# Sci-fi/action movie tech that is worse than our current tech--and STUPID! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 18, 2017, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293 "2017-06-18T15:29:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Telperion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telperion/32/509_2.png) [@Telperion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperion)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293/61 "2017-06-19T18:22:25Z")
The biometric sensor on Lawgiver pistols always seemed like a questionable design choice to me since it makes the gun explode if anyone other than the designated user tries to fire it. Of course, if someone gets close enough to grab your sidearm and turn it against you, it seems quite likely that the resulting explosion would also be very close to you. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293/62 "2017-06-19T18:38:26Z")
Depends how big the explosion is. ---
**Author:** ![Telperion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telperion/32/509_2.png) [@Telperion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperion)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293/63 "2017-06-19T18:43:46Z")
I don’t know if it’s ever been specified, but in _Dredd_ it took off the perp’s arm at the elbow, and shrapnel would also be a concern. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293/64 "2017-06-19T19:06:06Z")
> [@Telperion](#): > > The biometric sensor on Lawgiver pistols always seemed like a questionable design choice to me since it makes the gun explode if anyone other than the designated user tries to fire it. Of course, if someone gets close enough to grab your sidearm and turn it against you, it seems quite likely that the resulting explosion would also be very close to you. That reminds me of a fantasy book (I _think_ this was in the Dark Angel series by Brent Weeks), where there is an impregnable fortress of an evil emperor, and the bridge over the moat is enchanted such that if any unauthorized person sets foot on it, the bridge will collapse. So at one point, the good guys managed to smuggle their way into the castle, so the entire evil army is charging across the drawbridge into the castle to surround them, and the hero taps the bridge with his food and it collapses, dumping the entire army into the moat. I mean, it’s clever and all, but you’d think that someone would have thought of that as a potential design flaw… ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293/65 "2017-06-19T19:51:54Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > Not quite an example of my OP by inspired by the posts here: the idea that you could have AI androids like the one in _Alien_ or Data from _Star Trek_ or for that matter the droids in Star Wars and not have those worlds be _totally different_ than what is portrayed therein is, when you think about it, quite laughable. The one that got me thinking about that is the original _Westworld_ (and Futureworld, and Medieval World). In this universe, you have computers that can realistically mimic humans so well that you can interact (and have sex with\*) with them and not know at a glance if they are human or not. The computers apparently have the ability to pass a Turing test. All well and good. But if such computer tech existed, it would be used _everywhere_. You think your smart phone is futuristic? Imagine one that can speak, and follow complex verbal commands. Imagine that tech in cars, airplanes. Entire homes could be computer controlled. Simpler versions of the computers would be just too useful to not use in practically anything. Plus, robot butlers! (that may or may not look like monkeys). The world outside of Delos wouldn’t be recognizable to us. > [@Hampshire](#): > > TV/Movie world fire sprinkler systems that set off every sprinkler head simultaneously when one is activated… Hollywood has never gotten this right. Ever. - A low bar, to be sure. It wouldn’t surprise me if there are guys out there that would have sex with a hole in a tree. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293/66 "2017-06-19T19:53:17Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Without carefully looking over al the prior entries, I don’t think anyone has yet mentioned Stormtrooper Armor. It’s clumsy and confining and evidently is useless at stopping blasters from hurting you. It’s a continuing mystery why anyone wears it. Blasters? It doesn’t even seem to help against a whack with a stick… But then again, it’s probably all part of basic Empire motivational philosophy: the stormtroopers know exactly how fragile they are, giving them no choice but to fight till the bitter end. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293/67 "2017-06-19T20:06:02Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > It wouldn’t surprise me if there are guys out there that would have sex with a hole in a tree. Is that wrong? Should I not have done that? ---
**Author:** ![Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrogance_ex_machina/32/192_2.png) [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrogance_Ex_Machina)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293/68 "2017-06-19T20:11:12Z")
> [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](#): > > Blasters? It doesn’t even seem to help against a whack with a stick… > > But then again, it’s probably all part of basic Empire motivational philosophy: the stormtroopers know exactly how fragile they are, giving them no choice but to fight till the bitter end. In the latest Star Wars RPG the stormtrooper armor is actually perfectly good armor, it’s just blasters do so much damage it’s not enough. My rebel commando wears looted trooper armor painted red because there’s nothing better to use that’d be reasonably priced. The RPG fluff states that the armor is so good the troopers can toss frag grenades into melee without having to bother check where the friendlies are but the numbers don’t quite add up for that claim. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293/69 "2017-06-19T20:44:31Z")
Does fantasy count? Because the magictech way of doing things in the potterverse is just ridiculous. Sending literal owls half way around the world with messages. Have they not heard of the telephone? ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293/70 "2017-06-20T00:20:01Z")
Here’s where I talk about those flashlights from TNG. Beam down onto an unknown planet / situation holding a flashlight in one of your two hands. I could have made a fortune selling my $25 camping headlight to the Federation. Or maybe at some point some enterprising engineer of the future might have suggested taping a light to his uniform / head / weapon / glasses / anywhere other than occupying his freakin’ hand. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293/71 "2017-06-20T01:07:50Z")
