I get the impression that shapeshifters do not age, but despite 'the ocean becomes the drop the drop becomes the ocean' they are unique individuals. They all have their own 'morphogenic matrix'. As to why conversation of mass does not apply to them, I have no idea. I don't know, maybe when they get really small they also get really dense?
last time I watched season three they all had uncontrollable side burns. They looked like Elvis. The illusion that they were i n the 23rd century fizzled away for me. But then have you every compared Elizabeth Montgomery's wardrobe formt he beginning of Bewitched to the end of Bewitched? She starts off as Jackie O and finishes as a Hippy.
Whereas I have begun my life as a hippy and finished as Jackie O. :: looks down at clothing :: Oh wait..
Started watching a cartoon recently staring Curtis"booger" Armstrong called "Dan VS." about a very very angry, unwashed, comic book reading, 40 something, without a girlfriend, who each week goes on impossible quests against unlikely targets to satisfy his taste for vengeance, including werewolves, Ninjas and Canada. Also staring Dave Foley and Paget Brewster. Paget has a nose like a ski jump, but hells bells, that shnoz really ties her face together.
They lived for very long time ...but they are disgusting eww i was always repulsed by the way they shift and the oozing eeky color and sound effect.
Are you allowed to be racist about imaginary races? I suppose if it's the thought that really counts, then hate is hate.
When a species Kills several trillion Federation citizens, you're allowed and encouraged to be racist towards them. You don't have to be, but it's encouraged because it makes it easier to kill them when they try to kill you. (Allied World War II Propaganda is hilariously blunt.)