The Prophetic Vision of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's "Past Tense" and Its Modern Realities

In 1995, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired a two-part episode titled "Past Tense," offering a grim glimpse into the future of San Francisco in 2024. The Bell Riots predicted to occur in the first week of September 2024, were depicted as a pivotal event sparked by the desperate conditions within "Sanctuary Districts"—government-designated zones meant to contain the homeless, jobless, and mentally ill. As we stand here on August 31st, 2024, it’s impossible to ignore the eerie parallels between the show's narrative and the present reality unfolding in our cities. While the show accurately captured the growing divide between society's haves and have-nots, it fell short of predicting today's crisis's true scale and complexity.

The writers of Deep Space Nine were astute in recognizing the dangers of social apathy and governmental neglect. The episode highlights how bureaucratic indifference can lead to the creation of dehumanizing environments like the Sanctuary Districts, where those deemed unworthy of societal participation are warehoused and forgotten. The character of Lee, a social worker in the episode, embodies the resigned acceptance of a broken system. She recognizes the injustice but is powerless to change it, much like many in our society today.

"The dims should be in hospitals, but the government can't afford to keep them there, so we get them instead. I hate it, but that's the way it is." - Lee

What Past Tense missed, however, was the overwhelming magnitude of the problem as it stands in the real world. The show's depiction of a small, confined area in an otherwise pristine San Francisco doesn't capture the pervasive nature of homelessness and urban decay we see today. In reality, homelessness has spread across entire city blocks, parks, and even residential neighbourhoods. The sheer number of people living on the streets has turned once-thriving urban centers into dangerous, crime-ridden zones.

The issue is sometimes even worse in my home country of Canada than in the United States. Cities like Vancouver, Toronto, and even Halifax have seen a surge in homelessness, with tent encampments appearing in public spaces that were once considered safe and family-friendly. Housing costs have become so high that even those with full-time jobs struggle to afford basic shelter, leading to a situation where social services are overwhelmed and ineffective. Meanwhile, the wealthy isolate themselves in gated or otherwise secluded communities, far removed from the chaos and crime that have become all too common in city centers.

The most alarming aspect of this crisis is that, despite being highly visible, meaningful and effective action remains elusive. Government programs often only treat the symptoms without addressing the root causes, such as mental illness, addiction, and the economic and policy conditions that lead to a lack of affordable housing. This creates a vicious cycle where homelessness leads to more homelessness, and crime spirals out of control, further destabilizing communities.

Failing to take effective and decisive action is not just a moral issue but also a practical one. Allowing our cities to deteriorate to the point where law-abiding citizens no longer feel safe is a recipe for social collapse. It's time to confront the uncomfortable truth that the current approach to homelessness and urban decay is not working. Band-aid solutions, such as temporary shelters, needle exchanges, or so-called safe injection sites, may alleviate immediate suffering, but they do nothing to solve the underlying problems. We must not only demand better from our leaders but also step up as leaders in our own right—starting within our families and communities.

As someone who leans toward Objectivism and libertarian principles, I believe in the power of individual responsibility and limited government intervention. However, I also recognize that there are situations where the government must step in to protect the rights of all citizens—including the right to live in a safe, clean, and prosperous community. This does not mean expanding the welfare state or creating more dependency. Instead, it means crafting smart, efficient policies that empower individuals to live lives free from the threat of violence and to lift themselves out of poverty while ensuring that those who genuinely cannot help themselves are supported with the help they need.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine warned us of a future where society turns its back on the most vulnerable, leading to chaos and unrest. Unfortunately, that prediction is closer to reality than many of us would like to admit. It is time we take a hard look at the state of our society and start to implement real solutions before it's too late.

"If push comes to shove, if something disastrous happens to the Federation… if we are frightened enough, or desperate enough… how would we react?" - Bashir