From: kuchar@buast7.bu.edu (Tom Kuchar)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.current
Subject: Re: "The VISION"
Date: 13 Aug 92 12:00:40 GMT
Organization: Astronomy Department, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA

In article <1992Aug12.125600.13341@bnlux1.bnl.gov> schroede@bnlux1.bnl.gov (gary l. schroeder) writes:
>I suppose that's because I see the invention of something like a 'warp
>drive' as a mere technical hurdle, no different than assembling the
>technologies necessary to put Neil Armstrong on the moon.  Eliminating
>basic human qualities?  _That's_ not something that can be achieved so
>easily.
>
>Perhaps it is possible that one day, humans (or even aliens) of all
>extractions will live together in peace and harmony.  Can I necessarily
>relate to that today or find it realistic?  No.  Do I find that it makes
>interesting drama?  Definately not.
>
>"Geordi, how are _you_ today?"
>
>"Just _super_, Commander.  And yourself?"
>
>"Simply smashing, thank you very much.  My, but the universe is swell
>today, isn't it?"
>
>"I'll say!"
>
>Obviously, I'm overstating the case just a bit, but some of the early
>episodes remind me very much of this type of banal chatter.
>Fortunately, as the seasons have worn on, things have settled down quite
>a bit.
>

I think you've missed the point entirely. Don't confuse bad dialogue
or bad writing with a bad `vision'.

You write of eliminating basic Human qualities. Which of these do you
refer to?  Since you claim that the banal dialogue is an example of
this elimination, what do you think they should say. Should they
be belligerent to each other?  Is that what you consider basic human
qualities?  How do you address your coworkers? Sickly sweet or in
an insulting matter? On TNG I have seen neither. 

Look, I think the part of Gene's vision is mutual respect for each
other and each others abilities.  That why they don't argue or fight
with each other over daily decisions.  I can't speak for today's
military organizations, but I would hazard a guess that they don't
argue or challenge each other in the daily routine of work, either.

The sample dialogue really trivializes this to the point of complete
absurdity. 

I do believe that Human society can evolve to the point where we are
not suspect of everyone and abilities, where everyone challenges
themselves physically, intellectually, spiritually and are not content
with mediocrity and `just getting by'.  I think that was what Gene was
trying to get across.

Our culture has changed quite a bit since the Puritans have arrived.
Certainly we have the same ambitions and failings they had, but we
don't share the same society. That's cultural evolution.  At least
I hope we have a more libertarian society than the Puritans did.

The real point I'd like to make is that we're a much different
society than we were 400 years ago and will be 400 years hence.
We may have the same Human motivations over that 800 year span,
but hopefully they will manifest themselves in a much more
constructive way as time progresses. That's what I interpret
as part of Gene's `Vision' and what he wanted to portray in TNG.



-- 
Tom Kuchar			  
kuchar@buast7.bu.edu		  -or-                      kuchar@plh.af.mil
Department of Astronomy		                     Phillips Laboratory/GPOB
Boston Univerity		                                  Hanscom AFB