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Who else noticed that the warp trail behind the the Enterprise in Strange New Worlds intro sequence is a spectrum of colors?

Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. Gene Roddenberry originated the IDIC philosophy as a Vulcan belief: "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations represents a Vulcan belief that beauty, growth, progress -- all result from the union of the unlike. Concord, as much as discord, requires the presence of at least two different notes."

DeviantArt’s focus for this month is on the long-standing tradition of art as a political statement to benefit the equal rights movement. And I can think of few other mediums for progressive change and political commentary than science-fiction. And that goes double for Star Trek. Ever since September 8, 1966 when Desilu Productions and CBS Pictures aired Star Trek on television, the franchise has sought to push the boundaries of entertainment and political expression to be more inclusive of people of all stripes. To show the world that the future of humanity doesn't have to be grim and bleak. That we can rise from the threat of nuclear war to become better than we are.

And that writing tradition has continued on to today. Writers and show producers had to fight studio executives in order to push this positive narrative against the bigotries of the times. From the TOS episode "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" that focused on race relations, to TNG's episode "The Outcast" which took on the subject of gender roles and gender identity. The expression of a lesbian relationship between Kira and Jadzia in Mirror Universe in the Deep Space Nine episode "Rejoined". The Star Trek: Enterprise episode "“The Cogenitor" featured another non-binary alien who took on the name Charles after their friendship with Commander Tucker.

Though sadly, Voyager and Enterprise writers had their own battles against producer Rick Berman who continuously shot down any overt effort to bring about actual queer representation to either show. But that wouldn't deter future writers from picking up the torch and carrying it forward. J.J. Abrams writers for Star Trek Beyond would pay tribute to actor George Takei by showing Hikaru Sulu (played by John Cho) having a happy reunion with his husband and daughter. A brief scene, but a memorable one.

Today's NuTrek (which some would state starts with Abram's alt-timeline version) continues this tradition of pushing social boundaries in Discovery, Picard, and Strange New Worlds. Without the shackles of past taboos and censorships, they are able to bring us an ever greater and diverse cast of characters. Showing us that we are all better when we recognize Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations.

Model and image © Liz Gibbs
Star Trek, Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds © CBS Corporation
Used without permission

Description
Who else noticed that the warp trail behind the the Enterprise in Strange New Worlds intro sequence is a spectrum of colors?

Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. Gene Roddenberry originated the IDIC philosophy as a Vulcan belief: "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations represents a Vulcan belief that beauty, growth, progress -- all result from the union of the unlike. Concord, as much as discord, requires the presence of at least two different notes."

DeviantArt’s focus for this month is on the long-standing tradition of art as a political statement to benefit the equal rights movement. And I can think of few other mediums for progressive change and political commentary than science-fiction. And that goes double for Star Trek. Ever since September 8, 1966 when Desilu Productions and CBS Pictures aired Star Trek on television, the franchise has sought to push the boundaries of entertainment and political expression to be more inclusive of people of all stripes. To show the world that the future of humanity doesn't have to be grim and bleak. That we can rise from the threat of nuclear war to become better than we are.

And that writing tradition has continued on to today. Writers and show producers had to fight studio executives in order to push this positive narrative against the bigotries of the times. From the TOS episode "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" that focused on race relations, to TNG's episode "The Outcast" which took on the subject of gender roles and gender identity. The expression of a lesbian relationship between Kira and Jadzia in Mirror Universe in the Deep Space Nine episode "Rejoined". The Star Trek: Enterprise episode "“The Cogenitor" featured another non-binary alien who took on the name Charles after their friendship with Commander Tucker.

Though sadly, Voyager and Enterprise writers had their own battles against producer Rick Berman who continuously shot down any overt effort to bring about actual queer representation to either show. But that wouldn't deter future writers from picking up the torch and carrying it forward. J.J. Abrams writers for Star Trek Beyond would pay tribute to actor George Takei by showing Hikaru Sulu (played by John Cho) having a happy reunion with his husband and daughter. A brief scene, but a memorable one.

Today's NuTrek (which some would state starts with Abram's alt-timeline version) continues this tradition of pushing social boundaries in Discovery, Picard, and Strange New Worlds. Without the shackles of past taboos and censorships, they are able to bring us an ever greater and diverse cast of characters. Showing us that we are all better when we recognize Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations.

Model and image © Liz Gibbs
Star Trek, Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds © CBS Corporation
Used without permission