Is there such a thing as too much worldbuilding?

[XCV330]

Enterprise covered Vulcans and Andorians, Discovery has had tons of Vulcan stuff too.

I would go so far as to say Vulcan development has been more consistent over the years whereas Klingon worldbuilding has been a little more erratic. Andorians came off initially as another aggressive alien species. In some ways the statist-militarist Andorians of ENT are a substitute for TOS Klingons (as were Cardassians in the TNG/Berman era). Maybe that's why I like them so much. ENT Klingons reverted back to Berman Era biker gang. DISCO Klingons became a feudal society.

Do Klingons go through cyclical world cultural phases or are they just constantly trying on various phases of being galactic douchebags? Was having extra genitalia and double nostrils an optional thing during the Disco era? How in the world did Jadzia and .. nevermind. I maintain Klingons remain more mysterious and by mysterious I mean there is a lot about them by this point I really don't want to know.

I would like Bolians to finally get their moment.

 

[Farscape One]

What about the Tellarites?

They are one of the FOUNDING species of the Federation, and they have virtually nothing shown about them. ENTERPRISE had more of them than all other shows put together, and it barely scratched the surface.

 

[Tenacity]

TOS gave us a nice views outside of Starfleet, the world of civilians.

Mudds Women, the lives and aims of the miners, people can be rich and buy planets.,where the three women came from, Mudds criminal record, Kirk fully expecting to have to buy the dilithium from civilians.

Way to Eden, the hippies and Spock explaining that not everyone is happy with the way things are going in the future.

Requiem for Methuselah, wealthy financiers exist and can buy planets.

Civilian scientists, mental hospitals, acting companies, civilian space stations.

 

[fireproof78]

Was having extra genitalia and double nostrils an optional thing during the Disco era?

With science anything is possible

In all seriousness, the whole double nostrils and genitals was a product of genetic enhancements that ended up amplifying the secondary back anatomy that Klingons have naturally.

 

[JonnyQuest037]

We still haven't even seen more than one toilet in 60 YEARS.

You and I watch television for very different reasons.

 

[Farscape One]

"Captain's Log: Stardate 46588.7. Commander Riker has been unable to perform a bowel movement for two solid days. We believe a renovation of our lavatories may be in order. Unfortunately, no one has seen the facilities for quite some time. I fear my Number One will be unable to do a number two for an even greater period of time..."

 

[Imaus]

What about the Tellarites?

They are one of the FOUNDING species of the Federation, and they have virtually nothing shown about them. ENTERPRISE had more of them than all other shows put together, and it barely scratched the surface.

Indeed, how does a society based on arguments, debate, and verbal confrontation work, when it doesn't go to warfare? Did the Tellarites also almost blow themselves up but unlike the Vulcans decided on peaceful, if vitriolic or passionate, discussion was better? How does that work, day to day? Some Human cultures haggle but I doubt there's one out there that haggles, debates, and argues for everything from shopping to moving around to legal affairs to marriage to etc.

And what's the appeal of Earth and the Federation to them?

 

[fireproof78]

"Captain's Log: Stardate 46588.7. Commander Riker has been unable to perform a bowel movement for two solid days. We believe a renovation of our lavatories may be in order. Unfortunately, no one has seen the facilities for quite some time. I fear my Number One will be unable to do a number two for an even greater period of time..."

NEELIX: Replicators aren't the only systems of convenience offline. We've only got four functioning lavatories for a ship of a hundred and fifty people.
JANEWAY: I see.
NEELIX: Needless to say, lines are beginning to form. If we don't get unstuck soon we may have a serious problem on our hands. Especially with the Bolians. All but three sonic showers are offline, too. In another couple of days

 

[Tenacity]

militarist Andorians

We only see the species military forces (Imperial Guard, Shran, etc.), so it would be difficult to say if the Andorians were militarist in general as a culture.

What about the Tellarites?

In my "head canon," the Tellarites left the federation at some point after the TOS era, which is why we don't see them.

how does a society based on arguments, debate, and verbal confrontation work

Insert joke about Western national governments here.

Did the Tellarites also almost blow themselves up

Their culture of arguing has resulted in their never having had a war. The occasional fist fight sure, then they go back to arguing.

 

[The Wormhole]

In my "head canon," the Tellarites left the federation at some point after the TOS era, which is why we don't see them.

Despite the fact that Tellarites are mentioned as serving in Starfleet in DS9 and more important, Tellar Prime is mentioned as a Federation world on DS9 as well? Or the fact that a Tellarite is part of the camera crew for the reporter that interviewed Picard in the premiere of that series? Okay, well, it's your head canon.

 

[Vger23]

"Is ther esuch a thing as too much worldbuilding?"

Yes. See also: "Star Trek"

 

[Kor]

Yes, there is such a thing. How do we determine if an instance of worldbuilding is "too much" worldbuilding?
If it bogs down the storytelling instead of advancing organically it at an engaging pace.

Kor

 

[fireproof78]

We only see the species military forces (Imperial Guard, Shran, etc.), so it would be difficult to say if the Andorians were militarist in general as a culture.

Do we think the Andorian ambassador in "Journey to Babel" is part of the military force? He describes his people as a "violent race." That might not translate as purely militaristic but certainly gives the impression.

 

[Nyotarules]

Do we think the Andorian ambassador in "Journey to Babel" is part of the military force? He describes his people as a "violent race." That might not translate as purely militaristic but certainly gives the impression.

Present day humans are a violent race, but not all nation states are militaristic and everyone does not work for the military

 

[Nyotarules]

Star Trek needs more world building, it never made sense to me that Vulcans speak Vulcan, Klingons speak Klingonese but humans do not speak Human. However it makes more sense that whatever is considered Vulcan, Klingon etc is the official language of the planet i.e their version of 'Standard' but other languages and dialects are spoken just like on Earth.
And the lack of alien cultural diversity is ridiculous

 

[fireproof78]

Present day humans are a violent race, but not all nation states are militaristic and everyone does not work for the military

I just see both sides. I certainly don't thin Shras is militant.

 

[Imaus]

Star Trek needs more world building, it never made sense to me that Vulcans speak Vulcan, Klingons speak Klingonese but humans do not speak Human. However it makes more sense that whatever is considered Vulcan, Klingon etc is the official language of the planet i.e their version of 'Standard' but other languages and dialects are spoken just like on Earth.
And the lack of alien cultural diversity is ridiculous

Give Star Trek over to the OA guys, they'll have a field day with the tech and lore.

 

[Tribble Threat]

There's totally such a thing as too much world-building. Amateur writers do it a lot. I've done too much world-building as a game master and my players had difficulty finding the plot hooks and guessing how to defeat the bad guys, and I've dabbled in drawing comic strips but got so caught up in world-building I didn't get a lot of stories written.
But I've never seen an episode of Star Trek with too much world-building.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

The only way to have too much worldbuilding is when it edges out the main narrative. Trek's worldbuilding is a huge piece of what makes it so memorable and homely.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Indeed, how does a society based on arguments, debate, and verbal confrontation work, when it doesn't go to warfare? Did the Tellarites also almost blow themselves up but unlike the Vulcans decided on peaceful, if vitriolic or passionate, discussion was better? How does that work, day to day? Some Human cultures haggle but I doubt there's one out there that haggles, debates, and argues for everything from shopping to moving around to legal affairs to marriage to etc.

You just described the Internet culture.