Why is there usually no large console near the command chair

[SS.Scientific]

Shouldn't the commanding officers have full access directly to their vessel?

 

[Victoria]

If the CO had full access, they wouldn't have to ask other people what was going on and we, the viewers, would be left completely in the dark.

 

[Forbin]

As always, check in with the real world. Does the captain of a real-world naval vessel have such a thing? Seems whenever I see video from a bridge in a documentary, the capt is sitting/standing giving orders to specialists who know the various individual control stations.

 

[Oddish]

Because those things usually blow up, killing the hapless redshirt manning them. It won't do to blow up the captain!

 

[Tango]

“Yes, you, go over there and stand by that console. No, not too close.”

 

[C.E. Evans]

In TNG, Picard did have pretty much full control to the Enterprise-D from his captain's chair. In "Encounter At Farpoint," it was said the armrests on his command chair featured access to the main computer, backup helm & ops controls, as well as controls for shields and weapons. In an emergency, Picard could probably run the entire ship by himself from the captain's chair, but it likely was considered an option of ultimate (last man standing) resort, IMO. Otherwise, it might have been considered more effective to have dedicated control stations for each system, allowing the captain to concentrate on making command decisions.