Hello, Ric here again with a part two to a video I did a while ago where we look at the
various governments and species of Star Trek to see just what their specialities are as
a technological power. Part one covered the Romulans, Starfleet, Klingons, Cardassians
and some others then I asked viewers what you thought for a part two, so this is that
video as well as some more observations and my own opinions.
So beginning with the Federation again, because as I said last part, they can pretty much
do anything when given enough time and even a taste of some other technology, because
of the vast amount of data and resources they have at their cooperative disposal. But I
would like to first up draw attention to Holosuites. It was suggested in the comments that the
Ferengi may have the best holosuites, but “best” is such a subjective term. Perhaps
the Ferengi simply have the best programs and know how to market them better. Starfleet
holodecks after all, are incredibly powerful in no small part due to the level of computing
power that a Federation starship computer can handle. It literally made sentience by
accident because Geordie said a wrong word. Now does such a glaring security (and morality)
based issue mean that they have the best holosuites? Hrm… debatable. But the most powerful? It
seems so. Although this is closely tied to the Federation’s
advancement with Artificial Intelligence. Soong was a Federation citizen after all,
but he made a concerted effort to keep is developments out of Starfleet hands, and while
the Federation was able to replicate the physical properties of a Soong android by the 2380s,
the positronic brain on Data’s level was still beyond them. Then there was that whole
hiccup at the end of the 24th century that caused the ban on synthetic lifeforms, which
nerfed the whole field of development. So Soong is a bit of an anomaly in this field,
however characters like Richard Daystrom and Lewis Zimmerman advanced this field so much,
and even besides the true AI, a Federation Starship’s computer core is almost a sentient
being in its own right. Almost. Sticking in the IT department, now, several
of you pointed out that while the Romulans would indeed be good at encryption, the actual
best in the business at computing would be the aptly named Bynars. This species actually
graft their technology into themselves as part of their day to day life and literally
speak computer coding. They are not part of the Federation, but Starfleet does outsource
to them, when it can because quite simply, they are the best that the UFP can find.
I’m going to shy away from the Borg, because like the Federation, they are jack-of-all
trades, but masters of many. Anything they acquire, they adapt to service them, which
means that they conquer thousands of species and take all their developments. Basically,
where their specialty lies then, is in their adaptation, a grim reflection of Starfleet.
Borg tech not only is incredibly advanced, but easily compatible with other systems.
Some would say, eagerly compatible. Too eagerly compatible. For this reason, although many
species, such as the Romulans and Federation, have standing orders to study Borg technology,
it requires a paranoid approach, because it’s not paranoia, if that new Borg microwave can
sprout tendrils and assimilate the family dog.
Sometimes, a species focuses down on a particular technology, to the point that it basically
becomes synonymous with their culture, such as the Tholains and their Tractor Beam tech.
Using Starfleet as the benchmark again, the Tholian ships have developed tractor beams
to be incredibly multipurpose. Starfleet can push things a bit, or pull them. Or maybe
vibrate stuff with enough fine tuning. Tholians can spin party animals for their ship’s
arses. Their ability to manipulate their beams in this way can create lines of energy that
are stronger than most shields, and somehow self-sustaining.
In apocrypha, they are also described as having an affinity, or at least a curiousness for
space-time manipulation, specifically when it comes to parallel universes and are always
working towards cataloguing and exploring these other realities. Shame then, that their
oft first reaction upon finding a new reality is to screech at it and violently exterminate
anything that comes through. Stop poking at the fabric of the universe if you don’t
like what you find- Oh never mind. You do you, you crazy salt-lamps.
By far the most common observation was that the Ferengi are the best at commerce. I would
say that yes, this is true, despite their reputation to swindle and short change others.
Thing is, they do have their own Commerce Authority, the aptly named F.C.A. to regulate
their conduct, but even many of these guidelines concern how to exploit your way to wealth.
