The following texts were published on the Dimension main page after the terror attack on America

Sept 15th - A plea for humanity

"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you."

- Friedrich Nietzsche, 1882

As the day of retribution seems to be near, I can only emphasize again how important it is not to abandon our humanity in these darkest hours. The attack on America was not only an attack on the Western civilization. It was an attack on the humanity of all peaceful nations by a group of fanatic terrorists who don't care about anybody or anything.
Therefore, the absolutely necessary fight against the international terrorism must not be based on thoughts of revenge and hatred, but the strive for justice and peace for all of us. Our measures should be rationally planned by cool minds with simultaneous consideration of the reasons and roots of terrorism and the long term effects of the battle in order to prevent by all means further hostilities, if not a war of cultures between the Islamic and the Western world.

Our hatred should not hit those who practise the Islamic faith in our society, and not the civil population of the Islamic countries that hold a grudge against us - due to the propaganda of the regime subjugating them, their fear of an Americanization of the world or simply because of the lack of understanding between our so different cultures. Those responsible, and their accomplices, must be called to account and punished severely, but if the death of thousands of innocent civilians is retaliated with the death of thousands of other innocent civilians, the terrible catastrophe of Tuesday would not only be without any effect on our contribution to the circle of violence and the hatred in the world; then the terrorists would have won, then their strive against the common values of our civilization and for even more hatred and finally a forced, ultimate conflict between the Western and the Eastern cultures would have been successful.

Despite a new era of peaceful cooperation that began in the second half, the 20th century will be known as the century of absolute violence in the history books "thanks" to the two world wars. The 21st century must not become even worse. Instead, let us ensure that September 11th remains a painful lesson without repetition, let us work actively and without compromises on a century of unprecedented friendship of all the peoples of this world, just as the tragic events have led to an international cooperation already now.

I want to thank my American and European visitors who have sent me numerous mails emphasizing how important it is not to abandon belief in the positive aspects of life, our dreams, our visions - also in terms of Star Trek -, or the terrorists had achieved their goal. Indeed, the saga tells us some important lessions, particularly regarding the respect for and the relentless defense of innocent human life (the Vulcan "IDIC" philosophy of indefinite diversity in indefinite combinations, devised by Gene Roddenberry himself) and the peaceful and tolerant coexistence of all nations and religions; lessons we will need more than ever before in the next weeks, months, perhaps even years. "We need you, and people like you, for you show us the best that humanity has to offer through your website" writes a loyal visitor from Los Angeles, and therefore I want to proceed with the Star Trek Dimension updates as of tomorrow. I hope it won't be too offensive for you.

The victims of September 11th will never be forgotten.

- Webmaster Star Trek Dimension

Sept 12th - The day after.

I still feel outraged in view of what happened yesterday. I see that the tragedy of the attacks on New York City and Washington isn't over by far. And I still don't feel like returning to "business as usual" regarding Trek. As it would be highly inappropriate, I hereby cancel the 35 years Star Trek celebration week. Of course, the TOS Guide will be finished in the next time and I might add some new wallpapers as normal updates some day, but I postpone the article on Trek philosophy indefinitely. This is no time to promote the greatness of mankind and its achievements. The following comment, my immediate reaction on the tragedy of Sept 11th, will remain online at this place for the next days.

I do hope you understand and support my decisions. -Chris

Sept 11th - A moment when Star Trek becomes irrelevant...

Today, on September 11th, 2001, the United States of America have been hit by a series of terror attacks of unbelievable dimensions. Thousands, perhaps ten thousands have been killed. Please refer to Yahoo News for more information. First and foremost, I'd like to express my honest, deep sympathy for my American visitors and all people who are affected by this catastrophe. Today the world mourns with America.

Without a doubt, this is one of the most tragic events for those of us who have the luck to live in a (pretended) world of wealth, peace of harmony and safeness.
I live in Germany, but was still extremely shocked when I first saw the images at 5pm CET when I was still at work. I'm still feeling sad, and helpless. I can only imagine how American citizens must feel today. It all looks so surreal. Judging from the signficance of the events for America, I'm sure this will have consequences for all of us. And I'm not only speaking of economic or political repercussions. We have all experienced - direct or indirect - the often ousted "other face" of Man in its worst shape. An attack on humanity itself - not somewhere in an unkown country of the Third World, and certainly not in a fictitious Hollywood movie, but here in our oh so secure civilized Western world.

If you know my reviews and columns, you know me as a optimistic person who believes in a great future for humanity, but  this is a moment of clarity where I have my deep doubts regarding a change of our violent human nature. A moment I realize the terrible hardships predicted even by Star Trek for our immediate future might actually come - and, what is even worse, might even be necessary to realize what has to be done.

I do believe this is a time where we all have to strengthen, not give up our own beliefs. Where we have to try to forget our petty quarrels and disputes. Where all democratic nations should work together to ensure that justice is served for the innocent, uninvolved people who died today, who are dieing every day, and to stop terrorism in specific and all that inane bloodshed all over the world in general.  But NOT at all costs - I understand how passionate you might feel at the moment, but we have to act with prudence and uphold our morals, our humanity, or our actions will be futile, and only generate further acts of violence, only fan the hatred of certain people and groups.
Hatred is the most destructive human force, what has been sadly proven today. Even if this event is one of the worst that happened to America since World War II, it is only one example of all the hundreds of other materializations of hatred all over the world. Hatred and counter-hatred are part of our life, we all experience it and we all generate it (on a significantly lower scale, of course). Even now there are people who are celebrating in view of this situation of their "arch enemy", or - I'm sure of that - members of the MTV generation who are childishly ridiculing it. Without a doubt there will be erratic acts of revenge. The violence will not end. It's a vicious circle.
I'm deadly serious here, and I'm feeling very strongly regarding this - we have to learn our lessons from tragedies like this, we have to wake and grow up, or we will not survive.

- Webmaster Star Trek Dimension

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