Defining the Sound Above
âThe sound aboveâ represents the echoes of ideas, inspirations, and cultural touchstones that have shaped an industry or a mindset. Itâs the legacy carried forward by those who came before, forming an unspoken language and shared context among those who lived through it. For many in tech, Star Trek is part of that soundâa source of optimism, imagination, and exploration that inspired entire generations of programmers, engineers, and dreamers.
But as time passes, the sound grows faint for those who didnât grow up hearing it. To them, itâs not inspiration; itâs noiseâopaque references that can feel like barriers instead of bridges.
Star Trek and the Foundation of Tech
Star Trek, especially The Next Generation, holds a special place in the hearts of many who shaped the modern tech industry. The showâs vision of a future driven by exploration, collaboration, and technology as a force for good resonated deeply with the pioneers of computing. Episodes like âDarmokâ embody the spirit of problem-solving, communication, and empathyâcore values that underpin not just technology but how we work together as people.
In Darmok, Captain Picard faces an impossible situation: the Tamarians speak entirely in metaphor, referencing their own history and culture in ways that are incomprehensible to outsiders. Itâs only through shared struggle, patience, and a willingness to learn that Picard bridges the gap, finding connection where it seemed impossible. This is the heart of what Star Trek has always beenâa lesson in overcoming differences through empathy, intellect, and collaboration.
The New Generation: A Different Sound
For those entering tech today, Star Trek isnât the foundationâitâs a distant echo. To many, itâs just another cultural reference theyâre expected to decode, one more hoop to jump through in an industry that already feels intimidating. Itâs easy for them to see it as exclusionary, a marker of an in-group theyâre not part of. And theyâre not wrongâwithout context, a Star Trek reference might as well be Smurf language: familiar to some, meaningless to others.
But what they may not seeâand what senior leaders must help them seeâis that Star Trek isnât just a reference; itâs part of the sound above. It reflects the values and hopes of its time, just as todayâs inspirations will shape the next generation of innovators. The task isnât to force newcomers to learn Star Trek or pass a cultural testâitâs to build a bridge between what inspired us and what inspires them, so they too can contribute to the sound.
The Challenge for Seniors: From Sound to Connection
As senior members of the tech industry, itâs our responsibility to adapt how we communicate and lead. We canât assume that our references will automatically resonate with others. Instead, we must respect that new people bring their own inspirations, references, and perspectivesâand that the gap isnât a failure on their part. Itâs an opportunity for us to connect.
The way forward is through empathy:
- Be Receptive: Understand that new voices arenât rejecting the past; theyâre starting from a different place. Meet them where they are.
- Respect Their Inspirations: What inspires them might not look like Star Trek, and thatâs okay. Their references are no less valid.
- Build Bridges: Share the sound above, not as a requirement, but as a gift. Show how the echoes of Star Trekâits optimism, its lessons in connection, its problem-solving spiritâcan still inspire, but only if we make it accessible.
Why It Matters
The industryâs strength has always been its ability to build on what came before. But that only works if the foundation is shared. If we want the next generation to care about the sound aboveâto find inspiration in the values and stories that shaped usâwe must first help them thrive. Only then can we inspire them to look up, to hear the echoes of the past and add their own notes to the sound of the future.
In the end, itâs not about forcing people to learn Star Trek. Itâs about showing them why it matters to us, and why it might matter to them, too. Just as Picard found a way to connect with the Tamarians, we must find a way to connect across the gaps of generations, culture, and experience. Thatâs the true spirit of Star Trekâto boldly go where understanding can be built.