Desert Island Planning for a Best Friend -- Star Trek Style

Someone Else's Island (The Daily Post)

We’ve all been asked what five objects we’d take with us to a desert island. Now it’s your best friend’s (or close relative’s) turn to be stranded: what five objects would you send him/her off with?

The five objects I would want my best friend to have if she was stranded on a desert island.

Someone Else's Island (The Daily Post)

We’ve all been asked what five objects we’d take with us to a desert island. Now it’s your best friend’s (or close relative’s) turn to be stranded: what five objects would you send him/her off with?

My wife is my best friend and we've known each other for longer than we've been married. We met in college almost 26 years ago. Technically she's my best friend forever (BFF) since that's what we promised each other during our marriage ceremony.

I would want my BFF as comfortable as possible and able to survive any challenge. Here are the five objects I would want my best friend to have.

  • Firstly, since she will need food, shelter, clothing etc., I would pack a futuristic version of a 3D printer -- a Star Trek style replicator. I know, I know. The replicator doesn't exist. But since the scenario itself isn't real I think the solutions can be fantasy.
  • The second object I would pack is a backup replicator. What if the first replicator breaks down and needs spare parts and tools to repair it? A second replicator offers some assurances that my BFF will be ok.
  • Energy source for the replicators. The devices are useless without power. The power source must be renewable. Assuming desert island means tropical desert island I think a solar-powered source would be best. Perhaps a solar-powered Stirling steam engine.
  • A transporter. Yes, why not? Perhaps my BFF wants to come get me so we can hang out on this deserted island together. After all, we have everything we need.

Wait, that's only four objects! Yes, because I ran out of ideas.

September 2nd, 2011 - Nothing unreal exists

My son and I have watched Star Trek all summer on Netflix streaming — the original series, the Next Generation, Voyager — plus all the movies. We've still got a long way to go, but as we go along, I notice he's turning into a mini-geek Sci-Fi, enjoying himself and even quoting lines from the shows.

My favourite is this line by Spock from Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.

Nothing unreal exists.

Pondering that, I realized how much science fiction had affected my life philosophy. While others might quote from the Bible or the Qu'ran or Torah, I can quote lines from the Bene Gesserit Litany against Fear (Frank Herbert's Dune).

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is a little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone, there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

Yeah! I love sci-fi.