2D beings ========= :: Description Beings that perceive only two spatial dimension, like those sentient geometrical figures occupying a two-dimensional world described in the satirical novella "Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions" by E. A. Abbott. Example: The Enterprise-D came into contact with a plane of 2D beings floating towards a cosmic string in tng4x10 "The Loss", and got stuck. References: https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/77883/what-are-the- fundamental-problems-of-being-in-a-2-dimensional-world https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interdimensional_being :: Parents miscellaneous life form 2D space ======== :: Description A mathematical model of a world confined to two spatial dimensions. Example: The Enterprise-D got stuck in a plane of two-dimensional beings in tng4x10 "The Loss". References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TwoDSpace :: Parents speculative lands and worlds, alternate laws of nature AI assistant ============ :: Description There is an artificial intelligence that acts as a personal assistant to a real person. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_assistant :: Parents AI technology AI point of view ================ :: Description We are shown what things might be like from the point of view of a sentient machine. :: Parents views and customs AI prejudice in society ======================= :: Description The issue of a large portion of society having a hostile prejudice against artificial intelligences (or their forerunners) is discussed. :: Parents prejudice in society AI rights ========= :: Description We are made to ponder what intrinsic rights we feel should belong to any human-like sentient being that happens to be artificially constructed. Example: Data was granted parental rights over his android creation Lal when Admiral Haftel attempted to separate the father and daughter in tng3x16 "The Offspring". :: Parents human rights AI safeguards ============= :: Description Ways in which AI can be made safe from becoming kill-all-human machines are discussed. Isaac Asimov's three laws of robotics are a popular example. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence :: Parents AI technology AI technology ============= :: Description The contemporarily popular category of themes that features Artificial Intelligence (AI) in different ways: androids, sentient computers, etc. :: Parents novel sci-fi concept Adolf Hitler ============ :: Description This odious historical character is featured or discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Hitler :: Parents history Adolph Hitler ============= :: Description This odious historical figure is discussed or featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Hitler :: Parents history Amelia Earhart ============== :: Description The life and legend of this historical figure is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amelia_Earhart :: Parents history American Civil War ================== :: Description Featured is the civil war that was fought in the United States from 1861 to 1865. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_War :: Parents history Atlantis ======== :: Description An advanced prehistoric civilization that was destroyed in a great flood. Example: Aquan underwater civilization on the planet Argo was preceded by a land civilization that was destroyed in the wake of global flood triggering earthquakes in tas1x13 "The Ambergris Element". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantis :: Parents crackpot theory Bermuda Triangle ================ :: Description A region where a number of vessels are said to have disappeared. Example: The Enterprise disappeared in the Delta Triangle (The Bermuda Triangle in Space) under mysterious circumstances in tas1x12 "The Time Trap". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bermuda_Triangle :: Parents crackpot theory Buridan's ass ============= :: Description There is a situation in which someone is confronted with two equally attractive options. Due to indecision, the chooser fails to decide and the outcome is worse than picking either option could have been. Background: Buridan's ass is a paradox related to free will that presents a hypothetical situation wherein an ass (i.e. donkey) that is equally hungry and thirsty is placed precisely between a stack of hay and a pail of water. The ass dies of both hunger and thirst since it cannot rationally decide between the hay and the water. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buridan%27s_ass :: Parents human nature Bussard collector ================= :: Description A spaceship propulsion technology the idea of which is to use electromagnetic fields to collect hydrogen from space and fuel a fusion process. Example: The Enterprise-D crew discharged vast amounts of hydrogen from the ship's Bussard collectors in a last ditched attempt to escape from a Tykan's Rift in tng4x17 "Night Terrors". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bussard_ramjet :: Parents starship technology Catholicism =========== :: Description The Catholic religion with its trappings and traditions is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church :: Parents organized religion Christianity ============ :: Description A collection Abrahamic monotheistic religions that are based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity :: Parents organized religion Counter-Earth ============= :: Description A hypothetical planet always on the other side of the Sun from Earth so that it remains hidden from us. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Earth :: Parents speculative lands and worlds, crackpot theory DNA encoded message =================== :: Description The idea of using DNA, which encodes the genetic instructions used in the development of functioning of all known organisms, to encode a conventional message. Example: A secret message was found encoded in pieces in the DNA of numerous separate humanoid alien species in tng6x20 "The Chase". References: https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/26/science/26DNA.html :: Parents topic in science DNA testing =========== :: Description Methods by which DNA can be examined are featured. They may, for example, be used to compare people or identify genetic predispositions. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_testing :: Parents topic in technology Dyson sphere ============ :: Description A truly enormous, hollow sphere constructed around a star to capture its entire energy output. Example: Scotty was found to have crash landed on the outer shell of a Dyson sphere in tng6x04 "Relics". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyson_sphere :: Parents mastering space EQ vs. IQ ========= :: Description Featured are the contrasts, interactions and potential conflicts that can arise between people who are more gifted in the emotional compartment than the intellectual on the one hand, and those that are more gifted intellectually than emotionally on the other. IQ here refers to the logical math and puzzle solving abilities oft associated with intellectuals. EQ refers to the ability of people to recognize there own and others' emotions and respond appropriately to them. :: Parents one-on-one interaction Fermat's Last Theorem ===================== :: Description An interesting mathematical equation famously conjectured by Pierre de Fermat in 1637 in a margin of a copy of Arithemetica, where he claimed he had a proof that was too large to fit in the margin. Example: Captain Picard took a crack at proving this theorem in his readyroom in tng2x12 "The Royale". