It’s almost embarassing how deeply I was affected by Star Trek growing up. I’ve always dreamed of having audacity like James Kirk, and considered Jean-Luc Picard a father figure.

In an interview right after word came out that the LOST creator J.J. Abrams would the helm of Star Trek, he said “it’s my job to make optimism cool again.”  Optimism was the key trait of the Roddenberry’s universe. Humans of all races and aliens worked together in a great Federation, exploring the universe.  Instead of galaxy-spanning violence of space opera, he cast a vision of hope for the end of cold war (Federation vs. Klingons) and racism (that one episode with half black/half white alien.)

Even within the Star Trek universe, such optimism could not last.  Roddenberry’s successors, like Ronald Moore (at home in the darker Battlestar Gallactica), turned to stories of terrorism and war. 

Optimism is harder write than destruction and war.  It reflects our own state, where many seem to give up on the hope for a better future, choosing to fight tooth and nail for whatever literal or philosophical ground they can hold.

I’m holding out for Abrams, because right now, I could use some optimism.