Michael Burnham and Pon Farr...

[eschaton]

I already explained why this is not the case. Besides, even if it would not make sense, it doesn't mean it cannot be so in Star Trek! Remember the Ocampa?

The problem is we know up until relatively recently Vulcans were a very violent race engaged in constant warfare. Indeed, fights to the death for mates were common prior to Surak. If they couldn't replenish their numbers quickly, they would have died out.

I mean, perhaps Pon Farr isn't an actual biological process honed by evolution, but a cultural process - basically an outpouring of emotion that happens every so often as a side effect of Vulcan mental discipline. In which case, it would be semi-plausible, because sex once every seven years would be a relatively new thing.

Also keep in mind T'Pol was clearly shown banging Trip when not in Pon Farr. One could of course argue this was a result of exposure to Trellium-D. But if you argue that, then you're also arguing in effect that mating once every seven years is only the result of the post-Surak mental discipline.

 

[Longinus]

The problem is we know up until relatively recently Vulcans were a very violent race engaged in constant warfare. Indeed, fights to the death for mates were common prior to Surak. If they couldn't replenish their numbers quickly, they would have died out.

Again. Even with seven year fertility cycle a Vulcan couple could easily have dozen or more kids. Besides, Vulcans have been space faring really a long time, yet they have not spread over half the quadrant. There seem to be way more human colonies even though Humans have been space faring way shorter time. So it indeed seems that Vulcans have very slow population growth.

I mean, perhaps Pon Farr isn't an actual biological process honed by evolution, but a cultural process - basically an outpouring of emotion that happens every so often as a side effect of Vulcan mental discipline. In which case, it would be semi-plausible, because sex once every seven years would be a relatively new thing.

It is of course possible, but such exact cycle and such makes more sense to me if it has at least some basis in their biology. The emotional repression certainly accentuates the effect.

Also keep in mind T'Pol was clearly shown banging Trip when not in Pon Farr. One could of course argue this was a result of exposure to Trellium-D. But if you argue that, then you're also arguing in effect that mating once every seven years is only the result of the post-Surak mental discipline.

I mean they probably technically can have sex outside Pon Farr, they just usually don't, because they're only fertile then, and such activity would mess with their zen.

 

[Noname Given]

The problem is we know up until relatively recently Vulcans were a very violent race engaged in constant warfare. Indeed, fights to the death for mates were common prior to Surak. If they couldn't replenish their numbers quickly, they would have died out.

From ENT S4 - "The Forge"
http://www.chakoteya.net/Enterprise/83.htm

FORREST: Ambassador. Are Vulcans afraid of humans? Why?

SOVAL: Because there is one species you remind us of.

FORREST: Vulcans.

SOVAL: We had our wars, Admiral, just as humans did. Our planet was devastated, our civilization nearly destroyed. Logic saved us. But it took almost fifteen hundred years for us to rebuild our world and travel to the stars. You humans did the same in less than a century. There are those on the High Command who wonder what humans would achieve in the century to come, and they don't like the answer.

and

ARCHER: Surak I've heard of. He's the father of Vulcan logic.

V'LAS: Even after eighteen hundred years, we consider him the most important Vulcan who ever lived.

By Spock's time that nineteen hundred years past since the time a Surak <---- That's not (IMO) "...fairly recently..."

 

[eschaton]

By Spock's time that nineteen hundred years past since the time a Surak <---- That's not (IMO) "...fairly recently..."

In a biological sense, it is. For humans that would be 68 generations - not enough time for significant evolution to take place - unless you want to argue that there are substantial biological differences between the inhabitants of different countries today.

Since Vulcans live longer, and presumably have kids at an older age, the number of generations would be substantially less for them. Perhaps 38 if the average Vulcan offspring is born when their parents are 50.