If we look at the entries, its a clear decision: Kirk is the better captain. However, this isnt a criticism of Picards abilities even in Star Trek: Generations, there is an easy-going acceptance and cavalier relationship between the two captains of a ship of the same name. There is the matter of the fact that the two captains are of different time periods. As has been indicated by people of different generations, there is a set of different mind-sets (ie: walking to school, both ways uphill sound familiar to anyone?) with regards to achievement and success. Hell, comparatively thinking about the generation of the people who lived during World War II, the level of achievement has been lowered since then. Perhaps the same sort of phenomenon has happened between the 23rd and 24th centuries? In any event, Kirk emerges as the more successful captain, given the criteria above. If there is any other criteria that might be considered in addition to the ones listed above, suggestions are welcome. In fact, feel free to list additional criteria in the comments below. Perhaps there are others that have been missed. Bear in mind, Kirk's Lothario-like nature hasn't been included in this examination. Subjects like military ability, achievements, relationships with crew, backgrounds, and the like are the matters that have been considered a priori. But who knows? Perhaps there has been something overlooked? Your mission - to explore new frontiers and seek out new criteria and boldly go where no critical Trekkie has gone before ... engage!
John Kirk is a Teacher-Librarian and currently a History/English Teacher with the Toronto District School Board.
But mostly, John teaches Geek.
Comics, Sci-Fi (Notably Star Trek), Fantasy and Role-Playing and table-top games all make up part of John’s repertoire, There is a whole generation of nerds-in-embryo who rely on him to make sense of it all, to teach that with great power comes great responsibility, that the force will be with us always and that a towel IS the most useful thing to have in one’s possession.
When John isn’t in the classroom, he can be found in his basement writing comic reviews for www.popmythology.com and features for Roddenberry Entertainment's www.1701news.com.
