Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations

The Star Trek principle of IDIC is that since the universise has fashioned an infinite number of creatures, each one is uniquely diverse. This can be summed up in a number of ways.

• Everyone is unique
• All viewpoints are valid
• Oppression is wrong

IDIC is a Vulcan principle¹, and hence comes from a logical arguement; not everyone you meet is going to have the same point of view that you have. In Star Trek, this has gone on the form the Prime Directive; a non-interference policy for species below a certain level of development.

IDIC Principles

• All viewpoints must be given equal billing.
• Everyone has a different point of view.
• No ideology is to be given precedence over another.
• All cultures must be respected.

Put simply, the best way to explain it is a quote:

"I may disagree with everything you say, but I will defend your right to say it.

Or, to put it another way. Since I have not been raised in your culture and have not experienced your life, I cannot understand exactly how you view the world. My culture and upbringing affect how I judge other cultures.

Temple of I.D.I.C. Goals

1. To increase awareness of IDIC.
2. To inform H2G2 researchers about the principles of IDIC.
3. To provide a forum for dicussions on IDIC.

How IDIC Works

IDIC works by attempting to detach emotion from a situation and evaluate all parties interests/desires logically and calculating all possible outcomes.

It sounds too simple. What's the catch?

There's no catch as such, but it does require a certain level of mental training, akin to Zen detachment. Humans instinctively form opinions instantly on analysing a situation, even before they have had time to consiously realise it.

This is because humans instincively form into two "camps" or sides on almost any issue. A typical example would be football². Football divides the players and crowd into two sides, each with diametrically opposite goals - to win. Both sides canot win, so one must "yield" to the other, albeit through losing the game. One team's goals are overulled by the others. There are parallels with politics and religion.

No-one's advocating the level of logic and dedication required by the Kolinahr³, but detachment of emotions is crutial.

The other problem is that you can't force your views on someone else. The problem is that in writing that sentence, I just did. This is the difficulty for followers of IDIC.

IDIC Membership

Links

• Like Star Trek? Then check out Star Trek - The Project, a community project on H2G2.