"I cannae change the laws of physics, Cap'n!" If you know your Star Trek, you'll know this line spoken by the imitable Montgomery Scott, Chief Engineer of the original Starship Enterprise. Hailed by many as a miracle worker getting the Enterprise (and even the Enterprise-D in The Next Generation) out of trouble spots, especially after being fired upon by Klingons and Romulans. But other than well known theoretical physics possibilities, have you ever wondered how much else is possible and what was made up? What was true to all the sci-babble of Quantum Mechanics and String Theory and what was completely impossible? Would you believe that there are multiple instances of the Trek writers basically writing themselves into a hole only to resort to a MacGuffin device or trick to get the characters we know and love to safety (or to put them in danger to begin with)? Let's look at some of these instances...
8. Transporter Twins
Ok, even though teleportation is not at the stage we would need it to be to teleport even simple items like a book... or a dog... the basic premise and principle is actually sound. It has even been done with simple particles. Now what does this have to do with changing the laws of physics? Two words: Thomas Riker. Don't recognize the name? You'd be forgiven for not remembering for the simple fact he has shown up in only two episodes of Star Trek spanning 2 series (the TNG episode Second Chances and the DS9 episode Defiant). He is the result of a fractured transporter accident when beaming then Lt. Cmdr. Will Riker from a desolate planet. In essence, he was split into two identical beings; right down to memories of being neglected by his father. Let's first assume that the Enterprise uses a quantum computer capable of calculating an untold number of bits of information at once, or at least able to calculate Pi multiplied by the Cosmological Constant at a fraction of a second. Now this quantum computer should be able to know where all your atoms, electrons and positrons are at any given time, calculate the distance it would need to transport them from point A to point B, the energy needed to do so, take them apart and then reassemble them at the destination point. Now let's take a look at Will and his transporter clone. Basically you have a man in mid-transport hit by some type of energy that then replicates his exact number of molecules in the exact order at once without scattering Will's entire being into the aether. So... where did the duplicate atoms come from? How did this energy order the atoms into an exact duplicate of Will Riker? Thomas, you have some 'splainin to do!!
Shawn “Loc Da’Borg” Jackson is a native of Mississippi, born in Vicksburg and raised in Philadelphia in Neshoba County. At the age of 15 he was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and, later into his early 20s, he became Profoundly Deaf. Writing has been one of the main staples of his life and he has dedicated a good portion of it to educate, entertain and enthrall with the written word.
