Bad science in Branon Braga Episodes

[Niko]

"Threshold" The voyager episode not that other "thing",An engine that goes to infinity which is a impossibility since "infinite speed requires infinite energy" , There is no number to describe infinity and how can it be a velocity? Something maybe only the Q could do.

Another probaily even bigger error in logic is handling of evolution, Individuals don't evolve , We are not Pokemon! Brannon Braga clearly has no clue as to how evolution works otherwise he wouldn't have written hack stories like Threshold and Genesis (TNG S7), I thought they had hired scientific consultants?!!

On other general problems for all the series

Sure Transporters and warp engines are a bit of a stretch but not something that misrepresents a scientific theory or is to ludicrous of an idea.

Trek also makes typical tv hollywood movie mistakes, Sound traveling in space things like that.

Other things, Like reptilian aliens with boobs , Inter species copulation , Green blooded vulcans and red blooded humans intermixing and producing children.

[Inzjana]

The episode "Threshold" you are talking about is in relation to the Warp 10 barrier rubbish. It's not infinite speed as such, but at some time during the production of Star Trek: The Next Generation, it was decided that like sublight speeds (E=MC^2) Warp speeds would also have an impossibility barrier.
What was supposed to happen is that Warp 10 would act in the same way as the Infinite Improbability Drive from Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams, a fave author of Gene Roddenberry's - apparently.
The effect of which is that any vessel traveling at Warp 10 would appear in every conceivable point in the universe, however it was never really explained why this occurs.

Transporters are based on real science known as Quantum Teleportation, which has been proven to be quite possible.

Dr. Miguel Alcubierre, who at the time was working for the University of Wales and was a Star Trek fan; went to work proving that the Warp Drive was possible and succeeded.

His theory, known as the Alcubierre Warp, was based on a vessel generating a "warp bubble" of exotic matter, which is the only form of matter that acually repels gravity.

The theory of the Warp Drive is indeed possible, but unfortunately at the moment humans cannot produce the amount of energy required for such a feat, which is the same as if you converted the entire mass of Jupiter to energy.

Sound does indeed travel through space, because unlike popular belief, space is not a total vaccuum. Sound travels by compressing a medium, whether that is the atmosphere of a planet, the soil, or even water.
Space itself, does have what could be considered an atmosphere of sorts, although that's stretching the terminology a bit, space does contain hydrogen, helium and other elements that sound could compress. Just not as effiently as it can on Earth for instance.
The human ear is incapable of hearing these sounds, but a device, such as a radio telescope would definitely be sensitive enough to "hear" sounds from space - which is something they do every day.

If a Reptilian Extraterrestrial species gave birth to live young, in other words, not from a zygote, it is logical to assume that some form of mammary gland would be required to feed the child for a given amount of time after birth. Mammary Glands similar to human breasts would be well suited for such a task.

Vulcan/Human Hybrids are impossible unaided, but given the advances in science and genetic engineering shown in Star Trek, it is not that much of a stretch to believe that the copulation between a human and a Vulcan would be impossible.
It was said from the start, that even though Vulcan physiognomy is different from humans, there are similarities such as chromosomes, DNA, RNA, etc. Vulcans have green blood simply because it is copper based, rather than iron based.

[Niko]

Originally Posted by Inzjana

The episode "Threshold" you are talking about is in relation to the Warp 10 barrier rubbish. It's not infinite speed as such, but at some time during the production of Star Trek: The Next Generation, it was decided that like sublight speeds (E=MC^2) Warp speeds would also have an impossibility barrier.
What was supposed to happen is that Warp 10 would act in the same way as the Infinite Improbability Drive from Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams, a fave author of Gene Roddenberry's - apparently.
The effect of which is that any vessel traveling at Warp 10 would appear in every conceivable point in the universe, however it was never really explained why this occurs.

Transporters are based on real science known as Quantum Teleportation, which has been proven to be quite possible.

Dr. Miguel Alcubierre, who at the time was working for the University of Wales and was a Star Trek fan; went to work proving that the Warp Drive was possible and succeeded.

His theory, known as the Alcubierre Warp, was based on a vessel generating a "warp bubble" of exotic matter, which is the only form of matter that acually repels gravity.

The theory of the Warp Drive is indeed possible, but unfortunately at the moment humans cannot produce the amount of energy required for such a feat, which is the same as if you converted the entire mass of Jupiter to energy.

Sound does indeed travel through space, because unlike popular belief, space is not a total vaccuum. Sound travels by compressing a medium, whether that is the atmosphere of a planet, the soil, or even water.
Space itself, does have what could be considered an atmosphere of sorts, although that's stretching the terminology a bit, space does contain hydrogen, helium and other elements that sound could compress. Just not as effiently as it can on Earth for instance.
The human ear is incapable of hearing these sounds, but a device, such as a radio telescope would definitely be sensitive enough to "hear" sounds from space - which is something they do every day.

If a Reptilian Extraterrestrial species gave birth to live young, in other words, not from a zygote, it is logical to assume that some form of mammary gland would be required to feed the child for a given amount of time after birth. Mammary Glands similar to human breasts would be well suited for such a task.

Vulcan/Human Hybrids are impossible unaided, but given the advances in science and genetic engineering shown in Star Trek, it is not that much of a stretch to believe that the copulation between a human and a Vulcan would be impossible.
It was said from the start, that even though Vulcan physiognomy is different from humans, there are similarities such as chromosomes, DNA, RNA, etc. Vulcans have green blood simply because it is copper based, rather than iron based.

