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Kirk is the ultimate modernist hero. He is all about dominating and conquering the other denizens of the Universe to his way (the Federation way). Despite his rhetoric, he is a conquering hero out to colonize. His crew is mainly human. His ethos is to bring about conformity.
Picard is the ultimate post-modern hero. His job is the police the already largely conquered Universe. He can live up to the Federation rhetoric of non-intervention as most of the other denizens of the Universe have already joined the cause. He has the appearance of being open to Others. His crew is made up of many different races and types. However, they have all internalized the message of the conquering Federation. Colonization is much closer to completion (with some notable exceptions in the Romulans, Ferengi and Cardasians). As such, the Other has largely been subsumed and conquered or rendered completely "evil". Picard's ethos is one of fairness and multiplicity; he is a diplomat and thinker. However, despite protestations to the contrary, he travels the Universe in a military ship. A ship that is armed to the teeth and is ready to defend (and even expand) the frontier.
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"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke
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