The Star Trek Conspiracy - Part One

“Space… the final frontier!”
 These four instantly recognisable words will forever be associated with the phenomenon known as Star Trek. Six shows (a total of 726 episodes) and 11 feature length movies later, the effect of this sci-fi landmark on the minds of millions cannot be underestimated. So powerful is it’s sway, that it has shaped academic careers, created new languages, influenced global policies and created a vision of the future where war, poverty and hatred has been eliminated and all of humanity is equal.

 So what happens when the suggestion is raised that not everything about this behemoth is what it appears to be? As with all things that fall into the sphere of mythical archetypes and cults of personality, questioning intent and purpose can be akin to sticking your head inside a bees nest! Holding up mass values and perceptions to the cold light of day can (at best) trigger an instant denial reaction or (at worst) the threat of reprisals. Just take a look at the mass reaction to the ‘Faux Paul’ research in relation to The Beatles…

 A superficial look at the possible hidden aspects of Star Trek won’t get you very far. Many of the knee jerk reactions consider that the ‘proof’ can be found in relation to various religious agendas (Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry’s Baptist upbringing in relation to the TV industry in the 1960s) although (in reality) there is very little evidence to substantiate these claims. This doesn’t mean that the idea of a Star Trek ‘agenda’ is unfounded though. In order to get an idea of a possibly larger picture, one needs to play a game of ‘degrees of separation’. Some may say that doing this only shows a bunch of coincidences, but I encourage any open minded person to look at these factors carefully before drawing conclusions.

 The first place to start is with Gene Roddenberry. Was he a Freemason?! Many speculate (and even state) that he was a 33rd degree of the Scottish rite, although there appears to be no obvious evidence in this case.  However, this doesn’t rule out a Freemasonic association entirely. It does seem interesting that the initial names of both the ship and captain have some significance. Roddenberry wanted to stick with Captain Pike (a name synonymous with Freemasonry: Albert Pike) although this link is tenuous. More interesting though is the ship itself. Roddenberry was determined, for a considerable amount of time, to name the vessel “Constitution”. Those who have looked into Freemasonic history will know that on March 17th, 1926, Major General Henry Knox lodge was constituted on the gun deck of the US Navy ship “USS Constitution”. More importantly, this was the only Lodge in the world ever to be instituted on an active ship of war. Although the starship name eventually became “Enterprise”, the ship remained a “constitution class starship”.
http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/masonicmuseum/USS_Constitution_Sebastian_Miniature.htm  

 On a more esoteric level, the original series is littered with (what some refer to as “illuminati”) symbolism. Whilst many will argue for eternity about the true inferences of the Vulcan “live long and prosper” salute, more revealing examples can be found. The similarity of both the Starfleet uniform patch and the Vulcan IDIC pin to the Pyramid and ‘all seeing eye’ is a little strange. Indeed, the origin of the IDIC pin is explained in the Star Trek: Enterprise episode – “The Forge” – as an attainment of heightened knowledge upon reaching the summit of Mount Seleya on Vulcan. The Pyramid is also witnessed as a hand gesture on several occasions in one episode of the original series and in costume designs and set pieces throughout the original run. Jack the Ripper (freemasonic undercurrents) was also integral to the plot of the episode: “Wolf in the Fold”.

 This alleged connection between Roddenberry and Freemasonry is mere peanuts compared to the more extensively documented associations that he would have during his life. His connections with all branches of the military/industrial/ scientific complex, and various political arenas, were vast to say the least. He had contact with several high profile figures in the United Nations which, he admitted, played a huge part in influencing his notion of an all-encompassing “Federation” of various nations/planets who ruled “benevolently” over countless individuals. This influence is clearly noted in the similarities between the flags of the UN and United Federation of Planets.

Andrija Puharich

 This may not have been the only influence on the “Federation” concept though. From (at least) the mid-1970s, Roddenberry became associated with a little known group called “Lab9”. According to Lynn Picknett & Clive Prince (authors of “The Stargate Conspiracy”), Lab9 was a research facility based in New Jersey and was the brainchild of American Army physician and parapsychologist Andrija Puharich. “They included scientists interested in the interface between quantum physics and consciousness besides members of super-rich families, politicians and writers.” (“Behind the Mask: Aliens or Cosmic Jokers?” by Picknett & Prince)

