Star Trek, the Dominant Social Paradigm, and the Lack of an Environmental Ethos

Abstract

When Eric C. Otto, in Green Speculations: Science Fiction and Transformative Environmentalism, identifies concern for the environment in the science fiction genre, he ignores Star Trek1—the most widely followed science fiction vehicle.2 This is because the broadcast iterations of the Star Trek franchise convey (on environmental issues) the dominant social paradigm.3 Thus Star Trek lacks an environmental ethic, ignores the global warming crisis, and evades profound environmental problems through what can be deemed as fantasy solutions (most especially, utilizing the literary device dilithium crystals). Perhaps most significant, Star Trek makes the ostensive point that the Enlightenment is inconsistent with a regime fully intended to protect the environment. The end result is that the viewer is left with the pessimist conclusion that reason and science are incompatible with intact planetary ecosystems.