Reviewer: jespah Signed [Report This]
Date: 07 Aug 2011 16:59 Title: The Soundtrack of Star Trek: Sigils and Unions and Catacombs of Oralius

I'm so pleased that I'm not the only one inspired by music!

Author's Response:

Unfortunately this current edition is woefully out of date, but thank you so much for looking. :-)

Reviewer: Jean-Luc Picard Signed [Report This]
Date: 04 Jun 2010 12:36 Title: Truth, Justice, and the Cardassian Way

Very informative and well-written. I did the contrast between the canon system and your alternate universe system. The way you lead in to your alternate system is also pretty clear. This was a very good way of explaining a judicial system that was only seen in one episode.

Author's Response:

Thanks for reading!  Yeah, I didn't have a lot of material to go off of so there's a lot of guesswork--and the Cardassian system as seen in that episode did not make a whole lot of sense.  I figured the only way something like that could've come about is if it had been based off of an old system--and one still different enough that the Conservator Kovat wouldn't have even had an old Hebitian precedent to draw from, to understand why O'Brien was so confused.

As for the alternate system, I'd laid the groundwork for it already in The Desolate Vigil, but I'm glad to know it makes sense!  (Now I don't know how well humans would handle the continued closeness of church and state that the AU Cardassians have...but they've made it work.)

Reviewer: kes7 Signed [Report This]
Date: 27 Apr 2010 17:28 Title: The Powers That Be: A Religious Cosmology in the Trekiverse

This was a really intertesting piece.  I'm also a person of religious faith, and I've had some similar thoughts regarding the place of religion in the Trek universe, particularly human religion. 

Part of the reason I am Catholic is that we are not required to check our scientific minds at the door of the Church -- we merely have to ensure that the ways in which we handle new discoveries are moral.  (In other words, just because we can ... doesn't always mean we should.)  I don't think I could adhere to a faith that urged me to ignore science completely.

I liked your thoughts on the soul (both alien and machine).  I'm in the camp of "always err on the side of benefit of the doubt" when it comes to life.  I have no idea if there's other life out there, but I always wonder at those who suggest it should cause some kind of crisis of faith to discover we aren't alone.  If we ever discovered (or were discovered by) sentient lifeforms, I would just naturally assume they're part of the same creation I am, and imbued with the same inherent dignity and worth. It wouldn't instantly make me an atheist or anything like that.

As for the powerful lifeforms we've seen in Trek -- nice analysis.  I personally share the view that God is all-good, and that the failures of these entities to live up to that standard is powerful evidence that they are not, in fact, gods, despite their apparent power.  I do have one little nitpick, though -- did we ever see Q claim omniscience?  I don't think we did.  He may have unlimited control over space, matter, and time, therefore appeearing omnipotent to us, but omniscient or all-knowing?  I think there was a lot he didn't know, and he freely admitted it on several occasions.  So that right there was ample evidence that he's not godlike. 

An interesting essay, I truly enjoyed reading it.  Well done, Nerys!

 

Author's Response:

Thank you so much for reviewing! :-)

As I think you know, I nearly left the church because of people insisting I SHOULD check my mind at the door.  Ultimately I concluded that rather than running away from the problem, it is my calling to help to do something about those sorts of abuses.

I've seen some claim that the creation of artificial life by us would somehow disprove the role of a Creator.  I don't see how it does...the soul is something entirely different.  My fear is, though (and we saw this with Data, and with the holograms) that people would fail to recognize the inherent dignity of those sorts of lifeforms.  Even clones got that sort of treatment on Trek.  I think would be far better to assume that life forms of other types DO have souls, and should be treated as such.  That should also, though, be a cause for great caution in creating life.  Since God will always provide a soul, and not leave anything empty, we have to be VERY careful that we are not creating something that no soul should be tied to.

I thought Q had claimed omniscience, but I could be wrong.  That said, though, some fans seem to be under the impression he is omniscient, so I still think it is important to prove that this is not the case.

BTW, I would be particularly interested in your POV as a Catholic on the issue I raised about the Prophets.  I also know Catholicism has a more developed idea of the heavenly powers, so I would love to know how what I said about those beings lines up with church teachings on angels, demons, saints, etc.  Also, I wanted to know if you agree with me about the way the conception of Sisko went down vs. the way God approached Mary.

