Completely and totally agree. Reading the book, I was amazed by how subtlely and slowly the Cardassians took over. Before the book I had always thought it was a major, darken the sky, kill everyone, type invasion. In fact, that is actually one of the things that made Day of the Vipers one of my all time favorite novels, period. (Just so you know, I slammed down of that period for emphasis.)
Ah, but I don't want my Klingons, Romulans, Cardassians etc to simply be humans telling human stories set somewhere else. They can be that to a point, but I want each to be a distinct form of being (and the novels have indeed helped make it so). I wouldn't be too thrilled with a story written as part of this hypothetical project that was simply a human archetype but with the names changed so it fits in on Qo'noS. Yes, you're right of course that TV Trek does often do that (most of its aliens are humans to all intents and purposes)- and it's not a bad thing by any means, for TV or even some novels- but in literature, where there's more room for worldbuilding, I prefer my aliens to feel alien.
They can still be used to illuminate humanity, and, as you say, basic psychological similarities are necessary (and I guess logical given shared humanoid biology/environmental requirements). However, to me, simply telling a Cardassian or Andorian version of an Earth saga would miss the entire point of attempting to craft these tales as fiction from the alien's own viewpoint. That's what I found so intriguing about this hypothetical project- most Trek stories (naturally)show us alien societies and alien viewpoints (to differing degrees of "alien" as you acknowledge), but they are always geared directly to a human readership (obviously). With this proposed idea, however, you'd have to work to overcome that. It's not simply "how would an Andorian see the world?", or even "how would an Andorian explain or describe an Andorian way of thinking to outsiders?"- both of these questions have been asked and explored by multiple authors- here, the question would be, "how does an Andorian hypothetically take an Andorian mode of thinking and apply it to imaginative works of fiction aimed at other Andorians?". That's a very complex idea, bringing in a whole new layer of author creativity and cultural illumination. I believe it would be challenging, but the writers involved could really, really make it worth it.
Having a truely alien being as a main character would simply not work - Tuvok and Worf arnt simply human-like because of the limitations of TV - they are human-like because they would not work as characters if they werent. If Alexander was incapable of going through an identity crisis, if Worf was incapable of experiencing despair, none of their character episodes would have worked.
You misunderstand me if you think I am saying making Klingons have human psychology is opitional - it is simply the only possible way they can exist as they do currently - or else there would be no IKS Gorkon series, no Worf, etc. If you want truely alien-like beings, watch Solyaris or read Revelation Space
Isn't that restrictive to an exploration of their cultural variety and distinctness?
Why do they become pointless? Again, I'm not suggesting these aliens cease being human-like in regards to much of their psychology, simply that they shouldn't be seen just as simple humans. I'm not denying their similarities, only suggesting the differences should be explored. I would suggest allegorical plots actually function better if these races/nations are distinguished from real humans. I always disliked those TOS episodes where Nazis or Romans or Chicago Gangsters showed up. To me, Star Trek is far better where it isn't trying to comment directly on a specific aspect of Earth history or human activity, but instead simply reflects myriad possibilities. To label an alien race as a simple allegory for one Earth nation or aspect of humanity is diminishing- which is exactly why the novels go out of their way to give us cultural depth and diversity. You yourself mention you dislike the Romulans possessing no cultural depth- surely, then, you must see them as something other than a clear-cut "Roman Empire/North Korea/China/whatever-in-space"
Why do they become pointless? Again, I'm not suggesting these aliens cease being human-like in regards to much of their psychology, simply that they shouldn't be seen just as simple humans. I'm not denying their similarities, only suggesting the differences should be explored. I would suggest allegorical plots actually function better if these races/nations are distinguished from real humans. I always disliked those TOS episodes where Nazis or Romans or Chicago Gangsters showed up. To me, Star Trek is far better where it isn't trying to comment directly on a specific aspect of Earth history or human activity, but instead simply reflects myriad possibilities. To label an alien race as a simple allegory for one Earth nation or aspect of humanity is diminishing- which is exactly why the novels go out of their way to give us cultural depth and diversity. You yourself mention you dislike the Romulans possessing no cultural depth- surely, then, you must see them as something other than a clear-cut "Roman Empire/North Korea/China/whatever-in-space"
Yeah, I see them as a combination of Earth cultures - but they don't have any biological predispositions toward different behavior. Because then, they would no longer make good allegories for humans. The reason why the Cardassian occupation, or the Romulan isolationism works, is because they could happen to us with just as much likelyhood - if you were to then write some fluff about how Romulans are neurologically predisposed toward totalitarianism, they arnt an allegory for us - the Romulan dissidents recovered by the Enterprise would have to be mentally abnormal Romulans!
