Live Long And Prosper
It is a prophetic testament to our state as a race that we need an alien as a consciousness and it takes an alien to remind us to Live Long and Prosper and what does it take to do that.
Leonard Nimoy, the actor who became the most recognized face of the Star Trek franchise, has died at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 83. A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP — Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 23, 2015 Nimoy was born on March 26, 1931 in …
A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 23, 2015
Few people get to give pleasure and entertainment and to inspire memories and so much more in millions of people over several generations.
Thank you and Rest in Peace!
The original pilot is worth seeing if you get a chance. It gives a glimpse of an alternate future, narrowly avoided, in which there was no Captain Kirk, and the character of Spock was intelligent but quite normal emotionally. When it was rejected by NBC, the role of captain in the second pilot fell to Shatner, and Spock's character became an amalgam of his original role plus that of an emotionally flat female bridge office called Number One, giving us the Spock we know today.
Incidentally Number One, played by Rodenberry's then-girlfriend, latter wife, Majel Barrett, was cut at the insistence of NBC partly because they didn't appreciate Rodenberry casting his girlfriend in such a major role, and partly because the character tested really badly with audiences. Rodenberry slipped her back into the series as Nurse Chapel, and I like to think of her character's unrequited love for Spock, the man who took her job on the bridge, as an inside joke.
Leonard hosted the _In Search Of..._ teevee series during, ahhh, the 1970s here in Amurka and I would watch it religiously. I'm sure that if I were to watch it now with "adult" eyes I'd think it kinda' corny, but watching a discussion of killer bees moving northward, of whether spontaneous human combustion is possible, et cetera was interesting enough to this young 'un. Good works and a good heart; you will be sorely missed, my friend.
I actually remember the Perry Mason appearance and the Mission Impossible series due to my habit of watching old TV late at night while deleting junk mail. Leonard always made a character worth watching.
I usually don't like the comedy stuff, but the Big Bang Theory appearance was very well done. Because it was really an homage to the cultural icon nature of Star Trek without the overbearing fan boys trying to get too much out of it, I will admit it was good for sci-fi as a whole.
Something like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPkByAkAdZs
I'm going to miss Leonard Nimoy too.
It's hard for me to say which Leonard Nimoy role I enjoyed more, Spock or as host of the "In Search of..." series. Not that I suppose it matters since I grew up watching him on TV for a good portion of my youth through young adult and no matter the role I always found the show fascinating.
I only hope his loved ones know how many hearts and minds he touched and inspired. If ever the butterfly effect applied to a person, Leonard Nimoy is such a butterfly. Rest in peace.
The fact that 'Spock' died from COPD just makes me want to cry. As an ex smoker I am painfully aware how unbelievably addictive nicotine truly is. Whether you've succumbed to nicotine's 'high' or not I'm sure, like me, that you personally know some victims who suffer from or have succumbed to COPD. I'm shocked and saddened that it's still business as usual for the tobacco industry. How is it even possible that the despicable tobacco companies are still allowed to sell their deadly products in this, the 21st century? The answer is it's simply capitalism at its worst. OK, enough about that.
I was in high school when Star Trek debuted and I never missed an episode during its initial 3-year run. Leonard Nimoy's incredibly unique Spock character definitely raised the bar exponentially for that genre and won't soon be forgotten. RIP Mr. Nimoy, you are already missed.
How is it even possible that the despicable tobacco companies are still allowed to sell their deadly products in this, the 21st century?
Because it generates profit/tax now, whereas the costs come later (and are moved to private insurance which I suspect to eventually make this condition uninsurable). I am particularly impressed by how they sell it nations with a more intelligent population - somehow they managed to associate smoking with "freedom". It's also unavoidable to inhale secondary smoke when you're travelling with public transport - as soon as addicts are outside a train or bus they will be smoking for all it's worth, leaving no place to remain where the air is free of this toxin. Ditto for public places where they have to smoke outside, making terraces all but unusable.
Maybe I ought to eat vindaloos before travel, just to add some counterweight to the air pollution..
This really doesn't feel like the time or place, but:
>I am particularly impressed by how they sell it nations with a more intelligent population -
Maybe because intelligent populations appreciate the concept of personal freedoms (and responsibilities), present company excepted.
>somehow they managed to associate smoking with "freedom".
Quite forward-looking, I'd say, given that it is now so heavily criminalised.
>It's also unavoidable to inhale secondary smoke when you're travelling with public transport - as soon as addicts are outside a train or bus they will be smoking for all it's worth, leaving no place to remain where the air is free of this toxin.
If there was still a smoking carriage, we'd be quite happy in there, as you could be in the rest of the train. (I admit buses can't generally stretch to this, but there is a little more space to spread out around a parked bus than on the average train platform.)
>Ditto for public places where they have to smoke outside, making terraces all but unusable.
OK, how about this: rescind the ban, then we won't have to smoke outside and you can fuck off outside for all the fresh air you desire.
>Maybe I ought to eat vindaloos before travel, just to add some counterweight to the air pollution..
