Variety #2 - Burning Candle

The man who created Star Trek is dead, at the age of 70. All humans are mortal, and death is something we must all face time and time again, so, maybe this is something we shouldn't really be surprised at. Roddenberry, even with his creative spark, was just human.

Yet, consider the timing. Twenty-five years of Star Trek. Twenty-five years. Not too many shows can claim being popular for Tweny-five years. A three year show. 79 episodes. And these first 79 sparked off everything from books to the Feature length movies, to an entire new series, now somewhere around the 120 episode mark, to conventions taking place around the world, to fan clubs, and fanzines, and a whole bunch of other examples of popularity. Star Trek was Roddenberry's claim to fame, and everybody knew it. Everybody was proud of it. Proud of Star Trek, and proud of Roddenberry.

Gene Roddenberry is dead.

I first met Star Trek when I was in Grade 1, I believe. I remember seeing some of the animated episodes, and being late for school because of them. I didn't care- it was Star Trek. It was good fun, and I could understand the episodes on the TV. At least, I could understand some of it. That was twelve years ago, now. Now I'm in Grade 13, on the verge of adulthood (supposedly), and I still watch the show. I don't think I can really expalin why; maybe it was a part of the magic that was created and woven so long ago.

Gene Roddenberry is dead.

I'm going to stay away from the question "What makes Star Trek special?" I think that every person has their own idea, and that idea is as special and as individualistic as each one of us. Inifinite diversity in Infinite Combinations. That type of thing. Besides, who cares why it worked? The main point is that it did work. Somehow, by luck, skill, imagination, or maybe all three, Gene Roddenberry created Star Trek.

Now he's gone. And we, the people who shared his universe, our responsibility has multiplied a thousandfold. Now we, we are the keepers of the dream. The torch has been passed on; now it's in our hands. We must keep the spirit alive.

For Gene Roddenberry- thank you for Twenty Five years of Star Trek.

Let us keep the flame burning.

I've just recently seen Dead Poets Society, and I just felt the urge to stick the quote in. It reminds me of something that somebody has been trying to teach me; and I hope that I will be able to learn the lesson! It just seems unfortunate that the lesson that is being taught is one of the hardest to learn.

But if learned, it is the lesson that can provide the most joy in life. Life does not revolve around math equations, or history books, or whatever. Life revolves around people, around life. Yes, it seems contradictory, saying life revolves around life, but it does. Just think about it.

And if you don't believe me, ask the people who have found out the hard way. Or the people who never found out at all.