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermat%27s_Last_Theorem :: Parents topic in science Flatland communication problem ============================== :: Description The idea that beings who for all intents and purposes inhabit a x-dimensional world will have trouble communicating with beings that inhabit a y-dimensional world (whenever x is different from y) because they perceive things in such a radically different way is illustrated. Since we normally perceive three dimension, that common case in stories is to have 3D beings face 2D or 4D beings. Example: In the freely available book "Flatland" (1884) Edwin A. Abbott imagines the memoirs of a 2-dimensional being who was moved into the world of 3-dimensional beings. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatland :: Parents problem of language and meaning Fourier series ============== :: Description A way to represent a wave-like function as a combination of simple sine waves, named in honor of Jean-Baptiste Joseph Fourier. Example: Data revealed that the blinking patterns of some Soong-type androids, although seemingly random, were in fact governed by Fourier series, in tng7x10 "Inheritance". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourier_series :: Parents topic in science Freudian psychoanalysis ======================= :: Description A somewhat unscientific set of psychological and psychotherapeutic theories and associated techniques, originally popularized by Sigmund Freud. Example: A virtual Sigmund Freud psychoanalyzed Data on the holodeck in tng7x06 "Phantasms". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoanalysis :: Parents discredited scientific theory Giuseppe Garibaldi ================== :: Description The life and times of the Italian general, politician and nationalist Giuseppe Garibaldi are featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Garibaldi :: Parents history Golden Rule way of life ======================= :: Description Someone lives by the "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" motto. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Rule :: Parents way of life Hollow Earth ============ :: Description The discredited theory proposing that planets, like the Earth, are entirely hollow or contain substantial interior spaces is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollow_Earth :: Parents crackpot theory Internet crime in society ========================= :: Description One of the various types of Internet related crime known as "cybercrime" is featured, for example "cyberfraud" or "cyberextortion". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_safety https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cybercrime :: Parents the Internet in society Jack the Ripper was really an alien =================================== :: Description The crackpot notion that Jack the Ripper was really an alien. Example: The malevolent entity Redjac was revealed to have been none other than Jack the Ripper in tos2x07 "Wolf in the Fold". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_the_Ripper :: Parents crackpot theory Jovian extraterrestrial ======================= :: Description Featured is a native inhabitant of the planet Jupiter. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jovian_(fiction) :: Parents miscellaneous life form Judaism ======= :: Description The religion of the Jewish people is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism :: Parents organized religion King Arthur =========== :: Description The legend of King Arthur and his round table is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Arthur :: Parents history Lagrange point ============== :: Description One of five points in the plane of orbit of one body around another, e.g., the earth around the sun, at which a small third body can remain stationary with respect to both. Example: A mysterious warship hid in the Lagrange point behind Rana IV’s farthest moon in tng3x03 "The Survivors". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagrangian_point :: Parents topic in science Leonardo da Vinci ================= :: Description The well known historical character Leonardo da Vinci is featured, directly or through his works. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci :: Parents history Lilliputian =========== :: Description Humanoids that are just unusually small for some reason, like the Lilliputians in "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift. Example: Spiroid epsilon waves had turned human scientists into tiny humanoids that were about one sixteenth of an inch tall in tas1x11 "The Terratin Incident". References: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/lilliputian :: Parents miscellaneous life form MMORPGs in society ================== :: Description Social concerns relating to people engaging with "massively multiplayer online role-playing games" are discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massively_multiplayer_online_role- playing_game :: Parents contemporary social issue Martian ======= :: Description Featured is a native inhabitant of the planet Mars. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martian :: Parents miscellaneous life form Messiah complex =============== :: Description A character believes themselves to be a divinely chosen leader and savior of their people. :: Parents pathological state of mind Moon people =========== :: Description A native inhabitant of the the Moon is featured. :: Parents miscellaneous life form Morse code ========== :: Description An historically important method of encoding the alphabet into binary sequences of long and short signals, often audible beeps. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morse_code :: Parents topic in technology Nazi Germany pros and cons ========================== :: Description Nazi Germany is discussed, typically in a negative light. Preposterous as it may seem, however, people sometimes point out perceived advantages of it. Example: The Space Nazi's of tos2x23 "Patterns of Force" were wicked to the core, but they did make the trains run on time. :: Parents social order Nazism ====== :: Description The ideology and set of practices associated with the 20th-century German Nazi Party are discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazism :: Parents social order Neptunian extraterrestrial ========================== :: Description There is an alien race that is native to the planet Neptune in our solar system. :: Parents miscellaneous life form Nirvana ======= :: Description The concept of Nirvana found in Hinduism, Buddhism etc. is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana :: Parents organized religion Phaeton hypothesis ================== :: Description There was a planet between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter whose destruction supposedly led to the formation of the asteroid belt. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaeton_(hypothetical_planet) :: Parents crackpot theory Plato's Republic ================ :: Description Society is supposedly ideal because it is controlled by a class of exalted individuals who are just wiser than the rest. Example: The Platonians of tos3x12 "Plato's Stepchildren" modelled their society on this Platonic ideal. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_(Plato) :: Parents utopia Roswell UFO incident ==================== :: Description In mid-1947, a United States Army Air Forces balloon crashed at a ranch near Roswell, New Mexico, and a notorious crackpot theory that it was a flying saucer ensued. