With Star Wars gaining rapid popularity with the release of “Rogue One” and 2015’s “The Force Awakens”, and Star Trek having just released “Beyond” last year, sci-fi fans are faced with the question of whether they are a member of Starfleet or a Jedi. Whether they fight with lightsabers or phasers. The feud between two of the world’s most popular franchises is only growing with time.
While speeding from one solar system to another in the Millennium Falcon sounds like a blast, one must remember that, in Star Wars, there is a dangerous war spreading to the far corners of the galaxy. The rebels may be fighting for a good cause—but they’re still fighting. War on Earth is horrible, but imagine it with ray guns, glowing swords that can split The Hulk in two, alien animals that would do anything to take a bite out of a humanoid; and, not to mention, giant space crafts that can destroy entire planets in one blast (ahem, we’re looking at you, Death Star). The Star Wars universe is anything but desirable, but it does make for incredible fiction.
On the other end of the spectrum, there is Star Trek. This universe has its evils, too. The various TV shows and movies are focused around a space exploration vessel, the Enterprise, as it speeds through space “to seek out new life and new civilizations,” and “to boldly go where no man has gone before”. Seems simple, but this does not take into account the dangerous alien races such as the Klingons and the Romulans, both of which have been known to attack for no apparent reason, regardless of the fact that the Enterprise is an innocent ship, not seeking battle. Of course, this ship is armed with various weapons and a shield. This is not a safe place to be, yet, the people on the ship tend to come aboard with their entire families (including the small children).
Both of these amazing science fiction universes have millions of fans that wish to actually be in their dangerous universes. Fans wish to be Jedi knights, wielding the force and a lightsaber. Fans wish to beam aboard a Federation vessel and explore the galaxy alongside Captain Kirk and Picard. So, the question stands, which would be more desirable? The answer: Star Wars may be more fun, but Star Trek is infinitely safer. Welcome aboard.
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