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Joined 2 years ago
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Cake day: June 12th, 2023

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  • When I first saw this episode of TNG, I thought that such a language was impossible. Without even thinking about how often I hear and use phrases that likely make zero sense to someone who doesn’t know the same context as myself. Like dealing with someone who lies all too often, “they are the boy who cried wolf” gets used. Meaning, one of these days they are going to tell the truth but no one will believe them. Or saying, “we need to touch base” to someone who isn’t familiar with baseball. Sometimes I understand the meaning of a phrase, like “the proof is in the pudding,” without knowing what that phrase originally meant. I still wonder what pudding? every time I hear it. So, yes. I can believe the Tamarian language. Because context is important.

    I don’t think the Tamarian language as a whole is represented in the episode. I can’t imagine “Temba, his arms wide”-ing a way to warp capabilities. I think of the Tamarian language shown as a universal shorthand for the Tamarians. Like their society has different languages, but the Tamarian we hear is the common language. That Tamarians specializing in a field of study have their own words and phrases, much like on Earth of today. For example, if I listen to a lecture on biochemistry, I wouldn’t understand most of it because I don’t speak (understand) biochemistry. I have no context.

    I think the Tamarian language is fascinating, and possible.







  • That’s an interesting perspective. I agree that “this is a set law” can be perceived as anything not covered being construed as legal (although not necessarily moral). Which could lead to the creation of a new law, or the change in an existing law, to cover the new territory. I also agree that with a guideline a lot depends on acting in good faith. I think the Prime Directive is vague when the situation is the destruction of a civilization due to a natural cause, not from the actions of the civilization.

    Say a natural event – a meteor or asteroid or solar flare or something – will cause an extinction level event on the planet with a pre-warp civilization. And, Starfleet has the means to prevent such a thing. As long as the pre-warp civilization never knows that their destruction was prevented by Starfleet, whether choosing to save the civilization or to doing nothing and allow it to be destroyed, are both following the Prime Directive. For me, that’s where the Prime Directive is vague. Or, quite likely, I’m unsuccessfully trying to process two vastly different outcomes having the same value, i.e. not violating the Prime Directive.



  • I think the original Prime Directive from TOS was fairly straightforward. A statement about the U. S.’ involvement in the Vietnam war. Another, “In the future, we don’t do that kind of stuff anymore.” Storytelling in Star Trek evolved and expanded over the years. I think this has left the Prime Directive still valid, but vague.

    Vague in the what ifs of not intervening to prevent the destruction of a civilization that isn’t brought on by that society’s (or societies) decisions. I get if the Federation sits out on stopping a society its own self-destruction. Even if new to warp technology, a planet with societies bent on self-destructing means about all the Federation could do is become the planetary police force. I think SNW’s s1e1 planet Kiley 279 is an outlier. Kiley 279 being on the precipice of warp-backed absolute destruction was Starfleet’s fault. Unintentional, but still their fault. I think violating the Prime Directive in that situation was warranted.

    The Prime Directive is like the rule to stop at red lights. Not an extensive treatise, but important. Violating that rule can lead to very bad things. Still, sometimes following the Prime Directive can lead to very bad things, like in the Terran universe. I wonder what would happen if that scenario was repeated in the regular Star Trek universe. I think the First Contact Protocol is a lot more extensive and comprehensive. There’s a lot of possible first contact scenarios, from “hey, cool, welcome!” to panic and attacking the landing party.

    The Prime Directive is important. However, I think it isn’t comprehensive.







  • No worries. I don’t even know what Mlem is, heh.

    " “The cancel this to give us that because all true fans want what I want!” demands in less well moderated social media have been accelerating."

    I’ve noticed that, too. It saddens me. Star Trek is diverse, in many ways. And, there’s a lot of different Star Trek shows and movies around. Civil conversing seemed to be becoming a lost art. Hopefully, genuine conversating makes a return, without hyperbole ridden shout downs.


  • When r/startrek went dark, thought at the time to be forever, I came here. I wasn’t looking for a new reddit. I was looking for a new home to talk with other Star Trek fans. And, that is here. Now that r/startrek is back open, I’m still staying here. I like it here. I don’t see a need for an us versus them showdown. How many r/startrek accounts there are isn’t important to me. How active is c/startrek is important to me. And, I think c/startrek is doing well. With more Star Trek fans finding their way here.

    Do I think c/startrek is sustainable and will continue to grow? Yes. Because Star Trek fans tend to love interacting with other Star Trek fans, and with those new to Star Trek. I have my doubts about there being an all out rush back to r/startrek because the initial reason for leaving wasn’t a temporary oopsie, like a technical issue. It was, for me and likely others, because of Huffman’s actions and reactions. That was an eye-opener.

    I think on some level many people know that they are just commodities to for profit social medias. The end goal is to gather valuable data, and concentrate eyes on certain spots to sell ads. Monetization. There’s a facade in place. I think problems arise when that facade is frayed and torn. For me, Reddit’s facade is shredded.

    I like that here the main goal isn’t to target me with ads. And, I’m thoroughly enjoying the interactions here. Yes, there’s a lot to Lemmy I haven’t learned. Truth be told, I may never learn all or even most about it. However, it only took me a few minutes to figure out the most important things to me on c/startrek – how to read and make comments.

    Reddit is gonna Reddit. LLAP, c/startrek.






  • PIC season 2 has a lot of moments I enjoy. Ito Aghayere’s Guinan not being just a 100% copy/paste younger version of Whoopi Goldberg’s Guinan, but still being believable as the character. Seven’s enjoyment at not being treated and feared like a Borg for the first time in her adult life (life threatening situation from the alternate future aside). Raffi being confused at a mugger wanting “her wallet,” and then Raffi mugging the mugger, lol. Really, all of Seven and Raffi’s scenes in L. A. after they leave the La Sirena to search for the Watcher.

    DSC season 2 finale, “Such Sweet Sorrow.” The desperate battle. Admiral Cornwell. The goodbyes, that beautiful scene of Discovery following Burnham, with that magnificent music score. That episode always touches my heart.

    DS9’s “Little Green Men” s4e8 and “Trials and Tribble-lations” s5e6 are well done fun.

    TNG’s “Yesterday’s Enterprise” s3e15 is great. Whoa, that battle at the end, the Enterprise-D against those Klingon Birds of Prey. I know how it won’t end – meaning an end to TNG, but in the moment it’s hard to believe how it won’t end.

    TAS’ “Yesteryear” s1e2. I think it’s an episode well worth watching. And, it reaffirms that Sarek and Amanda seriously know how to keep secrets (Sybok, Micheal Burnham), because they must have had some suspicions about how much cousin Selek was like adult Spock.

    While those are my favorites, the good thing is that I enjoy the time travel episodes that I didn’t list here, too.