“I Believe in Humanity”: The Defiant Optimism of Gene Roddenberry

by Thomas F. Walker

Gene Roddenberry (in red suit) with members of the Star Trek cast and NASA officials at the 1975 unveiling of the Space Shuttle Enterprise.

Thousands of people—entrepreneurs, scientists, activists, diplomats, even astronauts—thank one TV series for inspiring them to pursue those careers: Star Trek.^[1] I count myself among that number; Star Trek inspired …