Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to What's this doing on the Space Board?

It's about harshness/survival regarding space exploration.
SDAI-Tech1 — (archived)

You see, the Kobayashi Maru is a test they give officers aspiring to be starship captains. In the test you receive a distress call from a transport ship in the Romulan zone. If you cross into the zone responding to the call, you lose because it's really a trap set by Romulans. If you don't repond, you also lose - but your crew's still alive.

When confronted with a no-win situation, it is better to take the no-win with less casualties.

http://www.ufp-datenterminal.de/personen/starfleet/saavik/saavik4.jpg

image source

Saavik: "But why did I score less than Gary, Commander Spock?"
Spock: "Lt. Gary did not respond and enter the Romulan zone"
Saavik: "Starfleet regulations require response to distress calls."
Spock: "Starfleet also forbids entry into the Romulan zone."
Saavik: "But..."
Spock: "Romulans do not take prisoners, nor do they offer reasoned debate, Lt. Saavik. Is it not logical that survival should score above bravado?"
Saavik: "I see, Commander. (Gives pouty emotional face, showing she is probably a half-breed)
Spock: "I hope you will remember this lesson well, Lieutenant - space is unforgiving and one mistake can not only cost you your life, but the lives of your crew and an expensive Federation vessel."
Saavik: "Thank you Commander."

You see Daniel, Gary was illustrating an important concept in space exploration-that of self-preservation and of not falling prey to the siren call of suicidal machismo, which in space may leave you and your fellow astronauts irradiated, frozen, burned, exploded or drifting. Michael Collins did not leave the command module to explore the unknown zones, just because Neil and Buzz were teasing him.

It was clear to me that it had perfect relevance to surviving the harshness of space. One merely needed to read between the lines.

;-)

Log in or register to post.

The whole thread (36 posts)