Road Runner Posted September 16, 2019 Share #1 Posted September 16, 2019 I have been watching more of the various Star Trek series on TV recently. I watched some of the original shows back in the 60's, but just now I am watching the other versions which air almost every night on broadcast TV. I like the Next Generation series the best. But I find them hard to enjoy at times because I am constantly questioning Roddenberry's basic concept of the universe and of life in space. For instance: Why is it that in all the Star Trek franchises, almost all aliens look very much like humans and, in many cases, they can even procreate with humans? (Spock was half Vulcan, half human) Apes are very close to us DNA wise, yet we cannot procreate with them. How would it be possible that Earthlings, Vulcans, Klingons or Romulans could mate with beings that evolved completely separately on distant planetary systems? 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted September 16, 2019 Share #2 Posted September 16, 2019 3 minutes ago, Road Runner said: Apes are very close to us DNA wise, yet we cannot procreate with them. Yet... Give science and tech a few more years. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted September 16, 2019 Share #3 Posted September 16, 2019 I have always wondered that. The best aliens on the original Star Trek were the machines I thought. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Road Runner Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share #4 Posted September 16, 2019 Spock's mother looked almost exactly like Margaret Anderson, the mother of Betty, Bud and Kathy on Father Knows Best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted September 16, 2019 Share #5 Posted September 16, 2019 It's a common theme in most science fiction. It's rare when the aliens are so alien that you'd barely be able to communicate with them. I suspect it's got something to do with "the story" or perhaps those bastids down at central casting. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyr Posted September 16, 2019 Share #6 Posted September 16, 2019 8 minutes ago, Road Runner said: I have been watching more of the various Star Trek series on TV recently. I watched some of the original shows back in the 60's, but just now I am watching the other versions which air almost every night on broadcast TV. I like the Next Generation series the best. But I find them hard to enjoy at times because I am constantly questioning Roddenberry's basic concept of the universe and of life in space. For instance: Why is it that in all the Star Trek franchises, almost all aliens look very much like humans and, in many cases, they can even procreate with humans? (Spock was half Vulcan, half human) Apes are very close to us DNA wise, yet we cannot procreate with them. How would it be possible that Earthlings, Vulcans, Klingons or Romulans could mate with beings that evolved completely separately on distant planetary systems? I think the premise of that whole thought process is that for planets (class M on Star Trek) to have humanoid life forms they must have similar environments to earth, therefore their species would have followed a similar evolutionary path as humans and therefore would turn out somewhat similar to us. That or the theory the God created more than one 'earth' and so made us all somewhat the same. I am not trying to start a P&R post, I have seen this written out as explanations for ST life forms 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Road Runner Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share #7 Posted September 16, 2019 And in every show I have seen, the crew of the Enterprise will willy-nilly beam down to strange planet surfaces or even to other starships without ever wearing any protective gear to isolate them from alien germs/bacteria, etc. And they never need to carry any oxygen or even wear extra clothing. The atmosphere and temperature of these other environments seems to be perfectly suited for humans. Even the gravity of these various planets seems to be almost identical to that of Earth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted September 16, 2019 Share #8 Posted September 16, 2019 I think the above explanation ... while probably accepted by many... or at bare minimum giving the viewer something they can relate to... Is grossly inadequate and limiting. The randomness of life possibilities of shapes and forms can take on millions uf not billions of forms. Just don't ask me for an example. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted September 16, 2019 Share #9 Posted September 16, 2019 One relatively mild science fiction tale with some aliens that were difficult to understand or relate to was "The Mote in God's Eye". It's a story of misunderstanding between two races that have less in common than was believed at first. I always thought of it as a more realistic concept of first contact and assumed information. Even at that it's still a story only slightly removed from the Western World opening Japan. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Far ★ Posted September 16, 2019 Share #10 Posted September 16, 2019 22 minutes ago, Road Runner said: I have been watching more of the various Star Trek series on TV recently. I watched some of the original shows back in the 60's, but just now I am watching the other versions which air almost every night on broadcast TV. I like the Next Generation series the best. But I find them hard to enjoy at times because I am constantly questioning Roddenberry's basic concept of the universe and of life in space. For instance: Why is it that in all the Star Trek franchises, almost all aliens look very much like humans and, in many cases, they can even procreate with humans? (Spock was half Vulcan, half human) Apes are very close to us DNA wise, yet we cannot procreate with them. How would it be possible that Earthlings, Vulcans, Klingons or Romulans could mate with beings that evolved completely separately on distant planetary systems? Because when the big fella spread the folks after the "Tower of Babel" incident, he really spread them out there. Variations in color / size / features are micro-adaptations to local sun/gravity/food/sensory input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted September 16, 2019 Share #11 Posted September 16, 2019 37 minutes ago, Dottie said: The randomness of life possibilities of shapes and forms can take on millions uf not billions of forms. Dr Seuss played with "scale" far better than Star Trek (or Star Wars) ever did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted September 16, 2019 Share #12 Posted September 16, 2019 3 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: Dr Seuss played with "scale" far better than Star Trek (or Star Wars) ever did. Still that humanoid form though: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
