Steve C
05-21-2006, 11:26 PM
In 'Cosmic Trigger I' Robert Anton Wilson Writes of how the 8 circuit model of consciousness he developed with Tim Leary is represented in the television show Star Trek:
Star Trek is a better guide to the emerging reality than anything in the New York Review of Books. The life-support and defense-system engineer Scotty (circuit I), the emotional-sentimental Dr.McCoy (circuit II), the logical science-officer Mr.Spock (circuit III), and the alternately paternalistic and romantic Captain Kirk (circuit IV) are perpetually voyaging through our future neurological history and encountering circuit V, VI,VII and VIII intelligences, however crudely presented.This got me thinking of how there is a new level of allegory to be explored in Star Trek: The New Generation. It's been about 15 years since I've watched the show, and I haven't paid any attention to the subsequent spinoff series, but a couple of elements stand out in my mind.
In the new Enterprise, the role of Kirk seems to be divided between the classically paternal Captain Picard and his more romantically inclined first officer Riker. The role of Mr. Spock is replaced by the comically logical android Data, who also represents one of humanity's highest technological achievements. Dr. McCoy is replaced by the compassionate Dr. Crusher, the chief engineer by 'What's- his-name', the Celtic guy.
It would take someone more familiar with Wilson and Learys model and more a Trekkie then I to expand this idea competely. But a couple of things that stand out in my mind as I read the last few pages of Daniel latest book are the recurring encounters the crew have with the trans-humanist Borg and also with the master of time and reality 'Q', who seems to delight in occasionally toying with and educating the crew. I always wondered if Q was supposed to an abbreviation of something...
Interestingly, in the new generation, the humble, empathic Diana Troy is always a crucial element in any challenges that the crew face.
Trippy show when you think about it, even when you don't consider Rodenberry's involvment with the NINE channeled by Uri Geller. Live long and prosper =) and please post any comments or ideas you may have.
[ May 22, 2006, 12:57 AM: Message edited by: Steve C ]
Star Trek is a better guide to the emerging reality than anything in the New York Review of Books. The life-support and defense-system engineer Scotty (circuit I), the emotional-sentimental Dr.McCoy (circuit II), the logical science-officer Mr.Spock (circuit III), and the alternately paternalistic and romantic Captain Kirk (circuit IV) are perpetually voyaging through our future neurological history and encountering circuit V, VI,VII and VIII intelligences, however crudely presented.This got me thinking of how there is a new level of allegory to be explored in Star Trek: The New Generation. It's been about 15 years since I've watched the show, and I haven't paid any attention to the subsequent spinoff series, but a couple of elements stand out in my mind.
In the new Enterprise, the role of Kirk seems to be divided between the classically paternal Captain Picard and his more romantically inclined first officer Riker. The role of Mr. Spock is replaced by the comically logical android Data, who also represents one of humanity's highest technological achievements. Dr. McCoy is replaced by the compassionate Dr. Crusher, the chief engineer by 'What's- his-name', the Celtic guy.
It would take someone more familiar with Wilson and Learys model and more a Trekkie then I to expand this idea competely. But a couple of things that stand out in my mind as I read the last few pages of Daniel latest book are the recurring encounters the crew have with the trans-humanist Borg and also with the master of time and reality 'Q', who seems to delight in occasionally toying with and educating the crew. I always wondered if Q was supposed to an abbreviation of something...
Interestingly, in the new generation, the humble, empathic Diana Troy is always a crucial element in any challenges that the crew face.
Trippy show when you think about it, even when you don't consider Rodenberry's involvment with the NINE channeled by Uri Geller. Live long and prosper =) and please post any comments or ideas you may have.
[ May 22, 2006, 12:57 AM: Message edited by: Steve C ]