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Quantum fluctuations in space, science, exploration and other cosmic fields... served up regularly by MSNBC.com science editor Alan Boyle since 2002.

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Field of 'Star Trek' dreams

Posted: Friday, July 14, 2006 7:05 PM by Alan Boyle


Kippa Matthews / Partners Leisure Ltd. via AP
The 2006 York Maize Maze pays tribute to characters from the "Star Trek" saga.

If you build it, will they beam down? "Star Trek" fan Tom Pearcy cut this maze in a cornfield on his farm near York in northern England, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the science-fiction classic's first TV show. Pearcy claims it's the largest such labyrinth in the world. In its report, the Reuters news service says Pearcy used satellite imagery as a guide for the maze, which takes in 1.5 million corn plants. Fascinating.

Can you recognize the "Trek" references? Feel free to geek out in the comments section.

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Feel free to geek out in the comment section, eh?  

Overlooking the GEEK PART – for now – I must say I recognize a Borg Cube, a Constitution-Class heavy cruiser star ship, one Mr. Spock, and Captain Picard.  Also appearing is a com-badge Star Fleet logo, which many non-closet-bound-trekkies won’t realize is also a universal translator.  How else do you think they communicate with all those Aliens?  Hum?

Often confused with the Star Wars Geekdomites, us Trekkies are forward-looking visionaries and proud of our science fiction’s contribution in getting people to expand their horizons.  As George Takei (Sulu) was once quoted, “Star Trek prevailed for many reasons, but at its core it states that PLURALISM is our strength!”  A lesson I think this world has obviously yet to learn.  Just look at how every series showed how much people of ALL nationalities can accomplish when they simply work together.  We had Russians, Scotsmen, African American and lady captains, male and female doctors, male and female engineers, and aliens and artificial life forms of all types imaginable.  We’ve even showed tolerance for the ideological extremes of the Klingons and how even those raised with “Ferengi values” can overcome their conditioning to become a valuable member of the crew (in Nog - DS9).   Our writers protrayed the dangers of nationalism, hatred, genocide, and most any other human failing/tendency you can think of, and even how such evils can hide within any society.  DS9, for example, showed how the federation itself could be taken over by power hungry admirals who would use the “fear” of the Dominion to take away human rights and seize power.  They’ve equally portrayed the values of human courage, our desire to learn and explore, and the need to have HUMAN RIGHTS regardless of the situation.  
Here is an interesting comment mirroring the StarTrek theme by a Christian writer:

"If extraterrestrial life is so abundant, why don't we just go out and find it?  Antigravity technology and spacecraft speeds greater than light should be within our reach in not too many years. ... Let's spend our money building a stardrive so we can go find THEM  instead of passively waiting for them to come to US. Build small starships and go look for alien civilizations on other planets. Hunt 'em down and invite 'em over for brownies! If they are out there, they did not come into existence by evolution. The general Christian view is that such intelligent physical creature life, if it exists, must have been created by God, and in the image of His qualities.  So let's go meet 'em! —if they are out there." (The article is at http://members.dancris.com/~bfraser/4v4a/MKSURE.html  )

The writer's views on Advanced Propulsion and Quantum Mechanics can be found at:
http://members.dancris.com/~bfraser/4v4a/ADVPROP.html
http://members.dancris.com/~bfraser/qm/qmconcpt.htm  
Reply to Christian writer:

"In my Father's house are many mansions..." would indicate to me that ALL life in the Universe that God created is made in his image and by his hand and mind.  On the evolution controversy: there IS NONE.

"Evolution" is the tool created by God to enable "Animal Husbandry", which is simply using Man's dictates to "select for" an intended breed-specific rather than using nature to "select for" it.
Please people. Demand that Area 51 be opened. Let's see it all. Stop the secrets. We have all the tech. that is needed to cure our problems. But, the government of the United States controls it. They are a "FOR PROFIT" country. When we begin to think as one world we can do anything. "GEORGE BUSH,OPEN AREA 51 TODAY", stop playing with our lives. Bill Gates isn't the only one that should profit from the technology.
I would just say an awesome piece of art work. My personal comments I will keep to myself, as sometimes should others. Awesome job to the one who did that.
I thought I was a huge fan.  Have been watching since two months old on my Daddy's lap in 1970. My first imaginary friend was Spock.  I have dressed up and been to conventions, but this my friends is amazing and took quite a skill. I am lucky if my caladiums are lined up correctly.  Kudos to Mr. Pearcy.  I am forwarding this article to everyone.
It is what it is.  It is artwork.  It took a lot of planning and a lot of talent.  Congratulations to the creator and to everyone else.... not everything has a secret agenda or meaning that needs to be analyzed.  Just enjoy it.
Wow.  All that from a great tribute to Star Trek.  Yes, it's nice.  Do I think we need to debate creation vs. evolution or religion vs. science because of this? No.  Do we need to freak out over our paranoia of Area 51? No.  So lets all relax and enjoy the view.
Wouldn't it be cool if people could just enjoy things like this with out spouting off all their personal beliefs?  It is a very cool picture done by a talented individual in an unconventional form... For that, I love it!
Great job. I have been a Treker since 1966. A great show. The whole concept shows that we all can work together. This needs to be a decision made by all. In the Star Trek universe, it seems to have been made. Now it needs to be made here. I think we are capable of making the right choice.
I too immediately recognized Picard and Spock (the most famous Vulcan who was only half-Vulcan), the Borg cube, the Constitution-class Cruiser, the comm badge which is designed from the basic theory of warp physics (see the novel "Federation" for further details) but I also noticed the 1966-2006 dates, Saturn's rings from when the Enterprise-D came rushing after the Borg in Sector 001, and the star Sulu followed when Kirk told him to head "Out there...that-a-way."

Yes, I am a fan of Gene and his creation and have never hidden the fact, from either of my two wives or two kids and this "tribute" is better than many I've seen. Kudos and hazzahs to the man! (Although I did notice the phaser was emitted from the lower middle of the secondary hull...tsk tsk and at the very top of the phot looks to be a battery...maybe the one which ran Data?...durned geeks ought to keep their mouth shut anywho!)
hi guys,
thanks for your comments on york maze 2006 ! I had great fun designing and creating it. As a closet trekkie I thought I would come out with a bang !!
We are holding a trek day on the 19th of august at the maze, culminating with an outdoor screening of the film " the next generation " in the maze. does anyone have any suggestions for keeping trekkies ammused for the day, or any events we could hold on the day to celebrate the anniversary ??
Tom,


I just learned of this from Parade magazine on 12/31/06!  How cool!  My burning question for you is...what exactly is it about Star Trek that inspires you to do such a monumental feat?  I am a long time fan myself however I want to hear the words from YOUR mouth!  If you post here please also email me via my website.  Thanks!


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