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The Holodeck Mini-FAQ
(updated August 18, 1993)
...................................................................
Part I: How real is real?
"How does it work?"
The Holodeck uses 5 levels of simulation:
1) Things in the distance are holograms projected on the walls.
(Like the wall in "Encounter at Farpoint" or "Ship in a Bottle".)
2) Nearby things are holograms projected into space. An example
would be a tree or lamppost.
3) A fixed object that requires interaction is a combination of a
projected hologram and shaped forcebeams. An example of this
would be most holohumans (eg, the gangsters who dissolved in "The
Big Goodbye" ), or Picard's horse.
4) A _static_ object which may be picked up, eaten, etc, is
physically replicated onto the Holodeck. An example would be
food, paper, a snowball, etc. These objects are independent once
created, and may be carried off Holodeck.
5) An _animated_ object which may be picked up, eaten, etc (for
example, Minuet in "11001001") is a combination of 3 and 4, as
well as "Holodeck matter", a state where objects are held
together by forcebeams and not their own molecular cohesion
("Ship in a Bottle"). This combination is the hardest to
generate. The actions of holograms and forcebeams must be
coordinated seamlessly with replication of matter, and when
the simulation ends, things look very bizzare (eg, Worf's
combat partners.)
Note that levels 1-4 are relatively trivial for the ship, while
level 5 requires more computation time... which could explain
Riker's surprise at Minuet (though he hadn't experienced her charms
at that point). It may also have not been possible prior to the
enhancements made by the Bynars in "11001001".
....
"What about eating on the Holodeck? Does Troi do it to keep thin
with all that chocolate she eats?"
Any food consumed on the Holodeck would be of level 4 simulation -
it will be as real as replicated food from a replication
terminal.
....
"What is this 'meat puppet' description I've heard used?"
A 'meat puppet' is a old term resurrected to describe a replicated
humanoid form created on the Holodeck, and dragged around by
forcebeams. If the forcebeams failed, you'd be left with a limp,
lifeless body.
....
"So can you take things off of the Holodeck?"
Yes. Any object replicated on the Holodeck may leave.
Unfortunately, it is sometimes hard to tell what is replicated,
and what is no. Snow, such as the snowball thrown by Wesley in
"The Naked Now" is easily replicated, and dampness is hard to
simulate. The book thrown by Picard in "Ship in a Bottle" would
be easily simulated by force beams and thus was not replicated.
The paper in "Elementary, Dear Data" was likely simulated until
the computer realized that it was going to be carried off the
Holodeck, at which point it would have been seamlessly replaced
with a replicated copy.
....
"Didn't Picard lie to Moriarty (in "Elementary, Dear Data")?"
According to various reliable sources, that was Gene Roddenberry's
intention. If the paper could have left, Moriarty should have been
able to, goes the logic. Fortunately, this scene was cut, and as
always, canon is what we see on the screen, big or small. This
means the whole argument against replicating people holds - that
the computer cannot store that much information.
....
"What about beaming things off the Holodeck (ala "Ship in a
Bottle")?"
This has never been tried, as explained in the episode, which is
why the computer was unable to simulate the results. Replicated
objects should be able to be transported out of the Holodeck, but
anything relying on the forcebeams would instantly collapse.
As for uncoupling the Heisenberg Compensators - that would give a
random quantum state to each element of the transported object.
It would be akin to a molecular-resolution transport - probably
deadly for any living being.
....
"Whats this about 'HoloSex'?"
If current trends are a pattern for the future to follow, then
Virtual Reality Sex will be alive and well long into the 24th
century. (Side note: Check out the Rec.Games.Mud FAQL if you
don't believe me.) Quark's bar on DS9 has personal holosuites
on the second floor. Various stimulating programs are available.
In "The Perfect Mate", Riker manages to croak out something about
"I'll be in Holodeck 4..." after an encounter with the metamorph.