Reviewer: Enterprise1981 Signed [Report This]
Date: 22 Mar 2010 02:13 Title: Cousins We Could Have Been: Cardassians and How to Draw Them

Very interesting read, and well researched (never heard of therapsids before). They were like the Archaeopteryx, which had both avian and reptilian characteristics. I would guess that the "tinkering" of the ancient humanoids featured in "The Chase" made Cardassians biologically compatible with Bajorans, since, as a general rule, hybrids of two different animal species are sterile.

Author's Response:

The way I see the compatibility issue, there are certain genetic "analogues" to keep the species' genomes similar enough that with a bit of advanced medical help, the two species' codes can be meshed.  The Cardassians are therapsids, but of a rather mammaliforme type which is why, with help, they are able to interbreed with mammalian species.  (Which only works in the Trekiverse, obviously, but I assume there is some sort of medical intervention.)

And that is an interesting comparison, with the archaeopteryx--therapsids, of course, pre-dated the beginning of the avian families.  Class Aves (to which birds belong) comes from a subset of the dinosaurs called the theropods.

Reviewer: karracaz Signed [Report This]
Date: 23 Feb 2010 08:37 Title: Cousins We Could Have Been: Cardassians and How to Draw Them

How very interesting and informative! Biological and cultural differences among species in Star Trek is one of the reasons I've watched the show over so many years. Your treatise here is a great help in learning more about Cardassian origins... and for settling human curiosity.
(I'm not sure I understand the star system here...so I left your essay with none - but I'd give it five out of five!)

Author's Response:

No worries about not leaving stars...I actually don't like the star system, so that's fine with me! :-)

I'm glad you enjoyed my theories about Cardassian origins!  Almost all of that was original information I gleaned from looking at the makeup, and one chance comment in Andrew J. Robinson's book A Stitch in Time that I chose to interpret as literal, not just figurative.  (Garak in that book refers to Cardassians sensing each other's energy somehow...you can interpret it as something spiritual/metaphysical, but when I looked at everything about Cardassian makeup, and what we knew about their hearing, taking it literally actually made more sense.)

Reviewer: kes7 Signed [Report This]
Date: 21 Dec 2009 01:15 Title: Cousins We Could Have Been: Cardassians and How to Draw Them

I'm completely picturing Cardassian skin as feeling like a cat's tongue.  Do I have the right idea about the microscales?

This is incredibly well-researched and well-thought out, but I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Nerys.

On to part two of my educational reading for tonight!

Author's Response:

Hm...maybe not QUITE as rough as a cat's tongue (the papillae of a cat's tongue are a bit more raised than the microscales are)...something vaguely like sandpaper is what it felt like the time I dreamed I shook a Cardassian's hand.  It's pretty hard to explain, though, so it's my fault for not getting it across.

Glad you're liking it! :-)

Reviewer: Terilynn Signed [Report This]
Date: 26 Jun 2009 02:15 Title: Kiba'avzayn Ta'aboun-cor: Lessons in Cardăsda

It's due to this amazing amount of creativity that I am now going to rely upon you to help me with my Cardassian scenes Nerys! I have jumped from this work to your others on other sites to assist me with making something which is so rich and detailed that it just fits with and should by all rights be canon. You are to be well congratulated on this stunning work - and I will thank you by heaping upon you tons of questions as I re-write (thankfully) my upcoming scenes. HEY EVERYONE - this is truly amazing and creative work!

Author's Response:

Thank you so much for checking it out!! :-)

I would certainly be happy to help, but please feel free, of course, to have your own take on the Cardassians...I definitely don't own them. ;-)

Reviewer: trekfan Signed [Report This]
Date: 28 May 2009 17:04 Title: Ties That Bind: Culture and Instinct in Cardassian Relations

Love this explanation Nerys. It makes sense and expands upon the Cardassian culture nicely, also allowing a nice insight. Good stuff.

Author's Response:

Thanks--I hope you find that provides a good explanation for some of the things that you've seen in the RR!

Reviewer: Miranda Fave Signed [Report This]
Date: 27 Apr 2009 21:56 Title: Ranks of the Cardassian Guard

Very insightful and considered view of the Cardassian ranking system. What else would we expect from yourself Nerys. Detailed and thoughtful analysis that brings new eyes to what can often be passed over in a story detail. Well done and thank you very much for such wonderful world building.

