Second, dragon*con (http://www.dragoncon.org/) is coming to Atlanta next weekend. I'm pretty excited about that.
Lastly, I'd like to add a little something to the fine critique you present, starting with the assumption that there IS in fact a link betweekn StarTrek and pedophelia, as you have asserted, and go from there.
I think the utopian argument is the strongest one you make (perhaps inadvertently) for this link. Recognizing that the original series took place in the midst of the cold war and characters are allegorical and all that, *still* the underlying message the show reinforces is the image of Kirk (along with the whole crew and all the federation, for that matter) as ultimate authority figures, patriarchal, benevolent dictators almost. Of course, as you pointed out, this can be taken by fans in historical context (foreign policy during the cold war) or simply as a good story, but nonetheless, the show drives home the idea of "father knows best."
You must recognize that despite the Prime Directive (ignored on practically every episode in the original series), Kirk feels he has the right, no, the *moral obligation,* to force people of other planets to do what he – and the federation – believes they should be doing.
This more than anything else, I think, is what ties the show to pedophelia, because ultimately (I'm not a criminologist either…but) isn't pedophelia about power? About lording it over someone weaker and dependent on you? And who does that better than the charming Kirk, always righting the societal wrongs of the less enlightened planets he encounters?
K says:
Pop culture tourguide extraordinaire!
That was seriously impressive. I'm much less worried about all those DVDs now.
Schneider says:
As a Trek fan, I always hesistate to respond to something like the original report. I applaud your effort, Mike, to do so and think it was effective.
That being said, as someone who could be accused of being a little too fond of Star Trek and the entire Sci-Fi genre in general, I feel the need to point out that, yes, there are extremely creepy people out there and many of them like Trek. Like any good thing, when someone becomes obsessed with Trek it certainly doesn't make them better adjusted.
The fact of the matter is, I don't have any data to back up my opinions on this one. Neither am I certain that I understand the original proposition of the article. Was it that like Star Trek, like that first step down the dark path, led inexorably to pedophilia for the unwary? Or is it just a correlating factor?
I salute you, Toronto Star, for warning me of the danger of Star Trek and hope that your ever-responsible reporting will help me avoid the missteps of my brethren who have fallen to the evils of pedophilia.
I salute you, Mike, for allowing me to continue to watch my Star Trek DVDs and have some credible response to offer when I am closely questioned by the Homeland Security Dept. as to why I own Star Trek and am neither a pedophile or a terrorist.
Anonymous says:
best.
title.
ever.
Samantha says:
First off, I'd like to share this: http://www.thyla.com/breakfast.jpg
Second, dragon*con (http://www.dragoncon.org/) is coming to Atlanta next weekend. I'm pretty excited about that.
Lastly, I'd like to add a little something to the fine critique you present, starting with the assumption that there IS in fact a link betweekn StarTrek and pedophelia, as you have asserted, and go from there.
I think the utopian argument is the strongest one you make (perhaps inadvertently) for this link. Recognizing that the original series took place in the midst of the cold war and characters are allegorical and all that, *still* the underlying message the show reinforces is the image of Kirk (along with the whole crew and all the federation, for that matter) as ultimate authority figures, patriarchal, benevolent dictators almost. Of course, as you pointed out, this can be taken by fans in historical context (foreign policy during the cold war) or simply as a good story, but nonetheless, the show drives home the idea of "father knows best."
You must recognize that despite the Prime Directive (ignored on practically every episode in the original series), Kirk feels he has the right, no, the *moral obligation,* to force people of other planets to do what he – and the federation – believes they should be doing.
This more than anything else, I think, is what ties the show to pedophelia, because ultimately (I'm not a criminologist either…but) isn't pedophelia about power? About lording it over someone weaker and dependent on you? And who does that better than the charming Kirk, always righting the societal wrongs of the less enlightened planets he encounters?
K says:
Pop culture tourguide extraordinaire!
That was seriously impressive. I'm much less worried about all those DVDs now.
Schneider says:
As a Trek fan, I always hesistate to respond to something like the original report. I applaud your effort, Mike, to do so and think it was effective.
That being said, as someone who could be accused of being a little too fond of Star Trek and the entire Sci-Fi genre in general, I feel the need to point out that, yes, there are extremely creepy people out there and many of them like Trek. Like any good thing, when someone becomes obsessed with Trek it certainly doesn't make them better adjusted.
The fact of the matter is, I don't have any data to back up my opinions on this one. Neither am I certain that I understand the original proposition of the article. Was it that like Star Trek, like that first step down the dark path, led inexorably to pedophilia for the unwary? Or is it just a correlating factor?
I salute you, Toronto Star, for warning me of the danger of Star Trek and hope that your ever-responsible reporting will help me avoid the missteps of my brethren who have fallen to the evils of pedophilia.
I salute you, Mike, for allowing me to continue to watch my Star Trek DVDs and have some credible response to offer when I am closely questioned by the Homeland Security Dept. as to why I own Star Trek and am neither a pedophile or a terrorist.