Big Think: George Takei

From the clip recap:

Actor, activist, prolific meme-generator, and cultural icon George Takei graces Big Think with his presence today in this powerful 5-minute clip. Takei explores Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry's ambitious and progressive vision for the future: "Roddenberry felt that the Enterprise was a metaphor for starship earth and the strength of this starship lay in its diversity." We also learn that Takei's character, Sulu, represented a united Asia free of the many strifes Roddenberry witnessed during the 20th century. Takei tells us how the name "Sulu" came about; it's an incredibly inspirational story. Finally, Takei explains the now-glaring omission of gay and lesbian characters from Roddenberry's progressive Enterprise. In short, it was the 1960's and the biracial kiss between Uhura and Kirk nearly sank the show. Roddenberry knew there were limits to what the public would tolerate and he couldn't risk losing his platform for social commentary by testing them. Thankfully, as Takei notes, times have changed quite a bit since then in so many ways. And Star Trek and Gene Roddenberry are partly responsible.

Cruz: Captain Kirk Is A Republican

"Let me do a little psychoanalysis. If you look at Star Trek: The Next Generation, it basically split James T. Kirk into two people. Picard was Kirk’s rational side, and William Riker was his passionate side. I prefer a complete captain. To be effective, you need both heart and mind. The original Star Trek was grittier. Kirk is working class; Picard is an aristocrat. Kirk is a passionate fighter for justice; Picard is a cerebral philosopher. The original Star Trek pressed for racial equality, which was one of its best characteristics, but it did so without sermonizing. I think it is quite likely that Kirk is a Republican and Picard is a Democrat." - Ted Cruz, speaking to New York Times Magazine.

Which is Nerdier: Star Wars or Star Trek?

I vote for Star Trek. In a good way.

It Takeis Two - Episode Two

NASA Pays Tribute To Leonard Nimoy

From NASA: "Astronaut Terry Virts captured this photo from the International Space Station flying over Boston, where Leonard Nimoy was born. #RIPLeonardNimoy"

Leonard Nimoy Dies At Age 83

Via the New York Times:

Leonard Nimoy, the sonorous, gaunt-faced actor who won a worshipful global following as Mr. Spock, the resolutely logical human-alien first officer of the Starship Enterprise in the television and movie juggernaut “Star Trek,” died on Friday morning at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles. He was 83. His wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, confirmed his death, saying the cause was end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Mr. Nimoy announced last year that he had the disease, which he attributed to years of smoking, a habit he had given up three decades earlier. He had been hospitalized earlier in the week. His artistic pursuits — poetry, photography and music in addition to acting — ranged far beyond the United Federation of Planets, but it was as Mr. Spock that Mr. Nimoy became a folk hero, bringing to life one of the most indelible characters of the last half century: a cerebral, unflappable, pointy-eared Vulcan with a signature salute and blessing: “Live long and prosper” (from the Vulcan “Dif-tor heh smusma”).

Engage!

Via Reddit: "I proposed to my boyfriend yesterday on the bridge of the Enterprise, he said yes and I couldn't be happier." (Tipped by JMG reader Ray)

TRAILER: To Be Takei

Movie recap:

A hilarious and moving look at legendary actor, activist and pop culture icon George Takei, who has conquered new frontiers from outer space to Capitol Hill with his trademark grin. Oh, my! Director: Jennifer M. Kroot. Actors: George Takei, Brad Takei, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols, Howard Stern, Dan Savage, Walter Koenig.

The film opens on August 22nd.

Tweets Of The Day

Captain Picard - Let It Snow

Shut up, Wesley.

Eau My: George Takei Launches Fragrance

George Takei has launched a fragrance line called, of course, Eau My.

