Carpentology

Beam me up, Scotty.

James Doohan
3 March 1920 - 20 July 2005

My family enjoyed Star Trek growing up. It was a staple in my household. We went to a convention or two, taped all of the episodes from TV (this was in the days before a series came out on DVD the year after it was on TV) and read the books. I think that I saw all but one of the movies opening week with my parents.

More that a science fiction television show, it was a sign of hope for the future. All mankind had pulled together, and because of that there were limitless possibilities.

But more than that, Star Trek taught us. All I ever needed to know I learned from Star Trek.

• Seek out new life and new civilizations.
• Non-interference is the Prime Directive.
• Keep your phaser set on stun.
• Humans are highly illogical.
• There’s no such thing as a Vulcan death grip.
• Live long and prosper.
• Having is not so pleasing a thing as wanting; it is not logical but it is often true.
• Infinite diversity in infinite combinations (IDIC).
• Tribbles hate Klingons (and Klingons hate Tribbles).
• Enemies are often invisible - like Klingons, they can be cloaked.
• Don’t put all your ranking officers in one shuttle craft.
• When your logic fails, trust a hunch.
• Insufficient data does not compute.
• If it can’t be fixed, just ask Scotty.
• Even in our own world, sometimes we are aliens.
• When going out into the Universe, remember: “Boldly go where no man has gone before!”

A measure of a man is counted not by what he has, but by how many people remember him when he passes. Not only will people remember him, but they cannot forget. Your name will live on in syndication for decades to come. Thank you, Mr. Doohan, for many pleasant memories.