¬The Evolution of Star Trek Captains
“Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its 5-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.”
Thus begins Star Trek: The Original Series, the first of five live-action television series and eleven movies to date chronicling the adventures of various Starfleet captains, their ships, crews, and countless alien species throughout the universe. It has been called “the most influential science fiction television series of all time” (Gross). What is so fascinating about the Star Trek franchise is not only the influence that it has had on society, but the influence that society has had on it, and what we can learn about ourselves from studying the shows. While each series was set in the future, they all reflected the environment in which they were created. Of the various captains to pilot the featured Starfleet vessels over the past 44 years, what does each say about the culture which created them?
Captain James Tiberius Kirk
“All your people must learn before you can reach for the stars.” James T. Kirk
Star Trek: The Original Series premiered in 1966 to a country that was dealing with some very weighty issues. War, race relations, and gender equality were at the forefront of the national consciousness. What could a science fiction show set 300 years in the future have to say about these problems? Plenty, it seems.
Instead of different races, you had different species working together and the characters of the show helping to forge relationships between them. There was even a woman (a black woman, at that) on the bridge of a starship, holding an important pos...
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...ake morally questionable command decisions as the series went on” (Aune).
Throughout 40 years, the Star Trek universe has managed to give us a glimpse into the future while helping us take a closer look at ourselves. These five captains: Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway, and Archer, represent the best and worst in us all. They are faced with challenges and responsibilities that we cannot imagine, they succeed where others have failed, and they go where no one has gone before.
Works Cited
Aune, Sean P. "Who Is The Best Star Trek Captain?" SeanPAune.com. 8 May 2009. Web. 03 July 2011.
Gross, Ed. "Star Trek: The Captains of the Final Frontier Documentary Special." ComicBookMovie.com. Ugo Film & TV, 28 Oct. 2010. Web. 03 July 2011.
"Star Trek: Enterprise - Memory Alpha, the Star Trek Wiki." Star Trek Wiki - Memory Alpha. Wikia Entertainment. Web. 03 July 2011.
Imagine, if you will, a time that seemed innocent... almost too innocent. Imagine a nation under whose seemingly conformist and conservative surface dramatic social changes were brewing, changes as obvious as integration and as subtle as fast food. And imagine, if you will, a radical television show that scrutinized, criticized, and most importantly, publicized these changes, making the social turmoil of a nation apparent to its post-world war, self-contented middle-class citizens. But what if this television show was not as it appeared? What if it masqueraded as simple science fiction, and did not reveal its true agenda until viewers took a closer look? Let us examine how such a television program can become a defining force in the culture of a nation, a force that remains just as powerful almost forty-five years after it first appeared. Let us investigate the secrets of... The Twilight Zone.
There are many types of leaders not only in the military, but also in every civilian company around the world. We rarely see a leader who possesses both vision and an ethical style of leadership; however, CMSgt Paul W. Airey, the first Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, was this type of leader. Throughout this paper I will discuss his ability to be both a visionary and ethical leader, which resulted in CMSgt Airey being labeled a “legend” (LaGrone, 2009, p.2). He was described by the former Chief of Staff, General Norton Schwartz as an “Airman’s Airman and “one of the true pioneers of the service” (LaGrone, 2009, p.2). CMSgt Airey has left a legacy that will impact generations of Air Force Airmen based on his traits of vision and ethics.
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Star Trek took the world by storm with its futuristic scenarios and outlandish ideas, which opened up the doors for science fiction in America as it gained recognition and popularity all across the world. It started as a television series in the 1960’s to becoming a multi-billion dollar franchise including 5 television series, 12 movies, and selling a magnitude of merchandise (Star Trek). People tend to look past the fact that Star Trek was so influential on the world, all they see is men and women in weird suits fighting aliens in space. But, what people don’t see is the how Star Trek inspired people and events that have drastically impacted not only America, but eventually the whole world. Things like the non-vehicular cell phone, iPad, and other devices and people were all inspired by the series (Star Trek). Fans dedicate themselves to Star Trek conventions and replica building and fanfiction. They even consider themselves part of the Star Trek family, calling themselves ‘Trekkies’ or ‘Trekkers’ (Star Trek). Star Trek fans have even gone as far as of learning to speak Klingon and use the Vulcan salute as a symbol to recognize another fan (Star Trek).
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
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Otto von Bismark, a renowned statesman and political leader, once stated, “Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. A wise man learns from the mistakes of others.” As developing leaders in a rapidly changing world, it is crucial we not only strive to learn from our own experiences but also the experiences of others. Every leader approaches leadership differently, with the most effective taking into account themselves, their followers, and the given context (Daft, 5). The best leaders adopt a proactive approach, striving continually to develop and grow both their abilities and that of their subordinates. As aspiring organizational leaders, we will use this essay to discuss the positive and negative leadership styles and principles emulated by various leaders from cinema, literature, and real-life.
In Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek: Voyager we finally see females taking front stage for the first time, unlike the previous series, turning the tables on all other traditional male dominated television shows. Voyager as a whole can be used as a template for writers and producers to follow as the correct way to portray women. In doing so we would begin to change the way young women see these positive role models and strive for higher goals, in turn setting into motion the goals Gene Roddenberry envisioned back in 1966.
INTRODUCTION Attention-getter: “Space travel benefits us here on Earth. And we ain’t stopped yet. There’s more exploration to come.” (Nichelle Nichols from Star Trek) Credibility: Throughout our childhood as we study space, solar systems, planets we all come to a point of having the dream of exploring the space or learn more about it in the future.
Tom Wolfe writes in the book “The Right Stuff” about early jet pilots that demonstrated extreme bravery, and behaviorisms that enabled them to be part of a furtive group of individuals. It has been said that these men usually assemble in groups among themselves in a way that solicited the men to be a part of a privileged membership. It is these pilots with proven courage, and abilities that will go forward testing the next barrier; space.
Abrashoff shares the valuable management skills he developed and effectively illustrates examples of how one can translate the same success in today’s businesses. Highlighting key concepts such as: see the ship through the eyes of the crew, communicate purpose and meaning, lead by example, and build up your people. The vivid examples he uses from his naval history make the reading interesting while educational. It’s Your Ship is a great book for any manager wanting to learn more on effective ways to better manage his employees.
Humans have dreamed of leaving the earth and traveling space for many years, and up to this day they have taken many steps in the right direction. Yet, with every new frontier they approach, new problems loom over the horizon. All problems involved with space exploration may not directly involve space itself. Many of those problems surface right here on Earth. Some of the easier issues have been resolved, such as escaping the forces of gravity to reach outer space. More of these problems are far more arduous and the solutions need more time to be worked out properly. In “The Coming Schism” by James E. and Alcestis R. Oberg, humans have already begun colonizing space, yet there are still new problems arising. Major problems such as financing, communication and culture conflicts are important in the journey to space, because they all have the potential to disrupt progress.
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Since the beginning of time, mankind has sought after learning about and exploring the universe. This yearning drove us to achieve such great things as the journey to the moon and the discovery of water on Mars. Nowadays, several people argue as to whether or not space exploration is worth the effort. I believe that it is humanity’s instinctual nature to pursue a better understanding of ourselves, and our universe. Further understanding of our universe will lead to the discovery of new technologies and ways to secure humanity’s survivability.
First, I would like to talk about all the things we take for granted but, wouldn’t have without space exploration.