I’m currently watching the original Star Trek series. I once again understand why it was so popular, and why so many series and movies followed (aside from the latest, that is).

The stories were solid, the special effects still largely hold up (even if they are dated), it never preached, and it gave us a positive view of the future and humanity at large.

It also encouraged so many young people to desire to leap into space and develop technologies (such as cellphones) we now take for granted.

Some might claim we’ll never attain the peace Roddenberry dreamed of and hoped for, and they are correct. We’re too flawed. Too selfish. Too greedy.

It’s still nice to dream, though, and Star Trek gave us that dream.