Four warp engines: Why?

[Tomalak]

The real issue is not in the replication, but in that not every version of a dish is identical. We all have our own ways of making common dishes, using different ingredients sourced from different places. My lasagne is probably very different to yours, but they are both equally valid interpretations. There isn't a definitive recipe for most dishes, it's down to personal preference.

So, the problem with replicated food isn't that it tastes "replicated", it's that it always tastes the same. And it just doesn't taste the way mother used to make it. It's like buying a supermarket ready-made lasagne, and making your own from scratch.

 

[Timo]

One wonders... What sort of practical limitations would result in the availability of only one type of replicated lasagne dish, rather than, say, a hundred subtly different ones (perhaps randomly offered when "lasagne" is requested)? If customer dissatisfaction were that easily identified, the above remedy would probably also be swiftly implemented.

A starship's computers (or computers a starship can connect with) apparently already feature utter esoteria such as the full text of the novel The Royale, suggesting practically limitless storage capability... If replicator patterns can be stored as raw data and do not require a more exotic storage medium such as a pattern buffer, then a million variants of lasagne oughtn't be a problem.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Mytran]

It would still require someone to program those half million lasagnes into the database though. And if each version is based on the scan of an original dish, that's a whole lot of cooking!

 

[Unicron]

I'm sure they have droids or something for that. These are some very interesting questions though, and I can think of at least one instance ("All Good Things") which implied many people program their own replicators. Picard tried to order Earl Grey in the past time frame and was told that recipe wasn't yet in the computer system.

 

[Timo]

I'm sure they have droids or something for that.

The way to do it today would be to rely on bloggers... Getting a million recipes or patterns might take all of half an hour.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Ithekro]

To cover all variations of all meals choices in the Federation....would probably take all the computer memory on the Enterprise.

One must also remember that this is a Starfleet ship. If it is like a real world naval vessel in any reguard, than means they get what they get. It is not a luxury liner despite appearances to the contrary.

 

[JES]

I also recall that one time when Deanna Troi requested a "real" chocolate ice cream sundae, with real chocolate ice cream, and real chocolate syrup, that the computer warned her that this wouldn't meet nutrient standards, or something like that.

So I was under the impression that the computer is programmed to automatically either add in vitamins and minerals, or to substitute more healthy ingredients in order to make sure that the crew gets proper nutritional meals, unless specifically told not to.

Though I think that Itheko does make a good point, about how we are talking about a Starfleet vessel, which is still run by a military/government/federal organization.
Making sure that all Starfleet members get the proper nutrients, so that they can do their jobs well, will take priority over taste, which will be given secondary consideration.

Even the Galaxy class isn't a cruise ship, despite her design almost resembling one (I love that point you made, by the way, Ithekro). And there must be trillions upon trillions of different recipes across the Federation alone, that the job of which ones are programmed into luxury cruise ships must be, well, quite a job, unless they can carry enough computer storage space for the task.
I imagine that it isn't uncommon to switch out recipes between port calls.

 

[Timo]

To cover all variations of all meals choices in the Federation....would probably take all the computer memory on the Enterprise.

That really depends on how the data is stored. If all they store is a basic pattern (or a hundred) plus variations, they could introduce zillions of variations at very little storage cost.

And as said, the computers already store amazing things, either alone or then through connections to a UFP-wide network. All the foods in the Federation? Perhaps. All the books ever written, and then some? No doubt! It sounds implausible that data storage volume could ever again be a problem for mankind after the early 21st century...

I also recall that one time when Deanna Troi requested a "real" chocolate ice cream sundae, with real chocolate ice cream, and real chocolate syrup, that the computer warned her that this wouldn't meet nutrient standards, or something like that.

...And then apparently obeyed nevertheless. Yum!

Though I think that Itheko does make a good point, about how we are talking about a Starfleet vessel, which is still run by a military/government/federal organization.

If anything, it seems that soldiers live in greater luxury than civilians (a typical situation for many periods of Earth history). The holodecks of the E-D appeared to be a new experience to Riker at least...

Timo Saloniemi

 

[JES]

True, but it would make sense if that wasn't Starfleet's primary concern. I think that is only the case because the technology allows it, without compromising exploratory or military capabilities.
Besides, when you eat and sleep better, you happen to perform better (which funnily enough seems to be the opposite of what the Klingons believe. Well, at least the sleeping part).

 

[Lord Manitou]

Alas! Just to think. There is only one book of ethics for everything.