We take a break from our brand-new, yet recycled series to take a tangent. Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations (IDIC, pronounced ih-dihk) is the Vulcan concept that first appeared in the TOS, Season 3 episode ‘Is There in Truth No Beauty?’.
Unfortunately, Roddenberry gave way to some instincts that are more in line with the Ferengi, making an IDIC symbol for Shatner and Nimoy to refuse to wear on the show. As The Great Bird’s Lincoln Enterprises was printing scads of them for mail order—and for a little more money—Nimoy finally relented and wore the jewelry, and the symbol appeared in Spock’s quarters as late as Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.
The symbol itself has a name, Kol-Ut-Shan. It has been recreated on Etsy stores and elsewhere since it was introduced.
According to Majel Barrett, the Vulcan philosophy of "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations" was influenced by the teachings of Rabbi Maimonides, as heard in the closing transporter scene in "Is There in Truth No Beauty?".
“I understand, Mr. Spock, the glory of creation is in Infinite Diversity.” - Doctor Miranda Jones
“And the ways in which our differences combine to create meaning, and beauty.” - Spock
The maligned third season is not without its highlights, and “We’ll get there” when we do our production review.
The sentiment is pure and inclusive. It encapsulates ideas of The Prime Directive, and separates Trek from other Sci-Fi franchises.
There are more examples of IDIC ‘on screen’ in Enterprise, TNG, Picard, Voyager, DS9, Lower Decks and Discovery, as well as in the films. It is a background actor of sorts, part of the Vulcan lore and what makes Spock (and T’Pol) who they are. It is part of their religion and upbringing—not the part where they are bullied in a larger-than-life soup bowl pit for being too good at math and being half-human (OK, so this only relates to Spock).
Walter Koenig (born 1936) wrote The Animated Series episode, TAS: ‘The Infinite Vulcan’. Though Chekov was never offered a role on the show for budgetary reasons, Koenig impressed them enough with his script that they bought it. Koenig, one of the ‘forgotten’ original series regulars, did go on to appear in Babylon 5 and continued to write throughout his career, among other accomplishments including an Inkpot Award. The Infinite Vulcan deals with cloning. As far as a 1973 sci-fi short story for a kid’s cartoon is concerned, the cloning topic is actually dealt with in a cool way! Pretty good story here!
Spock is abducted on an away mission by one of the best names in Trek history, a giant named Dr. Stavos Keniclius 5, who seeks to clone Spock to make a galactic peacemaker! Keniclius is a 5th-generation clone from the Eugenics Wars. He successfully creates a giant Spock Two (not to be confused with Spock Prime or Kelvin Spock!). Kirk confronts Keniclius and Spock Two about the logic of killing Spock Prime to create a clone. Take that, Vulcan! You can dish it out but you can’t take it!
Keniclius wants to make a ‘master race’ to send out a ‘peacekeeping force throughout the galaxy’. Yikes! Too close to home, if you know what I mean. What he didn’t know was that Spock Two’s half-human blood would make him unstable, and eventually he would die!
“If you have Spock’s mind, you know the Vulcan symbol called IDIC.” — Kirk
“Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. Symbolizing the elements that create truth, and beauty…” — Spock Two
“Could an army of Spocks impose peace and Phylosian philosophy on any other beings in defiance of the IDIC concept?” — Kirk
“I do not believe so.” — Spock Two
Spock Two does a “Vulcan Mind Touch” (no idea why it is called that in this episode) to save Spock Prime. The first officer is returned safely to his crew, with assurances that there will be no master race from Spock Two. Keniclius and our plus-sized Vulcan remain on Phylos to make nice with the Federation and use their technology for good.
By the time of Lower Decks, Spock Two’s skeletal remains are to be found in Kerner Hauze's collection.
Happy Pride Month from myself and the other Ordinary Gentlemen at LeaguePodcast. I hope the Gents don’t mind me speaking for them in that way! We welcome you, we see you, and we want you to look out for each other out there. Wear your rainbow shirt with pride, and maybe tuck that red shirt (and red hat) in the back of the closet, just to be safe.
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