Going boldly

Watching the new Star Trek yesterday I was reminded of the original vision for the series. Gene Roddenberry imagined a future where humans were a force for peace and advancement. A bright, young race prepared to explore the galaxy and meet challenges. 'To boldly go'.

That was the spirit JJ Abrams captured in the new film. Intelligent, purposeful young men and women inhabit Starfleet's space ships. They are energetic. They believe in what they're doing. They emit the life and exuberance of young people who know the future holds excitement and adventure. And it's great.It made me think of what it would be like for a visitor from 18th century England would find if he were transported through time. From 1709 to 2009. What would he make of our gleaming cities, our casual use of highly advanced technology, our near-100-percent literacy standards? Our 17-year-olds nonchalantly drive pieces of machinery worth tens of thousands of dollars; shining metal, bright lights and powerful engines. We speak into small boxes and talk to our friends across the world - while we're moving in cars at speeds unheard of 300 years ago. We share our cities with people of every race.

We are living in the future. Our cities are sparkling outposts of what humanity can achieve. Sadly, large parts of the world are still living in past.

I'd like to think in 300 years time our cities will be unrecognisably more advanced than they are today - and that the rest of the world has gone much further to catch up.