The Star Trek Syndrome

[Skyblade]

When Star Trek: The Next Generation came out, it introduced the Prime Directive, which is essentially a stance of non interference when relating to "lesser" cultures. Since then, it has shown up time and again in various television shows, most recently in Stargate: SG-1. It was my viewing it in SG-1 that has prompted me to write this rant.

With power, comes responsibility. The greater the power, the greater the responsibility. If Fred is about to kill George, and Bob is the only person who can stop it, than would it not be evil for Bob to let Fred kill George? Of course it is. Why then should the rules be suspended with the acquisition of more power? They aren't. In fact, the more power Bob has, the greater Bob's responsibility to use that power to benefit others. There are three main excuses supporting this, yet both are inherently flawed.

The first is that "we don't have the right to play god". This is true, but the fact is that you don't have any choice in the matter. Whether Bob lets Fred kill George or he stops Fred, he is deciding their fate either way. Refusing to act is still playing god. Whether you let a madman slaughter hundreds or stop him, are you not responsible in some way for the outcome?

The second is that "it might destroy their culture". Quite frankly, so what? Did you ever stop to consider that maybe their culture should be changed? Some cultures include ritual sacrifice. Other cultures include slavery. Should we just let those continue as well? Also, perhaps they would rather have a longer life, better food, and more luxuries than keep their culture. Should you really care more about their culture than they do?

The third and final one is "it might have reprecussions that we can't forsee". Guess what? So might sitting on your @$$ doing nothing. You can't forsee everything that's going to happen. Maybe the people that you are refusing to help because of your "enlightened" position of non-interference will survive, and eventually turn around and blast you off the face of existance for being a bunch of stuck up, self centered, amoral b@$+@rds. You can't take into account every possible path that the future will take, so why not help out?

That's about it for now. Feel free to post any views you have on the subject.

[look_out_below]

First have you actually watched much of SG-1 they are always interferring with other people's business and are always handing out supplies (medical and military) and getting involved in other planets wars.

Maybe you should look at this website (http://soc.enotes.com/third-world-article). It is about the impact on first world nations on third world countries which shows why interfernce of more advanced cultures in less advanced should be limited.

[Rye]

I thought this thread would be about Trekkies. ;______;

[Skyblade]

First have you actually watched much of SG-1 they are always interferring with other people's business and are always handing out supplies (medical and military) and getting involved in other planets wars.

Maybe you should look at this website (http://soc.enotes.com/third-world-article). It is about the impact on first world nations on third world countries which shows why interfernce of more advanced cultures in less advanced should be limited.

I was referring to the stance of the Ancients in SG-1 (and that of almost all the "advanced" cultures they meet, for that matter), actually.

That's a very interesting essay. It seems to support my point. The only arguments against interfering with Third World countries either have no evidence backing them up, such as this one:

According to Mehmet, the development theories proffered by Western economists have created “the slums and urban poverty that are now the dismal realities of many Third World cities.”
Or are arguing that some traditional institutes, organizations, and customs would be destroyed, which is a topic I already discussed.

Oh, one other large supporter of that idea that I forgot to mention: Harry Potter. The wizards there also have the non-intervention position.

[Gopher Gamble]

Then would the people of SS Enterprise also have to police the galaxy? Because if they're always trying to save the day evertime something goes bad on one certain planet they'd never get anything else done. By you're logic since you have some power you should deticate every minute of your life helping people. I do what I can but people have to stand on they're own two feet as well.

BTW are there many trekkies here?

[fire_of_avalon]

They break that rule in First Contact.

[Gopher Gamble]

They break that rule all over the place! Sometimes it doesn't even come up and that makes me so mad!