Living During Times of War and Star Trek
Intro: I will convince you to watch Star Trek
For weeks after one of my dogs died, I needed music, especially ska music, to numb the pain. When the war started, I needed to spend more money on myself. And as the war raged on, I needed Star Trek.
I got into Star Trek this year. I’m not an expert. My prior knowledge came from sitcom jokes about how Trekkies are mistaken for Star Wars fans. I was a fan of The Twilight Zone and Black Mirror, other thought-provoking, speculative fiction series, but I didn’t even know that Star Trek fell into a similar category. I assumed the series was just another sci-fi fantasy adventure where good always triumphs. Star Trek is so much more than that tired genre. The episodes can leave you uneasy, joyous, contemplative, laughing, scared, and maybe, even, a bit turned on.
I began Star Trek with The Original Series (TOS), the campy, yet epic, beginning from 1966. Upon realizing what the show represented, wild “what if” scenarios, emphasis on speeches, avoidance of conflict, and a low bar for visual effects, I was hooked. I moved on to Lower Decks, an ongoing series that aired fifty-plus years after TOS. By the time I started Deep Space Nine (DS9), my favorite series so far, I was so hooked that I had to shout it to the world. Currently, I’m finishing The Next Generation.
If you’re craving new content to binge, consider that it would take around four weeks to watch all of the Star Trek TV shows, without taking any pee breaks. That means I haven’t come anywhere close to watching all of Star Trek, even after obsessively binging for six months. DS9 alone has 176 episodes. Currently, there are 14 series of Star Trek, 13 movies, and two new series on the way. TOS, The Next Generation (TNG), DS9 and more are available on Netflix worldwide.
Keep reading if you want to know why Star Trek meant so much to me during a time of war, or if you need more convincing to watch one of the greatest series of all time.
KIRK: Your creator is dead. You have mistaken me for him. You are in error. You did not discover your mistake. You have made two errors. You are flawed and imperfect and you have not corrected by sterilization. You have made three errors.NOMAD: Error. Error. Error. Examine.Why It Matters
If you only know Star Trek from pop-culture references, like Futurama, Community, or whichever else, you may have missed the deeper philosophy woven into the show. Star Trek constantly explores ethical dilemmas, pitting collective versus individual, deont. versus util, moral relativism versus universal ethics, and spirituality (faith) versus science (evidence). Our heroes frequently rely on the Harm principle, creative military tactics, and speculative science to solve the seemingly impossible. Star Trek fans debate over the Primary Directive.
In 2024, the world feels overwhelmed by depression, addiction, and endless scapegoating. Both ultra-conservatives and ultra-liberals engage in vicious rhetoric, blaming one another for societal collapse. Propaganda infiltrates at-risk communities, even glorifying suicide as a heroic escape (see The Guardian and Russian social media posts glorifying Aaron Bushnell). Messages of resilience—like those found in Star Trek—are more important than ever. No matter how dire the situation, we must march forward. Fear is human, but to surrender is not an option. We don’t need to just applaud our healthcare workers and teachers. We need to applaud ourselves, and keep moving no matter the odds against us.
A few days ago, around 3:30 AM, a drone exploded three blocks from my home. The blast shook my building, knocking pictures off the wall. Yet, I had work the next day. So, by 4:00 AM, I was back asleep, just like my neighbors. This mentality is essential for millions who have to focus on mental well-being, despite living in war-torn areas. We know that giving up on our ambitions is the greatest threat. Resilience is key to survival. Nobody embodies resilience like the heroes in Star Trek. Interspatial wars are just another day for them.
Some cynics may chalk this work ethic up to the horrors of capitalism. However, Star Trek presents a future where money is largely unnecessary (due to technology like replicators). Even in a post-scarcity society, both non-Capitalistic Earthlings and the ultra-capitalist Ferengi find reasons to press forward. The key lesson is that we must go forward… "where no one has gone before."
Picard: Shall I tell you what true evil is? It is to submit to you. It is when we surrender our friends, our dignity, instead of defying you.DS9 Parallels to the Israel-Islamist War
Deep Space Nine (DS9) offers a unique reflection on war and post-war ethics. It is deeply symbolic, with the heroes working for the Federation, an idealistic allegory for liberal values—much like a utopian version of the U.S. Despite this utopian veneer, the Federation often finds itself in brutal wars. These wars showcase the show’s real strength: the moral complexity of war and peace.
Nobody wants war.
I will repeat it again for the virtue signallers: Nobody. Wants. War.
Living through war myself, I found DS9 to be incredibly relevant. There are no easy answers when survival is on the line. Even the most principled people are forced to defend themselves by way of power. Like the Federation, Israelis and Jews do not seek war. We simply have no choice but to fight back when our lives are threatened. Star Trek reflects this hard truth: there is imperfection of ethics in times of war.
