Would you use a transporter?

[Romulan_spy]

If the transporter in Star Trek were real today, would you use it?

In Star Trek's time, the tech is so common place, that the characters don't have an issue with. For them, it is as ordinary as flying an airplane is to us today. If we lived in Star Trek, we'd probably be used to it too and not think too seconds about it. Plus, it does make travel really convenient and fast. We'd be able to travel around the world in a blink of an eye. It would truly revolutionize the world we live in.

But living now, I am not sure I could do it. The thought of it disassembling me and reassembling me would make me nervous. even though the tech is proven to be reliable, I think I would be nervous because if something did go wrong, I'd be gone in an instant.

 

[bbjeg]

I'm positive this thread was made already but I'll say no again. I'll take the shuttle craft unless there was no choice and it was life or death.

Edit:

Would you use a transporter?

Transporters Yay/Nay

Any mixed feelings about the transporter?

Would a real life transporter technically be 'murder' ?

 

[sojourner]

Depends on which version of transporter we're talking about. The version from the Barclay episode where you are aware of what's going on all the way through? Or the more commonally represented version where you are "disassembled" (destroyed) and "reassembled" (recreated) on the other side? The former? Maybe. The latter? Only if I was looking for a painless death. Because what came out on the other side would not be me, merely an exact copy that thinks it's the original.

 

[Vandervecken]

Depends on which version of transporter we're talking about. The version from the Barclay episode where you are aware of what's going on all the way through? Or the more commonally represented version where you are "disassembled" (destroyed) and "reassembled" (recreated) on the other side? The former? Maybe. The latter? Only if I was looking for a painless death. Because what came out on the other side would not be me, merely an exact copy that thinks it's the original.

Yep. That's how I see it. Whoever comes out at point B is similar to you (who got on at point A) to the nth degree, but not you. You've been disintegrated.
---------------

This wouldn't change my own position on this, but I've always wondered: are the transportee's atoms from point A being transported, or just the pattern, with atoms from point B being assembled into the duplicate (what Trek would say is you)? Because if it's the latter, I can think of all kinds of health problems that would result. Humans need many trace elements to live, and what guarantee is there that all those nice elements are just on hand for reassembly?

Wouldn't change the fact that this thing is KILLING you, but I am curious.

 

[Ro_Laren]

I'd use it once all the kinks were out of the system and millions of other people had safely used it first!

 

[HIjol]

Given a reasonably fail-safe pattern buffer reserve so I would not be "lost"...yes

Hell, I drive a car in the U.A.E.! ....daily!...and for those of you who know what THAT means, a transporter would be a piece of cake...

 

[T'Girl]

Only if I felt confident that it would be me at the end of the process.

An exact copy? No thanks.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

If the soul exists I'm pretty sure it comes with you when you transport.

If it doesn't, then you wouldn't notice the difference between old you and new you, it would just feel like one continuous experience.

So, assuming the technology has been advanced enough to be perfected, of course I would.

 

[sojourner]

If it doesn't, then you wouldn't notice the difference between old you and new you, it would just feel like one continuous experience.

Only to the new you. The original would be dead.

Spoiler: The Prestige

Think of it as Hugh Jackman's character, constantly drowning the original while the copy lives on each time he performs the magic trick.

 

[Kevman7987]

It depends on which version of the transporter you are using;

The version that turns your matter into energy, transmits it to your destination, and turns it back into its original matter; Yes.

The version that destroys the original you while creating an exact copy at your destination: No.

Though, in the end, I might use either depending on the answers to many metaphysical/philosophical questions. I just want to know what happens to my soul...

 

[sojourner]

This,

The version that turns your matter into energy, transmits it to your destination, and turns it back into its original matter; Yes.

and this

The version that destroys the original you while creating an exact copy at your destination: No.

Are the same thing.

 

[Pondwater]

Yes. I would use them.

 

[Push The Button]

Probably not, unless I'm in an emergency situation and have no other choice.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

If it doesn't, then you wouldn't notice the difference between old you and new you, it would just feel like one continuous experience.

Only to the new you. The original would be dead.

Except, if the soul doesn't exist then consciousness is an illusion, and if you didn't notice a difference there would be no difference.

I think therefore I am. I think I'm the same person therefore I am.

 

[Timewalker]

If the transporter in Star Trek were real today, would you use it?

Definitely.

 

[Melakon]

Depends how much it costs to use it. I've not been on a plane since 1994. Haven't owned a car since '95. Haven't been in an automobile or taxicab in about 5 years. I either walk everywhere or spend about $2.50 on public transportation.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

No, I don't think I'd use a transporter.

Based on STID, it seems clear that most cities have an extensive network of public transit - so those who don't want to use the transporter clearly don't have to.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

No, I don't think I'd use a transporter.

Based on STID, it seems clear that most cities have an extensive network of public transit - so those who don't want to use the transporter clearly don't have to.

You don't want to spend the afternoon after a hard day's work in Japan?

 

[sojourner]

Except, if the soul doesn't exist then consciousness is an illusion

I think, therefore I am conscious. Souls are the illusion.

I will not willingly give up my life so that a copy that thinks it's me can continue.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

No, I don't think I'd use a transporter.

Based on STID, it seems clear that most cities have an extensive network of public transit - so those who don't want to use the transporter clearly don't have to.

You don't want to spend the afternoon after a hard day's work in Japan?

They probably have subways that go straight through the Earth, kind of like the Legion of Super-Heroes' future in DC Comics.