Lucille Ball

  Puharich is infamous in alternative research. His ‘Round Table Foundation’ (of the early 50s) was funded by the likes of the Wallace Foundation (Henry A. Wallace, Vice President of the USA under Franklin D. Roosevelt), the Forbes family, the Astor dynasty, etc. He was also notoriously involved with various aspects of the CIA’s MK projects and ‘psychic spying’ efforts (‘An Evaluation of the Possible Usefulness of Extrasensory Perception in Psychological Warfare’ – 1952). Puharich will also forever be associated with the idea of “tooth implants”. “One of Puharich's hearing aids is called the "tooth radio", which is literally implanted inside of a person's tooth.” As a curious aside, Star Trek could never have gotten off the ground without the backing of Desilu Studios. Desilu was owned by Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball. Ball famously stated that she once heard Japanese Military radio transmissions in her tooth fillings… Strange coincidence that!

 Roddenberry was recruited into Lab9 by former racing driver: Sir John Whitmore. Through his involvement with this group, Roddenberry came into contact with Phyllis Schlemmer – a psychic channeller – who conveyed alleged messages from the ‘Council of Nine’. The Nine are allegedly an extra-terrestrial/extra-dimensional outfit, who claim  to have played a huge role in influencing the affairs of humanity for a very long time. The nature and credibility of The Nine has been interpreted and studied in a vast variety of ways by esoteric researchers, which in turn has muddled what little we know of Lab9’s attempts to understand/cover-up the concept. It remains a fascinating (if slightly speculative) phenomenon never the less. The ultimate fate of Lab9 remains shrouded in mystery. There are claims that the New Jersey complex burned to the ground in 1979 amidst a flurry of alleged accusations of child related abuse. How much of this is true is anybody’s guess…

"The Eye of the Universe" Aka - The Bajoran Wormhole

 Roddenberry (through Lab9) found kindred spirits in SRI (Stanford Research Institute), Esalen and The Institute of Noetic Sciences.  His fascination with alternative concepts continued throughout his life. Even in the 1980s, he was documented as working on Trek related projects with the likes of Sean David Morton – of ‘Dulce’/Area 51 fame.  The influence of his Lab9 experiences continues to be seen in his latter science fiction creations such as his aborted “Planet Earth” pilot and the series “Earth: Final Conflict”. It is also apparent in latter Trek (even if only by influencing those who carried the “Trek” mantle after his death): 9 “TNG” cast members, 9 (with Worf) “DS9” cast members, 9 “Voyager” cast members, Deep Space 9, 9 Bajoran Orbs, the wormhole as home to celestial beings (“The Prophets”) who are revered as gods by the Bajorans, the list goes on…

 Many, including Schlemmer, have claimed that Roddenberry was very in tune with the concept of The Nine, long before his association with Puharich… possibly as early as the creation of Star Trek. The proof of this is obvious really. References to Telos, Vinod, The Archons, Sargon (The Saturn Cult), “NCC 1701” (1+7+0+1 = 9) and numerous others are abundant throughout the original series. Amongst the proposed scripts for the original series pilot, the aborted 1970’s series: Star Trek – Phase 2, and Star Trek: The Motion Picture is a concept that Roddenberry tried desperately to realise. This was the story of an external force that influenced humanity from outside our perceptual sphere and hides behind a “godlike” concept.  The early drafts of the first motion picture were named “The God Thing” and seem to reinforce Roddenberry’s belief that humanity would be better off abandoning religion altogether. Star Trek is often labelled “technology unchained”… in other words, ‘Science’ (Mainstream Science) is the only game in town. This can potentially be as narrow a perspective as faith in a dogmatic organised religion… especially in the hands of those with a hidden agenda.

Matilda O'Donnell MacElroy

 Curiously (and as a postscript to the “Nine” narrative), I recently sat up and paid attention to some strange factors highlighted in the book “Alien Interview”, which is built around the accounts of Matilda O'Donnell MacElroy – who claimed to have interviewed an alien during the Roswell Incident of 1947. The book has several references to the concept of the “Council of Nine” and mention of a symbol that was ‘shown’ to her by the creature. The symbol is used throughout the design of the book and is eerily identical to the Starfleet insignia. Was it inspired by “The Nine” or was the Starfleet logo simply used to embellish MacElroy’s account? The above highlighted section has been revised. For full details see the comments section below with points raised by "Alien Interview" Editor and Publisher Lawrence R. Spencer and a response from myself. Alternatively, you can see my follow up article here: http://thetruthseekersguide.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/comments-by-lawrence-r-spencer-editor.html

