The Transporter Device

The transporter device has remained the most intriguing and popular devices in the Star Trek universe to day. It has the capacity to transport enormous articles instantaneously over massive distances - but what change would this device have on present day life, if it were to be suddenly introduced?

To begin with, life would become instantly easier, and more comfortable. Valets and wives (sorry, girls.) would be made instantly redundant as replicators followed, which are able to replicate any object, at any time, free of cost (except perhaps of the energy system).

For now, while we are confined to our own solar system, space exploration would instantly take on a new lease of life. One idea I had of extending the range of the transporter beam was with "pattern repeaters" in space. Their use is explained below (Assuming maximum transporter range is 40,000 kilometers.)

         ******                                                                                    ******
        ********   1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9                            ********
       **      **  #    #    #    #    #    #    #    #    #                             **      **
       **EARTH ** ###  ###  ###  ###  ###  ###  ###  ###  ### ** MOON **
       **      **  #    #    #    #    #    #    #    #    #                             **      **
        ********                                                                                  ********
         ******    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |                                        ******
                    \   \    \    |    |    |    /    /   /
                     \   \    \   \    |    /   /    /   /
 

9 jumper stations, spaced out at 40,000km intervals extend the length of the pattern to cover the 384,000km to the moon

A potential astronaut suits up, and then is beamed to the first station, where he materialises. He is the beamed to the second, and to the third, and so on, until the surface of the moon is reached.

However, the transporter beam would not only add convenience, or further exploration: it would also have a massive effect on worldwide economy. If education is not changed, theft would escalate to astronomic proportions, as goods could merely be "beamed" into the proverbial swag bag. Murder would also be made far too easy. A person could be beamed into a slus on the floor. Will everyone have to walk around wearing a magnetic mask - or will all shops have to have electromagnetic shields?

Cars would lose their useage, and roads would be made redundant - making the world a cleaner place. Perhaps, LaForge once said, neccesity really is the mother of invention. Look at the world today. Dirty air, pollution, unclean water. We need something to improve the world. The transporter would lead to cleaner air, cleaner water and less pollution. This is another example of the fine balance of the universe.

Not long after the matter-energy transporter, as I have mentioned before, the replicator will inevitably be developed. This will have almost a greater impact than the transporter, allowing foods and everyday materials to be created at a word.

One thing is for certain, such a matter-energy device will take many years to develop, and in that time, education, and the need for personal values and improvement must be stressed. Only once the world has shrugged off it's selfishness and difference can mankind enter a new phase - and perhaps this is what Star Trek is all about.

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