Takei, famous for his role as Sulu on "Star Trek", as well as his more recent role as an Internet-conquering social-media star, has joined the ranks of Bruce Willis and One Direction by offering his own branded perfume. The spray-on cologne is dubbed "Eau My," a punny reference to his catchphrase, "Oh myyyyy." Takei teased fans, asking them to guess the name of the new fragrance. His Facebook followers offered up some real gems, including "Old Space," "Takei Me Now," and "Red Shirt." The cologne is described as having the following laundry list of smells: mandarin zest, Italian bergamot, fresh ozone, night-blooming jasmine, white freesia petals, sensual woods, crystallized amber, soft skin musk, and vetiver. This should help freshen up your tribbles. Naturally, Eau My is available for preorder through Amazon, the site Takei often frequents to leave funny reviews of products ranging from yodeling pickles to the "Best of David Hasselhoff" CD.

Eau My retails for $40. (Tipped by JMG reader Paul)

Size Comparisons Of Sci-Fi Spaceships

Source. Huge version. I actually recognize about 20 of these.

William Shatner Vs George Takei

Gay Sci-Fi Author David Gerrold Slams Orson Scott Card Over "Tolerance" Plea

"After twenty years of despicably virulent homophobia, no. This is just another detestable characterization of LGBT people -- that we are intolerant. Intolerant? Of people who want to lock us up, put us in concentration camps, deny us our civil rights? Intolerant? Are you fucking kidding me? You want me to be tolerant, Scott? First be one of those people who understands. Or to put it bluntly -- get your fucking foot off my neck, then we'll talk tolerance. [snip]

"Our nation was founded on the idea that 'we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men (people) are created equal, endowed with certain inalienable rights -- and that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.' Your public statements, Orson Scott Card, put you on the wrong side of that declaration. Until you recognize that your public utterances have been at the service of bigotry and prejudice, there can be no redemption for you in the eyes of the LGBT community. Or anyone else, for that matter." - Famed science fiction writer David Gerrold, writing on his Facebook page.  Hit the link and read his full rant, it's worth your time. (Tipped by JMG reader Homer)

RELATED: If you are unfamiliar with Gerrold's work, check out his Wikipedia entry. He wrote The Trouble With Tribbles!

TRAILER: Star Trek, The Ultimate Saga

All twelve movies in one clip. Pretty cool. Further proof of the adage that "even numbered Star Treks don't suck" can be found in the current movie's reviews.

Wil Wheaton Vs Tea Party

Former Star Trek: The Next Generation actor Wil Wheaton has a massive online following and yesterday he made the above comment to his 2.2M fans on Twitter, directing them to a hashtag used by Tea Party fans.  (#TCOT = top conservatives on Twitter.)  Michelle Malkin's Twitchy responded in their characteristic fashion.

Star Trek: TNG - The Blooper Reel

Unlike the "ex-gays," this does make them more lovable. Ten minutes of pure silliness and just released on the latest Blu-Ray compilation.

George Takei For Obama

Patrick Stewart Vs Time-Warner Cable

A spokesman for Time-Warner responds: "Our Care and Social Media teams are fully engaged to make sure he's well tended to. On behalf of the many Trekkers and Sir Patrick Stewart fans across our company, I can assure you, we will make it so."

Star Trek Went To Mayberry

Tech/sci-fi site IO9 has posted an item titled 10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Star Trek. Here's my favorite:

Star Trek visited Mayberry... twice. The show was so broke, it reused tons of outdoor sets from The Andy Griffith Show, particularly in the episodes "Miri" and "City on the Edge of Forever." You can actually see Floyd's Barber Shop, where Andy regularly got his hair cut, in the background of scenes where Captain Kirk is walking along with Edith Keeler [Joan Collins]. You can also see the Mayberry Courthouse, Walkers Drugstore and several other major landmarks quite prominently in both episodes.

As "City" is one of my favorite episodes, I'm quite surprised that I never noticed the Mayberry set in the at least 100 times I've watched it.

RELATED: The title of the coming 12th Star Trek movie is Star Trek Into Darkness. It will be released in May and openly gay actor Zachary Quinto will return as Spock.