Since we’re dissing the AT/AT, how about having the only weapons on it pointing in a very narrow arc, forward? Is there any reason there aren’t a couple turrets on each face (roof, sides, rear, UNDERNEATH fer chrissake)? If they’re troop transports, how about firing ports at least? ---
**Author:** ![TYphoonSignal8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e99b99/32.png) [@TYphoonSignal8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TYphoonSignal8)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293/72 "2017-06-20T01:28:44Z")
Wired has done some neat articles on AT-ATs. [https://www.wired.com/2013/05/how-long-would-it-take-an-at-at-to-fall/](https://www.wired.com/2013/05/how-long-would-it-take-an-at-at-to-fall/) and [Inside the Battle of Hoth: The Empire Strikes Out | WIRED](https://www.wired.com/2013/02/battle-of-hoth/) for example, with some good commentary: "_What follows next is a reminder of two military truths that apply in our own time and in our own galaxy: Don’t place unaccountable religious fanatics in wartime command, and never underestimate a hegemonic power’s ability to miscalculate against an insurgency."_ There is a fantastic Wired article carving up the stupidity of AT-ATs but I can’t seem to find it on a quick Google search. Let’s look at a recent movie, _Passengers_. Amidst surviving drowning despite underwater convulsions, and surviving exposure to space, we otherwise have some interesting space ship design in play. a. the energy shield that is supposed to protect the ship from cosmic debris is a good idea, but it does a pretty lousy job letting that asteroid through. How about a back-up solid shield? Anything which gets through the energy shield can bounce off the windshield; b. the asteroid strike clearly goes through the hole, but never mind decompression: it means the engine needs to be vented. There is a manual switch to this. Hmm. c. there is no airlock failsafe preventing tourists going outside the ship from accidentally (or purposively) killing themselves. it could be weight-triggered. Or heat-triggered. Or motion-triggered. Or all three; d. the AI is smart enough to serve drinks in the event of disaster, but not smart enough to wake up the crew. ---
**Author:** ![Pantastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3bc359/32.png) [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293/73 "2017-06-20T02:25:15Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > Here’s where I talk about those flashlights from TNG. Beam down onto an unknown planet / situation holding a flashlight in one of your two hands. I could have made a fortune selling my $25 camping headlight to the Federation. Yeah, a lot of science fiction and modern scenarios would go much smoother if the heroes spent $10 to buy a LED headlamp and small flashlight. Really, a lot of explorer types could really use a trip to a modern sporting goods store. Get a heavy belt and mount a multi-tool, flashlight, first aid kit, short length of rope, and holster (for the gun you always have to juggle), plus a solid pocket or sheath knife, and you’ve quickly solved a ton of situations that really shouldn’t stymie a futuristic guy who knows what he’s doing. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293/74 "2017-06-20T05:10:32Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > The one that got me thinking about that is the original _Westworld_ (and Futureworld, and Medieval World). In this universe, you have computers that can realistically mimic humans so well that you can interact (and have sex with\*) with them and not know at a glance if they are human or not. > > […] > > The world outside of Delos wouldn’t be recognizable to us. Exactly. Even if we suppose that the Delos creators are hoarding extra-fine tech for themselves, there would already have to be _amazing_ AI and related tech in the marketplace. A world with realistic sexbots (even without strong AI) will have a very serious population problem on its hands, for one. ---
**Author:** ![Marci\_Al](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@Marci\_Al](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marci_Al)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293/75 "2017-06-20T05:17:00Z")
The Matrix. How many humans do you need to generate enough electricity equal to a small hydro-power generator? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293/76 "2017-06-20T05:30:07Z")
> [@Marci\_Al](#): > > The Matrix. How many humans do you need to generate enough electricity equal to a small hydro-power generator? Who knows? > [@](#): > > Neo: “Doesn’t harvesting human body heat for energy violate the laws of thermodynamics?” > > Morpheus: “Where’d you learn about thermodynamics, Neo?” > > Neo: “In school.” > > Morpheus: “Where’d you go to school, Neo?” > > Neo: “Oh.” > > Morpheus: “The machines tell elegant lies.” ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293/77 "2017-06-20T13:56:43Z")
To be clear, that quote wasn’t actually from the movie, but from a fanwank explanation-- I think it might have originated on this board. ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293/78 "2017-06-20T14:52:18Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > In the movie _Gattaca_, Ethan Hawk goes to ludicrous extremes to make sure no one can discover he’s and In-valid (:rolleyes: as I type that clumsy term) – cleaning up every trace of his DNA, fooling test, etc. > > Since his identity is kept in a central database, it would have been far easier to either > > 1. Hack the database. > 2. Bribe one of the people running the database to change his record (and you can bet, given the society set up, there would be an active black market in doing this). Whilst you can update the record to have his DNA point at his identities record, he can’t hide the inferior nature of his DNA. If analysed it will still show him not to be who he is supposed to be. This in a world where they can hand back a DNA analysis for ‘perfection’ in a very short time frame of course. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293/79 "2017-06-20T14:53:58Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > It wouldn’t surprise me if there are guys out there that would have sex with a hole in a tree. > [@Sauron](#): > > Is that wrong? Should I not have done that? And finally, some questions are answered about the origin of Ents… ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293/80 "2017-06-20T15:14:57Z")
> [@dorvann](#): > > The lack of surveillance cameras seems to be a pretty prevalent trope in\* Star Wars\*, _Star Trek_ and just about every other sci fi movie or show. We know there was at least one camera in the Enterprise engine room in _Wrath of Khan_, because they showed footage of Spock’s death from it in STIII. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movie-tech-that-is-worse-than-our-current-tech-and-stupid/789293.md?page=5)