Star Trek's future was the blueprint for today

Star Trek didn't predict the future. It invented it. Generations of fans borrowed ideas from the series and used them in their work so the show acted as a prototype for the 21st century.

To emphasize the idea, an exhibit in Detroit looks at how Star Trek influenced the technology of today. We've got communicators, but it will be a while before the transporter beams and warp drives get here.

Star Trek even continues to influence fashion. Check out this Trek corset. Ensign Rand never looked so good!

I suppose that some of this chatter about Trek is part of the buzz leading up to the release of the new movie. New toys will be released in stores before the actual opening night so you'll be able to go the premiere clutching your Captain Kirk action figure.

If Trek wants to regain the market share for world's biggest SF franchise, it's important to churn out toys that are sufficiently interesting to today's kids who will be tomorrow's Trek fanboys. In that regard, Star Wars if far ahead of the game.

If you end up not liking the new film, you can use this Star Trek plot generator to write your own.