>I’d say you are right about Star Trek being first in taking it to the next level. They are long term planners so I can certainly agree with your assertions of them softening us up for the future with a show about the future. I remember seeing an interview with Gene Roddenberry in which he was asked about the progressiveness of the original series and in particular an interracial kiss that happened in one of the episodes. He said they wanted to include that sort of stuff to show us how the future would have different attitudes than the contemporary societal norms and he felt it was his mission to help bring about that change and acceptance. He believed the future depended on us leaving our traditional sensibilities behind and embracing radical new ways. It's clear he was part of that long term planning and programming of young minds.