How can the JemHadar live from only the White?

[Timo]

I'd rather argue the Dominion in Gamma hasn't seen war for thousands of years. That's pretty much what Weyoun says in "To the Death" anyway.

This is why the Dominion doesn't breed the Jem'Hadar with infantryman qualities, but instead equips them with tools of terror: invisibility that cannot be used in combat but can prevent your citizens from knowing that your terror troops are not present is a good example of this. A gun that shoots poison to wound the target when most enemy sidearms can level buildings is another.

The Jem'Hadar have a secondary use as soldiers, and can be inexpensively fielded for the purpose; their death squad qualities aren't of help there, but they aren't a hindrance, either. The Jem'Hadar can still pilot warships and operate artillery pieces just like any humanoid.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Myasishchev]

Good notion, really. They do seem more like a tyranny's policemen than the highly-trained scientist-soldiers whom we know, from hundreds of episodes, win the decisive important battles.

On the other hand, galactic space is presumably homogenously inhabited (outside of the core), so until the Dominion hits the limits, they'd also be presumed to be constantly expanding. Also, why would Jem'Hadar experience such high casualty rates and low life expectancies if they weren't involved in serious combat? Is the Dominion rife with small-scale rebellion and crime?

 

[JB2005]

The name dominion implies that they have forcefully conquered their holdings, i'd imagine there'll be a fair amount of civil unrest...

 

[Navaros]

The name dominion implies that they have forcefully conquered their holdings, i'd imagine there'll be a fair amount of civil unrest...

I argue that the show makes the case that conquering by force is the last, not first, choice of the Dominion.

The Dominion's first choice is to conquer without using any force, which is the wise way to expand.

Yes there probably is civil unrest, but it is mitigated to some extent by Weyoun converting government puppets to the Dominion's agenda from reputable members of each planet's own population. Weyoun did exactly that to Cardassia, and almost did it to Kira and Odo as well during the occupation.

IMO it's too bad that the series undermines this wisdom by turning Weyoun into a much less wise version of his former self in the final chapter, such as by being openly hostile to Damar, but I guess they had to do that because it was the only way they could tack on a cliched "the good guy Feds must win" ending.

 

[Timo]

Why would Jem'Hadar experience such high casualty rates and low life expectancies if they weren't involved in serious combat?

Casualty rates? I'd rather think they are simply engineered to die young. Makes it harder for them to develop political opinions or organize themselves. And easier to sustain them on a limited diet without expensive health care for their entire life.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[DonIago]

It's an interesting theory, but there isn't really any evidence either way.

I suspect the Jem'hadar version of healthcare is eliminating those who can't fight.

 

[Myasishchev]

Why would Jem'Hadar experience such high casualty rates and low life expectancies if they weren't involved in serious combat?

Casualty rates? I'd rather think they are simply engineered to die young.

So, like the Ocampa, but it makes sense?

 

[Marie1]

The name dominion implies that they have forcefully conquered their holdings, i'd imagine there'll be a fair amount of civil unrest...

Exactly, and it seems like a lot of the places have something the Dominion wants. If so, there seems to be the usual trade agreements... it's just dangerous if they find another buyer.

And as we've seen, people who don't happily join the Dominion are often made examples of by being victims of other things than the Jem'Hadar.

 

[Myasishchev]

The name Dominion doesn't really imply anything, other than sovereignty, and maybe that it was a self-governing region of the British Empire.

 

[pimp]

I think people are not getting to the point here and making some assumptions about them eating, it could simply be that the writers did not include a Jem'hadar snack bar etc and some of the comments here said maybe because they don't live very long well even if they lived for a couple of years they defo would need to eat some super rich vitamin food but i just think the writers didn't bother thats my view.

 

[Timo]

To be sure, the only place where we hear the "Jem'Hadar don't eat" is this exchange from "To the Death":

Dax: "There must be something you'd rather do. Maybe get some sleep?
Virak'Kara the Jem'Hadar: "We don't sleep."
Dax: "How about getting something to eat?"
Virak'Kara: "The White is the only thing we need".
Dax: "Don't sleep, don't eat. What do you do for relaxation?"

Now, the Jem'Hadar don't contest Dax' claim that they don't eat. Nor do they contest her claim that they don't sleep. But that could be simply because they see no point in countering her flippant remarks.

Quite possibly, the Jem'Hadar do sleep - they just don't sleep within the scope of the upcoming mission, and certainly don't sleep when Dax suggests they do.

Similarly, the Jem'Hadar might eat - it's just that the White is all they need right now, which is why Virak'Kara shoots down Dax' suggestion.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Marie1]

To be sure, the only place where we hear the "Jem'Hadar don't eat" is this exchange from "To the Death":

Dax: "There must be something you'd rather do. Maybe get some sleep?
Virak'Kara the Jem'Hadar: "We don't sleep."
Dax: "How about getting something to eat?"
Virak'Kara: "The White is the only thing we need".
Dax: "Don't sleep, don't eat. What do you do for relaxation?"

Now, the Jem'Hadar don't contest Dax' claim that they don't eat. Nor do they contest her claim that they don't sleep. But that could be simply because they see no point in countering her flippant remarks.

