cybernetic enhancements in discovery

Discussion in 'Star Trek: Discovery' started by pst, Feb 6, 2019.

  1. pst

    pst Commodore Commodore

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    this something i've thought about a bit and wanted everyone's take on proliferation of cybernetically enhanced humans and wearable technology in star trek: discovery.

    just off the top we have keyla detmer and her post-shenzhou look (maybe she lost an eye?):
    [​IMG]

    airiam the possibly enhanced human, possibly enhanced alien:
    [​IMG]

    jira narwani's virtual helmet on the shenzhou which also shows up on crew members aboard the de milo and discovery:
    [​IMG]

    the transporter operator's proto-VISOR:
    [​IMG]

    i think this all creates a more realistic, varied universe, but what do we think? makeup department run amuck or does this suggest something new about the people of the 23rd century's relationship to technology that we don't see in any other series?
     
  2. Nerys Myk

    Nerys Myk A Spock and a smile Premium Member

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    The latter.
    Though we do see tech when needed for a story, Like the sensor web in "Is There No Truth In Beauty".
     
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  3. Tuskin38

    Tuskin38 Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    I really like the Proto-Visor. It's familiar, but also looks more 'primitive' because it required an entire head piece.
     
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  4. Turtletrekker

    Turtletrekker Admiral Admiral

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    So many of the above examples are sight-related, and it made me remember that Lorca and Cornwell both inferred that Lorca could have his eyes replaced with cloned implants. Of course, Lorca's excuse for not having it done was fiction. He stated that he wanted to keep his own eyes, when he really just didn't want to clue the Federation doctors on to the one physiological difference between humans and terrans, but the option was available to him.
     
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  5. pst

    pst Commodore Commodore

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    oh also, i forgot about mr. troke and troy januzzi from the shenzhou:
    [​IMG]
    according to memory-beta, troke is a tulian -- a cousin species to bolians which has embraced cybernetic enhancement. troke has a "neural coupling" protruding from the back of his head.

    it's hard to tell but januzzi is wearing blue contacts in addition to a headpiece, neither of which are present when he shows up in the mirror universe, leading me to believe these are cybernetic enhancements rather than communications equipment.
     
  6. Phily B

    Phily B Commodore Commodore

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    The visor is really fucking cool, it looks like it could easily be part of Geordi's line of visors.
     
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  7. pst

    pst Commodore Commodore

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    i love it, though i know some people will take exception to the fact that it makes geordi's situation a little less unique than we previously assumed.

    the prop is clearly trying to reflect laforge's VISOR though:
    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  8. Michael

    Michael Good Bad Influence Moderator

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    I dunno, it‘s cool that they‘re including a visual reference to Geordie‘s VISOR, but the reflective foil and the diamond pattern make it look kinda cheap. :shrug:
     
  9. Awesome Possum

    Awesome Possum Moddin' Admiral

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    It’s not like Geordi was the first blind person to get some sort of enhancement, we have primitive versions now. He may just have the latest version. It’s really only explained on the show for the sake of the audience.
     
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  10. XCV330

    XCV330 Premium Member

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    Would be interesting if they ever explain why Detmer has to wear that implant, and if she just chose to keep it and the different looking eyeball after emergency surgury or if ArcherCare just doesn't foot the bill for better stuff.
     
  11. BillJ

    BillJ The King of Kings Premium Member

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    I really did like this, and dig these kinds of callbacks in small amounts.
     
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  12. pst

    pst Commodore Commodore

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    back in october emily coutts said she didn't know what the story behind the eyepiece is (other than that it was repairing an injury from the battle at the binary stars), and hoped season 2 would shed some light on it. but i feel like she would've said "oh season 2 will explain it" if that was actually happening.
    in "encounter at farpoint" crusher says something like "i'm familiar with your situation" to geordi and the implication is it's a fairly uncommon one, but yeah nothing has ever been definitively stated and it would make sense if there was more than one person in his position over the years.
     
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  13. Michael

    Michael Good Bad Influence Moderator

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    Are we even sure it was supposed to be a vision aid akin to Geordie‘s VISOR? Upon first seeing it I had the impression it may be a tool in use during transporter operations. The way it was shot and kind of highlighted during the beaming of Pike made me think there was a connection.
     
  14. pst

    pst Commodore Commodore

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    the FX company refers to at as a "visor" on their instagram.
     
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  15. Alan Roi

    Alan Roi Commodore Commodore

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    Well, part laforge, part Borg Queen
     
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  16. Burning Hearts of Qo'nOs

    Burning Hearts of Qo'nOs Commodore Commodore

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    It's also possible that these enhancements vs clone implants are of personal choice as well. She could have looked at the holographic example of what her implants would look like and said, 'Holy shit, thats HOT!' because she would not have been wrong.

    Or perhaps the clone implants take longer to grow and in the time it would take she had decided that she pulled off the cyborg look very well.
     
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  17. pst

    pst Commodore Commodore

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    i mean yeah we also don't have to assume that ALL of these implants are medically necessary. maybe detmer's eye was damaged in the battle and she opted to not simply replace but also enhance her eye.

    or lt. januzzi's headpiece is a voluntary direct link to the computer or the 23rd century version of the internet or something.
     
  18. Kor

    Kor Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    While I think such enhancements make for a very interesting concept, and the idea in general makes a lot of sense in contrast with TNG's vehement anti-enhancement/anti-transhumanism stance, in practice I find this stuff to be hideous. :barf:

    Kor
     
  19. Burning Hearts of Qo'nOs

    Burning Hearts of Qo'nOs Commodore Commodore

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    As the Dahar Master, that is certainly your right.
     
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  20. Ronald Held

    Ronald Held Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Her enhancements are mil-spec not civilian grade?