What's cell phone generation? Are there people who do not have cell phones?*
(* Yes, I know there are people in third world countries that don't have them, though they tend to be pretty common there too these days.)
Telling Time in the Star Trek Universe
- Thread starter Brannigan
- Start date
(* Yes, I know there are people in third world countries that don't have them, though they tend to be pretty common there too these days.)
And what makes you think that?
My eyes, mostly. It was obviously an exaggeration, but I rarely see them any more. They're mostly worn by old people or those who want to brag with an expensive watch. Unless Apple watches manage to launch some sort of a watch-renaissance watches are extinct withing a generation.
...Pocket watches were rather completely abandoned except as decorative additions to certain types of outdated costume - but that's what we have again today, only with the added feature of the pocket watches being communications devices as well. There are only so many places in which to store technology on our bodies, be it flint knives or iPhones. Wearable tech is just a minor variant of all this.
However, that is likely to change soon, for the first time in history, with implant tech. Is the Trek timeline going to steer completely clear of that? Or does it become so commonplace that the heroes would no more comment on it than they would on their dental fillings (especially of those are one and the same thing in the 23rd century)?
Timo Saloniemi
However, that is likely to change soon, for the first time in history, with implant tech. Is the Trek timeline going to steer completely clear of that? Or does it become so commonplace that the heroes would no more comment on it than they would on their dental fillings (especially of those are one and the same thing in the 23rd century)?
Timo Saloniemi
What I meant was the generation that grew up with cell phones and do not wear a watch.
In the 23d century time is likely distributed via networks, read by wristwatches, PADDs and other displays.
In the 23d century time is likely distributed via networks, read by wristwatches, PADDs and other displays.
I have an ancient flip-phone that I only use when travelling, to let my girlfriend know what time to pick me up at the train station or whatever. Otherwise, I just use our land line.
One of these days, though, I'm going to have to break down and check out one of these newfangled "smartphones."
Getting back to TREK, I suppose it's possible that Kirk peeks at his communicator whenever he wants to check the time, but I can't say I've ever seen an actor on TOS actually do this. And Kirk usually isn't carrying a tricorder or an electronic clipboard or whatever. (PADDs are not a TOS thing.)
Maybe it's the Yeoman's job to tell him what time it is?
Not surprising, since most people don't make it a point to stare at strangers' wrists...
I wear a wristwatch too--and I tend to be the only one in my circle who knows what time it is and not be late for meetings/appointments. When I'm out shopping, I'm always asked at least once what time it is by someone who either has no true way of knowing or just don't want to go through the effort of taking out their phone and looking it up themselves.
It was the job of the Yeoman, in "The Cage" (Colt says, "Its 1400 now sir!")I have an ancient flip-phone that I only use when travelling, to let my girlfriend know what time to pick me up at the train station or whatever. Otherwise, I just use our land line.
One of these days, though, I'm going to have to break down and check out one of these newfangled "smartphones."
Getting back to TREK, I suppose it's possible that Kirk peeks at his communicator whenever he wants to check the time, but I can't say I've ever seen an actor on TOS actually do this. And Kirk usually isn't carrying a tricorder or an electronic clipboard or whatever. (PADDs are not a TOS thing.)
Maybe it's the Yeoman's job to tell him what time it is?
@PhaserLightShow
I actually polled the subject today at work (I'm a teacher.) Out of about thirty people three wore watches, so about one in ten. Most of the people were students (ages 14-20) One person was a teacher, who had a fancy sports watch, that was mainly used to monitor heart rate and stuff while exercising. One student had a watch she said she occasionally wore as a jewellery, only one student had a watch that was mostly used for time keeping.
That was actually more watches I had expected, especially as most of the people were teenagers. Still, when I was their age almost everyone had a watch.
I almost never take my watch off. Can't imagine not having one.
And, yes, as a writer, it sometimes bugs me that I can't write "Kirk glanced at his wristwatch" the way I can in stories set in the present. It's a nice bit of stage business that kills two bird with one stone: You can dramatize a time issue through physical action, rather than just narration.
"Scully glanced anxiously at her watch. It had been hours since she'd heard from Mulder . . .."
And, yes, as a writer, it sometimes bugs me that I can't write "Kirk glanced at his wristwatch" the way I can in stories set in the present. It's a nice bit of stage business that kills two bird with one stone: You can dramatize a time issue through physical action, rather than just narration.
"Scully glanced anxiously at her watch. It had been hours since she'd heard from Mulder . . .."
"Kirk let his eyes roll over to access his chrono. Glancing back at Chief Mughodhog, he noted with some amusement that the Klododian had followed what it mistook for his gaze, and now looked quizzically at the stars above. Not that much of a mistake, Kirk mused: after all, he had checked the time to find out whether Spock and the Enterprise were already in position."
Timo Saloniemi
Timo Saloniemi
You've got to be kidding. Perhaps you don't frequent those old style brick and mortar retail stores which I guess are likely to disappear soon as well, but I don't have any problem finding about as many makes and numbers of watches in the jewelry department as I did twenty years ago.. Also, I see no lack of watch ads in any number of print magazines, oops, I forgot, those don't exist any more either. I won't volunteer to do an even fragmentary unrepresentative survey, but of the people I come into contact with on a daily basis, or just happen to pass by, the percentage observed wearing watches, at least that their clothing allows to be observed, is well in excess of 50%. If that equates to no one in your manner of thinking, well, I guess we just travel in far different circles. Not unlikely.
I'd probably make the distinction a bit more contemporary than that, such as, perhaps, the tablet generation. But agreed and point well taken.
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