Now we just need someone to do so for the Vulcans, Andorians, ... I think that would be a dream come true. In the meantime, I'm more than happy to revel in your Cardassain world.

Author's Response:

Thanks...that's one of the great things about not a lot being established in canon.  It gives me room to play. ;-)  Glad you like it!

Reviewer: Lady Drace Signed [Report This]
Date: 11 Apr 2009 16:41 Title: Putting the Right Foot Forward--Cardassian Edition

Hehe, this is where it becomes clear that many of the Cardassians we see in the series are certainly not your personal view of the avarage Cardassian citizen. Both Garak and Dukat make use of the bows to perfection, but at the same time they both portray a remarkable disrespect for personal space. They both stand uncomfortably close to anyone they like and touch even perfect strangers with complete disregard for customs.

Personally I tend to believe that Cardassians may seem cold to outsiders but really are much more relaxed than you'd think and not bound too much by etiquette.

At least in canon, they certainly don't seem to shy away from very public displays of affection for their friends and family. Personally I interpret this as a pride of emotions and a natural willingness to display them even in front of complete strangers. I do, however, agree that first impressions are vital. Any Cardassian obviously taking pains to become familiar with someone from the first moment is no doubt extending a huge compliment.

But then again, this all might get more complicated within their own circles due to complicated rank and caste systems and might simply be slacked off when dealing when off-worlders to make things simpler.

We've got to email more about this!

Author's Response:

I definitely think of Garak and Dukat as being rude for various reasons (generally of the intentionally making people uncomfortable variety).

Within families, I think there's a lot of closeness.  Though there's a lot of respect for elders, I do think the rules about physical contact are very different.  (Now, the courting phase is different--but I think once you're married, there is a LOT of closeness.  And that does progress during the courting time as well. :-) )

They're definitely not Vulcans.  I don't think of them that way at all.  It's just...I think of them as having very defined levels of closeness.  If you're in the inner circle, you're in, whether they're in public or not.  If you're not yet, there's more distance, more rules, but even then, I think the nice ones will still let you know that you're liked even if they don't do it by violations of personal space. ;-)

BTW, one thing I'd love to hear in an e-mail is what you thought about the suggestions for dealing with the hearing issue.

Reviewer: Lady Drace Signed [Report This]
Date: 11 Apr 2009 16:19 Title: Hybrid Theory

Wow, great theories here! I've wondered a lot about hybrids myself. Especially Cardassian/Bajoran hybrids.
I have this idea (Not backed by anything scientific) that Cardassians and Bajorans are genetically more similar than Bajorans and Humans. There might be more physical differences, but on a much more detailed scale, I have the idea that Since Bajor and Cardassia are geographically closer, then maybe their genes aren't all that far apart either.

Just theories here. But awesome stuff! Very well backed theories!

Author's Response:

Ahh, interesting...that doesn't fall into the framework of my own theories, but I can see why you might use that concept in your stories. :-)

But I'm glad you liked it.  I know you said you like "science" stuff, so I'm glad this was up your alley. :-)

Reviewer: Miranda Fave Signed [Report This]
Date: 07 Apr 2009 16:28 Title: Hybrid Theory

Quite a sound theory that fits the canon of the show. As you state, it is a scientific law and some fans, even those who do create fanfics, who take the science a bit too seriously tend to think that means there can be no such thing. Personally, I always favoured the idea that the parents of said hybrids went to ectreme lengths through genetic manipulation to create their offspring. But this theory, ties it all up in a neat little bow. Well done.

Author's Response:

Thanks for reading!  The only way I could think of to make it work was to make the situation closer to "same genus" than it would appear in the surface--through the existence of the template material which acts as something of a genetic turnkey--yet still acknowledge what seem like obvious facts.  (I mean, I've seen LICENSED works come out with some stuff even I couldn't swallow...like the idea that Bajorans and Cardassians are somehow offshoots of the same species.  Excuse me?! O_O )  The theory still does have some holes (such as how the retrovirus sustained itself even over its active time period), but I think it's good enough for government work.

The good thing, too, is this stuff is probably still not public knowledge in the galaxy (remember the reactions to "The Chase")--only the practical aspects of how to engineer a hybrid birth.

I'd say the degree of manipulation varies depending on the situation, but it does tend to require at least some.  Heck, I've always imagined canon Dukat did exactly that as part of his little delusions (just like you see Vedek Tora do in SigCat).