We were newlyweds when the Star Trek Television series first came on the air. Every week we met with another couple to watch it together, trading off on who cooked dinner.
Later, when we had our families, we would all meet downtown to see the Star Wars movies. We would usually go on the first or second weekend of the release, and stand in long lines to get in. Sometimes we would wait for hours. But we were young and it was fun sitting on the sidewalk and waiting, eating the snacks we had packed at home.
I don't remember anyone dressing like 'Trekies' or Star War Charactors at the time. Most of us were pretty ordinary, just Science Fiction enthusiasts.
At that time we were pretty optimistic about the future. There was feel that we were on the brink of a wonderful new world, with all the problems of war, poverty and bigotry left behind. That we would overcome all our problems. Simpler times.
It could be that my hindsight is simply affected by the rosy colored glasses I wear when looking backward.
Things just feel scarier and darker now. Less hopeful….
That is why it is so good consider that what we think is reality, is truly only an illusion.