The Importance of One

One of the great Star Trek axioms is the need of the many outweighs the needs of the few or the one. The quote does not originate with Star Trek Mythology. It has origin in the time of the gospels and Aristotle. This article will share the importance of one.

Spock's mother spoke to him of his flawed human friends after they saved his life. She told him, "They have decided the needs of the one outweighed the needs of the many by saving you. Axioms always have reciprocals.

Over the years, Star Trek has been good to me. Nichelle Nichols (Uhura) asked me out while I passed through her autograph line. Yes, that was a divine moment.

I met James Doohan (Scotty). I spent an afternoon with GeorgeTakei (Mr.Sulu) and Walter Koenig (Chekov) from Classic Star Trek.

From the Next Generation, I have met Marina Sirtis (Counselor Deanna Troi). From Star Trek Deep Space Nine, I have met Nana Visitor (Major Kira) and Terry Farrel (Lt. DAX). From Star Trek Voyager, I have met Jennifer Lien (Kes).

In the early 90's, I became involved with a Star Trek Fan Club that asked me to organize a local group where I lived in Delaware, Ohio. We called our group, The Delstar and had more than 100 members over five years.

The Delstar hosted MLK Celebrations because Dr. King was a Star Trek Fan. In October of 1992, we hosted a Star Trek Convention with Carolyn Clowes, author of the Star Trek Novel, The Pandora Principle, as our special guest.

There was one even more special guest, Julie Riessecker. Julie was a young woman living with disabilities. She lived in a long term care facility in Northwestern Ohio. Julie had the wish to attend. Nursing personnel where Julie lived contacted me before the convention of her wish.

On the day of the convention, Julie was rolled in with her entourage. She inspired us. We all shared a love for a world idea beyond our own. Star Trek while a dream future was one we were trying to make our reality in our time, Station Rain Nest Eden.

Julie loved Star Trek. She loved us and we loved her. We provided her a moment to remember and she did for us as well. The convention was fun and the Delstar had carried the Start Trek intention higher in our community.

High happy moments are sometime followed by experiences of sadness. Just weeks later, I would receive a letter from the facility where Julie had lived. She had developed pneumonia shortly afterwards and had not recovered.

When her belongings were being organized, they found a card she had prepared for me that she never got to mail. They wrote to me of how she had never been happier than on her return from the convention.

It was a moment to stop, cry, and give thanks. When I shared this at the next meeting of the Delstar, we all took a moment for silent reflection. We were a spiritual group and held some of our celebrations in churches wearing costumes and regalia. We were the Delstar.

Aristotle, in his "The Aim of Man" said of the highest good, "Even supposing the chief good to be eventually the aim for the individual as for the state, that of the state is evidently of greater and more fundamental importance both to attain and to preserve. The securing of one individual's good is cause for rejoicing, but to secure the good of a nation or of a city-state is nobler and more divine."

I do not take issue with Ari. I understand the concept of the greater good and sometimes the greater good reflects the importance of one.