Differences within alien species/civilization

[BohandiAnsoid]

One thing that is pretty characteristic for Star Trek (and other similar science fiction) is that alien civilizations and species are pretty monolithic. They have one culture and language. There may be dissenters, but they are unique and usually disorganized.

And the only places where it really is plausible to some extent is if any differences are suppressed (like among Romulans or Cardassians) or civilizations are really small (like Ocampa, and even then, there is the Suspiria’s group of Ocampa).

So, do you think we can assume there are some splinter groups or other cultures within alien civilizations and species, but we don;t know about it? Different languages? Do you thin there are some different groups among Vulcans, Trill, Klingons? And if there is, how would you like such things to be explored in Star Trek?

Deep Space 9 did a pretty good job with Bajorans. They are different, most are religious but there are these Path - Wraith cultists and also some atheists, I think.

Let’s talk about this.

 

[MarcKle1964]

From MA: "In the 24th century, about 500 symbionts became available for joining, each year, compared to approximately 5,000 Trill becoming initiates per annum. The relatively low quantity of symbionts resulted in Trill society hiding from their general populace the fact that virtually 50% of the population was suitable for joining, and the general belief in the 24th century was consequently that only one in every 1,000 Trills was suitable for joining. This was done out of concern and fear for the symbionts, as it was felt that the sentient species could come to be viewed as mere prizes or commodities to be fought over."

"I volunteer as Trillbute!!" -- young Jadzia at The Annual Initiate Games held in Mak'ala District

"Klingon medicine is at a loss to explain why some children get brow ridges and others don't. How will Chronos deal with the unbrowed?" -- Commentator on KNN.

 

[Tosk]

I personally don't see these species as monolithic, I see that we only ever get the tiniest little slice of their worlds within the context of the story being told. And because almost everything is filtered through dealings with Starfleet, we mostly only see the people in certain positions.

Obviously I fully acknowledge that "this is how this species acts/dresses/speaks" is an easier (and often necessary) way to go for Trek, but it doesn't mean we have to assume that it holds true for the whole population.

People always bring up Klingons as warriors, for example. Why do they so often ignore the lawyers and chefs and scientists and farmers and civilians? Their language has eighty dialects.

 

[at Quark's]

Their language has eighty dialects.

So, not entirely monolithic, no, but when compared to our (real) world in which over 7,000 languages are spoken...

 

[Oddish]

The sheer number of cultures on Earth alone is staggering. Multiply that by the Federation's 150 member species, and you get just a little more than our primitive homo sapien brains can handle.

 

[BohandiAnsoid]

The sheer number of cultures on Earth alone is staggering. Multiply that by the Federation's 150 member species, and you get just a little more than our primitive homo sapien brains can handle.

Even two distints, separate cultures would be enought. But I mean cultures and not two separate classes, jobs, ranks or things like that. Like Ocampa (homeworld's group and Suspiria's group), m,aybe recently Orions ("normal" Orions and "blue" Orions) and maybe Bajorans (Propthet - worshippers, atheists and Pgh - Wraith cult).

 

[Tosk]

So, not entirely monolithic, no, but when compared to our (real) world in which over 7,000 languages are spoken...

It's a contest?

 

[at Quark's]

It's a contest?

Yes.

What else would the yearly IDIC-ranking (published by the Vulcan Institute of Philosophy) be good for?

(besides making the Institute some money, that is)

 

[Tosk]

Like

So weird. I clicked that link out of curiosity and it took me to a page telling me off for trying to like my own post.

Never seen that oddity before.

 

[at Quark's]

So weird. I clicked that link out of curiosity and it took me to a page telling me off for trying to like my own post.

Never seen that oddity before.

Huh. Not sure how it got there, it certainly wasn't intentional

Removed it now.

 

[somebuddyX]

This is just another example of taking what we see as emblematic of everything when it's down to story or production issues. Set a show or a book on another planet with more than just a couple of characters being from the same species and then you won't get this monoculture stuff. Stick all the Trek Vulcans in a room and tell me they act the same or have the same beliefs. I'm sure the Klingon novels don't have this issue. "Tears of Eridanus" had a predominantly Andorian crew so had to give them different characteristics.