late Posted September 16, 2019 Share #13 Posted September 16, 2019 Doing aliens was limited by time and budget constraints. But they were also limited by a series of problems. The less we have in common, the less interaction is going to make sense. A critter swimming in the plasma of the sun is going to be hard to talk to. Roddenberry got around the dna problem by saying there was an ancient race that seeded the galaxy with their dna. That most of the races in the Trek universe were distant cousins. The casual side of Trek displays a lack of interest in the science, esp when it gets in the way of the story. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirwickWithCheese Posted September 16, 2019 Share #14 Posted September 16, 2019 2 hours ago, Road Runner said: I have been watching more of the various Star Trek series on TV recently. I watched some of the original shows back in the 60's, but just now I am watching the other versions which air almost every night on broadcast TV. I like the Next Generation series the best. But I find them hard to enjoy at times because I am constantly questioning Roddenberry's basic concept of the universe and of life in space. For instance: Why is it that in all the Star Trek franchises, almost all aliens look very much like humans and, in many cases, they can even procreate with humans? (Spock was half Vulcan, half human) Apes are very close to us DNA wise, yet we cannot procreate with them. How would it be possible that Earthlings, Vulcans, Klingons or Romulans could mate with beings that evolved completely separately on distant planetary systems? This is why I stick with I Love Lucy and Ozzie and Harriet. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Road Runner Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share #15 Posted September 16, 2019 And almost all aliens speak perfect English with an American accent. Amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted September 16, 2019 Share #16 Posted September 16, 2019 14 minutes ago, Road Runner said: And almost all aliens speak perfect English with an American accent. Amazing. Americans don't have accents. It's the Brits, Aussies, and Canadians, eh. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted September 16, 2019 Share #17 Posted September 16, 2019 5 minutes ago, Kzoo said: Americans don't have accents. It's the Brits, Aussies, and Canadians, eh. And dirty Texans. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted September 16, 2019 Share #18 Posted September 16, 2019 2 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: And dirty Texans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
late Posted September 16, 2019 Share #19 Posted September 16, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted September 17, 2019 Share #20 Posted September 17, 2019 I like cheese’s answer the best. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirwickWithCheese Posted September 17, 2019 Share #21 Posted September 17, 2019 14 minutes ago, RalphWaldoMooseworth said: I like cheese’s answer the best. RR didn't even give me a like. Some BFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted September 17, 2019 Share #22 Posted September 17, 2019 18 minutes ago, AirwickWithCheese said: RR didn't even give me a like. Some BFF. Nice avatar. :) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted September 17, 2019 Share #23 Posted September 17, 2019 It was all just so Kirk could hit on the alien wimmins. ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prophet Zacharia Posted September 17, 2019 Share #24 Posted September 17, 2019 14 hours ago, Dottie said: Neil Young is from Ontario. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prophet Zacharia Posted September 17, 2019 Share #25 Posted September 17, 2019 17 hours ago, Road Runner said: Apes are very close to us DNA wise, yet we cannot procreate with them. Maybe if you bought them flowers? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted September 17, 2019 Share #26 Posted September 17, 2019 1 hour ago, RalphWaldoMooseworth said: Nice avatar. I had to look at it closely to determine it wasn't a blow up doll made up to look like Lilly. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randomguy Posted September 17, 2019 Share #27 Posted September 17, 2019 20 hours ago, Road Runner said: Apes are very close to us DNA wise, yet we cannot procreate with them. This sounds like a dare. I think we should all try for a year with some chimpanzees and see if we can make it work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randomguy Posted September 17, 2019 Share #28 Posted September 17, 2019 19 hours ago, Road Runner said: And in every show I have seen, the crew of the Enterprise will willy-nilly beam down to strange planet surfaces or even to other starships without ever wearing any protective gear to isolate them from alien germs/bacteria, etc. And they never need to carry any oxygen or even wear extra clothing. The atmosphere and temperature of these other environments seems to be perfectly suited for humans. Even the gravity of these various planets seems to be almost identical to that of Earth. It was a simpler time, plus people were tougher then. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randomguy Posted September 17, 2019 Share #29 Posted September 17, 2019 19 hours ago, Dottie said: I think the above explanation ... while probably accepted by many... or at bare minimum giving the viewer something they can relate to... Is grossly inadequate and limiting. The randomness of life possibilities of shapes and forms can take on millions uf not billions of forms. Just don't ask me for an example. I would like an example, please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted September 17, 2019 Share #30 Posted September 17, 2019 3 hours ago, Prophet Zacharia said: Neil Young is from Ontario. Indeed. Silver Mountain I believe. