# Star Trek: Why not use a giant replicator to create Starships?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-why-not-use-a-giant-replicator-to-create-starships/621030>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [May 6, 2012, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-why-not-use-a-giant-replicator-to-create-starships/621030 "2012-05-06T00:00:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\
**Post date:** [May 8, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-why-not-use-a-giant-replicator-to-create-starships/621030/61 "2012-05-08T19:34:10Z")

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> [@gotpasswords](#):
>
> That fits my recollection as well, except that the raw ingredients, so to speak, are perpetually replanished in daily operations of the ship. Rather than ejecting garbage into space, all of the torn uniforms, dirty dishes, etc. are dematerialized by matter processors.
> 
> What I can’t remember is the sewage - I believe solid wastes are similary processed once the sewage has been filtered and purified into drinkable water.
> 
> To us in the early 21st century, the idea that going to a replicator and getting a tool or a snack made that was previously someone’s poop is a whole big pile of EEEEWW!, but Starfleet personnel are used to it.

“Heh heh heh. He doesn’t know what the three seashells are for!”

> [@Bryan Ekers](#):
>
> Within the navy, “flagship” has a fairly specific meaning, a meaning that was irritatingly misused from TNG’s very first episode. I get that the writers weren’t trying for accuracy, but don’t be blatantly wrong just because something sounds cool.

To reinforce the point, this wiki page on the modern carrier battle group: [Carrier strike group - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrier_strike_group)

> [@wikipedia](#):
>
> A supercarrier, which is the centerpiece of the strike group and also serves as the flagship for the CSG Commander and his/her staff. The carrier is commanded by aviation community captain.

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