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roswell_UFO_incident :: Parents history SETI ==== :: Description A contemporary scientific endeavor to search for extraterrestrial intelligence, primarily by employing powerful telescopes of different kinds and analyzing the received signals. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_for_extraterrestrial_intelligence :: Parents topic in science STDs in society =============== :: Description The social problem of sexually transmitted diseases is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexually_transmitted_infection :: Parents contemporary social issue Sophie's choice =============== :: Description A character faces a choice where every alternative has significant negative consequences. Example: The Vians went about choosing which one of two Minaran civilizations to save from an impending supernova in a most curious manner in tos3x08 "The Empath". References: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Sophie%27s_choice :: Parents personal ethical dilemma Spartan asceticism ================== :: Description Someone declines luxury and comfort. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asceticism :: Parents agreeable characteristic Stockholm syndrome ================== :: Description A hostage victim comes to feel affection for their captor. Example: Beverly came to empathize with her kidnapper, the terrorist leader Kyril Finn, in tng3x12 "The High Ground". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome :: Parents pathological state of mind Sword of Damocles ================= :: Description It is illustrated that positions of power may come with the fear of a sudden downfall and great personal danger. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damocles :: Parents life lesson The Copernican Principle ======================== :: Description This principle, named in honor of Nicolaus Copernicus, states that Earth is not in a central, specially favored position in the universe. Example: Mark Twain explained in tng5x26 "Time's Arrow" how British naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace had "revived the theory that Earth is at the center of the stellar universe". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copernican_principle :: Parents topic in science The Hippocratic Oath ==================== :: Description The old doctor’s maxim: "above all, do no harm," is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath :: Parents medical ethics Uranian extraterrestrial ======================== :: Description There is an alien race that is native to the planet Uranus in our solar system. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranus :: Parents miscellaneous life form Venusian ======== :: Description Featured is a native inhabitant of the planet Venus. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venusians :: Parents miscellaneous life form World War I =========== :: Description Featured is the global war originating in Europe that lasted from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I :: Parents history World War II ============ :: Description A global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It was the most widespread war in history and directly involved more than 100 million people from over 30 countries. Towards the end the participants had formed two opposing military alliances called "the Allies" and "the Axis". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II :: Parents history X-ray machine ============= :: Description A machine that uses and X-ray generator and X-ray detector to create radiographic images is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-ray_machine :: Parents real gadget a common enemy unites ===================== :: Description The tendency humans have of putting differences aside and collaborating when a common enemy appears is featured. :: Parents human nature a common interest unites ======================== :: Description The tendency humans have of putting differences aside and collaborating when something of mutual interest appears is featured. :: Parents human nature a danger shared can bring people together ========================================= :: Description It is observed how a shared danger to a group of people can work to forge unity and cooperation within that group. Example: By facing a ferocious electromagnetic beast together, Captain Picard and the Tamarian Captain Dathon finally figured out how to communicate in tng5x02 "Darmok". References: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-the-stress-of- disaster-brings-people-together/ :: Parents group interaction a god and its people ==================== :: Description The relationship between a god his, her, or its people is investigated. :: Parents organized religion a leopard can't change its spots ================================ :: Description The human fact that it is often hard or impossible to change such habits as are long ingrained or inborn, is featured. References: https://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/a%20leopard%20can't%20change%20its%20spots :: Parents human nature a person and their clone ======================== :: Description The relationship between a person and a clone of the same person is featured. Example: Riker learned first hand that he was not wholly easy to get along with in tng6x24 "Second Chances" when he came across his own exact duplicate. :: Parents familial relations a wider world ============= :: Description Someone has their horizons broadened and realize what a limited (mental) world they lived in before. :: Parents introspection abiogenesis =========== :: Description The natural process by which life is thought to have arisen from non-living matter such as simple organic compounds. Example: Q brought Captain Picard back in time and showed him the bubbling pool of ooze from which the first complex organic molecules on Earth would emerge in tng7x25 "All Good Things...". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abiogenesis :: Parents topic in science abortion ======== :: Description We are asked to what extent, i.e., at what time in the gestation process and by what manner, if any, abortion should be permitted. Example: Troi was quite taken aback when Worf indelicately suggested that she should terminate her pregnancy in tng2x01 "The Child". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion :: Parents past and present moral controversy absentee father =============== :: Description A father is away from their child for an extended period of time such that the child's development is adversely affected, perhaps because of a remote work assignment. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_absence :: Parents parenting absurdist philosophy ==================== :: Description A school of philosophy largely defined by Albert Camus' beliefs: Efforts of humanity to find inherent meaning will ultimately fail; individuals should embrace this absurd condition of human existence while also defiantly continuing to explore and search for meaning. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absurdism :: Parents metaphysics abuse of authority ================== :: Description Vested authority is used by someone to illegitimately pursuit their own private goals. :: Parents contemporary social issue abuse of real power =================== :: Description Someone has actual power over others, e.g. by muscle, weaponry or magic powers, and use these in a morally contentious way. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abuse_of_power :: Parents contemporary social issue accelerated growth rate ======================= :: Description Technology, for example genetic engineering, is employed to make a person grow and develop faster than normal human development. :: Parents human enhancement acceptance ========== :: Description A character exhibits a mild feeling of being "okay" with someone or something. This is typically used when character shows a willingness to tolerate someone who is unpleasant to their sensibilities. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acceptance :: Parents pleasant emotion accepting reliance on others ============================ :: Description A character has to come to terms with the fact that they are not entirely self-reliant but do in fact rely on friends and colleagues for practical and emotional support. :: Parents introspection accessible extra dimension of space =================================== :: Description There appears to be a fourth spatial dimension into which movement is somewhat and somehow possible. :: Parents speculative lands and worlds, alternate laws of nature accidental alien destruction of planetary civilization ====================================================== :: Description A planetary civilization collapses as a result of some unintended consequence of another civilization's activity. Example: An errand, radioactive space garbage scow orbited the planet Gamelan V in tng4x09 "Final Mission" and subjected the inhabitants to critical levels of radiation. :: Parents extraterrestrial threat accidental alien destruction of planetary ecosystem =================================================== :: Description Otherwise well-meaning aliens inadvertently affect a planets eco-system in a very negative way, for example by introducing alien pathogens that it cannot cope with, and civilization collapses. :: Parents extraterrestrial threat accumulation of wealth vs. personal development =============================================== :: Description A character at a major cross road in their life chooses between pursuing wealth on one hand, and pursuing personal development on the other. Example: Captain Picard explained to Ralph Offenhouse that people of the 24th century no longer cared about accumulating wealth but rather sought personal development in tng1x26 "The Neutral Zone". :: Parents life choice acting ====== :: Description A character reflects on how to play a role in theatre, film, etc. Example: Data played Henry V in Shakespeare's play of the same name on the holodeck in tng3x10 "The Defector". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acting :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities actions have consequences ========================= :: Description A character learns that their actions come with consequences. Example: Moses in Attack the Block (2011) learned this in various ways. :: Parents life lesson activism ======== :: Description A social movement that aims to change society in various ways is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activism :: Parents contemporary social issue acupuncture =========== :: Description A form of alternative medicine in which thin needles are inserted into the body. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupuncture :: Parents topic in medicine acute anxiety ============= :: Description A character exhibits general nervousness, fear, and paranoia. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_attack :: Parents pathological state of mind addiction to sensation ====================== :: Description Someone is addicted to a sensation such as pain or fear to the extent that they suffer withdrawal symptoms if they do not experience said sensations. :: Parents pathological state of mind addictive drugs as a control mechanism ====================================== :: Description Rulers supply addictive drugs to their own people in order to make the regime more indispensable and thus perpetuate their own rule. :: Parents social order adds in society =============== :: Description We are made to ponder the place of advertisements in society and whether they are sometimes too intrusive and ubiquitous. :: Parents contemporary social issue admiration ========== :: Description A character exhibits a strong feeling of approval that is grounded in acceptance and trust in a person of competence, talent, or skill exceeding standards. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Admiration :: Parents pleasant emotion adolescence =========== :: Description Problems associated with people during the period from puberty to legal adulthood. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolescence :: Parents growing up adopting a child ================ :: Description A character struggles with the major life decision of whether to adopt a child. Example: Worf ritually adopted Jeremy Aster into the House of Mogh after the boy's mother died in the line of duty in tng3x05 "The Bonding". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adoption :: Parents life choice adoption ======== :: Description A character legally adopts a child as their own in spite of not being the biological parent. Example: Talarians adopted the human boy Jono after having savagely massacred his family in a raid in tng4x04 "Suddenly Human". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adoption :: Parents parenting ads everywhere dystopia ======================= :: Description We imagine what life might be like as ads become evermore ubiquitous and intrusive. :: Parents dystopia aerial bombing of cities ======================== :: Description The military strategy of bombing cities which first became widespread in World War I is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerial_bombing_of_cities :: Parents war aesthetics ========== :: Description The branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of art, beauty, and taste; and with the creation and appreciation of beauty. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesthetics :: Parents classical philosophy age sensitivity =============== :: Description A character is touchy on the subject of their age. :: Parents human characteristic agility vs. strength ==================== :: Description An quick and spry person is pitched against a physically powerful opponent in a fight and we wonder which of these qualities is more important for victory. Example: Captain Kirk was pitted in an epic battle of agility and brains vs. strength against a Gorn captain in tos1x19 "The Arena". References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/discussion.php?id=1aq3z3atystdgmfhsuk0efx9 :: Parents the art of war aging machine ============= :: Description Featured is a machine that makes people age at an accelerated rate. :: Parents fictional apparatus agreeable characteristic ======================== :: Description A character trait that is generally admirable and typically considered beneficial to society is featured. :: Parents human characteristic airliner ======== :: Description A type of aircraft for transporting passengers and air cargo is featured in a science fictional context. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airliner :: Parents mastering space airship ======= :: Description A type of lighter-than-air aircraft that can navigate through the air under its own power is featured in a science fictional context. