"Risk... risk is our business. That's what this starship is all about. That's why we're aboard her."That's my favorite (maybe best) speech in Star Trek, from the episode "Return to Tomorrow," 1968. And Shatner at his hammiest!
It inspires me.
I didn't grow up with this attitude. I grew up with a mother who always wanted to feel safe. But there is no ultimate safety in life, and playing it safe is not always the safest thing to do. Tragically, she ended up being pulled into a black hole.
(Of course I'm not saying, Don't take precautions!)
We may not have chosen to board to starship, but we're aboard now...
Captain Kirk addressing his crew, saying they don't have to go on this dangerous mission:
"They used to say if man could fly, he'd have
wings.
But he did -- fly. He discovered he had to.
Do you wish that the first Apollo mission
hadn't reached the moon, or that we hadn't gone on to Mars, and then to
the nearest star? That's like saying that you wished you still operated
with scalpels and sewed your patients up with catgut like your great
great great great grandfather used to.
I'm in command. I could order this.
But I'm not
because Doctor McCoy is right in pointing out the enormous danger
potential in any contact with life and intelligence as fantastically
advanced as this.
But I must point out that the possibilities, the
potential for knowledge and advancement is equally great.
Risk.
Risk is our business.
That's what this
starship is all about.
That's why we're aboard her.
You may dissent without prejudice.
Do I hear
a negative vote?"
OK, now I have to watch that episode! I came from a very risk-averse background too -- but yeah, here we are.
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