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted September 17, 2019 Share #31 Posted September 17, 2019 48 minutes ago, Randomguy said: I would like an example, please. Alien in the form of a viscous liquid? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prophet Zacharia Posted September 17, 2019 Share #32 Posted September 17, 2019 1 hour ago, Dottie said: Indeed. Silver Mountain I believe. ? Silver Mountain is youth. You can’t be 20 on Silver Mountain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted September 17, 2019 Share #33 Posted September 17, 2019 8 minutes ago, Prophet Zacharia said: Silver Mountain is youth. You can’t be 20 on Silver Mountain. ... with those barkers and colored balloons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prophet Zacharia Posted September 17, 2019 Share #34 Posted September 17, 2019 4 hours ago, Prophet Zacharia said: Silver Mountain is youth. You can’t be 20 on Silver Mountain. WTF am I saying? It’s Sugar Mountain. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randomguy Posted November 22, 2021 Share #35 Posted November 22, 2021 On 9/16/2019 at 12:39 PM, Road Runner said: And in every show I have seen, the crew of the Enterprise will willy-nilly beam down to strange planet surfaces or even to other starships without ever wearing any protective gear to isolate them from alien germs/bacteria, etc. And they never need to carry any oxygen or even wear extra clothing. The atmosphere and temperature of these other environments seems to be perfectly suited for humans. Even the gravity of these various planets seems to be almost identical to that of Earth. It is generally checked out before beaming down, then verified by tricorder readings. If alien chicks are hot, there will be rutting. Human guys are human guys, after all, so we breed with everything and see what sticks. There is no gloving up in space, you see. Anyway, the aliens are all human-like so makeup and wardrobe is less involved. Plus, we all want to bang aliens. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted November 22, 2021 Share #36 Posted November 22, 2021 On 9/16/2019 at 12:17 PM, Road Runner said: I have been watching more of the various Star Trek series on TV recently. I watched some of the original shows back in the 60's, but just now I am watching the other versions which air almost every night on broadcast TV. I like the Next Generation series the best. But I find them hard to enjoy at times because I am constantly questioning Roddenberry's basic concept of the universe and of life in space. For instance: Why is it that in all the Star Trek franchises, almost all aliens look very much like humans and, in many cases, they can even procreate with humans? (Spock was half Vulcan, half human) Apes are very close to us DNA wise, yet we cannot procreate with them. How would it be possible that Earthlings, Vulcans, Klingons or Romulans could mate with beings that evolved completely separately on distant planetary systems? And how is it that Banner turns into the hulk. These movies are for enjoyment and to really enjoy you have to suspend your belief sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted November 22, 2021 Share #37 Posted November 22, 2021 "The Chase" answers this question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaddeus Kosciuszko Posted November 22, 2021 Share #38 Posted November 22, 2021 Replicators are not just for making food, you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsnip Totin Jack ★ Posted November 22, 2021 Share #39 Posted November 22, 2021 Anyone remember when George W Bush gave a speech, state of the Union I think, where he declared that the greatest threat we faced was animal-human hybrids? That led to Fred Durst of Limp Bizcut to coin the term, “agreeance” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted November 22, 2021 Share #40 Posted November 22, 2021 On 9/16/2019 at 12:39 PM, Road Runner said: And in every show I have seen, the crew of the Enterprise will willy-nilly beam down to strange planet surfaces or even to other starships without ever wearing any protective gear to isolate them from alien germs/bacteria, etc. And they never need to carry any oxygen or even wear extra clothing. The atmosphere and temperature of these other environments seems to be perfectly suited for humans. Even the gravity of these various planets seems to be almost identical to that of Earth. Low budget. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted November 23, 2021 Share #41 Posted November 23, 2021 1 hour ago, Philander Seabury said: Low budget. Good location scouts? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Far ★ Posted November 23, 2021 Share #42 Posted November 23, 2021 So, when God scattered the humans after that whole Tower of Babel fiasco, He really, REALLY, REALLY, scattered them. Not just across the planet, but across the galaxy( or maybe universe, even). Different planets had different gravity, sunlight, food, climate, chemistry & hence the variation on a theme in "human-ish" physiology. Many scattered folks didn't fall into the whole "dark ages" thing & continued to progress more rapidly thru the ages (Talosians & Q & Douwd & Worm-Hole Aliens (DS9,), the guy who hijacked Barkley, etc.). I mean, look what we humans have done in the last 100 years (Kitty Hawk to SpaceX; leaches to MRIs; etc.), can you imagine how far along we'd be if civilization hadn't fallen to the barbarians circa 500AD?? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoseySusan Posted November 23, 2021 Share #43 Posted November 23, 2021 Dredge Metre: 9.75 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted November 23, 2021 Share #44 Posted November 23, 2021 17 minutes ago, MoseySusan said: Dredge Metre: 9.75 * yawn * 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoseySusan Posted November 23, 2021 Share #45 Posted November 23, 2021 1 minute ago, Kzoo said: * yawn * Willful suspension of disbelief and bangable aliens not your thing? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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