Dr. John Vervaeke reunites with guest Damien Walter in an engaging second episode to unpack the fascinating theory of Star Trek as a potent contemporary mythos. They dissect storytelling as a "psycho-technology" that mirrors human cognition and immerses us in collective human experiences. The episode focuses on how Star Trek bridges the gap between traditional, modern, and postmodern narratives, with discussions on metamodernism and its relevance in narrative reconstruction. Vervaeke and Walter delve into Plato's influence on narrative crafting, modern myth-making, and the cultivation of new ways to access the sacred. Walter elucidates the unique structure of Star Trek, explaining its appeal to society's conservative aspects and its subversion of the military-industrial complex. Vervaeke aligns Star Trek's philosophy with the Enlightenment's mythos, further establishing its significance in our modern narrative.

Timecodes:

[00:00:00] Dr. John Vervaeke introduces Damien Walter, setting the stage for an exploration of Star Trek as a contemporary mythos.

[00:01:03] Damien Walter shares his video essay, inspiring the conversation around the postmodern deconstruction of Star Trek.

[00:03:16] Walter discusses how storytelling enables persona creation, marking a critical moment in understanding narrative impact.

[00:07:00] Vervaeke probes the authority of metanarratives, challenging postmodernism's stance, and introduces metamodernism, hinting at a new stage of societal narratives.

[00:11:07] Walter addresses our need to integrate different stages of civilization and personas into our narratives.

[00:13:06] Emphasis on the need to appreciate past narratives while fostering narrative evolution.

[00:18:15] Highlighting societal desire for dismissed narratives, using "Top Gun Maverick" and "Lord of the Rings" as examples.

[00:20:35] Vervaeke discusses liminal spaces, focusing on the reinvention of narratives.

[00:25:24] Walter delves into Plato's influence on myth-making and his innovative approach to philosophy through dialogues.

[00:30:38] Vervaeke explores the philosophical ideas of Heraclitus and Parmenides and their interplay in Plato's thinking, then the conversation shifts towards the cultivation of myths, discussing the organic growth of narratives.

[00:35:44] Walter presents Gene Roddenberry as a modern myth-maker, transitioning to Star Trek's narrative analysis.

[00:39:05] Comparing the idealized order in Star Trek's Enterprise to Plato's Republic.

[00:43:01] Vervaeke commends Damien Walter's thesis, aligning Star Trek's philosophy with the Enlightenment's mythos, dissecting Star Trek's ability to cater to conservative aspects of society while still providing a platform for progress.

[00:47:14] Walter discusses Star Trek's critique and subversion of the military-industrial complex, demonstrating its dual appeal.

[00:50:15] Vervaeke builds upon Walter's point, illuminating the series' progressive elements rooted in the Enlightenment's mythos.

[00:52:47] Walter and Vervaeke delve into the idea of Star Trek's Federation as a utopian vision, a 'sacred' space for exploring societal issues.

[00:57:00] The episode concludes with reflections on how Star Trek, as a modern mythos, offers a new perspective for understanding our society and its future.

Resources:

Voices with Vervaeke: Part 1: Science Fiction & Philosophy: Star Trek's Deep Commentary with Damien Walter | The Transformational Impact of Story Telling with Shawn Coyne

Why Do Movies Feel So Different Now?

Culture Series by Iain M. Banks

Science Fiction & Philosophy: Star Trek's Deep Commentary with Damien Walter #2 | Voices with Vervaeke

Dr. John Vervaeke