Director of the Utopia Festival for Science Fiction and Future Story-telling. As the Promethean Consultancy, program curator, PMO, artistic consultant and producer, writer and speaker on topics of technology and society, science fiction and the future.
The original Star Trek series did not earn its rightful and honorable place in the history of popular culture and science fiction because of its subtlety. The colors were vivid, the emotions were intense, the fists flew fiercely, the clothing (of the women, but not only) was daring, and the kisses were also very audacious!
So were the messages. The parables were not particularly subtle, usually not requiring deep analysis or interpretation, and the morals were, well, not exactly hidden from view.
The result is uneven. At times it is childish naivety bordering on stupidity, but here and there the lack of subtlety is not crudeness, not rudeness, but rather the removal of all excess pretensions, all the reasons, excuses, and “buts,” all the wrappings and particulars, distilling a sharp argument into a precise statement – harsh, sad, and painful. A genius parable, as only excellent science fiction can present.
What is good and unique about Star Trek is, of course, its cosmic optimism. Sadness and pain are always accompanied (at least in the early incarnations of the series) by a glimmer of hope, to sweeten the bitter pill, and also in according to the worldview of its legendary creator, Gene Roddenberry.
A Taste of Armageddon, episode 24 of the first season of the series, which aired for the first time in 1967, belongs to the second type in my opinion, and deals with the horrors of war.
Star Trek, The Original Series, Season 1, Episode 23, A Taste of Armageddon, written by Robert Hamner, Gene Coon, first aired on February 23, 1967
A Taste of Armageddon
Captain’s log, stardate 3192.1. The Enterprise is en route to star cluster NGC 321. Objective, to open diplomatic relations with the civilisations known to be there. We have sent a message to Eminiar Seven, principal planet of the star cluster, informing them of our friendly intentions. We are awaiting an answer.” Captain’s log, James T. Kirk, Enterprise spaceship, NCC-1701
The voyages of the Enterprise spaceship bring it to Eminiar 7. The goal – to establish diplomatic relations, as the Federation is interested in erecting a spaceport in the area. The Eminarians warn the Enterprise not to approach, but Ambassador Fox, who is on board the ship, instructs Captain Kirk to carry on with the mission.
Upon arriving at Eminiar 7, the Enterprise discovers an advanced technological civilization, a prospering and peaceful world. A landing party led by Captain Kirk and Commander Spock descends to the surface and receives a cold welcome. It is made clear to them: you were warned not to come, you are in danger as long as you are here!
Eminiar 7 – A technological and advanced civilization, an abundant and peaceful world – What’s dangerous?
In a meeting with Anan, the leader of the High Council of Eminiar 7, Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock learn that Eminiar has been engaged in a bloody war for 500 years with its neighbor, the planet Eminiar 3 – Vendikar. But Kirk, Spock, and the Enterprise crew see no sign of this. The fighting is not visible. The cities are not destroyed – on the contrary, they are pleasant, clean, and developed. The hospitals are not overcrowded. Where is the destruction? The suffering? The dead? And yet, the leader of the Eminiar Council claims that every year, between one and three million Eminians are killed in battle.
We soon learn that the battles are virtual, but the outcome – deadly.
After years of horrific war, the Eminians and their neighbors decided to install supercomputers on both enemy planets. The computers manage the fighting. Attack after counterattack, year after year. When a certain area is hit—virtually—the local computers update those who were there at the time. They are declared dead. There are no terrorist attacks or bombings. There are no missiles or gunfire. The past leaders of the Eminians and Vendikans spared them the horrors of war. The victims have 24 hours to finish their business, sign off on their affairs, say goodbye to their loved ones and relatives, and report to the extermination chambers for an immediate and painless death.
The War Room on Eminiar 7
This is how the Eminiar and Vendikar preserve their advanced culture. Their abundant and peaceful worlds, pleasant, clean, and developed cities. And they continue to strike their bitter enemies, killing millions every year.
What is more horrifying? The horrors of war—the whistling of bullets and bombs, the buzzing after the impact, the screams of terror, the cries on the streets, the death rattles—or a bloody war without horrors? A calm war. A pleasant war. A humane war? Which is more grotesque?
Once the Enterprise approached Eminiar, it became a legitimate target in the war, and it was attacked and destroyed by Vendikar. Virtually, of course. As required by the treaty between Eminiar and Vendikar, the Enterprise crew is asked to proceed to the destruction chambers.
The television series Star Trek (The Original Series) is available for viewing on Netflix.
The horrors of war
Kirk and Spock destroy the computer.
ANAN: You realise what you have done?
KIRK: Yes, I do. I’ve given you back the horrors of war.
The Vendikans now assume that you’ve broken your agreement and that you’re preparing to wage real war with real weapons. They’ll want do the same. Only the next attack they launch will do a lot more than count up numbers on a computer. They’ll destroy cities, devastate your planet. You of course will want to retaliate.
If I were you, I’d start making bombs. Yes, Councilman, you have a real war on your hands. You can either wage it with real weapons, or you might… consider… an alternative.
Put an end to it. Make peace.
ANAN: There can be no peace. Don’t you see? We’ve admitted it to ourselves. We’re a killer species. It’s instinctive. It’s the same with you.
KIRK: All right. It’s instinctive. But the instinct can be fought. We’re human beings with the blood of a million savage years on our hands, but we can stop it. We can admit that we’re killers, but we’re not going to kill today. That’s all it takes. Knowing that we’re not going to kill. Today. Contact Vendikar. I think you’ll find that they’re just as terrified, appalled, horrified as you are, that they’ll do anything to avoid the alternative I’ve given you. Peace or utter destruction.
It’s up to you.