From: jsbell@acs.ucalgary.ca (Joshua Bell)
Subject: Re: Holodeck
Date: Mon, 04 Jan 93 08:18:42 GMT
Organization: The University of Calgary, Alberta

In article <as547s429.06jl@sycom.mi.org> as547s429@sycom.mi.org (Aaron Smith) writes:
>I have a question about holodecks.. 

I'll drag out my Holodeck mini-FAQ. :)

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Holodeck Mini-FAQ

At least, answers to common questions as theorized by me. :)


"Can things be taked out of the holodeck? What happens if you 
eat on the holodeck? What is a 'meat puppet'?"

The Holodeck uses (as far as I can tell from the various canon
and semi-canon sources) 5 levels of simulation:

1) Things in the distance are holograms projected on the walls.
(Like the wall in "Encounter at Farpoint")

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 (eg, Moriarty's drawing of the Enterprise in
"Elementary, Dear Data"), the snowball that Wesley hit Picard
with, etc. These objects are independent once created, and may
be carried off holodeck.  

Any food consumed on the holodeck will be of type 4 simulation -
it will be as real as replicated food from a replication
terminal. 

5) An _animated_ object which may be eaten, picked up, etc (for
example, Minuet in "11001001") is a combination of 3 and 4, and
the hardest to generate. The actions of a hologram and forcebeams
must be coordinated seamlessly with replication of matter.
Depending on how much physically needs to be there, a holohuman
on this level could vary from a hologram with a few grams of
saliva to a full 'meat puppet' dragged around by the forcebeams.

A 'meat puppet' is a old term resurected 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.

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 (tho he hadn't experienced her charms
at that point). This may also be why HoloSex hasn't caught on -
this level of simulation may require a security clearance of some
sort. 


"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 seperate holodeck for each person within it.
In reality, the two people would probably be only a few meters 
apart, but would be seperated 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.


"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 tigtening 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.


"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's 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.) Rumor has it that Deep Space Nine will portray 
a HoloBrothel on the Promenade deck.

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 Barkley.

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.


Joshua
|         A shimmering net undulating like an infinite borealis.             |
|                                                  - Chapterhouse: Dune      |
|                                                                            |
| jsbell@acs.ucalgary.ca  Academic Computing Services, University of Calgary |