a geeky one for trekkies out there

[theboybeast]

I think i may have found an error in the fictional science of Star Trek used in the 1st episode - encounter at farpoint.  There is a scene where Riker first meets Data on the holodeck, a very young Will Crusher was also there, as Will tries to cross over the stepping stones he falls into the water, thus getting wet, when he leaves the holodeck he is still dripping with water.  Surely the water that is on him is purely holographic and cease to exsit outside of the holodeck. 

This has been proved in the epiode 'Ship in a bottle' where two of the charaters wanted to be taken off of the holodeck and join the real world.

Does anyone agree that this is an error or can anyone offer a pratical reason for this happening

[KebabMeister]

Hmmm interesting.  Maybe inanimate matter can be taken off, like replicated.  Otherwise yeah, it's an error.

[Loosehead]

Yep it's an error all programs have them mostly they go unnoticed. Look under SNAFUS under any episode:

http://stng.36el.com/st-tng/episodes.html

[theboybeast]

Thanks for that link Loosehead

[finex]

It's not necessarily a mistake. If you're sad enough to read the "specifications" for the holodeck, it is actually a mixture of holographic emitter and transporter/replicator technology.

The computer systems sense when a person is about to physically interact with an object and replicate the object, which replaces the holographic image. Hence if you're crossing stepping stones, a pool of water is replicated beneath your feet. In the case of water, it's not worth the effort to "dematerialise" it from the clothing when leaving the holodeck.

Incidentally, the Captain gets hit by a snowball thrown out of the holodeck in another episode, which tends to support the above theory.

Oh, God, I need a drink...

[Loosehead]

Sounds Like you are indeed "sad enough"!

[finex]

< proud >

[woofgang]

hologram technology is not the only thing used in the holodecks. Replicators are also used to provide real water, also real food and drinks eg in Vic Fontaine's bar. The two hologram characters of course are just holograms not replicated.