On Sept. 8, 1966, Star Trek debuted for the first time on television with “The Man Trap.” On that day, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry introduced audiences to a world that championed diversity, inclusion, acceptance and hope. Fifty-seven years later, Paramount honors this important day and the franchise’s enduring legacy by providing fans with a fun and memorable way to enjoy and celebrate all things Star Trek.
And, frankly, we are unashamedly here for it.
This year, three charities join forces in the hope of bringing forth a future of hope, inclusivity and strength. We can do it if we work together. This Star Trek Day, you are invited to take the chair, make an impact, and help build a brighter future for all of us. The charitis are: Code.org who give every K-12 student the opportunity to learn computer science, DoSomething.org who fuel young people to change the world, and Outright International, who advocate for LGBTIQ inclusion and equality globally.
StarTrek.com
Go the Star Trek Mission Generator page to find out more. You can also get 25% your order in the Paramount Shop with the code STARTREKDAY.
We note with disappointment that you cannot join without agreeing to be sent marketing email by Paramount. Perhaps this is necessary for the whole idea to work. I signed up for it so you don’t have to to find out what happens next.
You are given a series of questions designed to determine how you can best contribute to the ideals that are the embodiment of the spirit of Star Trek. I chose the science and discovery track. This eventually led me to some suggestions as to what actions I could take. My quest goals turned out to be “recycle five items”, “plant a tree”, and “reduce water usage”. My prize was a digital poster.
The other question and answer trees yielded similar suggestions, such as “recycle old electronics”, “share your knowledge with others”, and the like. The presentation is slick and fun, but in the end it’s you and your actions that will make a difference.
They’re small things, things that anybody with a mind to could do to make the world a tiny bit better, and focused not on the future of humanity as a whole, but in the now, and on a personal level. Truth be told, that’s really what I think the core philosophies of Star Trek are all about. The future is bright, yes, but it’s forged not of massive trusses and plates of unobtainium, but of the billions of tiny links in the chain of humankind. We can have the future we want, but it will take all of us to get there.
Happy Star Trek Day. Peace, and long life to you. Life long and prosper.
President of Krypton Media Group, Inc., radio personality and station manager of SCIFI.radio. Part writer, part animator, part musician, part illustrator, part programmer, part entrepreneur – all geek.
Star Trek’s been a big part of my life since I was first nicknamed Spock in either junior high or high school (I forget which). And later I was honored to know some people involved.
“Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations” in more than just a well-known Star Trek phrase. It’s a real philosophy and part of creator Gene Roddenbury’s vision. I’m glad to see that vision lives on.
Live Long and Prosper!