Questions Only V: Where's The Beef?

[RJDiogenes]

Might they be highly advanced, yet still incompetent?

[scottydog]

That's true! Just think of Star Trek's weekly holodeck malfunctions

So I still think that the fermi paradox is best explained by advanced civilizations' tendency to self-destruct. Do you think I'm at least partially right?

[RJDiogenes]

It's possible, but aren't the vast distances between stars and the rarity of intelligent life enough of an explanation?

[scottydog]

What's the definition of 'intelligent life'? Given the last 4 years, how in the world do we qualify?

[RJDiogenes]

The human race has produced individuals that range from Martin Luther King to Adolph Hitler, and from Leonardo da Vinci to Donald Trump-- do you think alien species will produce that level of diversity?

[scottydog]

Maybe where there is intelligence, there is also the capacity for both good and evil.

Did you know that Star Trek taught me that good always triumphs over evil? Maybe not right away, but eventually.

[RJDiogenes]

Me, too. Also Fantastic Four. What other pop-culture entertainment inspired you as a kid?

[scottydog]

Strangely enough, some TV sitcoms. Because there was so little love in my family growing up, I craved family-entertainment on TV that actually showed parents loving their children. That means even corny shows like The Brady Bunch appealed to me. Another show that moved me deeply was The Rifleman with Chuck Connors -- he was an amazing dad who really loved and mentored his kid well. I wish I had had that kind of dad.

Another other non-Trek shows inspire you?

[RJDiogenes]

The Rifleman mainly inspired me to get in trouble. I would give my Mother that sidelong look that he used in the title sequence and be promptly grounded.

Would it surprise you that I found My Favorite Martian inspiring?

[scottydog]

Would it surprise you that I found My Favorite Martian inspiring?

What inspired you about this show?

The Rifleman mainly inspired me to get in trouble. I would give my Mother that sidelong look that he used in the title sequence and be promptly grounded.

Was this the look?

[RJDiogenes]

^^ That was the look.

What inspired you about this show?

The friendship between Tim and Uncle Martin. He was injured and trapped in a foreign land and Tim took him in and they became friends, despite being from different planets and centuries apart in age.

Did you think Gilligan's Island was an inspiring show?

[scottydog]

^^ Yes, I get that. Gilligan's Island was inspiring because they loved and forgave Gilligan no matter how many times he sabotaged their rescue. That was me; I was Gilligan, the screw-up.

I was also inspired by Little House on the Prairie. Those early settlers out west really did have a rough time surviving.

Mission Impossible inspired me, too. Wasn't Peter Graves a brilliant mastermind?

[RJDiogenes]

^^ Yes. And he also always accepted those missions.

^^ Yes, I get that. Gilligan's Island was inspiring because they loved and forgave Gilligan no matter how many times he sabotaged their rescue. That was me; I was Gilligan, the screw-up.

And the characters were from diverse backgrounds and walks of life, yet always managed to get along, even though it was a struggle.

Do you remember Room 222?

[scottydog]

Yes. I don't remember watching too many episodes, though. As the youngest in the family, I rarely got to watch what I wanted to watch.

What did you like about Room 222? Besides Karen Valentine

[RJDiogenes]

Denise Nicholas. It was a very timely show, like Star Trek, dealing with topical issues of the day, and it was very well done.

Speaking of topical, did you watch Laugh-In?