A man either lives life as it happens to him, meets it head-on and licks it, or he turns his back on it and starts to wither away.
Gene RoddenberryRead
It is important to the typical 'Star Trek' fan that there is a tomorrow. They pretty much share the 'Star Trek' philosophies about life: the fact that it is wrong to interfere in the evolvement of other peoples, that to be different is not necessarily to be wrong or ugly.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of hope for the future and respecting the growth of different cultures.
In this quote, Gene Roddenberry conveys that a core belief among 'Star Trek' fans is the optimism for a future filled with possibilities. He highlights the philosophy that people should not interfere with others' development and that differences should be embraced rather than judged. This reflects a deep respect for diversity and the natural progression of civilizations.
In practice
During a panel discussion about science fiction's impact on society.
A man either lives life as it happens to him, meets it head-on and licks it, or he turns his back on it and starts to wither away.
'Star Trek' episodes always insisted that humanity is on its bumpy way to what will be a glorious future in the 23rd century, in which we will have left most of our old selfishness - and old hatreds and prejudices - far behind us.
The network told me to get rid of Number One, the woman first lieutenant, and also get rid of 'that Martian fellow'... meaning, of course, Spock. I knew I couldn't keep both, so I gave the stoicism of the female officer to Spock, and married the actress who played Number One. Thank God it wasn't the other way around. I mean Leonard's cute, but...
For me science fiction is a way of thinking, a way of logic that bypasses a lot of nonsense. It allows people to look directly at important subjects.
Star Trek says that it has not all happened, it has not all been discovered, that tomorrow can be as challenging and adventurous as any time man has ever lived.
I believe in humanity. We are an incredible species. We're still just a child creature, we're still being nasty to each other. And all children go through those phases. We're growing up, we're moving into adolescence now. When we grow up - man, we're going to be something!
They tell him that there is no why, since the moment simply is and since all of them are trapped in the moment, like bugs in amber.
Perhaps the enemies of liberty are such only because they judge it by its loud voice.
The opinions and beliefs of men follow involuntarily the evidence proposed to their minds.
Tired with all these, for restful death I cry.
The future is as irrevocable as an inflexible yesterday.
The Contessa was surely way ahead of her time, too, in believing that men were not only usless and idiotic, but downright dangerous. That idea wouldn't catch on big in her native country until the last three years of the Vietnam War.
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