The Star Trek Character You Possible Did not Notice Jeff Bezos Performed

Many Trekkies may discover it curious that somebody like Jeff Bezos (who admittedly gave unhealthy recommendation to the “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Energy” showrunners) can be a Trekkie. “Star Trek,” in spite of everything, takes place in a post-capitalist society whereby humanity is now not motivated by the buildup of wealth. Class has basically been erased, and expertise permits everybody to reside comfortably, with out need. Jeff Bezos, in the meantime, is among the richest folks on the planet, mentioned to be value over $237 billion. He owns Amazon and the Washington Put up, and has, in recent times, been spreading his cash across the American Proper Wing, exhibiting monetary help for the nation’s most unsavory politicians. He additionally prevented the Put up from endorsing Kamala Harris for president. Bezos has been described as an oligarch and is actually considered one of Earth’s most insidious supra-capitalists. These will not be the philosophical viewpoints of Gene Roddenberry’s futuristic utopia. 

The place Bezos and “Star Trek” overlap, nevertheless, is an curiosity within the stars. Bezos owns a personal rocket-building agency known as Blue Origin that has been launching crafts into the higher ambiance for years. Certainly, in 2022, “Star Trek” star William Shatner took a experience on a Blue Origin rocket, kind of spiritually bringing Trek and Bezos collectively in an summary form of method. Bezos actually is not the pacifist communist one may see on “Star Trek,” however he does appear to need to ship folks into house. Bezos can also be a significant investor in Fandom.com, the web site that hosts Reminiscence Alpha, the online’s largest “Star Trek” fansite. 

Because it so occurs, Bezos had a earlier brush with Trek in 2016, as he had a cameo in Justin Lin’s “Star Trek Past,” the thirteenth characteristic movie within the sequence. Based on Reminiscence Alpha, Bezos performed an alien physician … named Bezos. 

Jeff Bezos is not going to be recognizable. Not solely is he solely on display screen for just a few seconds in “Star Trek Past,” however his famously bald head is roofed by elaborate alien make-up. He appeared close to the start of the movie when the character of Kalara (Lydia Wilson) was launched. Kalara appeared on an escape pod and was rescued by the usS. Enterprise. She was introduced on board and questioned by Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) when she revealed that she fled a catastrophe she encountered round a planet known as Altamid and that her ship was now stranded there. The Enterprise goes to Altamid to assist, however it was a lure. An enormous swarm of miniature assault vessels rip the Enterprise to shreds, and the crew has to flee to the planet’s floor to outlive. 

When Kalara was being questioned, she was being scanned and examined by a cadre of Federation medical doctors, clearly ensuring that she was okay. One of many medical doctors was Jeff Bezos. 

Based on Reminiscence Alpha, Bezos’ love of “Star Trek” has manifested in some ways. He purchased one of many eight-foot filming fashions of the usS. Enterprise, utilized in a few of the Trek characteristic movies. He named his canine Kamala, after a personality performed by Famke Janssen on “Star Trek: The Subsequent Technology.” Bezos additionally appreciated the voice-operated computer systems on “Subsequent Technology,” and clearly modeled Amazon’s Alexa after them. 

Bezos’ politics would be the polar reverse of “Star Trek,” however one may hope he’ll rewatch the sequence sometime and notice that. On condition that he was in one of many motion pictures, perhaps he’ll be inspired to take action. The person understands the technological aspect of “Star Trek,” however not the message that unity, pacifism, and anticapitalism have been the means to attain it.