To make this comparison even grander, consider that DS9 purposefully parallels post-World War II realities, blending real world cultures into different alien species. People tend to know the Cardassians represent the Nazis, while Bajorans represent recently liberated Jews. There are endless clues: Bajoran emphasize civility, peace, trials, and have mixed feelings over an ancient religion, while finding importance in its rites.
Despite all the horrors that the Bajorans faced under Caradassian rule, an even more evil enemy comes: The Dominion. The Dominion are an expansionist and totalitarian regime, like the various Islamist factions that threaten the Jewish people today. They emphasize a death culture, like Hamas, PIJ, ISIL, Hezbolla, Islamist State, Houtis etc. They claim divine righteousness but focuse solely on building weapons and asserting dominance, even at a cost to their own people. No matter the pleas from rational actors for peace, The Dominion/Islamist groups crave unlimited power. They kill for petty reasons. For both the Dominion and these real-world death cults, human life is secondary to the pursuit of power. Surrendering means suffering.
Despite all the horrors the Dominion/Islamists have done to my people, I just feel bad for them. They’re born to die and they scream it proudly. Their leaders, their so-called supporters, encourage death any chance they get. It’s naive to do anything but listen when they preach a hierarchical system which leads to endless persecution and civil rights abuses, culminating in their own people and leaders defecting. Despite all this, despite people seeing that the life under Dominion/Islamist rule is pure horror, they still receive support under a fantasy of complete submission.
Side note on the moron take that Bajorans represent Palestinians:
There are people who insist Bajorans represent “Palestinians.” I don’t buy it. Yes, the show writers have alleged multiple Bajorans inspiration, but I can not believe that Palestinians were one of them.
Consider that Bajorans suffered under Cardassian occupation. They were not the people who supported them.
Consider how often DS9 begs Bajorans to forgive their oppressers. When have anti-Israel groups called for forgiveness for their alleged enemies?
Further, the Palestine narrative was more clearly tackled in TNG, as well as how the Federation feels about the Palestine narrative.
[Spoilers ahead]:
1. In TNG’s “The Ensigns of Command,” Data makes an entire speech mocking a people for sacrificing their lives for land. The Federation and Bajorans clearly value life over death. So do the Bajorans. So do Jews. Palestine rhetoric is explicit about valuing death and martyrdom. Palestine is a movement of insisting your life is less important than fighting for land, an abhorent idea.
2. In TNG’s “The High Ground“ the Ansata people represent a popular terrorist group, much like the IRA (the episode was banned in the UK) or Palestinians. Ansata blow up busses and reaks havoc on cvilians. I don’t know whether Ansata intentionally near rhymes with intifada, the period known for terrorists blowing up busses and reaking havoc on civilians. Maybe it’s a coincidence! But we do know the Ansata praise death, while their enemies, The Rutians, praise life. An Ansata leader even says, “A dead marty is worth 10 posturing leaders.”
Unfortuanately, to make the Israel-Palestine comparison even clearer in “The High Ground,” the episode takes a stance of ambiguity. They don’t simply say that terrorizing civilians for ambigious reasons is wrong. To stay PC, The Federation first says it’s not their place to get too involved with the conflict. And yet the Federation does favor the Rutians, giving them more aid. They become willing to support the Ansata as well. But in return, the Ansata take Federation members hostage. We even see the Ansata rely on child soldiers, which you’d think the Federation could easily respond, “Hey that’s really f-d up!” At least the episode has a Riker quote, “Maybe the end begins with one boy putting down his gun,” which may have been inspired by the famous Golda Meir line, "If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence.”
Diane Duane: When governments murder those who speak the truth, it is time to get new governments.Exploration vs Colonialism
One of the most intriguing points of contention surrounding Star Trek is its depiction of space exploration. In today’s world, exploration, and even alliances, are sometimes criticized as colonialism in disguise. The Russian invasion of Ukraine began with complaints of NATO. Modern discussions often challenge the ethics of venturing into new territories, suggesting it is inherently tied to conquest. However, I believe Star Trek portrays exploration as something far more noble and necessary. Exploration is key to life.
Exploration in Star Trek represents curiosity and pursuit of knowledge. The crew of the Starships don’t seek to exploit new worlds; they seek to learn and build. Radicals call the Federation’s mission “colonialism,” despite their emphasis of diplomacy, respect for different cultures, and the avoidance of violence.
