Comment Re:Leonard Nimoy is why we have nice things (Score 1) 411
Seriously - Leonard Nimoy's Mr. Spock probably inspired more people to enter science, engineering, and intellectualism in general than any other figure in pop culture. He turned anti-intellectualism on its ear by making being a "nerd" not just cool, but even sexy.
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Maybe, but Nimoy was not a scientist; it was Spock who was the scientist. Indeed, Nimoy himself exclaimed this by titling his biography I Am Not Spock 1975. {But later when Nimoy realized he misjudged public reaction, titled the next volume I Am Spock(1995).}
After Star Trek, Nimoy MCed In Search of..., a show no real scientist would support. In the show, scientific explanations for witchcraft, alien abductions, or whatever, were given only footnote attention.
In terms of promoting science, the writers of Star Trek deserve more credit than the actors.