As some of you already know, I’ll choose Picard over Kirk every day of the Stardate calendar. However, choosing between Data and Spock keeps me in a neverending state of perplex… Even more so, considering their approach to humans – lying at the extreme ends of the love – hate continuum. Perhaps out of vanity – I am only human (albeit, as a fully-clothed female unspeakably repulsive to the Ferunghi) – I’m fascinated by Data’s admiration for human-beings and his struggle to become more like them. On the other hand, I can’t help but sympathise with Spock’s clinically logical vivisection of humans’ flawed nature. In fact, I think that Spock and Data are simply two sides to the same story. As they say: One man’s meat is another man’s poison. In this case, it’s the emotions that need to be consumed and digested.
It’s truly inspiring to watch Data wonder about what it means to be human. How he observes and gets amazed by the unpredictability of people’s actions and reactions. I’m particularly fond of his attempts to capture humour and irony. Of course, it is quite creepy when he tries to smile… let alone to laugh. However, he seems to have managed to grasp some kind of artistic abilities expressed in music and painting. Kudos for that, my friend! Even though I’m most probably human, I’ve never been able to master either of these skills.
On the other hand, there is Spock. With the Vulcan Surak’s Code of Emotional Control. Yes, I used capital letters out of respect. I’m full of admiration for the Vulcan way of handling emotions. I’ve been learning to control mine for quite some time now, and I have to admit that it’s not an easy task to do. But I know for sure that the concept of kaiidth (in Federation Standard: what is, is) is the best way to go. People say: go with the flow, roll with the punches, take it easy, ride with the tide, take the rough with the smooth… And I totally agree. This doesn’t mean being passive or helpless. Nor does it mean ‘turning the other cheek’ when life punches you in the face. To better understand kaiidth, visit https://kirshara.wordpress.com/second-analects/ ; if you want the English translation, go to Part Six: https://kirshara.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/part-six.pdf.
There is one thing I would object to, though. Since controlling emotions is not a genetic trait in Vulcans, but a learnt (if not imposed) ability, they are prone to suffer dire consequences when exceeding the age of 200. They may be affected by a strange disease, known as Bendii Syndrome, which brings all their ‘bottled up’ emotions to the surface, resulting in uninhibited outbursts. It can also evoke violent behaviour among non-Vulcans, due to Vulcans’ telephatic abilities. A very confusing and dangerous state, indeed. But living for over 200 years led by logic doesn’t sound too shabby, anyway!
Perhaps because of his critical disposition, it is Spock who has become the source of inspiration for this post. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you: Negative Prefixes… and some examples.
| NEGATIVE PREFIX | SPOCK | OTHER EXAMPLES |
| UN– (most common) | That position, Mr Scott, would not only be unavailing but also undignified. Therefore, we were displaced through space in some manner which I am unable to fathom. | unkind, unfriendly, uncomfortable, unknown, unusual, unhealthy, unpredictable |
| IN– | Insufficient facts always invite danger. I incorrectly assumed that you would be truthful in your captain’s log. | inactive, incomplete, insane, informal, invisible, inefficient |
| IM– (typically before M & P) | Once you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. | immortal, immoral, imperfect, impatient |
| IR– (often before R) | What you want is irrelevant. What you’ve chosen is at hand. You are, after all, essentially irrational. | irregular, irresponsible, irresistible, irreplaceable |
| IL– (often before L) | Your highly emotional reaction is most illogical. | illegal, illegible |
| DIS– | Therefore, we were displaced through space in some manner which I am unable to fathom. | dishonest, disagree, disadvantage |
| MIS– (typically used for verbs) | …I haven’t found any Spock quotes with ‘mis-’ so far… | mistreat, misuse |
Live long and prosper!
Also… go and get me those Spock quotes with ‘mis-’!