what it comes down to is the will to survive. But then one must question, Were we different like that for a reason? The reason to create chaos in the world towards each other? To challenge neighbor VS neighbor because of different ways of thinking? Or different ways of living?

And so, I leave you with this quote.

Quote: People who sin say this: That they had to, so survive. People who sin say this: That it's too late to stop. The shadow called Sin dogs them steadily without saying a word. Remorse and Agony are repeated, to finally end up at Despair. But sinners don't know that if they turn around, there is a light.... a light which keeps shining on them ever so warmly.

star trek could still happen (minus warp travel) what you say about it giving hope is very true, infact that was one of the original points put acros when it was created