# Star Trek tech features that logically should exist but didn't seem to **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted, star-trek-paramount\ **Created:** [March 18, 2021, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193 "2021-03-18T16:30:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193/82 "2021-03-20T04:29:36Z")
> [@Pavelb1](#): > > ENT really missed an opportunity in not having an episode where Phlox says, “Why don’t I just whip up some cloned organs tout suite and we can heal Crewman Bob here”, and of course the humans retort with some moral revulsion. Sure did this, complete with the ethical considerations. > **[Similitude (Star Trek: Enterprise)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Similitude_(Star_Trek:_Enterprise))** > > "Similitude" is the tenth episode from the third season of the television series Star Trek: Enterprise. It first aired on November 19, 2003 and was the series' 62nd episode. Captain Archer orders a short-lived clone of Trip Tucker to be made to save Tucker's life. This episode won an Emmy for musical composition. > When the series was reappraised ten years after its initial broadcast, "Similitude" (along with "Dear Doctor") was noted by some reviewers as one of the most thought provoking episodes ... And there were several episodes about genetic manipulation during which updated augments from the Khan era were involved. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193/83 "2021-03-20T10:33:30Z")
> [@Bootb](#): > > What I’ve never figured out is why the Bridge of an armed ship (even if it’s not a “warship”) is so vulnerable to attack. > > Among other issues (and there are a lot) the physical layout is all wrong. I understand having the big viewscreen in the front, but that doesn’t mean that the entrance needs to be in the back, right where intruders can enter and be standing **behind** almost everybody. That’s a stupendously poor tactical situation When the enemy has transporters, it doesn’t really matter where you put the doors. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193/84 "2021-03-20T13:42:26Z")
Didn’t Worf get a spine transported into his back? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193/85 "2021-03-20T15:58:57Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > A third would be why people bother with turbolifts if they can be transported about the ship, but that may be an energy issue I can easily believe that transporting is very energy-expensive. Maybe it takes a certain amount of time to charge the transporter before you can use it. I’ve mainly just watched TOP, and that not recently, but I mostly remember transportation that had to start or end in the transporter room. Is this always necessary? (And if not, why have a transporter room?) Plus, I can also imagine that the sensation of being transported is mildly unpleasant. Or that, while it’s mostly safe, it’s still at least an order of magnitude more risky than taking a turbolift. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193/86 "2021-03-20T16:25:59Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I’ve mainly just watched TOP, and that not recently, but I mostly remember transportation that had to start or end in the transporter room. Is this always necessary? (And if not, why have a transporter room?) I am fairly certain there was at least one episode in the original series in which they performed a point-to-point transport without the subject ever being on the ship. Perhaps it was The Cloud Minders? ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193/87 "2021-03-20T16:33:31Z")
I seriously believe that a study could be made (in universe of course) that found, commanders who walk vs commanders who use point o point transport, make better and less hasty decisions. ---
**Author:** ![TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thegunismightierthanthepen/32/2981_2.png) [@TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheGunIsMightierThanThePen)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193/88 "2021-03-20T16:39:15Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > I am fairly certain there was at least one episode in the original series in which they performed a point-to-point transport without the subject ever being on the ship. Perhaps it was The Cloud Minders? I haven’t actually watched this episode yet, but according to [Memory Alpha](https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Site-to-site_transport) it happens in the episode “A Piece of the Action”, where > [@](#): > > In 2268, Montgomery Scott transported Tepo directly from his headquarters to those of Bela Okmyx ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193/89 "2021-03-20T18:31:02Z")
in “The Cloud Minders,” Kirk has the Grand Vizier of Stratos transported to the mines so he can see for himself the conditions under which the Trogs dig for zenite. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193/90 "2021-03-20T20:47:00Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > … the Trogs dig for zenite. Then they sang, “Wild Thing.” 😆 ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193/91 "2021-03-20T21:53:50Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > I am fairly certain there was at least one episode in the original series in which they performed a point-to-point transport without the subject ever being on the ship. Perhaps it was The Cloud Minders? No; that was surface-to-ship-to-surface: > **Scott:** Beam the High Advisor down without warning, did he say? > **Spock:** That’s not an exact quote, Mister Scott. However, it does express the thought. > **Scott:** I’d like to see the Advisor’s face. > **Spock:** You will have that opportunity. > _(later)_ > **Spock:** Beam him down to Captain Kirk immediately. > **Scott:** Energising, sir. He’s on his way to the captain. > **Spock:** Good work, Mr. Scott. > **Scott:** The Advisor looked mighty angry. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193/92 "2021-03-20T23:13:23Z")
> [@TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](#): > > > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > > > Have they ever shown transporter technology being used in a medical situation? > > A few incidences that I recall: > > - In the _TNG_ episode “Unnatural Selection”, the crew of the Enterprise use the transporter to cure Dr. Pulaski of an aging disease > > - In the _DS9_ episode “Body Parts”, it is implied, but not explicitly stated, that Bashir beamed Keiko’s unborn baby into Kira’s womb > > - In the _Voyager_ episode “Deadlock”, the EMH transports Samantha Wildman’s baby into an incubator > > As to why transporters aren’t used more often for medical situations, I guess an in-universe explanation is that the doctors can’t get a precise enough transporter lock, which incurs the risk of damaging other organs. For those who haven’t seen this: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/xJZjMGd2b0M/hqdefault.jpg "Breaking Bad Star Trek script gets animated") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJZjMGd2b0M) ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2021, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193/93 "2021-03-21T04:19:57Z")
I think beaming someone into someone elses womb is the silliest one…might as well beam them into their bladder,… A transplant i might believe but if Trek Tech is advanced enough to do what they did then the transporter is a massively underused piece oftech. ---
**Author:** ![eburacum\_45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum_45/32/3385_2.png) [@eburacum\_45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum_45)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2021, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193/94 "2021-04-04T23:04:31Z")
Alastair Reynolds described an interesting twist to this conundrum in the _Revelation Space_ series. Someone fell down a lift shaft in a mile-long spaceship; they simply told the ship to stop accelerating, and to go into reverse, and the falling person fell back up the shaft to their original location. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2021, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193/95 "2021-04-05T02:21:16Z")
Or they could have just put up railings. ---
**Author:** ![Shawn1767](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shawn1767](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shawn1767)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2021, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193/96 "2021-04-05T07:10:56Z")
I seem to recall from some technical manual or something that starship gravity is based on these spinning plates in the floor or something. When power goes out, the spinning continues for a while, but eventually they will stop spinning and the gravity will go out. So, when the ship is damaged, they still have gravity for a while until the plates stop spinning. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2021, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193/97 "2021-04-05T13:24:27Z")
That’s actually a rather clever fanwank. I love Star Trek technical guides. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2021, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193/98 "2021-04-05T13:32:58Z")
> [@Shawn1767](#): > > I seem to recall from some technical manual or something that starship gravity is based on these spinning plates in the floor or something. When power goes out, the spinning continues for a while, but eventually they will stop spinning and the gravity will go out. So, when the ship is damaged, they still have gravity for a while until the plates stop spinning. - Their artificial gravity technology is based on _record players?!_ ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2021, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193/99 "2021-04-05T13:33:58Z")
That explains the USS Run-DMC. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2021, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193/100 "2021-04-05T14:27:42Z")
sure - they run on AC/DC ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2021, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-features-that-logically-should-exist-but-didnt-seem-to/938193/101 "2021-04-05T14:37:22Z")
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