"The more complex the mind, the greater the need for the simplicity of play." Whether taken as a description of an individual or a species, that quote from "Shore Leave" rings true. As we advance to (allegedly) sober adulthood our formative years are dominated by play. That episode features an entire planet dedicated if not constructed to serve as an amusement park, which Spock described as "an old Earth name for a place where people could go to see and do all sorts of fascinating things." I used to know a place just like that.

Near where I grew up was an amusement park now known as Paramount Kings Island, then just plain Kings Island. From its beginning Kings Island stood out as an excellent family entertainment center, full of record-setting rides and feel good shows, with lots of things to do and eat plus a fireworks show every night. (Even television's Brady Bunch made a notable appearance late in its run, it was that hip.) It was fun for grown-ups, perfect for kids, and I couldn't wait to get back every time. Not that my priorities weren't in order even as a ten-year old: TAS premiered one Saturday morning as my family was ready to depart from the KI hotel, but I refused to budge until after the cartoon was over!

During my summers in college I went to work for still just KI, at first sweeping trash and puke and dropped dollar bills, then subsequently attending the video game arcades, repairing the machines at times and playing them alot more at others. No matter how sweet the paycheck, the funny thing I found was that the food from the employee cafeteria didn't quite taste as good as the exact same burger you would buy off the midway. The looped street music became less an enhancement and more an annoyance. The air simply smelled different. Working in an amusement park taught me that while familiarity may not breed contempt, it at least deflates interest. It's taken several visits taking my own children to restore but a fraction of the joy I sold out.

And now CBS plans to sell off PKI and the Star Trek Experience in Las Vegas (an entire city as amusement park). I enjoyed the Experience the few times I visited, and it would be odd were these two amusement-related worlds lost to Star Trek. We'll have to build new ones I suppose, which will bring their own rewards. But will the air start smelling different?


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