Quote:
Originally Posted by Noclevername
It's not so much a tacit support, as a convenient storytelling device. Trying to come up with aliens who are as varied in personality and culture as humans, and yet all totally different from humans, would be a massive amount of work. Even the best alien-making science fiction writers tend to make their aliens a bit monotone in culture and personality, or else so alien that thay can't really be seen as characters. There are a rare few exceptions, but they're, well, exceptional.
Star Trek wasn't going for realism. It wasn't their goal. The same is often true of "bumpy-head" aliens; they're not meant to be truly alien, just "alien enough".
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I understand its use as an easy storytelling device, but I think writers could do with being aware of the message they may unintentionally or subconsciously be putting out.
The episode of DS9 I mentioned, had a theme to it I found horrifying - that there are different 'sorts' of people and you couldn't change them so don't try. I doubt the writers were going for racist subtext, but you must be able to see how it is, probably unintentionally, there?
Such thinking isn't associated only with racism. Its linked to the view that criminals can't be rehabilitated, so they should be hanged/castrated/locked up forever. It tends to form the basis of all social Darwinism, as you can't argue that position at all unless you assume that inherited characteristics are the primary influence on peoples character.
Like I said, I doubt many writers think of this intentionally, but I see it nevertheless and it concerns me.