[Rod Roddenberry] Infinite Diversity
in Infinite Combinations,
more commonly referred to as IDIC.
It is the backbone of Star Trek
and the philosophy behind all things Roddenberry.
When my father was writing the original series,
the United States was deeply entrenched in the Vietnam war.
Strained relations with the Soviet Union
were at an all time high.
While in our cities, the silenced and ignored sections
of society were fighting to gain their voice.
They were striving to not just be tolerated,
but for all life on Earth to be celebrated.
Since then, we have taken steps in the right direction.
However, we continue to be asked
to learn about new types of differences.
Infinite combinations, creating more combinations.
While it can be uncomfortable
to be asked to expand our understanding of the world,
to include people and ideas that are new to us
it is crucial that we do so.
Not only so that every person
can feel loved, celebrated, and respected,
but so when we meet the probable variations
of alien life across the galaxies,
we are engendered with the more evolved mindset necessary
to embrace the uniqueness and flourish together.
(upbeat music)