Well, after much cajoling, my wife has finally convinced me to start up a new Internet endeavor. Suffice it to say, instead of doing my usual regular web designs I've decided to do the trendy thing and start up a blog. As for what it is that this blog will be about, the quick answer would be - I have no idea! Actually, that's a bit of a misnomer since I have some clue as to which topics I would like to expound on but for now let's just say that it is going to be a mish-mash, hodgepodge of topics ranging the entire gamut from entertainment (movies, video games) to politics (OBAMA!) to what I ate last weekend for dinner. I just KNOW you really need to discover exactly what I stuffed into my stomach!

Since this is my first post in my brand spanking new blog I might as well begin with the obvious -- Star Trek and more importantly, WTH is the Galactic Pillow? I won't get into the grand concept of the Galactic Pillow today (it would take too long to explain) but I will speak a bit about Gene Roddenberry's creation.

As you may or may not be aware, the new Star Trek movie premieres next May 2009 and while expectations are running high I can certainly ascertain a concurrent stream of anxiousness rising from long time diehard Trekkers who are only hoping for just one thing -- please don't screw this up!

JJ Abrams, the visionary behind such recent hits as Alias, Lost, Fringe, and Mission Impossible 3 has taken over the reigns for the new Star Trek flick and while expectations are running high I can't help but give a little chuckle whenever a new piece of information is leaked to the public which results in Trek message boards lighting up like Christmas trees damning the film because it breaches canon and goes against previous Trek history.

Although I love the original series and cherish it as one of the greatest science fiction series of all time, the simple fact is that Star Trek as a franchise stands at a crossroads. After a few truly awful feature films and some less than brilliant TV series the once great Trek brand is beginning to resemble road kill more than anything these days. Once lauded for breaking new ground Trek now feels tired, old and most notably, out of sync with today's viewing public. In short, Trek is NOT cool and is seen more and more as the sanctuary for geeks and nerds who spend their time arguing over whether James Kirk's middle initial tombstone engraving should really be a T or an R. The horror!

So I have a simple message for all the people out there who call themselves Trekkers, Trekkies or whatever else you want to call yourself -- if you truly believe in Star Trek and what it stands for you really should not worry about nitpicking and give the new film a chance.

At its core Star Trek is about a sweepingly optimistic view of humanity’s future where concepts of race, gender, class or religion no longer apply. It is vision of humanity working as one with the only goal being self-improvement rather than monetary or political gain. It is in this regard that Trek stands in stark contrast with other science fiction franchises like Terminator, Alien, or even Star Wars which all have much darker permutations and readings on humanity’s flaws and foibles and in some cases even showing how humanity is headed for a bleak future.

The best of Trek, albeit the best science fiction as well, does more than show us pretty space battles or buxom Orion slave girls gyrating and instead act as great commentaries on current social ills and issues. Let us not forget some of the taboos that Trek broke through including the first interracial kiss on TV between Kirk and Uhura and a slew of other cutting-edge elements such as having a Russian onboard the Enterprise in a crucial command position (remember Trek is from the 60s when the Cold War was in full swing and only a couple of years after JFK and the Cuban missile crisis).

Looking at Trek’s legacy through the years it is astounding at how much this one franchise has changed or influenced our lives both through pop culture and more scientific arenas. Much has been made about how many current scientists at NASA credit Trek for getting them enamored to pursue their respective careers and even noted luminaries like Stephen Hawking consider themselves fans. Communicators in the 60s might have seemed like a pipe dream but today’s extensive cell phone penetration is a testament to those Trek designers of yore. And lest we forget, without Trek we would never have gotten, “Beam me up Scotty,” “Dammit Jim I’m a doctor not a brick layer,” or perhaps the most infamous single cry in history, “KKKKHHHHAAAANNNN!!!!”

In short, Trek has made a huge impact on the way we live today and still continues to inspire people from all corners of the globe. However, Trek’s past success is a double –edged sword. No science fiction series, including Star Wars, can match the sheer volume of material written, filmed and produced for Trek and therein lies the biggest conundrum that Trek has gotten too ponderous for its own good. Trying to get new fans involved is sometimes a daunting task as there’s much too much material to cover to get “caught up” with all things Trek related. With numerous series, books and movies most neophytes are too scared to try and watch Trek anymore since it requires a huge time commitment few are willing to undertake.

It is in this light that the decision made by the makers of the new Trek film to basically, “reboot” (yes the dreaded word) and go back to the very beginning seems like it might have the best chance to make Trek accessible again.

Obviously, with a new creative team behind it and a new direction, the film is sure to cause friction with previous Trek lore and might even, gosh, totally go against some of it but in the end what Star Trek needs is a shot in the arm of new vibrant energy and purpose. It's time to bring Trek to a new generation of fans that will hopefully not only embrace it but find themselves so enamored that they decide to run to Blockbuster and watch the original series, movies and subsequent shows.

It is admittedly hard to let go of preconceived dreams (Kirk never died by falling off a bridge trying to grab a remote control!! It was all a bad nightmare!!!) and ideas that you might have as to how Star Trek should be made or be about but if you box yourself in and refuse to allow a new viewpoint on things you're doing yourself a disservice. Yes, the new Enterprise might look strange but is your life really ruined because the star drive secondary hull looks like it's too far forward in regards to the neck? Are you really going to go and jump off a cliff because the warp nacelles look like 1950s car headlights? If you are then you really do need some professional help or, more importantly, you are just taking Trek too seriously.

Now, the new film really might just blow chunks but that's a chance you take at anything in life. Subsequently, it could be better than Citizen Kane and win a dozen Academy Awards. Doubtful, but if the new Trek film does what Batman Begins and Casino Royale have accomplished in infusing an old franchise with new life than all of us can be none the merrier.

Live Long and Prosper.



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