Making Friends with Friendship One - Star Trek and the Apocalypse in the Anthropocene

Keywords: Star Trek, science fiction, environmentalism, Anthropocene, discourse, media
Session Type: Virtual Poster Abstract
Day: Saturday
Session Start / End Time: 2/26/2022 09:40 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/26/2022 11:00 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 57

Abstract

Since its creation, science fiction as a genre has acted as a conduit for social issues, and metaphors thereof — whether that be a critique of a fascist regimes, the horrors of war, theoretical outcomes of current social systems, or other critical current events. One common theme is the topic of environmentalism and the ongoing question in popular culture of the effects and interactions of humans/aliens/machines on, and included in, the environment. Star Trek is a high-profile show, clocking in with over 703 hours of canonical television alone. This poster explores human-environment interaction through the lens of the film whereby Star Trek characters - often humans - navigate complex environmental relationships. Exploring discourse throughout the Original Series, The Next Generation, and Voyager, I highlight examples where characters play the role of both the “saviors” and the perpetrators. With topics of pollution, overpopulation, and racially-based environmental destruction, Star Trek, historically, has used its platform as a cult classic to address pressing social issues, and environmentalism is no exception. The show observes this topic over the course of many years, expanding the definition of the term “environment” to not only encompass physical planets, but space as well. These discourses further fall into a broad spectrum, with some more so than others using the safe lens of the future to reflect direct ongoing crises in the present, such as Star Trek: The Next Generation’s “Force of Nature.” In doing this, Star Trek enables a critical engagement and examination of “human”-environment interactions.