Ep275 - Nicholas Meyer | Star Trek and The Science of Optimism

What is it about Star Trek that has proved so durable - not to say indestructible? Over half a century after its unpromising beginnings, how and why has Star Trek expanded and captured the imaginations and hearts of so many adherents, many of whom have gone onto distinguished careers in space exploration, working for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Nasa, SpaceX, and Blue Origin?

In 1981, Nicholas Meyer was something less than a true believer when he was asked to direct the troubled second Star Trek film, The Wrath of Khan. Already a bestselling author and successful director, he had never been a fan of the TV series. But as he began to ponder the appeal of Kirk & Spock’s adventures, he realized that their story was a classical nautical tale transplanted into space - armed with that insight, he set out on his mission: to revitalize Star Trek.

Originally published in April of 2019.

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