Roddenberry’s connections to the agenda players seemed to operate on many levels. Despite his fierce opposition to violence and militaristic values, Star Trek courted many in the Military/Industrial Complex… most notably NASA. It is interesting to note the involvement of Robert Wise as director on the first feature. Wise also helmed “The Andromeda Strain” and “The Day the Earth Stood Still”. Both films are relevant to alternative researchers, particularly the latter – in relation to The Brookings Report and the suggestions of a perceptual management programme of UFOs/ETs in the media from the 1950s onward. NASA was integral to The Brookings Report and the perceptual agenda that was carried forward from then on.

 There’s also some peculiar imagery in that first movie. The NASA probe Voyager 6 sits at the heart of an almost megalithic structure in the closing moments of the film. The similarity between this imagery and the early designs for the Apollo 16 mission patches are bizarre to say the least!

 During the 1960s, whilst envisioning the original ‘Starfleet’ technology, Roddenberry extensively consulted JPL scientists, Douglas and Lockheed engineers, USAF and RAND experts, and the engineers who worked on NASA’s unmanned space probe program. The Enterprise bridge design attracted the attention of the US Navy, who dispatched three officers to the Star Trek soundstages. They were given extensive access and design blueprints, as well as the accumulated notes gathered from JPL, NASA, etc. A year later, Trek designer Matt Jeffries was contacted by the US Navy to thank him for his help. It appears that those original design notes became the touchstone for the creation of the then classified Naval Communications Centre in San Diego.

Top: Colin Powell on set in 1990
Bottom: Post 9/11 - Anthrax farce

 Even toward the end of his life, the connections remained apparent. In 1990, the “Star Trek: The Next Generation” character of Wesley Crusher (played by Wil Wheaton) was promoted to full ensign. Roddenberry was joined on set by General Colin Powell (then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) to present Wheaton with Roddenberry’s own military ensign bars. 

 Roddenberry gained the moniker “The Great Bird of the Galaxy” (“Great Bird” is an important aspect of freemasonic imagery – the great carrier of knowledge) and, despite his instrumental role in Star Trek, he is often given an all-encompassing position in Trek lore. It should be noted though that this driving force was only there for the original 60s series (reduced significantly in the third season), the first motion picture and the first few seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation. 

 It remains undetermined what his true aims were with Star Trek. He is known to have favoured Science Fiction as a means to comment on the human condition because these hidden messages often escaped the censors. In this regard, he was no stranger to the concept of subliminal messages. Was his agenda to expose or conceal? Was Star Trek a form of predictive programming designed to acclimatise humanity for an oncoming “New World Order”, or an eventual form of disclosure? It is difficult to say.

 It is possible that he was akin to a poor man’s Kubrick – conscientious, even though he was (to an unknown degree) on the inside. By his own admission, he was no angel and led a very colourful life. Many accused him of being a plagiarist who lifted ideas from others left, right and centre. To followers of Star Trek, he is often considered a visionary of a peaceful, utopian future. I suspect the reality to be considerably less black and white…

 On October 24, 1991, Gene Roddenberry died at the age of 70. By this point, the “Trek” franchise had been commandeered by two groups of people (the movie and TV arms respectively), with a third group assuming control more recently. Via these groups, the franchise has been reshaped (in some respects) to suit more contemporary media agendas. However, it has also expanded upon Roddenberry’s connections to become a virtual recruiting tool for aspects of the military/industrial/scientific complex – especially NASA.
I will look at these aspects in part two.

See you then!
The Truth Seeker’s Guide.

Part 2 - http://thetruthseekersguide.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/star-trek-conspiracy-part-two.html
Part 3 - http://thetruthseekersguide.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/star-trek-conspiracy-part-three.html


Books available from Carl James:
Science Fiction and the Hidden Global Agenda - Volume One - http://www.lulu.com/shop/carl-james/science-fiction-and-the-hidden-global-agenda-2016-edition-volume-one/paperback/product-23209429.html
Science Fiction and the Hidden Global Agenda - Volume Two - http://www.lulu.com/shop/carl-james/science-fiction-and-the-hidden-global-agenda-2016-edition-volume-two/paperback/product-23209433.html
What Really Happened at the London 2012 Olympics - http://www.lulu.com/shop/carl-james/what-really-happened-at-the-london-2012-olympics/paperback/product-23221527.html