Quite possibly, the Jem'Hadar do sleep - they just don't sleep within the scope of the upcoming mission, and certainly don't sleep when Dax suggests they do.

Similarly, the Jem'Hadar might eat - it's just that the White is all they need right now, which is why Virak'Kara shoots down Dax' suggestion.

Timo Saloniemi

He says in that ep "The White is the only thing we need."

That seems pretty clear... and they did get pretty cranky when they didn't get it right away... thought that was partly a power thing.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

I also wonder if perhaps the Jem'Hadar at least partially photosynthesize in certain situations.

A general effect of simulation and increased awareness perhaps. Like chewing certain leaves has on Humans.

So the Dominion equivalent of khat, in other words?

 

[Myasishchev]

To be sure, the only place where we hear the "Jem'Hadar don't eat" is this exchange from "To the Death":

Dax: "There must be something you'd rather do. Maybe get some sleep?
Virak'Kara the Jem'Hadar: "We don't sleep."
Dax: "How about getting something to eat?"
Virak'Kara: "The White is the only thing we need".
Dax: "Don't sleep, don't eat. What do you do for relaxation?"

Now, the Jem'Hadar don't contest Dax' claim that they don't eat. Nor do they contest her claim that they don't sleep. But that could be simply because they see no point in countering her flippant remarks.

Quite possibly, the Jem'Hadar do sleep - they just don't sleep within the scope of the upcoming mission, and certainly don't sleep when Dax suggests they do.

Similarly, the Jem'Hadar might eat - it's just that the White is all they need right now, which is why Virak'Kara shoots down Dax' suggestion.

Timo Saloniemi

Would make sense, although it's substantially less cool.

But seriously, it's a pretty ready inference that a species that doesn't need sleep would be a Nintendo-hard engineering problem. I mean, sleep is probably one of the top maladaptive behaviors an organism can engage in, but they nearly all do it, because it is evidently necessary for neurological and physical function.

I also wonder if perhaps the Jem'Hadar at least partially photosynthesize in certain situations.

Even if they could, I'd suspect the benefit would be negligible, as they have a compact surface with which to gather energy and are too active. Especially if they never sleep--25% of a human's glucose utilization goes to the brain, and we do sleep.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Not all species sleep in a way we would consider sleeping. Here is one example from our own world: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_(non-human)#Unihemispheric_sleep

Who knows...maybe Jem'Hadar can even "sleep" unihemispherically and fight.

 

[Timo]

Honestly, one could reshoot that "To the Death" scene with Waffen-SS personnel riding to battle on a USN vessel.

"Time to hit the, uh, I guess the hammocks will have to do."
"Ve don't sleep."
"Fancy for a snack, then?"
"Ve don't eat."
"Fuckin' hell, I guess ya guys never get laid, either?"
"There aar no females in our unit. Or aar you suggesting someting?"
"Uh, I think I for one do sleep. Right now. See ya on the beach, fellas."

A bit of a language/conceptual barrier, a bit of mutual apprehension, a bit of unit pride, and that's what you'd expect to get, really. "We don't" can simply mean "we won't, not now", especially considering that the mission was to be of limited length.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Myasishchev]

^That actually sounds like a fun movie waiting to be made.

Not all species sleep in a way we would consider sleeping. Here is one example from our own world: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_(non-human)#Unihemispheric_sleep

Who knows...maybe Jem'Hadar can even "sleep" unihemispherically and fight.

Oh, yeah, I forgot about that.

 

[ReadyAndWilling]

Honestly, one could reshoot that "To the Death" scene with Waffen-SS personnel riding to battle on a USN vessel.

"Time to hit the, uh, I guess the hammocks will have to do."
"Ve don't sleep."
"Fancy for a snack, then?"
"Ve don't eat."
"Fuckin' hell, I guess ya guys never get laid, either?"
"There aar no females in our unit. Or aar you suggesting someting?"
"Uh, I think I for one do sleep. Right now. See ya on the beach, fellas."

A bit of a language/conceptual barrier, a bit of mutual apprehension, a bit of unit pride, and that's what you'd expect to get, really. "We don't" can simply mean "we won't, not now", especially considering that the mission was to be of limited length.

Timo Saloniemi

what do nazi troops have to do with anything? is it because the jem'hadar were always serious?

 

[Marie1]

Honestly, one could reshoot that "To the Death" scene with Waffen-SS personnel riding to battle on a USN vessel.

"Time to hit the, uh, I guess the hammocks will have to do."
"Ve don't sleep."
"Fancy for a snack, then?"
"Ve don't eat."
"Fuckin' hell, I guess ya guys never get laid, either?"
"There aar no females in our unit. Or aar you suggesting someting?"
"Uh, I think I for one do sleep. Right now. See ya on the beach, fellas."

A bit of a language/conceptual barrier, a bit of mutual apprehension, a bit of unit pride, and that's what you'd expect to get, really. "We don't" can simply mean "we won't, not now", especially considering that the mission was to be of limited length.

Timo Saloniemi

what do nazi troops have to do with anything? is it because the jem'hadar were always serious?

Invalid comparison: neither group were always serious.

 

[T'Girl]

So the Dominion equivalent of khat, in other words?

Khat was very specifically what I was thinking of.