Story Archive

Are You out of Your Vulcan Mind?

Dave Clarke, a faculty member at Britain’s Sheffield Hallam University with specialties in investigative journalism and UFOs, used the Freedom of Information Act to get a London Metropolitan Police document prepared after the 1997 Heaven’s Gate suicides. American TV shows and movies such as Star Trek and The X-Files, the document said, “draw together the various strands of religion, UFOs, conspiracies, and mystic events and put them in an entertaining storyline.” Why is this a police matter? “Obviously this is not sinister in itself, what is of concern is the devotion certain groups and individuals ascribe to the contents of these programmes.” Apparently police officials feared science-fiction fans might get so worked up as the millennium approached as to reduce Britain to anarchy. A Scotland Yard spokesman noted “We have no knowledge of this.” (AC/London Telegraph) ...If the Trekkies and X-Philes create anarchy, just call The Doctor to restore order.