Topic: Star Trek

MakerBot Replicator 2: Print your own objects at home

MakerBot introduces a 3-D printer for schools, workshops, and homes. The Replicator 2 costs $2,199.

Culture Cafe
'Star Wars: Episode 7': Harrison Ford open to returning for a new film, sources say

Unnamed sources are saying 'Star Wars' actor Harrison Ford is 'open to the idea of doing the movie.'

Culture Cafe
Herman Melville book 'Moby-Dick' on screen stretches from Gregory Peck to 'Futurama'

The Herman Melville book 'Moby-Dick' has been parodied on TV and several directors have tried to capture the classic novel on film, though no movie version has quite attained classic status.

Cover Story
How artificial intelligence is changing our lives

From smart phones that act as personal concierges to self-parking cars to medical robots, the artificial intelligence revolution is here. So where do humans fit in?

Obama or Romney? Why 5 undecided voters are still on the fence.

The presidential election will be decided by a tiny fraction of American voters – those in swing states who have not made up their minds. What are these 1 million people waiting for? The Monitor talked to five undecided voters to find out.

Star Trek: The Original Series: The 10 greatest episodes (+ video)

Star Trek: The Original Series first aired 46 years ago Friday, and Google is marking the occasion with an elaborate, interactive doodle that includes a number of Trek tropes, including a doomed redshirt, a chief communications officer in soft-focus, a bulkhead full of tribbles, a generic rocky planet, and a whole lot of blinking and beeping and flashing lights.

The doodle is based on a first-season episode titled 'The Arena,' in which Captian Kirk is transported to a planet that looks suspiciously like the outskirts of Los Angeles, where he must face off against a reptilian humanoid. By our calculations, 'The Arena' was the 17th greatest episode. Here are our top ten:

Did you find all the secrets in Google's Star Trek: The Original Series doodle?

Star Trek: The Original Series made its debut 46 years ago. In that time, the show created a media empire, inspired many rising scientists, and played a surprising role in the American Civil Rights movement. 

Google honored the original series on Friday with an interactive doodle. The mini Star Trek episode follows a Googlized Captain Kirk from the bridge of the Starship Enterprise to the clutches of danger. Along the way, Google's design team hid many secrets. 

Here's a complete guide to the winks, spoofs, and inside jokes tucked into doodle. 

Horizons
Star Trek: The Original Series' surprising role in US civil rights

Google features a doodle for Star Trek: The Original Series – a nod to one of the most progressive television shows of its era. 

Quantum 'teleportation' distance record broken

Researchers say that exploiting quantum entanglement could lead to near-instantaneous data transmission. 

Gravity's Engines

With 'Gravity's Engines,' Caleb Scharf establishes himself as one of the finest space storytellers.

The Beloit College Mindset List for the class of 2016

Every year, Beloit College in Beloit, Wis., releases its Mindset List to give a snapshot of how the incoming freshmen class views the world.

William Shatner as 'Negotiator': He's back

William Shatner reprises his role as Priceline's Negotiator in a new ad. But can William Shatner save struggling Priceline?

'Star Trek' actors star in new Mars rover landing videos (+video)

William Shatner and Wil Wheaton, the 'Star Trek' icons who portrayed Captain Kirk and Wesley Crusher, appear in two new NASA videos promoting the Curiosity Mars rover, which is scheduled to land on Mars on Aug. 5.

Space Shuttle Enterprise sails to New York

Named for the iconic 'Star Trek' spacecraft, the Enterprise was the first of NASA's fleet of space shuttles. 

The space shuttle named by Star Trek fans makes its final voyage

The space shuttle Enterprise arrived in New York City at its new home on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, now named the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

SpaceX rocket on its way to outer space (+video)

This is the first privately-funded spaceflight to the International Space Station; it launched Tuesday after a scrubbed mission over the weekend.

The Monitor's View: SpaceX launch to space station: humanity finds new wings

If all goes well, the first private capsule will dock at the space station Thursday, marking a historic turning point in the use of private space companies. This will help free up NASA for riskier space exploration.

SpaceX takes Star Trek's 'Scotty' to the Final Frontier

SpaceX: The ashes of the actor James Doohan, who played Scotty on 'Star Trek' were launched to space on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The price?  $2,995 to launch 1 gram of ashes into Earth orbit.

Culture Cafe
'Mad Men' examines the Hare Krishna movement

'Mad Men' brought back an old character who has found new faith in its newest episode.

Space Shuttle Enterprise arrives in NYC atop a Boeing 747 (+video)

Earlier today, NASA's Space Shuttle Enterprise touched down in New York City, where it will find a new home in the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

Mom, the family columnist

Her young son is aghast as his life begins to unspool in the local newspaper.

'The Three Stooges': 5 other movies bringing back beloved stories

"The Three Stooges" hits theaters this Friday, and over the next year, everything from '70s TV shows to '90s hit comedies are coming to the multiplex.

Top Picks: 'I, Claudius,' improv on the subway, and more

Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh make film history in 'A Streetcar Named Desire,' a documentary tells the story of starlet0turned nun Dolores Hart, NASA captures video of swirling plasma on the sun, and more top picks.

Why is China's Xi Jinping going to Iowa?

China's heir apparent, Xi Jinping, will return to Iowa Wednesday. Xi spent a week in Muscatine, Iowa, in 1985, and will be feted upon his return.

William Shatner 'dies' again. Bye-bye Priceline Negotiator.

William Shatner ends his 14-year run as Priceline pitch man in new ad, complete with fiery bus crash. The company is dropping William Shatner as it changes strategy.