Lucas prioritized cinematic reality over science.

Technology in “Star Trek” and “Star Wars”

One of the key differences between “Star Trek” and “Star Wars” lies in their approach to technology. “Star Trek” has always strived to provide detailed explanations for the fantastical technology featured in the show. The creators of the series have gone to great lengths to give the ships and machines a tactile quality that makes them seem more believable. Fans of the show can imagine themselves operating an L-CARS computer panel or adjusting the Enterprise’s shields. For Trekkies, there is a practical element to the technology – it all seems plausible and grounded in some sort of scientific reality.

On the other hand, “Star Wars” has always been more focused on the narrative impact of its technology rather than the technical details. While there is an extensive expanded universe that explains how a Star Destroyer works, for example, it is not as important as the dramatic impact of seeing one flying through space. For Starwoids, it is the characters and their interactions that matter more than the technology itself.

The Real-World Inspirations for “Star Wars”

George Lucas, the creator of “Star Wars,” has always maintained that his creative process was more focused on drama and storytelling than on the technical details of his fictional universe. In fact, Lucas has admitted that he wasn’t particularly interested in math and science during his school days, preferring to spend his time daydreaming. When creating “Star Wars,” he was free to let his imagination run wild without being limited by any particular scientific constraints.

“I simply said, ‘I’m going to create a world that’s fun and interesting, makes sense, and seems to have a reality to it.’ And a lot of it came from our literary history, our social history, like robots and whatnot. Part of it’s based on mythological motifs, the politics are based on history. There’s a lot of cultural reality to it that isn’t necessarily scientific but is more social.”

The result of Lucas’s approach to world-building is a universe that feels both familiar and fantastical at the same time, full of characters and settings that are easy to relate to despite the fact that they exist in a galaxy far, far away.

The Importance of Character

Ultimately, what sets “Star Trek” and “Star Wars” apart is their focus on different aspects of storytelling. For “Star Trek,” the technology is a crucial component of the show’s appeal. Fans enjoy learning about the inner workings of the starships and futuristic gadgets, which are often featured prominently on the show. For “Star Wars,” the characters and their relationships with each other are the driving force behind the narrative. While the technology is certainly important, it serves primarily as a backdrop for the characters’ adventures.

Both “Star Trek” and “Star Wars” have been incredibly successful franchises that have captured the imaginations of millions of fans around the world. Whether you prefer the technical details of “Star Trek” or the character-driven drama of “Star Wars,” there is no denying that these two sci-fi classics have left an indelible mark on popular culture.