Star Trek-style crews: Logistical nightmare or not?

[Noisy Rhysling]

We see many species of human/near-human on the Federation ships. It seems to me that there would be a logistics issue here. Things that are fine for humans might be poisonous for other species, and vice versa. Any idea how they would handle this? (Remember, Federation researchers will be reading this thread in a few hundred years.)

 

[BillTre]

Replicators would make the needed stuff.
Need more files for more diverse demands..

 

[Noisy Rhysling]

Replicators would make the needed stuff.
Need more files for more diverse demands..

They'd have to keep an eye on cross-contamination, because it would possible that something tasty for one species would be deadly for another.

Then there's environmental issues. One species might need four showers a day while another needed them only as a medical treatment.

 

[Noisy Rhysling]

Okay, Sector General is floating around inside my head somewhere.

 

[BillTre]

I suppose they could breath different atmospheres which would require masks and independent supplies or different gas isolated areas to house them.
Or maybe little mini-replicators over their noses making their atmospheric gasses as they needed it.

 

[DaveC426913]

Some Federation crew do indeed have breathing apparti.

Remember Wesley (The Boy...??) and his friend taking the Starfleet exam? His friend had a respirator.

 

[BillTre]

Impressive memory!

 

[Vanadium 50]

In the original series, ships were largely single species.

Galaxy Quest pointed this out in it's, as usual, wonderful way: "Are you enjoying your blood ticks, Dr. Lazarus?"

 

[Noisy Rhysling]

Some Federation crew do indeed have breathing apparti.

Remember Wesley (The Boy...??) and his friend taking the Starfleet exam? His friend had a respirator.

All I remember about the baby Crusher is the Usenet group in his honor, "Alt.ensign.wesley.die.die.die.die.die.die.die.die.die.die.die"

 

[jackwhirl]

There's a canonical reason so many Star Trek species are more or less compatible: The Chase

 

[Noisy Rhysling]

There's a canonical reason so many Star Trek species are more or less compatible: The Chase

I read a story onceuponatime that talked about humans going around the galaxy's edge, looking for alien species. Finally, on the far side of the galaxy from Earth they run into another spaceship. The usual formalities ensue, then they swap blood samples. On inspection it turns out that the "other guys" were humans as well. To give an upbeat ending the author then wrote "As one they all turned and looked outward, toward Andromeda."

 

[DaveC426913]

Impressive memory!

You mean me? no.

Wesley's friend Mordock was a primary character in the ep.

And his respirator was prominent. It sat in front of his face - and it emitted fog.

 

[Noisy Rhysling]

Looks like a catfish.

 

[newjerseyrunner]

Some Federation crew do indeed have breathing apparti.

Remember Wesley (The Boy...??) and his friend taking the Starfleet exam? His friend had a respirator.

I propose that it would not be difficult to create a respirator with nothing more than force fields. All of the aliens could easily being wearing invisible respirators controlled by the computer.

Then again, it's a universe of human/vulcan hybrids. Genetically speaking, it'd probably be easier to breed with a dog.

 

[DaveC426913]

I propose that it would not be difficult to create a respirator with nothing more than force fields. All of the aliens could easily being wearing invisible respirators controlled by the computer.

While true in principle, what would Mordock do when he left the Academy and went out for lunch?

I think, if I were used to wearing my glasses, I wouldn't be inclined to put them away once on-site, and let the bulding correct my vision for me. Some things are personal.

Then again, it's a universe of human/vulcan hybrids. Genetically speaking, it'd probably be easier to breed with a dog.

As the Great Sagan once said: we'd have a better chance of mating with a petunia.

 

[BillTre]

While true in principle, what would Mordock do when he left the Academy and went out for lunch?

I think, if I were used to wearing my glasses, I wouldn't be inclined to put them away once on-site, and let the building correct my vision for me. Some things are personal.As The Great Sagan once said: we'd have a better chance of mating with a petunia.

Although breeding might not work in the normal way, transferring genes works fine already!
Maybe Mordock has some catfish genes and has tastebuds all over his head and barbels.

 

[Algr]

Our life forms have been tested and are totally compatible. Do you like my Arsenic based perfume?

 

[Noisy Rhysling]

Our life forms have been tested and are totally compatible. Do you like my Arsenic based perfume?

"Oh, I adore Paris green!"

 

[newjerseyrunner]

While true in principle, what would Mordock do when he left the Academy and went out for lunch?

In the 29th century, humans will invent a mobile transmitter to allow The Doctor to go leave the sick bay. I see no reason that other species haven't already done so. Clearly.

 

[DaveC426913]

In the 29th century, humans will invent a mobile transmitter to allow The Doctor to go leave the sick bay. I see no reason that other species haven't already done so. Clearly.

How does that help poor Mordock?

If his species had micro-transporter-technology breathing-apparati - and it worked out in the open air - that's what he'd be using. They don't. Neither does Starfleet.

 

[Khatti]

Yeah, dealing with aliens is not necessarily a great analogy for racial integration--which would be the Star Trek concern. The methane breather might love and admire humanity to death--but he (she? it?) still needs to breath methane.