A man either lives life as it happens to him, meets it head-on and licks it, or he turns his back on it and starts to wither away.
Gene RoddenberryRead
For Star Trek proves, as faulty as individual episodes could be, is that the much-maligned common man and common woman has an enormous hunger for brotherhood. They are ready for the twenty-third century now, and they are light-years ahead of their petty governments and their visionless leaders.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote speaks to the intrinsic desire for connection among people, transcending the flaws of governance and leadership.
Gene Roddenberry's quote emphasizes the idea that the ordinary people possess a profound yearning for unity and connection, indicating that they are more advanced in their understanding of community and brotherhood than their leaders, who may be out of touch. This sentiment reflects optimism about human nature and the potential for society to progress beyond the limitations imposed by ineffective governance.
Themes
BrotherhoodCommunityHumanityLeadershipConnection
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote in a speech about the importance of community engagement.
More from Gene Roddenberry
All quotes β'Star Trek' episodes always insisted that humanity is on its bumpy way to what will be a glorious future in the 23rd century, in which we will have left most of our old selfishness - and old hatreds and prejudices - far behind us.
Gene RoddenberryRead
The network told me to get rid of Number One, the woman first lieutenant, and also get rid of 'that Martian fellow'... meaning, of course, Spock. I knew I couldn't keep both, so I gave the stoicism of the female officer to Spock, and married the actress who played Number One. Thank God it wasn't the other way around. I mean Leonard's cute, but...
Gene RoddenberryRead
For me science fiction is a way of thinking, a way of logic that bypasses a lot of nonsense. It allows people to look directly at important subjects.
Gene RoddenberryRead
Star Trek says that it has not all happened, it has not all been discovered, that tomorrow can be as challenging and adventurous as any time man has ever lived.
Gene RoddenberryRead
I believe in humanity. We are an incredible species. We're still just a child creature, we're still being nasty to each other. And all children go through those phases. We're growing up, we're moving into adolescence now. When we grow up - man, we're going to be something!
Gene RoddenberryRead
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