[break] Star Wars vs. Star Trek - Part 1

[Since what is left from Astocenter can span for another 10 parts or more, I am taking a prolonged break until further notice.]

I've been watching several science fiction series and films recently, namely Star Trek Voyager and the Star Wars trilogy, and have been thinking of my renewed interest and about what I like from both. It's quite rare, even for science fiction afficionados, to develop an equal interest to these two alternate universes of franchise. In most cases, people tend to favor one over the other, and I am no exception.

I think Star Wars archetype stories are more universal and the adventure has more action in it. It probably because there's only 5 movies about it (will become 6 soon), although novels regarding backstories and alternate characters are enough to make Star Wars universe as expansive, if not more, than Tolkien's LOTR. It actually resembles LOTR in many ways by replacing characters and universe to be somewhere far, far, away, distant from our reality, perhaps purely imaginative (who knows, there might be a wookie somewhere there). Star Wars (like LOTR) universe is too distant from us that we realize immediately of its fantasy. Most of the main characters are humanoid and human-like, but we know that they are not us, nor can we ever become them, even in hundred years. They are alien, and it is clear that they never have contact with Earth and probably never will. But, that's where the appeal lies. We can indulge in our imagination completely and be them imaginatively. Star Trek limits us in that department.

I consider myself to be a Trekkie, so I identify more with the Star Trek universe. Star Trek has the advantage of having continuous TV series (well, it actually started from TV before expanding to the silver screen), so it has more developed characters that more people recognize (admit it, it's far easier and memorable to watch something than to read it, or maybe that's just me). Though, novel-wise, the Trek franchise has published as many novels if not more than Star Wars'. Yes, people can devise backstories and alternate characters for Star Trek - in effect, expanding its universe - but the TV series become its undoing since they can't deviate too far from what is presented on TV (it is, the de facto"reality", if you may say so, of the Star Trek universe). The stories should have been more closely identifiable, because Star Trek reality can very well be an actuality someday. Characters are born on Earth, not pseudo-human born in other galaxy or other Earth. Perhaps, maybe because it is somewhat too "real" that it does not have quite the mass appeal that Star Wars (and LOTR) enjoys.

Astrocenter Report - Part 9

Instinctive Motivations:
Restraint, control, discipline, excellence.
Assimilation; sense of association and cooperation.

Primary Psychological Functions:
Perceiving, identifying, establishing, justifying.
Communicating, discussing, uniting, reconciling.

Career Activities and Resources:
Controlling, counting, filing, analyzing, measuring, refining, grasping, checking, regulating, fabricating, providing care.
Balancing, reconciling, respecting, harmonizing, refining, embellishing.

Symbolic Tools and Elements:
Health, animals, small objects, manufactured goods.
Luxuries, amusements, recreational objects; the good and the beautiful.

[I don't quite understand how to integrate all the above to the larger assessment. However, several items strike me as quite accurate.

Sense of association is indeed one of my primary characteristics for having an ideal career.

I don't know what the psychological function is suppose to mean, but discussion is one item from those listed that I revel on.

Career activities are pretty much on the "mundane" (or "conventional" as Merkler would have categorize it) with the exception of analyzing and checking (of course, depends on the scope).

I don't know what symbolic tool meant either, but it may explain why I love electrical gadgets alot (small objects and manufactured goods?). Well, talking about manufactured goods, turns out that food is also one of them. For the amusement and recreational object, I like movies and books (particularly comic books and magazines).]

~ to be continued ~

Astrocenter Report - Part 8

Career Keywords:
Endowed with an analytical mind, a sense of logic, and great powers of concentration, YOGA has the ability to learn a specialty and assimilate all sorts of techniques easily. He is also an extremely conscientious and hard worker, with a sense of integrity and a fondness for a job well done. His inferiority complex and a certain reluctance to communicate, as well as an occasional lack of determination and a tendency to obey orders unquestioningly could nevertheless be obstacles to his success.

The desire for power and greatness is a strong motivation for YOGA. He is fairly self-confident and may sometimes tend to be domineering. The need for recognition and admiration is one of YOGA's primary motivations. He is gratified by honors and respect, and aims for personal prestige.

[The first paragraph is quite boastful, but I would have to say that there's a lot of truth there. My Friendster testimonials can attend to that. Though it contradicts the second paragraph at the same time.

So, in bits and pieces: the introvert characteristic of the first paragraph is mostly true as well as the inherent quest for personal satisfaction in the second paragraph. Money is not my primary motivations, though it's more like sense of belonging or affiliation rather than need for recognition and admiration.]

~ to be continued ~