No proof that he did anything, true. Minuet (in "11001001") was
"As real as you need me to be." Uh-huh. Geordi doesn't seem to have
much luck off the 'deck, it seems, nor does Reg Barclay.
Draw what conclusions you will.
....
"What if you urinate/defecate/excrete whatever on the Holodeck?"
One would hope the Holodeck is smart enough to clean up after
you. It probably gets transmuted into some form the bulk matter
stores can use, and saved for later use by replicators or the
Holodeck again. The ultimate in recycling.
....
"Can you get hurt on the Holodeck?"
Yes. Even when it isn't malfunctioning, the simulation can't
protect you from your own stupidity. Broken ribs and arms from
cliff diving and other sports practiced on the holodeck are often
seen treated in Sick Bay.
....
"But the replicators can't even make unhealthy food!"
Replicators can (within limits of technology and energy) produce
anything for which they have a pattern. Certain objects may need
security clearance. But you can have the replicator make a glass
of water, and use the glass as a weapon - it may be smart, but
its not foolproof.
....
"What happened to the "arch" they used in the first season?"
Its intended use was as a way to program the Holodeck and access
the ship's computer, as well as a virtual reality safeword. In
later episodes, they just used the "exit" and programmed the
computer by voice. It is still around, recently seen in "Ship in
a Bottle". The arch was how Moriarty first learned that he was a
simulation, and gained control of the ship in "Elementary, Dear
Data".
......................................................................
Part II: Where does it all end?
"How do they manage to keep walking for hours and hours?"
The Holodeck has a forcefield treadmill. If its occupants get
too close to the walls, they are shifted away. Since the
Holodeck can modify its gravity in 3 dimensions, the occupants
won't notice any inertial change.
....
"But what about the walls seen in "Encounter at Farpoint" and
"Ship in a Bottle", demonstrated by Data?"
In "Farpoint", Data threw a Holodeck-generated rock at the wall.
There are a few possibilities. Either the computer realized the
intent of the demonstration, and didn't replace the rock with an
image on the Holodeck wall; or the "simple pattern" of that
simulation didn't allow for treadmill-scrolling; or the Holodeck
computer wasn't that powerful enough, pre-Bynar intervention.
In "Ship in a Bottle", Data throws his own communicator at the
wall. The Holodeck must have safeguards not to summarily destroy
things, so it didn't do anything to affect the communicator.
....
"What happens if two real people enter a Holodeck and start
running away from each other?"
The simplest answer is that the Holodeck "compartmentalizes",
in effect becoming a separate Holodeck for each person within it.
In reality, the two people would probably be only a few meters
apart, but would be separated by a Holodeck-projected "wall".
If they turned to look at each other, they would see an image
of the other projected on that wall.
....
"What if they take a real rock in with them, walk away from each
other (past the physical limits of the Holodeck) and then toss
the rock back and forth?"
This one is too easy. Assume the rock is sentient. When it leaves
the hand of the thrower, the holodeck "wraps" it in its own
miniature simulation, and hides it from the two people, who (in
their own mini-Holodeck) see only an image of the rock. The
rock is then moved (with forcebeams) from the thrower to the
catcher, given the appropriate kinetic energy along the way. From
the rock's point of view nothing out of the ordinary happens.
....
"So what if two people take a long rope, and start walking
away from each other?"
The answer in this instance could be that the Holodeck hides part
of the rope, and projects an image of a tightening rope along with
forcebeam-generated tension.
In general, though, the answer to these 'boggle the Holodeck'
questions is that no, its not perfect. You will encounter
limitations to the technology, and gaps in the 'reality' will
become apparent. However, you really do have to be looking for
problems to find them.
......................................................................
Part III: What if...?
"Can you go swimming on the Holodeck?"
Yes. Cliff diving has been mentioned as a recreation sport aboard
the Holodeck, as has kayaking.
"So does it replicate all of that water?"
Probably not. What would likely happen is that a "personal space"
of water would be replicated around the person, and the rest of
the water in the pool, river, etc, would be a visual and auditory
simulation. There is no canon evidence one way or the other,
however.
