Now, more than ever before, idealism is often treated as something to which only the incredibly naive aspire. Today, people claim to want 'realism', yet we keep seeing more and more remakes from a bygone era. Ideals are not meant to be realistic - the very definition sets them as a nearly unobtainable goal. The highest conceivable achievement. Today, it seems like the tales we tell keep lowering the bar. With each passing year, it becomes more and more difficult for me to maintain my optimism.

And so it is that I find myself seeking solace in stories. Of all the stories out there, Star Trek: The Original Series is by far my favorite. Whatever shortcomings ST:TOS might have can be forgiven, because there is so much hope and love and humor. This is the story of a humanity that grows up instead of blows up. They just don't make stories like that any more.

About Slash: I wish to state, for the record, that I have no objections to homosexuality. I personally think the world needs all the love it can get, from whatever source it can get it. That said, however, my scrawlings are bereft of romance - any pairing, slash or otherwise. I do love me a good bromance, though.