Star Trek episodes with an anti technology theme

Discussion in 'General Trek Discussion' started by The Overlord, Sep 15, 2012.

  1. The Overlord

    The Overlord Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    It seemed like in the mid to late 90s there were episodes like DS9's Paradise and even one of the TNG movies Star Trek Insurrection, seemed to explore the idea that getting rid of technology creates a paradise. This seems like a really contradictory Star Trek, because Star Trek has traditionally said that paradise can be achieved through the proper use of technology.

    I would say the Federation is more of a utopia then say the community from Paradise where they used torture to keep people in line. The fact that the Baku or the community leaders from Paradise are not very sympathetic and extremely self righteous doesn't help their case.

    So do you think the Star Trek episodes and movie that explored this theme were misguided or did they have a good meassage?
     
  2. Greg Cox

    Greg Cox Admiral Premium Member

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    Star Trek has always been more ambivalent about technology than some people may realize. Look at episodes like "The Ultimate Computer" or "Court-Martial." Samuel Cogley has a couple of impassioned speeches pitting man vs. machine and about he prefers old-fashioned books to computers. And Lenore Karidian in "Conscience of the King" laments about how the Federation's high-tech society is making people less human. (Granted, she's crazy, but . . . .)

    And let's not forget all those classic episodes where out-of-control computers have taken over the planet: "Return of the Archons," "The Apple," "For the World is Hollow . . ." and so on.

    TOS was pretty leery about the concept of "paradise" in general. Every time Kirk ran into a "perfect" society, there usually turned out to be a fly in the ointment. As he says in "The Apple," maybe humanity isn't meant for paradise, but to struggle instead . . .

    For all that TOS glorified science and space travel, there was also a certain unease running just below the surface.
     
    Last edited: Sep 15, 2012
  3. SchwEnt

    SchwEnt Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    TOS also featured several eps where "paradise" was a return to simpler times and/or less technology. "This Side of Paradise" and "The Paradise Syndrome" and "The Apple", among others.

    Is it anti-technology? Your call.
     
  4. T'Girl

    T'Girl Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Star Trek was about people who lived inside of big machines (starships and spacestation), when these people wanted to play, it was often in simple settings. Kirk's idea of a good shore leave (with the occasional Cabaret) was basically a walk in a park like glen, fresh air and trees.

    When Picard went to visit his family, it was shown to be very pastoral. One of the few times we saw Riker and Troi off-duty and off the ship, they went on a simple pick-nick.

    In addition to his detective adventures, Picard rode a horse on the holodeck, enough that he owns a physical saddle.

    On Voyager, a high ol' time would consist of spending time in a small Irish village.

    :)
     
  5. Greg Cox

    Greg Cox Admiral Premium Member

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    Ditto for Pike, who fantasized about an outdoor picnic in a grassy field, with a pretty girl and his favorite horse!

    And in "The Naked Time," Kirk pines for a beach to walk on . . . .
     
  6. MacLeod

    MacLeod Admiral Admiral

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    ^Which sane male wouldn't want a pretty girl to take on a picninc?
     
  7. CorporalCaptain

    CorporalCaptain Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Plus, when they arrived at the Shore Leave Planet, that's exactly the kind of planet that had been prepared for them. It's almost as if something read their minds.... ;)
     
  8. sbk1234

    sbk1234 Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    I think it was more about balance, and not letting the technology control the people. In the Ultimate Computer, Spock mentions something to the effect that computers make excellent servants, but he wouldn't want to serve under one. I think that sums up Trek's attitude toward the tech.
     
  9. Tiberius

    Tiberius Commodore Commodore

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    In "The Quickening" Bashir discovers that the EM fields from all his gadgets are accelerating the disease and killing his patients.
     
  10. robau

    robau Lieutenant Commander Red Shirt

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    Just like cellphones !
     
  11. The Overlord

    The Overlord Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Except Picard and the Voyager crew are using holograms to create their supposed rustic retreats.

    Besides well Star Trek may be wary of some aspects of technology, I don't think any of the TOS episodes mentioned suggested becoming Luddites was solution to these problems, like the Baku and the community from Paradise have become.
     
  12. Green Shirt

    Green Shirt Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Or even a horse, for that matter! :)
     
  13. plynch

    plynch Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    The Way to Eden is all about people rejecting the technoenvironment, and iirc, the disease Sevin carries is a result of it somehow.
     
  14. jayrath

    jayrath Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Just about every Borg episode is anti-technology. And if TNG were made today, the Borg would all be on cell phones or texting. :)
     
  15. Nerys Myk

    Nerys Myk A Spock and a smile Premium Member

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    U WIL B ASML8ED
     
  16. Drago-Kazov

    Drago-Kazov Fleet Captain

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    Their rejection of technology did not bring them happiness in the end.
     
  17. T'Girl

    T'Girl Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Although, it did get rid of their nasty foot fungus.

    :)
     
  18. Timo

    Timo Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Why are you calling me Fungus? :p

    TOS is pretty consistent about condemning all attempts at abandoning the orderly and thoroughly industrialized mainstream society. It doesn't matter much if this attempt involves going back to the soil, or giving power to an AI. Kirk is simply the guardian of status quo, rather than a clear-cut technophobe or technophile.

    Timo Saloniemi
     
  19. Tiberius

    Tiberius Commodore Commodore

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    lol, I can haz ur starships plz?
     
  20. T'Girl

    T'Girl Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Because you are among us.

    :)