Many Trekkies may discover it curious that somebody like Jeff Bezos (who admittedly gave dangerous recommendation to the “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Energy” showrunners) can be a Trekkie. “Star Trek,” in any case, takes place in a post-capitalist society whereby humanity is not motivated by the buildup of wealth. Class has basically been erased, and expertise permits everybody to stay comfortably, with out need. Jeff Bezos, in the meantime, is without doubt one of the richest individuals on the planet, mentioned to be value over $237 billion. He owns Amazon and the Washington Publish, and has, lately, been spreading his cash across the American Proper Wing, displaying monetary assist for the nation’s most unsavory politicians. He additionally prevented the Publish from endorsing Kamala Harris for president. Bezos has been described as an oligarch and is actually one in every of Earth’s most insidious supra-capitalists. These usually are not the philosophical viewpoints of Gene Roddenberry’s futuristic utopia.
The place Bezos and “Star Trek” overlap, nevertheless, is an curiosity within the stars. Bezos owns a non-public rocket-building agency referred to as Blue Origin that has been launching crafts into the higher ambiance for years. Certainly, in 2022, “Star Trek” star William Shatner took a journey on a Blue Origin rocket, type of spiritually bringing Trek and Bezos collectively in an summary sort of approach. Bezos actually is not the pacifist communist one may see on “Star Trek,” however he does appear to wish to ship individuals into house. Bezos can also be a serious investor in Fandom.com, the web site that hosts Reminiscence Alpha, the net’s largest “Star Trek” fansite.
Because it so occurs, Bezos had a earlier brush with Trek in 2016, as he had a cameo in Justin Lin’s “Star Trek Past,” the thirteenth function movie within the sequence. In accordance with Reminiscence Alpha, Bezos performed an alien physician … named Bezos.
Jeff Bezos performed an alien physician in Star Trek Past
Jeff Bezos won’t be recognizable. Not solely is he solely on display for just a few seconds in “Star Trek Past,” however his famously bald head is roofed by elaborate alien make-up. He appeared close to the start of the movie when the character of Kalara (Lydia Wilson) was launched. Kalara appeared on an escape pod and was rescued by the usS. Enterprise. She was introduced on board and questioned by Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) when she revealed that she fled a catastrophe she encountered round a planet referred to as Altamid and that her ship was now stranded there. The Enterprise goes to Altamid to assist, however it was a entice. An enormous swarm of miniature assault vessels rip the Enterprise to shreds, and the crew has to flee to the planet’s floor to outlive.
When Kalara was being questioned, she was being scanned and examined by a cadre of Federation docs, clearly ensuring that she was okay. One of many docs was Jeff Bezos.
In accordance with Reminiscence Alpha, Bezos’ love of “Star Trek” has manifested in some ways. He purchased one of many eight-foot filming fashions of the usS. Enterprise, utilized in among the Trek function movies. He named his canine Kamala, after a personality performed by Famke Janssen on “Star Trek: The Subsequent Era.” Bezos additionally preferred the voice-operated computer systems on “Subsequent Era,” and clearly modeled Amazon’s Alexa after them.
Bezos’ politics will be the polar reverse of “Star Trek,” however one may hope he’ll rewatch the sequence sometime and notice that. On condition that he was in one of many films, possibly he’ll be inspired to take action. The person understands the technological factor of “Star Trek,” however not the message that unity, pacifism, and anticapitalism had been the means to attain it.