Star Trek has inspired generations of people around the world to become engineers, leaders, doctors, explorers, scientists… the list goes on. It is a philosophy that suggests that mankind will become better in the long run, that people will become better than they started out. So, I’m sure you, my fellow ST fans wonder why on earth Paramount seems to be waging war on the buyers of the product they are so intent on selling. It’s very well known that the principal creator of ST, Gene Roddenberry, appreciated the fans and encouraged them to create their own fan fiction. ST fans surprised Gene with the conventions that sprung up in the early 70s. The love of the fans for the show was clear and the fan base just continued to grow as the show entered syndication. Now, in this age of home computers and improving technologies that make it easier to create good quality fiction, it should come as no surprise that the fans are producing amazing looking content. Paramount should be at the very least pleased that their products – which are many and revered – are so appealing that fans are creating some of their own. The fans know that their works will never be considered “canon”, but it helps expand the universe in their minds. It helps them love the genre even more. And yet Paramount cannot seem to understand this simple notion. Nobody is trying to replace the “official” content. Shows like Axanar are the icing on the cake, not the cake itself. Nobody would claim that the excellent episodes created by ST New Voyages and ST Continues are canon. They ask “what if”, not “what is accepted as true in that universe”. I can but hope that the company that produced this show that we all love will stop trying to cheese off the very people they want to sell to. This is a totally self-defeating premise. It should come as no surprise that The Orville is so adored – it’s a great alternative to a production company that is becoming on the nose. The take down of Axanar’s latest video from YouTube is ridiculous. There are many groups that have been technically violating the rules that were laid down a decade ago. They’re still up. The double standard is clear. Paramount, wake up to yourself. Stop this. People like to consume products that smell good. Your product is becoming on the nose. In an attempt at being transparent, it costs me a fair amount each month to keep this website up and running and, as I'm on a disability pension, it's always an ouch to my budget when I get the bill. If anyone would like to help me with the upkeep of this site, you can donate here: Donate by PayPal. Please consider donating to keep this site running so we can all enjoy the benefits of good, quality Star Trek Fan Fiction. The names of donors will be added to this box as they are made.

• Alei.