Starlog Entries 7 and 8: Global Issues and Exploration

Think of a global issue that we are facing today that causes fear or concern. What would be the plot of a television show that depicted a utopian and optimistic vision of the future of that issue? 

There are so many global issues currently, that all cause fear and/or concern. Pandemic aside, I think a more far-reaching one is Global Warming, or climate change. 

The plot of the TV show will show the problem resolved, because by the time it takes place, people have worked together to solve Global Warming. We will see all methods clean energy, trash collection, zero emissions, etc. However, the Enterprise visits a planet that was like Earth in the 21st century. Pollution, trash, general destruction of the planet is running rampant. Spock, of course, reminds Kirk about the Prime Directive, and urges him not to interfere. Kirk, however, cannot help himself. So, he figures a way to "casually" leave behind clean energy information. So the people in charge will find it, realize it was what they were looking for the entire time, and implement. There will still be a small faction opposed to the change in lifestyle. But when one of their own falls ill because of the pollution, they understand the necessity with the change. 

At the end of the video, Margaret says that space exploration was controversial in the 1970s and 1980s. People wondered why the government was spending time and money exploring the solar system when critical problems existed here on Earth. What do you think? Should the government resolve Earthly issues before exploring space? Or is a scientific investigation of distant worlds a fundamentally human endeavor of exploration? Explain your argument.

Space Exploration is a fundamental part of our evolutionary path. Yes, there are things that need to be addressed on Earth. But there are experts no involved in Space that can attend to that. As Kirk said "I must point out, that the possibilities, the potential and advancement of knowledge is equally great." We can learn, and grow so much, if we explore. Some of our greatest technologies came about, because they were developed for space travel! If we stop exploring, or trying, we will stop advancement. Yes, there are many things that need to be fixed "at home," but if we just focus on that, we, as a society, will stagnate. "Risk. Risk is our business. That's what the starship is all about."

Promoted to: Lt. Commander