In October 2021,William Shatner , the actor best known for his portrayal of Captain James T. Kirk in the originalStar Trekfilm and television franchise , go for to be launched into space as part of Amazon boss Jeff Bezos ’s Blue Origin task . Whereas Kirk was always enthusiastic about such exploration , it turns out that Shatner retrieve the whole trial by ordeal somewhat depressing .
In an excerption of his new memoir co - indite with Josh Brandon , Boldly Go : Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder , that first ran viaVariety , Shatner aver that the journey to blank cater him a new — and somewhat dismal — perspective on the emptiness of space .
“ I realize a cold , dark , shameful emptiness , ” Shatner write . “ It was unlike any blackness you’re able to see or feel on Earth . It was deep , enveloping , all - encompassing . I wrick back toward the light of home . I could see the curve of Earth , the ecru of the desert , the white of the swarm , and the wild blue yonder of the sky . It was life . Nurturing , sustaining , life sentence . Mother Earth . Gaia . And I was leaving her . ”
Shatner go on to explicate that Earth ’s multiple environmental crises made him cognisant of the planet ’s fragility . He believes he experienced what ’s lie with as “ the overview outcome , “ a termcoinedby philosopher Frank White in 1987 to describe a cognitive shift in how humanity view Earth from field . Shatner delineate it as “ among the strongest feeling of brokenheartedness I have ever encountered ” and one of “ consuming sadness . ”
Back on hearty background , Shatner describe a “ turn back touch sensation of hope ” that mankind can see through their differences and realise their shared plight to rededicate themselves to the planet .
Shatner waslast seenas a contestant onThe Masked Singer .
[ h / tVariety ]
