The World of Star Trek: An Unrecognized Universe

When we delve into the world of Star Trek, particularly in certain episodes like The Voyage Home and First Contact, it becomes apparent that the characters from the Star Trek universe are often unrecognized in our own reality. This raises the intriguing question: is Star Trek set in a world where it was never created?

A Parallel Reality without Star Trek

The absence of key characters and events from Star Trek is striking. Imagine a world where characters like Kirk and Picard walk around unrecognizable to modern humans. This would suggest that the timeline of Star Trek has not been influenced by its own events. For instance, the Great Depression bum who was never disintegrated, the acceleration of the computer revolution, and the absence of advanced technologies like transparent aluminum, all point to a different timeline. Moreover, significant events such as the Eugenics Wars, World War III, and the creation of huge interstellar ships, have not come to pass in this reality.

Time Travel Paradox and Star Trek's Absence

One can easily deduce why the characters in these Star Trek episodes are unrecognized. The very premise of time travel paradoxes, such as the Spaceballs Paradox, suggests that the show itself does not exist in that reality. If Star Trek existed, it would lead to inconsistencies in the timeline. For instance, if Star Trek characters were to recognize themselves, it would imply that the show had influenced the timeline, leading to a contradiction.

Continuity Miaow: Other Franchises and Their Time Travel Paradoxes

Other science fiction franchises with time travel, like Star Wars, do not have the same paradox. This is because Star Wars is not set in our reality and no one in our world recognizes the characters, thereby preserving the continuity of the Star Wars universe. However, the concept of a Star Trek-like world within a Star Trek universe poses an interesting paradox.

In the Black Mirror episode USS Callister, a version of Astro Quest and Space Fleet could have existed, reflecting real-world science fiction like Friends and Galaxy Quest. Similarly, character Bruce Wayne in the Batman: The Animated Series was a fan of the TV series The Grey Ghost, which further illustrates the idea that other fictional shows could exist within the Star Trek universe. This notion blurs the lines and challenges the consistency of the Star Trek timeline.

Why They Never Get Together

The characters from Star Trek are often seen struggling to blend in with the modern world. They face various challenges, such as not being recognized, not having up-to-date technology, and facing real-world crises without the solutions provided by their universe. This is turning into a “Spaceball Paradox”, as if their universe never existed. In reality, they would be considered oddities or outcasts, much like Prof. Parrot and the crew of the spaceship from the comedy film Spaceballs.

A Crossover Conclusion

Despite the numerous questions raised by the lack of Star Trek in our reality, it is interesting to note that even in a world where Star Trek does exist, the characters would still face challenges. They would have to navigate a world where the timeline does not progress as it did in their universe. This adds an extra layer of complexity to the stories, as it forces the characters to deal with real-world issues while trying to remember their origins.