Shatnerverse

[Christopher]

Actually, the rate of technological progress in the ST era seems considerably slower than it is in our era. There are a few advances between Kirk's era and Picard's, but a lot of stuff is basically the same. And that's quite plausible; over the sweep of history, periods of rapid technological progress are the exception rather than the rule. Eventually, progress reaches a plateau and things stay pretty much stable until circumstances change to trigger the next major advance.

 

[Emperor-Tiberius]

Actually, the rate of technological progress in the ST era seems considerably slower than it is in our era. There are a few advances between Kirk's era and Picard's, but a lot of stuff is basically the same. And that's quite plausible; over the sweep of history, periods of rapid technological progress are the exception rather than the rule. Eventually, progress reaches a plateau and things stay pretty much stable until circumstances change to trigger the next major advance.

Exactly. Thats why Kirk was also able to adapt to the 24th century easier than not (no that it would've explained other kinds of super-doings of his, but a little excess can be dealt with here and then in fiction).

Meticulous and thoughtful as always in your thoughts, Christopher .

 

[ProwlAlpha]

Yes, it doesn't explain Kirk beating Worf, or Kirk finding out he is the one, and decides to submit to Smith.

 

[Christopher]

I wasn't trying to explain any of that. I was merely pointing out that it's incorrect to assume that the rate of technological progress from one century to the next will invariably be enormous. We live in an era where progress is rapid and accelerating, so we tend to assume that the same must apply at all times, past and future. But it's actually the exception to the general rule.

 

[T'Girl]

The one thing you can say about Shatner works in general is that they real move out, and he dosen't seem to mind changing some basic concepts. I do have trouble with Kirk as the center of everything stories, here and with other authors as well.

 

[Thrawn]

And really, you pretty much have to posit that once a culture gets to the warp-drive-phaser-mile-long-ship stage of interstellar development, that technological development pretty much plateaus there, because if not humans would've emerged into a galaxy that would've instantly handed them their asses.

In order for humanity to become such a defining presence so quickly, it has to be true that catching up to the general level of tech of the rest of the local area of the galaxy wasn't that difficult, once warp drive had been achieved. Which also justifies a bit more the use of that milestone as a first contact point, as well.