Introduction
Some time ago, I wrote a short essay on the honesty of cyberpunk when it came to human nature and us as a species. In this essay, it is Star Trek which gets the eye. While recognising the contribution of Star Trek to the genre, and Gene Roddenberry’s genius in creating a universe so compelling, I also want to argue that Star Trek falls into a trap of excessive optimism about human nature and, ironically, mixes up some of the alien species it portrays.
Ain’t No Saint
The portrayal of Captain James T. Kirk, as a reckless rebel with something to prove, as much to others as to himself, is perhaps the most honest portrayal of the humans among the crew. While the others have minor smatterings of human flaws, a scattering here and there, it is Kirk who truly represents the ambitious git who thinks the rules do not apply to him. Aaron James, author of A**holes: A Theory would probably classify the good captain as a prime example of the type featuring in his book: a complete arsehole.
In the United Federation of Planets (UFP), introduced in the original series, we have the undying optimism and hope in a humanity capable of interacting with interstellar species in a meaningful and generally peaceful way. The human propensity for conflict and war, while still lurking under the surface, is fairly well downplayed by the portrayal of the UFP.
What the UFP achieves very well is its criticism of weak, ineffectual global organisations like the United Nations. Unlike the United Nations, the Federation actually has the teeth and military power to enforce its will when needed. The UN’s most formidable resource is the resolution, something the state of Israel has ignored for decades, and has proven as much as waste of effort with dictators like that of Iran. The Federation provides a sound vision of what such an organisation might actually achieve if it were given real power to act on behalf of its members, with all such members being equal parties at the table.
Some of the aspirations presented in Star Trek are simply unrealistic, given humanity’s inability to solve its own core problem: sinful nature, or just human nature, if you prefer. A vivid memory I have of Star Trek’s Federation is the idea they have solved the problem of poverty, which no longer exists in human society. The idea of solving the problem of poverty in the Federation contrasts to Jesus’ comments on the poor - they will always be with us (Matthew 26:10-12). I am not questioning here the notion of trying to fix poverty, but merely the projected success we will have. In a world where 56,000 people control more wealth that the poorest 4,000,000,000 people, we have some major barriers to reaching Star Trek’s aspirations.
Klingons Are Us
I would like to posit that some of the more objectionable species of Star Trek are actually the embodiment of the worst aspects of human nature. While humans in the series have their flaws, these are relatively minor. The worst aspects of humanity are projected onto some of the alien species the USS Enterprise encounters.
Perhaps the most obvious are the warlike Klingons. While their violence and xenophobia is somewhat ameliorated through characters like Worf (TNG), humanity’s desire and need to inflict lethal violence on the Other is embodied in the uber-warriors of the Klingon Empire. Complementary to this is the narrow masculinity riding in the coattails of military prowess birthing a certain definition of manhood. Removing a Klingon’s Bat’leth, armour and facial features would render the warrior little different to the Japanese Samurai or a host of other human warrior typologies.
The Borg, introduced in The Next Generation, are relevant to our own time, presenting the nightmare of a transhumanist excess. In the case of the Borg, perhaps among the most disturbing of the alien species in Star Trek, there is also a cautionary element in that the Borg are a unified Collective in which the individual essentially ceases to exist. Baring many similarities to Doctor Who’s Cybermen, it is clear the human fascination with technology as a solution to our problems has not ended. However, Star Trek, through embodying the transhumanist in the Borg, presents a possible horror story where transhumanism might lead. The unswerving, unquestioning faith in technology to solve a specie’s problems is highlighted in these monstrous members of an entirely merged identity group.
Star Trek projects the worst of human nature onto alien species, but it also projects certain aspirations as well. Logic and thought have, for millennia, been considered of higher level than “mere” emotionalism. I would like to suggest the Vulcans as an embodiment of Plato’s ideal of philosophers ruling on the basis of reason, something few humans would ever achieve. Especially in Western societies, even those of a more Christian bent, the emotions have been downplayed, even spurned. As late as the 19th century, a woman’s “hysteria” was considered a mental illness. The idea of unrestrained emotive output was considered and anomaly, and something distinctly non-masculine.
It is entirely possible, in the friendship of James Kirk and Mr Spock, to perceive two sides of the one human nature. Kirk, impulsive, often irrational, given to emotions and sentimentality, shows the heart of the human. Spock presents the cool, logical, reasoned aspect which is sometimes overwhelmed by the emotions. Together, Kirk and Spock present a cohesive view of the human person.
The Wind Up
In the last few paragraphs, I have appeared take on a negative position with regard to Star Trek. Perhaps its aim is not to portray reality, but aspire to something better than humanity is now. Since the show’s positioning of humanity’s central problem away from sin is understandable, a topic for another time, it is that undying hope and aspiration for a humanity aiming beyond itself which appeals to us. Star Trek gives us a vision of what we could become as a society, and what we should avoid becoming.
You might enjoy my cyberpunk novella, which is available on Amazon!
