Captain’s Log: Stardate 201706.7. Last week we watched and analyzed Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Nietzsche would likely consider Khan a slave and a failure as an Overman because his desire for revenge overwhelmed him, whilst Spock’s self-sacrifice to save his crew made him a strong candidate for an Overman. Speaking of Spock, check me out in this 1998-vintage Spock collage tie that arrived today. I think I look rather cool and logical in it. Live long and prosper.
Captain’s Log: Stardate 201706.2. Well, today we watched Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and learned that Khan’s desire for revenge prevented him from achieving the status of Nietzsche’s Overman. In other news, since Tuesday is a holiday (Memorial Day) and I don’t teach on Mondays and Wednesdays, I’ve got a nice five day weekend to kick back and relax, although I do need to get moving soon on the new syllabus for my Rhetoric and Composition class. Attached is a photo of the Japanese programme for The Wrath of Khan. Live long and prosper.
Captain’s Log: Stardate 201705.8. Tomorrow is election day in Korea, and as Kyung Hee University’s first foreign civics professor, and Korea’s first Star Trek professor, I think Spock would say it is logical for Koreans to vote tomorrow if they wish to have their say in how the country is run. Attached is a public domain photo of Spock for your enjoyment. Live long and prosper.
Captain’s Log: Stardate 201705.6. Class was cancelled due to a national holiday, but next week we are going to watch and analyze two excellent Spock-oriented episodes, Journey to Babel and Amok Time. Here’s my take on Journey to Babel and a public domain photo. Live long and prosper.
Captain’s Log: Stardate 201704.30. Last week we watched and analyzed “The Devil in the Dark” and learned about Gene Roddenberry’s views on animal rights. In Judith Barad’s book The Ethics of Star Trek, Roddenberry says that although he was not a vegetarian, he had serious concerns about factory farms and that he hoped someday to be able to eat a steak without killing an animal. Ethicist Tom Regan also discusses the conditions necessary for an animal to be a “Subject of a Life” which Barad applies to the very intelligent animal (the Horta) encountered in the episode. Just as interesting, in my view, is the fact that William Shatner’s father passed away while he was filming this episode, but didn’t let it affect his performance. Say what you like about Shatner’s acting, I think he’s a real pro, and he shined in this episode. Attached are public domain photos of Roddenberry and Shatner for your edification. Live long and prosper.
Captain’s Log: Stardate 201704.28. Check out the cool pin and patch I just received for supporting Mission Log: A Roddenberry Star Trek podcast. Glad to be on the team. If you love Star Trek, you should listen to and support Mission Log! www.missionlogpodcast.com
Captain’s Log: Stardate 201704.27. I just checked Netflix Korea and found that they now have ALL THREE SEASONS of Star Trek TOS available with Korean subtitles. Since there are no TOS DVDs or Blu-rays available here, and there probably never will, this is as good as it gets in Korea. Now my students have a convenient and inexpensive way to watch Star Trek with Korean subtitles, and I couldn’t be happier. Here once again is a public domain photo for your enjoyment. Live long and prosper.