"So what if someone is scuba diving, and the Holodeck door
opens?"
Very likely, the forcebeams would give the sensation of a water
surface over the doorway. Depending on the simulation, it might
be possible for someone to wander onto a Holodeck, in normal duty
uniform, and walk around someone who is swimming several meters
below the "surface" of the pool. Only the swimmer would feel the
sensation of water around them. Again, no canonical evidence
either way.
....
"How about a Holodeck within the Holodeck?"
This is done in "Ship in a Bottle". In fact, they end up with a
Holodeck inside a Holodeck inside a Holodeck by the end of the
episode. Is there a limit? Probably. No evidence for what that
limit might be.
....
"Can you get the Holodeck to simulate someone?"
Yes. Although done numerous times, including "Ship in a Bottle"
and "A Matter of Perspective"; "Hollow Pursuits" is the prime
example of this, and brings up the question...
"Is it ethical to simulate someone without their permission?"
Systems of ethics are by no means universal across cultural
lines. Nor can we extend our 20th century foibles to the 24th
century, where such things may be common place. In every
instance, however, people thusly simulated have reacted
negatively when they find out - for example, Troi, Riker, and
Picard in "Hollow Pursuits" and Dr. Leah Brahms in "Booby Trap"
and "Galaxy's Child".
"So does the computer stop these simulations?"
Nope. Moriarty was able to do it in "Ship in a Bottle", without
any special permissions. It is amusing, however, to watch the
episode again, and see how the simulated characters appear
slightly stiff.
....
"Could you simulate the Enterprise bridge from the Holodeck, and
use it to take over?"
The simulation would not be a problem - the Enterprise computer
has extensive files of all Federation starship layouts, as shown
in "Relics".
In three episodes, the Enterprise has been controlled from the
Holodeck - by Barclay in "Nth Degree", with a neural interface;
in "Elementary, Dear Data", where Moriarty somehow cracked the
security codes via the Holodeck Arch; and in "Ship in a Bottle",
where Picard inadvertantly gave Moriarty the security codes.
....
"Why not just have single-person Holodecks? For interaction, the
computer could just link them all together!"
According to the TNG Tech Manual, there are four primary
Holodecks and a number of personal ones. They could indeed be
linked, but part of the fun of a Holodeck is the interaction with
other people, knowing that they are real.
....
"Why do people get dressed up before going to the Holodeck? Can't
it provide the period costumes?"
Yes. But they probably don't want to walk around the Enterprise
naked. It also allows them to get "into character" before
entering the simulation.
....
"Wasn't there a Holodeck on the original Enterprise? I'm sure I
remember...."
No. I believe in one or more of The Animated Episodes, the
recreation deck, with an environmental simulator, is presented.
This is probably what most people remember, and also the
inspiration for the Holodeck itself on TNG.
Sources like "Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise" mention
similar things, including rooms with hologram projectors for the
walls alone, but no canonical evidence exits.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* My personal scale of "canon" for the purposes of *Treknology*:
Canonical: ST:TNG episodes
ST:DS9 episodes
Quasi-Canon: ST:TNG Technical Manual
ST Chronology: The History of the Future
ST:TNG Companion
ST:TFS I-VI (+ any future films)
Semi-Canon: ST:TOS episodes
The Making of Star Trek
Any *drawings* based on the episodes/
films (eg, Starlog Tech Journal,
Mr. Scott's Guide, etc)
Non-Canon: Everything else, including:
ST:TAS
Books (incl. novelizations)
Games (FASA, et. al.)
Collectibles (toys, cards)
Old Tech Manuals
Rec.arts.startrek.tech posts
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hope you enjoyed it. :) Please send any questions, comments, or
suggestions (heck, even flames) you may have to the address below.
Joshua
--
| "Science constitutes the language through which alone we can adequately |
| express the great facts of the natural world." - A. A. Lovelace |
| jsbell@acs.ucalgary.ca Academic Computing Services, University of Calgary |
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