Exploration of science, space, and ideas is actually a moral imperative. History has shown that new frontiers can lead to progress and cultural evolution, raising life spans. As a Jew and an Israeli, I see the importance of exploration for survival. After all, Israel began with a population of Arab state dimmis, people left to rot in concentration camps and others who only lived thanks to their pursuits. The quarter of Israel’s founders who came from the concentration camps they were left in had no choice, no UNWRA, and no perfect allies. These people rebuilt a desert by exploring new possibilities, not through conquest, but through resilience and innovation. They tried to make peace with their Arab neighbors over and over.
There are probably some Star Trek fans rooting for the Dominion and Hamas, the underdogs who represent anti-Western values. They ignore oppression within the societies they champion. Those who lack a community of their own simply lack a moral compass, unable to imagine different cultures united, seeking knowledge, and fostering mutual respect.
Exploration and trust lead to invention and alliences.
Spock: Change is the essential process of all existence.Technology in Star Trek
One of the most captivating elements of Star Trek is its futuristic technology, from replicators to transporters, devices that could only arise from exploration. While some of this technology seems far-fetched, the thought experiments it inspires are deeply philosophical. What does it mean to transport someone across space? Is the person who arrives the same as the one who left?
We’ve seen glimpses of Star Trek’s technological future in our world today. We travel faster. Rich people fly to outerspace. 3D printers resemble replicators, offering a future where we can create necessities like food, clothes, or even medical devices. Modern science might scoff at changing energy to permanent matter, until we find a way. “3D printed martinis” are closer than we think.
I can only imagine if Israel, or any country facing conflict, had access to Star Trek technology—it could revolutionize the way we handle humanitarian crises. The phaser, for example, could allow us to neutralize threats without lethal force, providing a solution to many of today’s violent conflicts. The best option today was to put explosives in pagers that were deliberately given to militants only. Imagine if instead Israel, or your local police, had an option to neutralize someone without hurting them. Imagine we could beam people in and out of areas. Imagine we could pose zero risk to their surrounding of a threat, something Star Trek doesn’t even pretend is possible.
That said, Star Trek also warns against over-reliance on technology. The Federation uses advanced tech for nearly every aspect of life, but even they face ethical dilemmas about its consequences. Low tech species can defeat more advanced species. The message is clear: technology can aid us, but we must never let it dictate our humanity.
Captain Sisko: Muñiz, the runabout crew, your soldiers, they’d all still be alive if we had trusted each other.Star Trek’s Vision of the Future
The most enduring lesson from Star Trek is its vision of a future where diplomacy, unity, and curiosity triumph over violence. The Federation of Planets is a beacon of hope, an ideal model for global governance. Instead of creating new nations that fuel conflict, we should strive for unification. Alliances like the EU and the UAE offer glimpses of how cooperation can provide safety and progress.
Peace is not achieved through pogroms or splitting land right in two. It comes from cooperation and compromise.
Again, Star Trek solves conflict through speeches, trade, and diplomacy, rather than brute force. When violence does occur, it is presented as a tragic but necessary last resort. This is a lesson we must apply today: true strength lies not in our ability to destroy but in our capacity to unite. Strong leaders allow their people to dissent and protest, and they don’t kill their own without trial.
In the two-part DS9 episode Past Tense, which takes place in August 2024, the show eerily predicts social and political issues we face today. The episode focused on how the U.S. mishandles homelessness and psychiatric disorders, and the way political elites attempt to ignore systemic problems. The episode’s core message, however, is the importance of peaceful protest and the use of communication networks to raise awareness over situations. In today’s world, where social media can shape global opinion, Star Trek reminds us of the importance of empathy and action. Those who insist on violent means to get what they want miss the point.
Commander Sisko: Dying gets you off the hook. Question is, are you willing to live for your people, live the role they want you to play?"Unused Quotes and Images
Rules of Acquisition: Sometimes the only thing more dangerous than a question is an answer.Spock: We will find hope in the impossible.Picard: It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness; that is life.Crusher: My thoughts created this universe. Can they get me out of it again?
Computer: That information is not available.
Crusher: I'm not talking to you.Data: Do you consider your position so weak that it cannot withstand debate?Rom: Have Doctor Bashir examine you when he gets back from the Gamma Quadrant!
Quark: Bashir? How good could he be? He doesn’t even charge.Rom: When you see how much your body is worth, you're gonna wish you died years ago.Sloan: Doctor, you've been a beacon of light to me. You're living proof that ideology is a poor substitute for kindness and decency, and that at the end of the day, it's our actions, not our beliefs, that define who we are.Lower Decks: They put a paywall on a bomb?!Relevant Images and Memes
Star Trek inspired many a meme. Too many to share. Here’s just a few faves:
Sisko IS the best cap'n and it is not up for debate. He is The Sisko.
