What would you do if you had a holodeck in your home?

[DeepSpaceYorks]

Let's reformulate the question: what would you do with holodeck in your home BESIDES testing every one of your sexual fantasies?

I know we've treated it as a bit of a joke so far but my question of ethics and holo deck usage re. sex is actually a serious one. Why don't people in Star Trek just use the holo deck for sex? It was the first thing I thought of when I read the question but immediately felt troubled by that. Is it rape to generate a holo simulation of that girl/boy you fancied like crazy and use them for your own gratification?

 

[Dilandu]

Why don't people in Star Trek just use the holo deck for sex?

Well, why you assumed they don't? It was never stated, that they don't. Frankly, I think they do: after all, holodecks were invented to help peoples overcome the psychological hardships of long-time isolations, and sexual frustration is clearly one of them.

 

[Dilandu]

Is it rape to generate a holo simulation of that girl/boy you fancied like crazy and use them for your own gratification?

Definitedly no. It's just sexual fantasies, nothing more.

 

[Doom Shepherd]

There are several ways around any questionable ethical problem (though since holodeck characters are non-sapient, I can't really think of one that holds up) I can think of, including:

1. Program in a pre-existing "sexy story" and change the image parameters of the characters. (Easy)
2. Program in a set of personality parameters that means that the character fancies you. (Normal)
3. Program the original personality parameters and actually act out an entire courtship and relationship. Set right what once went wrong, or - if you're infatuated with a celebrity - create the ultimate self-insert fiction (Legendary)

 

[Dilandu]

What problem exactly? Frankly, I see no problem in the possibility that holodeck could be also used to relieve sexual frustration by the crewmembers in long flights. After all, it's simply more effective (in both practical and moral terms) than using some medical suppressants.

 

[Shat Happens]

What would you do if you had a holodeck in your home?

Oh boy, I know!

BESIDES testing every one of your sexual fantasies?

No I don't.

 

[Jedman67]

If the holodeck computer is in fact temporarily creating sapient beings, then you sir are engaged in the rape of a sex slave.

The computer isn't creating sapient beings; that's virtually impossible (pun intended). What it is generating holographic characters that use extremely advanced AI to simulate, within a certain degree, the behavior of real or life-like people. In 01000101, the Binars created an incredibly realistic hologram in the form of Minuet, that both Riker and Picard remarked on.
So when you're having sex with a hologram; you're having sex with a very advanced sex-doll rather than a real person. Raping a hologram would be like raping a videogame character; disturbing for the actions but not an actual person.

I know we've treated it as a bit of a joke so far but my question of ethics and holo deck usage re. sex is actually a serious one. Why don't people in Star Trek just use the holo deck for sex? It was the first thing I thought of when I read the question but immediately felt troubled by that. Is it rape to generate a holo simulation of that girl/boy you fancied like crazy and use them for your own gratification?

Disturbing in the same way that making a videogame and having a videogame character raping another, but not "actual" rape per se, since it's a hologram.
If you create an Occulus VR program, with specialized equipment to attach to different parts of your body to simulate sensations; and you use the program to rape a simulation of another person, it's much the same.

 

[Captain Rob]

Have we forgotten where we are?
On the holodeck...I AM CAPTAIN KIRK! Captain of the USS Enterprise!

or better yet...
I am the redshirt that NEVER dies.

 

[tharpdevenport]

Work 80 hours a week just to afford not only buy a Holodeck, but upgrade the electrical equipment in my house and to my house to bring in the electricity, then continue working 80 hours a week for the rest of my life to afford to power it. Maybe I get to use it when I don't come home and immediately fall asleep.

 

[Jedman67]

or better yet...
I am the redshirt that NEVER dies.

The universe just exploded. Please try again!

 

[mlk]

Why? If you want something the holodeck would just make it for you.

Would the holodeck install and build a pool in my front lawn?

Would the holodeck build me a new house in the location of my choice?

 

[Nerys Myk]

Would the holodeck install and build a pool in my front lawn?

Would the holodeck build me a new house in the location of my choice?

No but you could have all those in the holodeck. Plus I don't think holo-credit cards can exist outside of the holodeck. Nor would they be connected to a financial institution.

 

[mlk]

I'd want them in real not on a holodeck. And why not connected, if we can make copys today, a holodeck can most certainly make true copies.

 

[Nerys Myk]

I'd want them in real not on a holodeck. And why not connected, if we can make copys today, a holodeck can most certainly make true copies.

Well I'm thinking fraud might be a problem.

 

[JeffinOakland]

Have sex with hot, willing babes that I would never get in real life...and so would you...just admit it.

 

[galad2003]

I'm pretty sure I would never leave it so I would lose my job and possibly starve to death, depending if a holodeck can create real food and water. And depending on how long it would take for the power company to cut the power since I lost my job and can't pay my bills.

 

[1001001]

So...we're not exactly reaching for the stars here, are we folks?

 

[The Old Mixer]

I would charge people for admission and make a fortune.

"You can be a man with a shovel in your hand, or you can be the man who sells the shovel to the man with a shovel in his hand."

--Collis Huntington, Hell on Wheels 5 x 3, "White Justice"​

Superman, pooperman. You can be GOD.

Depending on which incarnation of Superman, that might just be a matter of semantics.

So...we're not exactly reaching for the stars here, are we folks?

I could fly around the Earth and smile for the camera after I'm done saving the world, if that makes you happy.

 

[1001001]

I'll be too busy leading the Rams to Super Bowl victories and touring as the lead singer of the Rolling Stones to care what you're doing...

 

[The Old Mixer]

(Damn Californians are never grateful when you stop their state from sinking into the ocean....)