Star Trek & Star Wars: Sci-Fi Titans Compared

Star Trek & Star Wars - those star spawned sagas shadow each other like a cloaked Romulan Warbird trailing Bobba Fett's bounty hunter ship Slave One

As a science fiction fan and writer, I'm inevitably asked which I like better. For someone like myself who penned episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, the answer may be obvious. However, long before I was in the credits of a Star Trek episode, I preferred seeing the Starship Enterprise go into warp to watching the Millennium Falcon burst into hyperspace.

There's no denying George Lucas created fantastic characters. Of course there's also no denying that Gene Roddenberry created his universe first. Star Trek blazed a trail in entertainment and pop culture so fiery, it's still felt today in every aspect of media. That legacy of influence can be felt in TV, film, novels, comic books, video games and now even fan produced episodes and featured length movies.

All the media success is great, however there's a more fundamental, more intellectual facet which not only sets itself apart from Star Wars, but from nearly every other sci-fi themed entity around.

Star Trek brims with deep philosophy.

Now, you may argue that Star Wars contains philosophy in the famous Jedi Knights. These laser sword wielding warriors strut around in flowing robes talking about the "Force." On the surface, they seem to have philosophy. Yoda, one of the oldest and wisest teachers waxes philosophically about how the Force is his ally and how powerful it is for him. However, when Yoda launches into a savage sword fight with Count Dooku in Attack of the Clones, where is his philosophy? Does the Force and Jedi Philosophy only become effective in combat? Is there no peaceful way of utilizing the Force?

With Star Trek, there's Vulcan philosophy, Klingon philosophy, Bajoran philosophy - you even have Borg Philosophy. IDIC. It's a Good Day To Die. Resistance Is Futile. This promotes Vulcan ideas of the infinite diversity and respect for life, the Klingon notion of fighting for honor and the Borg totalitarian mind set of assimilation being inevitable. Now Klingons and Borg may not be the greatest role models, but their respective philosophies speak volumes about their race's culture and evolution. Klingons love combat - it's the air they breathe, the blood wine they drink. Borg seek perfection - it's the neural energy that feeds total domination of all species they encounter.

These are potent intellectual exercises in the ways humans, cities, nations or even worlds operate in our own reality. We can use these lessons in sociology, political science and even in psychology. College courses around the nation are not only taught with Star Trek's examples, but sometimes focus solely on Gene Roddenberry's universe of ideas. Star Trek deals in complex philosophy and diplomacy - something as far as I see is usually lacking in Star Wars.

The flash of Star Wars is fun. But like choosing between a quick deli sandwich or fast food concoction compared to a nutritious full course meal, the surface sizzle can never match the deep, mental and philosophical stimulation found in Star Trek.

A War or A Trek? That's easy. I prefer a journey of discovery and adventure trek over a war every time