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airship :: Parents mastering space alcohol metabolism ================== :: Description The process by which the body rids itself of alcohol and, in particular, the time it takes to "sober up". Example: Captain Picard explained to Dirgo that alcohol would not quench their thirst but would rather aggravate it in tng4x09 "Final Mission". :: Parents topic in science alcohol prohibition =================== :: Description A ban on the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition_in_the_United_States :: Parents contemporary social issue alcoholism ========== :: Description A character imbibes in the drinking of quantities of alcohol that results in mental or physical health problems. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholism :: Parents drug addiction alien abduction =============== :: Description The abduction of someone against their will by aliens. Example: Captain Picard was abducted from the Enterprise-D by a pair of unnamed aliens and replaced with a replica in tng3x18 "Allegiance". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_abduction :: Parents crackpot theory alien brought pandemic ====================== :: Description Aliens from outer space bring with then an infectious disease that threatens life on your planet. Example: The plant-like Phylosians were brought to the brink of extinction by an alien brought pandemic in tas1x07 "The Infinite Vulcan". References: http://bigthink.com/paul-ratner/could-alien-diseases-wipe-out- humanity :: Parents extraterrestrial threat alien civilization ================== :: Description Human civilization encounters an alien civilization. Note: This theme is not used when any mere alien is featured unless that alien's whole civilization is referenced and discussed vis-à-vis human civilization. :: Parents what if society were different alien composed of autonomous parts ================================== :: Description A being whose body can, at will, divide into parts that each move and act of their own accord. Example: Captain Kirk was somewhat taken aback when Ari bn Bem suddenly separated into several autonomous parts in tas2x02 "Bem". References: http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Colony_creature :: Parents miscellaneous life form alien customs ============= :: Description We are shown possible alternative customs and traditions that perhaps make us take our own convictions less for granted. :: Parents views and customs alien experiment ================ :: Description The performing of experiments on human subjects by aliens. Example: Riker was abducted by subspace aliens and used as the subject in a bizarre series experiments in tng6x05 "Schisms". In one such experiment, the aliens amputated Riker's arm and then had it surgically reattached. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AnalProbing :: Parents crackpot theory alien impregnation of human females =================================== :: Description The impregnation of a woman by an alien, typically without her consent and sometimes without her knowledge. Example: Troi was impregnated by an incorporeal entity that sought to experience the world as a humanoid in tng2x01 "The Child". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_abduction :: Parents crackpot theory alien meddling in history ========================= :: Description The idea that aliens have been actively involved in directing the course of human history, is put forth. It may, for example, be suggested that the outcome of some pivotal event, say Germany's defeat in WW2, was orchestrated by extraterrestrials. :: Parents crackpot theory alien morals ============ :: Description We are shown possible alternative systems of morality that perhaps make us take our own convictions less for granted. :: Parents views and customs alien origin of near-death experiences ====================================== :: Description The crackpot notion that aliens are somehow behind the various weird things people may experience when they are on the brink of death. :: Parents crackpot theory alien origin of religious claims ================================ :: Description The theory that aliens were behind some aspect of religions on Earth is featured. Example: In bbf2x22 "The Fall of Night" it is revealed that the Vorlon appear to us as angels and that they were present on Earth a long time ago. :: Parents crackpot theory alien origin of the human race ============================== :: Description The crackpot notion that aliens came to Earth and created the human race. Example: The renown Federation archaeologist Richard Galen was hot on the trail of an extinct race of primordial humanoids in tng6x20 "The Chase". :: Parents crackpot theory alien overseers =============== :: Description There is an advanced race of beings that for one reason or another have chosen to become the guardians of a less advanced race. :: Parents superior life form alien point of view =================== :: Description We are shown what things might be like from the point of view of an alien species. :: Parents views and customs alien secretly living among us ============================== :: Description The crackpot notion that aliens are living secretly among normal people. Example: Riker was sent to live secretly among the Malcorians in preparation for a possible first contact scenario in tng4x15 "First Contact". :: Parents crackpot theory alien with the body of a toddler ================================ :: Description A fully mature, sentient being with a body that closely resembles a human baby. Example: Balok, captain of the First Federation starship Fesarius, had the body of a toddler in tos1x02 "The Corbomite Maneuver" :: Parents biologically distinguished life form aliens inspiring great people ============================= :: Description The notion that aliens influenced historically significant thinkers and artists to come up with their famous ideas, is featured. :: Parents crackpot theory aliens meddling in history ========================== :: Description The idea that aliens have been directly and deliberately involved in setting the course of human history here on Earth is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_astronauts :: Parents crackpot theory aliens talking to us in our dreams ================================== :: Description The crackpot notion aliens communicate with people in their dreams. Example: Troi was contacted in her dreams by telepathic aliens trapped in Tykan's Rift in tng4x17 "Night Terrors". :: Parents crackpot theory alternate laws of nature ======================== :: Description The category of themes that posit worlds or universes where the laws of nature are different from what we know. These worlds may allow time travel or even magic. :: Parents novel sci-fi concept alternate life ============== :: Description The category of themes that are about incredible things or circumstances that could (potentially, hypothetically or in our wildest imagination) befall an individual. :: Parents science fiction and fantasy theme alternate points of view ======================== :: Description We are shown what things might be like from other peoples’ points of view. :: Parents views and customs alternate society ================= :: Description The category of themes that are about how society could be different - either in the future, in an alien population, or in a different universe altogether. :: Parents science fiction and fantasy theme alternative medicine ==================== :: Description Alternative medicine or fringe medicine are practices claimed to have the healing effects of medicine but which are disproven, unproven, impossible to prove, or are excessively harmful in relation to their effect. Example: The Kahn-ut-to woman Nona cured Captain Kirk of the poisonous effects of a Mugato bite by rubbing a mahko root over his chest in tos2x16 "A Private Little War". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_medicine :: Parents discredited scientific theory amazement ========= :: Description A character exhibits a feeling of astonishment, a stronger version of the theme "surprise", bordering on disbelief. This is typically used when a character experiences something truly wondrous, like meeting a god. Example: William T. Riker was amazed to meet his duplicate Thomas Riker in tng6x24 "Second Chances". References: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/amazement https://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Contrasting_and_categorization_of_emotions#Plutchik.27s_wheel_of_emotions :: Parents pleasant emotion ambiguity in ancient texts ========================== :: Description A point is made of the fact that many old texts and prophesies can easily be misinterpreted today because language is ambiguous and the context of those days were different from that of today. :: Parents problem of language and meaning amicable disposition ==================== :: Description A positive attitudes we may have towards one another is featured. :: Parents human disposition amphibian-like being ==================== :: Description A life form patterned after amphibians. :: Parents earth-life inspired life form anarchy ======= :: Description There is lawless anarchy due to the absence of a functioning government. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchy :: Parents social order anarchy vs. pacifism ==================== :: Description An lawless philosophy of life is contrasted with a pacifist philosophy of life. Anarchist here means a distaste or disregard for rules, while a pacifist’s main tenet is a rejection of the use of violence. Example: The pacifistic Mizarans were contrasted with the anarchistic Chalnoth in tng3x18 "Allegiance". The Chalnoth Esoqq considered eating the Mizaran Kova Toll as they were interned together without adequate food. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacifism :: Parents social dichotomy anarchy vs. rule of law ======================= :: Description An anarchist philosophy of life is contrasted with a philosophy of life that emphasizes law and order. Anarchist usually means a distaste or disregard for rules. :: Parents social dichotomy ancient aliens ============== :: Description The hypothesis popularized by Erich von Däniken, that the technologies and religions of our ancient civilizations were given them by aliens whom they welcomed as gods. Example: Ensign Dawson Walking Bear recognized a winged, serpentine alien as the Mayan god Kulkulkan in tas 2x05 "How Sharper Than a Serpant's Tooth". Walking Bear recounted how Kulkulkan gave the Mayans an accurate calendar and instructed them in the art of city building. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_astronauts :: Parents crackpot theory ancient artificial custodian ============================ :: Description An intelligent machine is left by a long gone civilization on a planet and becomes its guardian or caretaker. Example: A landing party encountered the artificial custodian Portal 6-3 on a planet formerly belonging to the long disappeared Tkon Empire in tng1x05 "The Last Outpost". :: Parents AI technology ancient astronauts ================== :: Description The theory that intelligent extraterrestrial beings visited Earth and made contact with humans in antiquity and prehistoric times. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_astronauts :: Parents crackpot theory android ======= :: Description A robot designed to look and act like a human. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(robot) :: Parents AI technology android clone of a person ========================= :: Description There is an android (a robot designed to look and act like a human) which is physically and mentally, to some extent, a copy of a real person. :: Parents AI technology anger ===== :: Description A character exhibits displeasure or vexation to a point that rises above mere "annoyance", but is not quite so intense that they fall into a "rage", loose control of themself, and start smashing glass tables. Example: Leah Brahms was aghast to find that Geordi had simulated her on the holodeck in tng4x16 "Galaxy’s Child". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anger https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Contrasting_and_categorization_of_emotions#Plutchik.27s_wheel_of_emotions :: Parents unpleasant emotion anger management issues ======================= :: Description A character struggles consciously to handle their inner anger. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anger_management :: Parents introspection animal cruelty ============== :: Description The infliction by omission (animal neglect) or by commission by humans of suffering or harm upon any non-human animal is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruelty_to_animals :: Parents contemporary social issue animal guide ============ :: Description The shamanistic belief in spirit animal guides is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totem :: Parents superstition animal rights ============= :: Description We are made to ponder what rights, if any, various animals should have in vis-à-vis human society. :: Parents human rights animal sacrifice ================ :: Description The ritual killing and offering of an animal usually as part of a religious ritual or to appease or maintain favor with a deity is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_sacrifice :: Parents organized religion animal testing ============== :: Description The controversy surrounding the use of non-human animals in experiments is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_testing :: Parents contemporary social issue animal training =============== :: Description The science of how animals are trained. Example: Data was in his own words "largely unsuccessful" in his efforts to train Spot the cat in tng7x09 "Forces of Nature". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_training :: Parents scientific discipline ankle bracelet ============== :: Description A device used to control prisoners. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankle_monitor :: Parents real gadget annihilation by WMDs ==================== :: Description People employ weapons of mass destruction, a.k.a. WMDs, and threaten planetary civilization. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weapon_of_mass_destruction https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_catastrophic_risk :: Parents man-made existential risk annihilation by a device that stops fusion in a star ==================================================== :: Description A single device capable of stopping the fusion process in a star is featured. Example: Captain Picard destroyed the Tox Uthat, a devise capable of stopping nuclear fusion in a star, rather than risk letting it fall into the hands of the Vorgons in tng3x19 "Captain's Holiday". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomsday_device :: Parents man-made existential risk annihilation by a planet busting device ======================================= :: Description A device capable of utterly destroying a planet (or worse) is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomsday_device :: Parents man-made existential risk annoyance ========= :: Description Someone has a feeling of irritation that borders on mild "anger". Example: Captain Picard was rather annoyed with Mot the barber for giving his two cents on Federation-Romulan relations in tng5x03 "Ensign Ro". