Star Trek has been inspiring and entertaining for 50 years, here’s seven reasons why Star Trek is the greatest science fiction franchise ever.
Fans of every science fiction franchise think what they love is the best, and as a Trekkie we’re no different. Here are seven reasons we love Star Trek and think it stands above all other franchises.
You won’t find any silly points like box office totals here, this is about science and improving humanity.
#1 Star Trek is based on science.
In Star Wars the solution to many problems is to believe in yourself and use the Force. While believing in yourself is wonderful, using the force won’t get you very far in real life. On the other hand Star Trek focuses on science, logic, and diplomacy. The key to solving problems in the Star Trek universe is using your mind and science, things that you can apply to your real life.
There’s nothing wrong with Star Wars using magic, it makes for a wonderful story, but it’s not something that creates any meaning in the real world.
Here’s what Bill Nye had to say on the subject.
It’s not just about Star Wars though, no franchise has embraced science the way Star Trek has.
Next: 2 Star Trek inspires real scientists
#2 Star Trek has inspired scientists and inventors in the real world.
Cell phones and tablet computers are two things we have today that were explored on Star Trek. They aren’t the only two examples though, there’s work being done right now on 3D printers that could print organic material, that’s a food replicator. Because Star Trek is based in science the gadgets used on the show were things the writers saw in the future of humanity, you don’t necessarily find this in other science fiction franchises.
Perhaps there is someone out there working on a Death Star and a laser sword, but we certainly hope not. The gadgets in Star wars are about destruction and a cool movie, the gadgets in Star Trek are about a possible brighter future for humanity through science.
Here’s what William Shatner had to say about science and science fiction.
"“All these imaginative exercises in science fiction [are] merely food for the imagination of scientists who are actually working with technology that is.” – William Shatner"
There’s no denying that Star Trek has a special relationship with science and scientists, NASA even made a video to congratulate Trek on its 50th anniversary.
Next: 3 Star Trek is more than a morality tale
#3 Star Trek wants you to think for yourself.
Many science fiction stories are wonderful morality tales about good and evil, but it is usually very basic. The Jedi are good and selfless, while the Sith are bad and selfish.
"“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” – Yoda"
While good vs. evil is a fun story, it doesn’t actually have much substance to it. Star Trek approaches philosophy in a very different way; whether it’s the logic of Spock, the devotion of Kirk, or the prime directive both the positive and negative aspects of these philosophies are presented in Star Trek.
With Star Trek you always have something to think about.
Next: 4 Star Trek is optimistic
#4 Star Trek is optimistic.
So many of the modern science fiction franchises are dark and depressing. They paint a picture where not only has humanity not solved all its problems, but things have actually gotten much worse! You won’t find a lot of joy in the future that Battlestar Galactica presents.
Star Trek on the other hand is all about optimism. Trek certainly has problems, but those are solved with science and logic. Stark Trek shows us a future where humanity has solved war, hunger, and want though science.
Data is an android, same as the cylons, he’s just a much more optimistic version.
Next: 5 Star Trek is for everyone
#5 Star Trek is for everyone.
We all know that Star Trek was the first show to have an african american lead character, and of course Star Trek also had the first interracial kiss on screen, but it goes even farther than that.
LeVar Burton has spoken many times about how important it was to see Uhura on the bridge of the Enterprise. He knew there would be a place for him in that future. What you might not know though is that Burton’s character Geordi also inspired people by being on the Enterprise.
Burton often talks about how people with disabilities will tell him that he inspired them by showing them that they would have a place in the future.
Star Trek isn’t just for the perfect suave hero, it’s for everyone.
This isn’t to say that other franchises weren’t diverse, it’s just that Star Trek was really the pioneer series in that regard.
Next: Star Trek paved the way
#6 Star Trek paved the way.
Before Star Trek science fiction was considered to be something for children. Star Trek proved not only that science fiction could be popular with people of all ages, but that it could be meaningful as well.
Beyond breaking cultural barriers and inspiring the love of science in people Star Trek also addressed cultural issues. Whether it was calling out the foolishness in prejudices and close minded thinking.
Star Trek inspired science fiction to grow, and without Trek some of the other franchises we all know and love might not even exist.
"“‘Star Trek’ softened up the entertainment arena so that ‘Star Wars’ could come along and stand on its shoulders.” – George Lucas"
Next: Star Trek is wonderfully nerdy
#7 Star Trek is the nerdiest franchise.
We genuinely love Star Wars, and we couldn’t be more excited about the new Star Wars movies, but it is a very different type of entertainment than Star Trek. There’s no denying that Star Trek has the reputation as the “nerdier” of the two franchises, but maybe that’s just a fact we Trekkies need to embrace. Star Trek is simply nerdier than Star Wars. Star Wars is a wonderful story, but Star Trek is just going to challenge you in ways Star Wars never will.
If you love some other science fiction franchise more than Star Trek that’s fine, we want you to live long and prosper… besides one of the things we learned from Star Trek was that we should be kind to less developed species.
Next: The best Star Trek spoofs of all time
So what do you think? Is Star Trek the greatest science fiction franchise ever? Let us know on Facebook or in the comments below.