Star Trek vs. Star Wars - The eternal Science Fiction queston answered

This is probably THE original nerd debate. When you strike up a conversation at a science fiction convention sooner or later someone asks: Star Wars or Star Trek?

For too many people it can only be one or the other, which for me doesn't make sense, as they cannot really compare.

Let's start with Star Trek, which ist older by a decade. It is Science Fiction in its purest element. All technology is explained in detail using scientific theories and terms. Some of it might even become reality in the future and some of it already has.

Take for instance "Star Trek IV - The Voyage Home", when there is a scene during which Scotty tries to talk to the computer and the scientists surrounding him barely shake their heads and Scotty complains on the primitive computers. While this was probably accurate for the 80ies, now in 2019 we are all used to talk to Siri on our Iphones or to our cars. Voice activation is no longer part of science fiction but a real part of our lives. But this is just one example others include touch screen menus and 3D printers (What do they do other then replicate parts?). When it comes to technology Star Trek is definetely something like a possible future. 

But not only in sense of technology but also politically Star Trek represents a possible and desirable future . Star Trek was created in the sixties during the Cold War and it pictured a world that has been united. Later the European Union was created and cooperation started. Admittedly there have been a few setbacks recently but nonetheless the world is working more and more together. 

On the other hand we have Star Wars. Which is set in "A long time ago in a galaxy far far away...". From the beginning it is made clear that it isn't suppposed to be a possible future but something totally different.

The Star Wars has something deeply spirituell to it, being one of its main topics "The Force" which can be described as an almost godlike presence that is everywhere. The Jedi Knights are the ones wielding the Force. The fact that they are considered "knights" brings the sage closer to a different genre: Fantasy!

There are princesses to be rescued and even beast to be defeated. What else is Jaba the Hutt?

It is also evident in the design, that in fact Star Wars is not a Science Fiction movie but rather a fantasy in the most classic sense. The major male characters all where riding boots, we have a character that is armed with a cross bolt and the main ship is called "The Millenium Falcon".

It all comes down to the epic fight good against evil, not just on a global level but also within ourselves.

The major difference to the classic Science Fiction however is that there is no explanation of the technology whatsoever. Star Trek in particular dwell in technological explanations that are best theories and worst just complete nonsense.

So in reality the question is not Star Trek or Star Wars but rather Science Fiction oder Fantasy? And isn't is usually Science Fiction and Fantasy?


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