People can die if they receive a blood transfusion from the wrong blood type, We can only imagine what would happen if you mixed a cooper based blood with a iron based blood in a hybrid, This part requires a suspension of disbelief.

The voyager episode Elogium, The Ocampa are a race that lives short lives equal to a dog, Vulcans have long lives and are forced to return to their mate every 7 years so it works out, The Ocampa on the other hand would be a evolutionary dead end if they can only reproduce at one specific time in their life , How could such a species survive? They need to all reproduce just to keep a growth rate of zero.

The episode Parturition has a infant "reptilian" shivering after it hatches from an egg, Yet "shivering is a warm blooded mammalian trait".

[waxy]

Originally Posted by Niko

People can die if they receive a blood transfusion from the wrong blood type, We can only imagine what would happen if you mixed a cooper based blood with a iron based blood in a hybrid, This part requires a suspension of disbelief.

The voyager episode Elogium, The Ocampa are a race that lives short lives equal to a dog, Vulcans have long lives and are forced to return to their mate every 7 years so it works out, The Ocampa on the other hand would be a evolutionary dead end if they can only reproduce at one specific time in their life , How could such a species survive? They need to all reproduce just to keep a growth rate of zero.

The episode Parturition has a infant "reptilian" shivering after it hatches from an egg, Yet "shivering is a warm blooded mammalian trait".

That's kind of like comparing apples and oranges in a way with the blood transfusion. We've genetically crossed species before but with less than positive results. Doesn't mean these things couldn't be done with alien technology that we don't presently possess. Dr Phlox had a cure for Cancer but we don't have that now. Is that an impossibility too?

Have to agree about the Ocampa, they were not well thought out. A good example of doing something just to make your mark. Pay attention Mr. Abrams!

As to the last one how do you know? when was the last time you saw an alien reptile? Different species & planet; different rules. Afterall, in TOS Vulcans didn't close their eyes when they slept.

[Boby]

The episode Parturition has a infant "reptilian" shivering after it hatches from an egg, Yet "shivering is a warm blooded mammalian trait".

First mistake is the very mention of warm/cold bloded - REPTILIANS are poikilotherms.

MEANING (I'm not going to invent hot water but copy from those who know more then me):

There is a group of animals that have homeostatic mechanisms for maintaining the temperature of the internal environment within very narrow limits. They can do this even though there may be large changes in the environmental temperature. Such animals, humans, other mammals and birds, are called homeotherms.

Humans can therefore function quite efficiently in both cold and hot environments.

Another group of organisms known as poikilotherms have not developed mechanisms for regulating the temperature of their internal environment. Their internal temperature therefore changes with temperature changes in the external environment. Lizards and snakes are examples of poikilotherms.

So same as we do reptilians feel COLD and DO shiver!
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[waxy]

I'm impressed!

[Boby]

With what?

[Inzjana]

Originally Posted by Niko

People can die if they receive a blood transfusion from the wrong blood type, We can only imagine what would happen if you mixed a cooper based blood with a iron based blood in a hybrid, This part requires a suspension of disbelief.

Sorry, but this is also incorrect, genetic engineering - the splicing of two separate species to make a new one - happens every day especially vegetation such as crops etc. The very dogs you mentioned below are not a naturally occurring species, they are a hybrid.

Originally Posted by Niko

The voyager episode Elogium, The Ocampa are a race that lives short lives equal to a dog, Vulcans have long lives and are forced to return to their mate every 7 years so it works out, The Ocampa on the other hand would be a evolutionary dead end if they can only reproduce at one specific time in their life , How could such a species survive? They need to all reproduce just to keep a growth rate of zero.

Err okaaay! You'll have to explain why this is relevant?! But regardless, your statement is wrong, sorry. It doesn't matter how long a species lives as to population growth. If three Ocampa females gave birth to one baby each, the population has already increased by three. If one of those babies died, the population has still grown by two.

Originally Posted by Niko

The episode Parturition has a infant "reptilian" shivering after it hatches from an egg, Yet "shivering is a warm blooded mammalian trait".

Boby is quite correct.

[waxy]

I think the biggest problem with the Ocampans life cycle is that they can only mate once according to Kes. If it takes two Ocampans to make one child then the population is decreasing not increasing. For example if you have 8 couples they will produce 8 children, however then there would only be 4 couples in the next generation. That's also assuming there are always an equal number of males and females.

BTW was impressed with the research.

[Inzjana]

I must admit, I have a real problem with the Ocampans all together. On a biological stand point, a species that lives less than ten years would be able to reproduce as soon as they were born, just like Tribbles. But then, we do know that it was the Caretaker that shortened their life span, because they need to live underground. So technically, the Ocampa are an anomaly due to the stupidity of a supposed advanced life form.

[Kestra]

just shows ta go ya, just cuz one is an advanced life form does'nt mean one is the brightest star in the heavens.

i can't remember how old Kes was when she reached her reproductive cycle, i think it was two. i did like the Ocampa and there were epis that touched upon them living longer lives, some to the age of 18.

[Inzjana]

Yeah well! You'd think that a highly advanced race that can pull starships from one end of the galaxy to another, would actually be more intelligent. But then, the Caretaker was very old, so dementia must have set in.

The oldest Ocampa seen was 20 (played by Gary Graham) and the reproductive cycle kicks in, at one year of age.

[Kestra]

aw okay, it's been a while since i've seen Voyager i couldn't quite remember, i'm going to buy it so i can watch it again.

[Inzjana]

Eh, it repeats over and over again on the Sci-Fi Channel on Austar/Foxtel, which get's annoying sometimes!

Oh well...

[waxy]

Or just download episodes to watch