And will you be outside the train squitting in, or vice versa?
[RIP Leonard, loved you in Trek and your uber-creepy turn in Body Snatchers '84]
Havin_it,
a very grown-up considerate response from a smoker...
I have a question for you, my wife, who has lost a large part of her lung capacity due to a relatively common illness, finds inhaling smoke more than a little unpleasant (as in too much and can we check if casualty are busy at the moment).
I take it that you have no problem with her having no choice but to inhale the smoke of inconsiderate f*uckwits whilst waiting at a bus stop etc??
Just wondered...
BTW I wish you no ill will at all!
Regards,
j
j,
I appreciate the qualification and I'm sorry to hear of your wife's ill health. No, the above wasn't terribly grown-up, it was a flat-out rant and I'm not hugely proud of it - what provoked it was largely the dragging off-topic of the thread if I'm honest, so I'll keep this short as I'm only making matters worse.
I'd hope that if your wife brought the immediate risk to her health to the attention of the smokers, they'd refrain or give her more space. I would, as would the few remaining (and many former) smokers of my acquaintance. Certainly disappointing if that hasn't been her experience.
I do just find it blackly humorous that those who (I assume) supported the ban are now miffed at the unintended consequences, which to the minds of most of us were entirely predictable. There existed better solutions than an outright ban that would have suited both sides better, but that wasn't punitive enough for the hardliners (of which the AC rather sounds like one).
Right I'm really quitting now (not in that sense, haha). Sorry, everyone, as you were.
Havin_it,
many thanks for your considered reply (not being sarcy btw).
Ooi I recall when she asked them if they could put their smoke somewhere else, the answer was 'basically 'eff off', which isn't terribly nice.
Good luck with the quitting thing, I know it is a tough call, btw wifey is a cancer treatment physicist, a lot of the folk that have come through their doors have been smokers.
In the cancer treatment trade, fags (UK definition thereof, NOT American) are apparently known as "cancer sticks"...
On a similarly ironic note, I lurve proper English pubs, and at the time I thought it a little extreme that where practical, there couldn't be a seperate smoking 'zone' - assuming it is not on the way to the lavs etc.
Cheers,
jay
thank feck the smoking carriage went! Just walking through the bleedy thing was foul. Why they couldn't just have Coach A as he smoking carriage instead of putting it in the middle so you land up walking through it to get to the buffet car. Just that few meter walk left you STINKING for the rest of the day.
And COPD isn't a nice way to go either. My OH used to work for Pizer and her front line drug she used to sell was for COPD
There will be very few people that don't know at least something about Star Trek and recognize the character of Spock. Even those that are not fans of SF will be aware at some level of the key aspects; and it's said that many people working in the field of science did so because of what they saw within the show.
Overall, that's a pretty good legacy.
It's a shame we can't all live as long as vulcans in reality!
He portrayed a character that has become a true cultural icon of the late 20th through to the 21st century and he inspired many people to think differently about the universe and probably even to explore careers in aerospace, science and technology.
While people can be very critical and even mocking of Star Trek and Trekkies, I think it's a genre of science fiction that shows how humanity could put its best foot forward and really just get on with exploring the universe, developing technology. It sets out an extremely grounded, humanist, progressive, socially inclusive, non-greed driven world that is quite refreshing when compared to other genres of sci-fi that tend to be caught up in wars and conflict.
RIP Leonard Nimoy - A true cultural icon and a legendary actor.
I suspect that Spock & Leonard will live on and prosper in the great database of human culture for many centuries to come.
Also my condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. He was one of the greats!
Which reminds me to report my own sad trollage experience on this very topic...
I basically visit Facebook only to complain about Facebook-supported spammers and scammers. If I could only prove Facebook had leaked my email address to these spammers I'd also be the first one on the sue-em-to-death bus.
On a recent visit to complain, my eye was caught by a story about President Obama expressing his regrets about the death of Leonard Nimoy. Facebook also offered two comments for my enlightenment. Both were from trolls attacking Obama for various reasons. One was from a well-known racist, but I didn't check the second. That would have required 15 seconds of research, and no vile troll is worth 3 seconds.
Of course the saddest part is that Star Trek was so optimistic about the post-racist future of the USA (in Federation disguise, of course). Did you know the first interracial kiss on (American?) TV was in an episode of Star Trek? And NBC was seriously annoyed, of course.
If I could only prove Facebook had leaked my email address to these spammers I'd also be the first one on the sue-em-to-death bus.
The problem is that you'll never be able to prove an illegal acquisition. Facebook acquires your details through a giant loophole in Data Protection: it asks your friends for your details instead of you directly, in which case it doesn't have to face those pesky rules that force it to tell you what it wants the data for (I must admit I don't quite know what protection data is afforded that has not been acquired through that permission process, I must look that up - it could be that they can just sell it).
That's also the primary driver behind its purchase of WhatsApp: the first things WhatsApp does is upload your entire address book to its US based servers (on Android it won't install unless you give it full rights, and on iOS it won't even start then) - I suspect they mainly had to because the "give us your mobile number for security" ruse didn't work too well (Google's been running the same scam).