I would say, purely from observation, that if you are painstakingly patient and already
know your way around a contract, then dealing with the Ferengi is okay. Once locked in a
business partners, they will balance your accounts like no-one else and work the Stonks,
like a boss, I dunno how any of this works. Basically, although Ferengi are the best at
business, their self-interest trumps all. Saying that, show a Ferengi a way that their
best interests can be served working alongside you, and you have some of the best players
in the galaxy at your side. Allowing a Ferengi to dictate all the terms of a contract that
you signed, is probably going to lead to disaster down the line, however. I guess my point at
Ferengi is that, if you are good enough to do business with them, then you’re good
enough not to need to. Failing that, go to a reputable and vetted Ferengi business that
has a reputation to uphold. Jumping to the other side of the galaxy now,
we have that monolithic superpower known as the Dominion. While their power structure
is questionable, it is based on control, even down to the genetics of their soldiers. While
certain species, such as the Humans and Klingons have both flirted with genetics in their history,
in both these cases, they overextended themselves and created unstable augments for one reason
or another. The Denobulans are another contender for title of best geneticists, as according
to Doctor Phlox, Denobula has practiced genetic engineering for centuries while avoiding a
super-powered crisis. This is because they took it slow, understood what they were doing,
and seem to refrain from over the top alterations to a genome. The Federation does allow for
genetic modification when it comes to severe medical issues, so it’s not like the UFP
can’t get its head around a double helix, they literally choose to avoid it wherever
possible. The Dominion on the other hand, has no such
squeamishness. Their extent into genetic research resulted in the forced evolution of the Vorta,
and the alteration of the Jem Hadar into the galaxy’s most powerful military, one genetically
bound to acts as slaves. A Jem Hadar too, for example reaches full adulthood in days
with no ill effects. As reprehensible the Dominions actions are, the level of expertise
in genetic modification to even tailor a species into existence, not once, but multiple times,
is something we only really hear about from the Precursors who created the humanoid template
in the Milky Way. The Dominion also practice extensive cloning, and seem to be able to
not only duplicate a form based on a stored genetic code, but endow it with learning and
sapience. Their level of genetic tampering is so far beyond even Starfleet, that simply
replicating the Ketracel White enzyme used to control the Jem Hadar is impossible in
2371. There is so much going on with the Jem Hadar genome, that I’ll probably do a separate
video on just that, so please look forwards to it.
The Krenim were pointed out as masters of time travel, and while this is true, technically
it was all undone by the “Year of Hell”, so their status as the temporal powerhouse
they once were, remains up in the air. But while we are in the Delta Quadrant…
Can I just point out the Hirogen? Hunting seems to be the first comment to spring to
mind, but looking deeper, the fact that they target and pursue all sorts of crazy prey
has led to some intense developments in gear. Their armour, that cool blue full plate suite
that they wear? That can protect the wearer on the surface of a neutron star! You can
sun-walk in that thing. Admittedly the only source we have for this is a boasting Hirogen,
so you know… But if true that means it has some form of on-board gravity or structural
integrity regulator that rivals starship strength, and it can withstand heat of 600,000 Kelvin.
Presumably while the on-board life support keeps the wearer alive. What is that thing
made from, solid neutronium? And apparently the Breen are decent at environmental life
support, they need to step up their game. And lastly, let’s look to the Vidians. Their
medical know how is incredible and the technology the developed alongside it is amazing. Their
devices can surgically remove organs, a-la transporter device, re-sequence organs to
avoid rejection and presumably have innumerable chemicals and medicines, all in the name of
holding off the ravages of the Phage. As of Voyager, 2375, it was claimed that the Phage
had been cured, leaving the Vidians with a surplus of medical know-how derived from the
necessity to survive. The universe always needs more healers, so now that they don’t
have to worry about their own extinction, perhaps they can share that bounty with others.
Last part I got to work on the USS Optimus NCC-GETGOOD, so now let’s see if we can
bring the developments we learned here today to the scientifically best ship in the Trek
galaxy, don’t fact check it. So first up, let’s add to its systems. We need the Romulans
to work alongside the Bynars in overhauling and upgrading its computer core, but just
for safety, let’s not let Starfleet get too carried away with it. The Tholians can
install some unparalleled Tractor Beam technology and the Chief medical officer can be a Denobulan,
with Dominion and Vidian made technology at their disposal. I’ll get a Ferengi to look
over the manufacturing process of it, to make sure we’re optimising on its build, and
keep him around to have a share in any discoveries the Optimus makes, ensuring a vested interest
in its future. Finally, I’d outfit the security teams in Hirogen body armour.
This ship would be fantastic, if the crew didn’t turn on one another first. So maybe
assimilate them all? No, that’s probably a bad idea. Thanks for watching this part
two of the sci-fi specialties. I’ve been Ric and I’ll see you next time for another
lore, theory, game or discussion video. Goobye!