Holodeck Malfunctioning

So in episodes of TNG, DS9, and VOY something goes amiss with the holodeck that almost costs someone their lives. So I ask you: Where is the off button? Or at least unplug the thing. And why would safety protocols ever be a thing you can turn 'off'? I play a lot of video games and I don't want to be killed by them because Moriarty got too smart or Seska hates me.

Seriously though I do enjoy those episodes but come on people recreation should be less dangerous.

[sonak]

how exciting a plot would it be if they could simply say "holodeck off," or "cut power to holodeck?"


But yes, no approved recreational system would really have the problems the holodeck has on Star Trek. They took it to an absurd level.

[DonIago]

"Spirit Folk" is definitely my "favorite" Holodeck Abuse episode, given that holographic characters are able to inflict real damage on the control systems using firearms generated by the holodeck itself...while the safeties were on to begin with.

Well heck, Jammer said it best-

"The holo-characters throw a net over Tom and Harry, and shoot a computer console with a shotgun. This shouldn't be remotely possible. (1) If the safeties are on, how can bullets destroy the computer console? (2) Why would destroying the computer console just automatically disable the safeties? (How very nice.) (3) Why can't Paris yell out "Computer, freeze program!" rather than telling the holo-character not to shoot? (This episode makes one want to scream at the characters not to be so bone-headed.)"

[The Wormhole]

^^Agreed, Spirit Folk is quite possibly the most idiotic holodeck storyline. Computer terminals being damaged by holographic bullets while the safeties were on, the holographic characters are actually aware of the Voyager crew's manipulations of the program, on and on. It would be terrible it if weren't unintentionally amusing.

[RoJoHen]

SimpleLogic wrote:

---

I play a lot of video games and I don't want to be killed by them because Moriarty got too smart or Seska hates me.

I don't know why, but this sentence is cracking me up.

[Methos]

dunno... i'd go in the holodeck with Seska for a laugh

M

[Timo]

But yes, no approved recreational system would really have the problems the holodeck has on Star Trek.

Motorcycles haven't been banned yet despite their tendency to kill the user. Nor have ultralight aircraft. Or boxing. Or bars. Even fewer safeties on those, and definitely no off switch for when things go wrong (only for when things go right, if you get lucky).

Safety just isn't that big a deal. Everybody dies. And aboard a starship, a holodeck malfunction is probably one of the more pleasant ways to go.

Timo Saloniemi

[MacLeod]

Wouldn't motorcycles be classed as more a means of transportation rather than a recreational device. Sure you could use if for recreational purposes but is that it's primary purpose?

Besides in the grand scheme of things perhaps holodeck malfunctions are a rare event. Remember if they are used Federation wide you are talking about hundreds if not thousands of worlds with perhaps hundreds of thousands of holodecks on each planet, not to mention tens of thousadns of starships and starbases fitted with them. The actual malfunction rate might only be 0.0001%

[Timo]

Wouldn't motorcycles be classed as more a means of transportation rather than a recreational device.

Only in the same sense as the holodeck is a training device rather than a recreational device.

The world could trivially do without motorcycles. But the world can afford to lose motorcyclists, too.

Timo Saloniemi

[sonak]

Timo wrote:

---

Motorcycles haven't been banned yet despite their tendency to kill the user. Nor have ultralight aircraft. Or boxing. Or bars. Even fewer safeties on those, and definitely no off switch for when things go wrong (only for when things go right, if you get lucky).

Safety just isn't that big a deal. Everybody dies. And aboard a starship, a holodeck malfunction is probably one of the more pleasant ways to go.

Timo Saloniemi

motorcycles and aircraft are known to be risky machines and crashes can be caused by driver/pilot. And how is boxing a comparable comparison?


All those activities are known to be risky. A holodeck is supposed to be like an interactive Xbox. If Xboxes were malfunctioning and killing their users, they'd be taken off the market.

[Methos]

Well, i'd bet after the Enterprise D missions, the Holodeck became known as a "risky machine and problems can be caused by operator" lol

M

[Drago-Kazov]

Is there a holodeck specialist by the way?

[Timo]

motorcycles and aircraft are known to be risky machines and crashes can be caused by driver/pilot.

So, exactly like holodecks, then! Useless, prone to killing their users, and impossible to secure against the user himself causing the fatality. And nobody really cares.

And how is boxing a comparable comparison?

It's done for fun, and there's no interest in making it safe. Indeed, the very point is to cause bodily harm and an occasional death. That's what makes it fun. A very human thing, that.

If Xboxes were malfunctioning and killing their users, they'd be taken off the market.

Or the price might be tripled.

Is there a holodeck specialist by the way?

On a ship as big as the E-D, no doubt, although we never got a name or a face. Perhaps we saw him or her in "The Big Goodbye" where the solving of a purely holotechnological problem was tackled by a team of engineers? But anything having to do with Moriarty would go beyond holodeck engineering issues and mainly involve command decisions; the computer itself would do the diagnosis and repair once persuaded to do so.

On smaller ships such as Voyager, probably not.

Timo Saloniemi

[R. Star]

His name is Reg Barclay.

[T'Girl]

sonak wrote:

---

All those activities are known to be risky. A holodeck is supposed to be like an interactive Xbox. If Xboxes were malfunctioning and killing their users, they'd be taken off the market.

What are the health demographics on people who spend protracted peroids of time playing with their Xboxes? Obesity, diabetes, heart disease?

Alcohol kills (various ways) two and a half million people a year worldwide, despite this I've been known to have a rare cocktail on occasion.

Like the hopefully well informed people who enjoy the holodeck, when I take my snowboard down a double black diamond ski run, I know the dangers and the corresponding thrills that come with it. Even a simple hike in the local forest brings the possibility of interacts with hungry brown bears and territorial cougars.

Surviving your resent visit to the holodeck is part of the excitement and entertainment.