I run my own mail server, and I create aliases to use with companies I don't trust so I can track distribution, and kill off the alias if it gets too much spam (an alternative is sites like Spamgourmet who create such an alias for you). However, that won't help with Facebook as it steals your proper address off your friends :(
Jobs and Wozniak famously had a Spock poster in the garage they founded Apple in, which is indicative of the inspiration that character gave to many in the futurist-focused tech industry. In fact, it's hard to think of a person who's career largely became typecast, but had such an impact on the popular consciousness.
Rest in peace, Leonard Nimoy.
RIP Mr Nimoy - a man who despite typecasting still had time for humanity in his words and deeds. You'll be greatly missed and in days to come, you will be remembered, both in character and as a person.
On a different note, having seen various images of Nimoy circulating the web over the last day or so, I'm reminded of an advert (for Heineken beer) that for me always made me smile:
[url]http://www.zteamproductions.com/beerspock2.jpg[/url]
I offer it now, in his memory, though I will be supping a Guinness instead.
As a kid I loved the way they would taunt him but in a friendly way, turned a light on human response and it's occasional triumph over cold logic.
Something that sprang to mind while thinking about the trips off ship, these days the communicators would be going off every five minutes, Start fleet command, they want to know if you have filled out a risk assessment for this beam down, another, don't bring any native intoxicants back without galactic tax and transit form 11b etc.
Ah simpler times for sure.
There is no doubt his character of Spock was a great role model for me. I mean here was a character who was a expert in science and technology, but also could kick serious ass when needed and was a serious babe magnet, without even trying. Up to this point all nerds were played as bumbling boffins in white coats trying to locate their glasses or acne ridden four eyes youths with as much sex appeal as a road accident.
However his later life showed a man of many talents that should not be over shadowed by that one role. Not only a great Actor, but Photographer and Director,
Will be greatly missed, but always remembered LLAP.
Vulcan does exist, and Leonard Nimoy has visited there. If you are even in southern Alberta, Canada consider visiting. Lots of other strange sites in small places nearby, for example: Manyberries is the sunniest place in Alberta, and there is a place called One Four, which is 14 miles from somewhere else (used to be an Ag Canada research station there).
Vulcan is situated at 50.4° North latitude, 113.25° West longitude and 1050 meters elevation above the sea level.
Vulcan is a small community in Canada, having about 1,853 inhabitants.
http://www.townofvulcan.ca/
Thank you for the memories Leonard Nimoy. RIP.
Please can anyone tell me what Nimoy, or for that matter Shatner... and the others, contributed to anything beyond going 'blah' in a fillum and ultimately ending up on You Tube?
"Spock you are dead."
"Logically speaking we cannot therefore have this conversation. Fuck off and leave me in piece."
I could never put my finger on why I liked Spock so much. In my late thirties I realised that I had some symptoms of Autism and Aspergers in my ADHD, the way he was appreciated showed that it was ok to not be an emotional human being and you could be appreciated for your loyalty, dedication and friendship even if you did struggle with the things that come so easily to others!
Dear Ac,
ignoring the chips on your shoulders, you are of course entitled to your opinion.
Is there any particular reason why you are hiding behind posting your actual handle on here?
I mean it is not as if Bubba and his friends are going to pop around later and encourage you to be respectful of someone you didn't like is it now?
Regards,
jay
Don't know about his U.S. Army, but in mine, about 20 years later, Private Basic to Sergeant in two years was, pardon the expression, warp speed. Seems perhaps our friend was a prodigy. Put another way, seems he demonstrated early all the talents and wisdom attributed to him here in this discussion.
Yeah, I know, always the military angle.
childhood memories of mum having the TV on for ST reruns, STNG, then a hole in the schedule that got filled with Bab5, Seaquest DSV, Quantum Leap, original Battlestar, buck rogers...
not a trekkie myself per-say, but he just lent a quietly distinguished air of class and professionalism as the straight man to kirk's capers.
good memories. unexpected role model, getting kids into science and learning. lots of respect, very sad to hear of his passing. best wishes to his family - he was a good part of my growing up.
also reading this and wondering now how much influence my mum had over my development of scientific interest while she did the ironing humming along to the ST/NG opening theme tune.
It's too bad that my childhood TV heroes lives are slowly getting canceled. Thank god that most of them went easy and weren't doing some infomercial.
I used to walk half a mile over to my friends house as his Dad had built a Heathkit color TV and it was the only one nearby. No sense in watching Star Trek in black & white if you could have color.
We would lay on the floor and eat home made cookies, watch Star Trek and comment on it. It was a welcome respite from Walter Cronkite and all the Vietnam War news allowing ones imagination to soar past the boundries of this Earth and it's problems if only for a little while.
Star Trek was very influential at the time, providing great social examples and morals that TV has too few of today.
It's really too bad those days are gone but time waits for no one, not even Spock.