William Shatner, the iconic Canadian actor renowned for his portrayal of Captain James T. Kirk in the "Star Trek" series, expressed his deep concern regarding the accelerating pace of climate change on Earth. In a recent video call from his Los Angeles residence, Shatner articulated that he believes his character, Captain Kirk, would share his alarm over environmental issues.
Shatner envisioned Captain Kirk engaging with humanity in a dramatic fashion, such as "skywriting" a message urging Earthlings to take meaningful action against climate change. He emphasized the importance of education, stating, "Education, education, read everything." He urged everyone to familiarize themselves with climate issues and make informed decisions.
The 94-year-old actor is scheduled to participate in Montreal's Comiccon event later this week, which will take place at the Palais des congrès. Shatner is set to appear on the second and third days of this three-day fan convention. Other notable guests at the event include Wil Wheaton, known for his role as Wesley Crusher in "Star Trek: The Next Generation," and Kane Hodder, famous for portraying Jason Voorhees in the "Friday the 13th" franchise.
Born in Montreal in 1931, Shatner retains a strong emotional connection to his hometown, stating, "That’s my whole childhood." He mentions a "vast" network of relatives, including a sister, still living in the city. Shatner's acting journey began in childhood and continued through his studies at McGill University, where he graduated in 1952 with a degree in commerce. Although the university center bears his name unofficially, it is known among students as the Shatner Building.
Shatner first stepped into the role of Captain Kirk in the original "Star Trek" television series in 1966, and his last appearance in the franchise was in the 1994 film "Star Trek Generations," where his character meets a dramatic end. Aside from "Star Trek," Shatner has also starred in series such as "Boston Legal" and "T.J. Hooker." He is an accomplished author, having penned numerous books, including "Star Trek" novels and a memoir about his relationship with the late Leonard Nimoy, who portrayed Spock. Moreover, Shatner has recorded over a dozen albums, spanning genres and themes, from his 1968 album "The Transformed Man" to his children’s album, "Where Will the Animals Sleep? Songs for Kids and Other Living Things," released last year.
Recently, Shatner was seen sharing the stage with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson in Seattle for a conversation about space and life, aptly titled "The Universe Is Absurd." Notably, he traveled to Antarctica with Tyson last year and went to space in 2021, aboard Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin shuttle. This insatiable curiosity fuels Shatner's enthusiasm for the possibilities of artificial intelligence and platforms like ChatGPT.
Shatner highlighted the efficiency of utilizing AI for research, mentioning how it simplifies the process of finding information. "Artificial intelligence has been a revolution in mankind’s acquisition of knowledge," he affirmed, acknowledging how it has made knowledge more accessible compared to traditional means, like visiting libraries.
Despite his ongoing quest for knowledge, Shatner expressed frustration at the limitations of human understanding. He lamented, "I’m going to die very unhappily because I don’t know anything." Shatner conveyed the vast amount of "glorious information" available and the challenge of acquiring knowledge within a single lifetime, yet he remains intrigued by the fragments of information one can glean during their existence.
