Gene Roddenberry convinced the executives at Desilu Studios that a show about exploring space would appeal to a mass audience. They funded a weekly series for three beautiful years, and it turns out he was partially right. The show was not a ratings giant until it went into syndication and cartoons some five years after it had been canceled. From there it fostered a “Big Bang” of cultural infusion. Movies, fan fiction, spinoff series and “cons” exploded the concepts of Star Trek into our society.
Is it the underlying humanist message which infuses the Star Trek Universe that has led to its huge popularity as a cultural phenomenon? Robert Price and Scott Lohman will spend some time on our airwaves examining the issues of humanism in the Start Trek Universe, and science fiction's role in teaching us about ourselves.
Scott Lohman, president of the Humanists of Minnesota, will give a presentation on the Humanism of Star Trek on March 15 at 2 p.m. at the Southdale Public Library in Edina. RSVP here.
Produced by Minnesota Atheists . Directed by Mike Haubrich. Hosted by Stephanie Zvan. Interview by Scott Lohman.
- Gene Rodenberry Biographical Sketch
- Majel Barrett Rodenberry Biographical Sketch
- Offical Star Trek Site
- Star Trek Fanfiction Collections
- Biblebelievers.org on Humanism of Star Trek
- British Humanist Society on Gene Roddenberry's Atheism and Humanism
- Robert Price Biography at Mindvendor
- Humanism of Star Trek, MN Atheists Monthly Meeting on March 15, 2009 (Meetup)