Sci-fi icon William Shatner is boldly venturing into a new frontier as he’s become the spokesman for Solar Alliance, a solar-powered Bitcoin mining company.
One thing that Star Trek was known for was the foreshadowing of a lot of the technology we use today. Star Trek embraced concepts of technological innovation, which makes perfect sense that Captain Kirk, William Shatner, is now the spokesman for a Bitcoin mining company based in Vancouver, Canada.
Set Phasers to Stun
Solar Alliance specializes in alternative energy projects, and they just announced that they’re opening a solar-powered cryptocurrency mining operation in Murphysboro, a small town of 8,000 residents in Illinois.
The Bitcoin mining operation is being set up in an empty 165,000-square-foot factory that’s been vacant since 2004. The state of Illinois helped make the project economically feasible by requiring energy companies to buy renewable energy. Solar Alliance will install a massive solar array to power the building, and the company is looking to lease space to various Bitcoin mining companies.
Solar Alliance hopes to have tenants in place by the end of the year, although no timetable has been released for the completion of the solar array. The town’s mayor, Will Stephens, is just happy for the economic boost.
RU a blockhead when it comes to the blockchain? 🤖 Do you get it? 🤷🏼♂️ My friends at @Solar_Alliance do They’re starting a new green energy cryptocurrency mining facility in Murphysboro, IL! How craycray is it that? A mining town goes into green energy mining? It's wild!
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) June 14, 2018
Captain Kirk and Bitcoin
William Shatner got involved with Solar Alliance when the company installed solar panels on his home. The 87-year-old actor remains remarkably busy, appearing in commercials, being actively involved in equestrian pursuits, and attending sci-fi conventions all over the world.
As for cryptocurrency, Shatner had to mull the concepts behind the technology over, stating:
The concept is so, I guess the word is bizarre. You have to blank your mind and say, ‘What is blockchain, again? How does mining operate, again?’ The concepts are really strange, and yet when you begin to grasp it, it makes sense.
There’s even a possibility that Shatner will visit the Bitcoin mining operation once it’s up and running. He says:
I’m in Chicago a lot, and I live in Kentucky part of the time. I might very well do that. It’s an interesting idea to see it at work because … it’s so esoteric that it’s difficult to understand.
A visit from the iconic Star Trek actor would be great for publicity. Plus, he might even sign some autographs while he’s there.
What do you think about William Shatner getting involved in Bitcoin mining? Do you think Captain Kirk is better than Picard? Let us know in the comments below.
Images courtesy of Shutterstock and Twitter/@WilliamShatner.