JULY 19, 2021 - In this centennial year for Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, there is much talk about the vision of humanity overcoming its foibles, and learning how to “live long and prosper” far into the future. Captain James T. Kirk confidently led the way into that future over 50 years ago. But William Shatner, who embodied Captain Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series and in other iterations of the franchise, doesn’t appear to be so sure.

In an interview with The Big Issue, Shatner, who is now 90, does appear sure that Captain Kirk was right when he said that risk is our business. After recently falling off a horse, swimming with tiger sharks, and relishing in “danger, fear, and anxiety,” he still knows his decline and end are coming. But when he was asked whether he thinks humans will reach the future envisioned in Star Trek, Shatner said no. Beginning 50 years ago, he said, with having read Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring, which criticizes the pesticide industry, and seeing her predictions come true, now he sees humans burying their heads in the sand and failing to do anything about rising oceans due to climate change. While suggesting some creative solutions of his own and stopping short of predicting the end of humankind, he is of the opinion that we are in for a decline.

Shatner, though, does have a plan for his own ultimate future. He wants to have his ashes buried under a redwood tree. He said, “This way you use the atoms of your body to nourish something living like a tree. I think it makes a great deal of sense. I love it. And I want to be a tree.”

For more on William Shatner’s views on aging and the future of humanity, among other topics, you can read his full interview over at BigIssue.com.