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annoyance https://en.wikipedia.org/w iki/Contrasting_and_categorization_of_emotions#Plutchik.27s_wheel_of_emotions :: Parents unpleasant emotion antagonistic disposition ======================== :: Description A negative attitudes we may have towards one another is featured. :: Parents human disposition anti-aging technology ===================== :: Description Technology that undoes aging and takes years of your face! References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_extension :: Parents human enhancement anti-gravity technology ======================= :: Description A device that creates a place or object that is free from the force of gravity. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-gravity :: Parents fictional apparatus anti-intellectualism ==================== :: Description Someone expresses hostility towards and mistrust of intellect, intellectuals, and intellectual pursuits. Example: Daystrom was harassed by philistines like Captain Kirk who didn’t understand is his great achievements in duotronic computing in tos2x24 "The Ultimate Computer". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-intellectualism :: Parents way of life anti-intellectualism in society =============================== :: Description The ramifications of anti-intellectualism in society are explored. Example: Daystrom was harassed by philistines like Captain Kirk who didn’t understand is his great achievements in duotronic computing in tos2x24 "The Ultimate Computer". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-intellectualism :: Parents contemporary social issue anti-science in society ======================= :: Description The opposition between adherents of a scientific way of thinking with people who feel threatened by it is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiscience :: Parents past and present moral controversy anti-war activism ================= :: Description A group of people organizes in opposition to a particular nation's decision to start or carry on an armed conflict. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-war_movement :: Parents activism anticipation ============ :: Description A character feels that something significant but inevitable is about to happen. It is implicit that the character expresses "interest" about the impending happening, but "vigilance" is unwarranted, since it cannot be changed. Example: Captain Kirk, Spock, and McCoy anticipated being tortured to death by the Vians in tos3x08 "The Empath". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anticipation :: Parents pleasant emotion antigovernment militia movement =============================== :: Description A militant rebel movement that strives to overthrow the sitting government is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militia_organizations_in_the_United_States :: Parents contemporary social issue anxiety ======= :: Description Someone is troubled by worries over an uncertain event in the near future. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety :: Parents state of mind apartheid ========= :: Description We are made to think of the system of institutionalised racial segregation and discrimination that existed in South Africa from 1948 until the early 1990s. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apartheid :: Parents past and present moral controversy aphasia ======= :: Description Aphasia is an inability to comprehend and formulate language because of damage to specific brain regions. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphasia :: Parents topic in medicine apocalypse anarchy ================== :: Description People throw a party when the end of the world is at hand. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ApocalypseAnarchy :: Parents group interaction appearance altering technology ============================== :: Description There is technology by which someone can be physically altered to look notably different. Typically this means that the shape of their face is changed. Application of makeup does not count. :: Parents human enhancement appearances can be deceiving ============================ :: Description We are shown that people may not always be quite what they appear to be. References: https://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/looks%20can%20be%20deceiving/deceptive https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/appearances+can+be+deceiving :: Parents life lesson appeasement policy ================== :: Description Diplomats from one faction make political or material concessions to an aggressive other faction in order to avoid conflict. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appeasement :: Parents diplomacy apprehension ============ :: Description Someone experiences mild anxiety about the near future, but it falls short of being genuine "fear". Example: Scotty was apprehensive about something feeling wrong with the Enterprise engines in tos3x14 "That Which Survives". The chief engineer was summarily advised by Spock to " avoid emotionalism and simply keep your instruments correct". :: Parents unpleasant emotion aquaphobia ========== :: Description A persistent and abnormal fear of water is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaphobia :: Parents pathological state of mind arachnophobia ============= :: Description Someone exhibits a fear of spiders. Example: Miles O'Brien confided in Barclay that he overcame arachnophobia by crawling into a Jefferies tube filled with twenty Talarian hook spiders in tng6x02 "Realm of Fear". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apprehension :: Parents pathological state of mind archaeology =========== :: Description The scientific study of human activity through excavation of old sites, analysis of artefacts, etc. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeology :: Parents scientific discipline arcology ======== :: Description Architectural design for very densely populated, ecologically low-impact human habitats. Arcology is distinguished from a merely large building in that it is designed to lessen the impact of human habitation on any given ecosystem. It could be self-sustainable, for example. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcology :: Parents speculative habitat, mastering space aristocracy =========== :: Description Featured is a form of government that places power in the hands of a small, privileged ruling class. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristocracy :: Parents social order aristocracy vs. bourgeoisie =========================== :: Description The question of whether the noble classes or the merchant classes should have more power in society is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristocracy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourgeoisie :: Parents social order arms race ========= :: Description Two rival factions each strive to improve to their arsenal of weaponry in order to outdo the other and gain an upper hand in the event of a war. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arms_race :: Parents war arms trade ========== :: Description One faction sells weapons to another faction. To what extent is the seller responsible for the actions carried out with such weapons? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arms_industry :: Parents war arranged marriage ================= :: Description We are asked to what extent, if any, people should be free to marry whom they choose, or whether parents and other interested parties should have a say. Example: Spock urgently returned to Vulcan for the expressed purpose of wedding, and subsequently copulating with, his arranged bride T'Pring in tos2x05 "Amok Time". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arranged_marriage :: Parents past and present moral controversy art appreciation ================ :: Description How best to appreciate art is discussed. Example: Data found evidence of "unsettling overtones of proto-Vulcan influences" in Picard's painting of a nude model in tng3x14 "A Matter of Perspective". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_criticism :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities artificial blood ================ :: Description A substance used to mimic and fulfill some functions of biological blood is featured in a science fictional context. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_substitute :: Parents human enhancement artificial gland ================ :: Description A device that can replace a gland in the body. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gland :: Parents human enhancement artificial gravity technology ============================= :: Description Technology that can be used to create more gravity than there is really mass present to account for. This is typically used to make life in a spaceship easier. Example: In tos3x18 "The Lights of Zetar" Mira was put into a pressurized anti-gravity chamber in order to expel alien influences from her mind. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_gravity :: Parents fictional apparatus artificial heart ================ :: Description A a device that replaces the heart is featured in a science fictional context. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_heart :: Parents human enhancement artificial insemination ======================= :: Description The deliberate introduction of sperm into a female's uterus or cervix for the purpose of achieving a pregnancy through in vivo fertilization by means other than sexual intercourse. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_insemination :: Parents topic in science artificial island ================= :: Description An island that has been constructed by people rather than formed by natural means. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_island :: Parents speculative habitat, mastering space artificial lungs ================ :: Description Artificially created human lungs. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_lung :: Parents human enhancement artificial planet ================= :: Description An entire planet designed and constructed by some sentient race. Example: A mysterious planetoid turned out to be a wholly artificial artifact of a long gone alien civilization in tos3x14 "That Which Survives". :: Parents speculative habitat, mastering space assimilating alien ================== :: Description There is an species-like alien faction that propagates itself not by conventional reproduction but by assimilating members of other alien races. Note: terminology becomes problematic in this case as there is typically something very much like an alien race, yet biologically it is not in strictly speaking a race or a species. :: Parents culturally distinguished life form assisting in suicide ==================== :: Description Someone debates whether or not it is ethical to help another in that other person's attempt to end their own life. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_suicide :: Parents personal ethical dilemma asteroid belt ============= :: Description A a ring of small and large rocks and dust in orbit around a star. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteroid_belt :: Parents what's out there asteroid deflection =================== :: Description A collection of methods by which an asteroid could be diverted from colliding with a planetary target. Example: After the Enterprise had spectacularly failed to divert an asteroid, Captain Kirk accidentally activated an ancient asteroid deflecting device on the planet’s surface in tos3x03 "The Paradise Syndrome". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteroid_impact_avoidance :: Parents topic in science asteroid deflector ================== :: Description A device capable of protecting its host planet by deflecting incoming asteroids. Example: After the Enterprise had spectacularly failed to divert the asteroid, Captain Kirk accidentally activated an ancient asteroid deflecting device on the planet’s surface in tos3x03 "The Paradise Syndrome". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteroid_impact_avoidance :: Parents mastering space asteroid impact =============== :: Description Life on a planet is threatened by an asteroid that is on a collision course with it. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_event :: Parents force majeure existential risk asteroid mining =============== :: Description Interesting minerals are extracted from an asteroid. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteroid_mining :: Parents mastering space astrology ========= :: Description The study of the movements and relative positions of celestial objects as a means for divining information about human affairs and terrestrial events. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrology :: Parents superstition astronomy ========= :: Description The scientific discipline of astronomy, the study of celestial objects and phenomena, is highlighted. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomy :: Parents scientific discipline atmospheric dissipation ======================= :: Description The atmosphere on a planet disappears and civilization collapses. Example: Worf's unruly brother Nikolai save a group of Boraalan villagers from certain death in a rapid atmospheric dissipation event on their homeworld in tng7x13 "Homeward". References: http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Atmospheric_dissipation :: Parents force majeure existential risk atomic warfare ============== :: Description Nuclear weapons are used in war. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_warfare :: Parents war atrocities of war ================= :: Description Atrocities, such as torture or the mass killing of civilians, are carried out during the course of a war. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_crime :: Parents war atrophied civilization ====================== :: Description Civilization simply stagnates and becomes weak to the point where it may not be capable of safeguarding its own continuation. :: Parents man-made existential risk attachment to one's land ======================== :: Description The human penchant for becoming attached to geographical locations is featured. This is perhaps a nicer way of referring to human territoriality. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Place_attachment :: Parents human need attachment to one's livelihood ============================== :: Description The human tendency to become attached to a profession and be reluctant to give it up is featured. Example: Xenophobic miners on Janus VI nearly killed the last alien of a species rather than give up their lucrative livelihood in tos1x26 "The Devil in the Dark". :: Parents human need attachment to one's people ========================== :: Description The human tendency to build up loyalty to the people in the society we live in for a long time is featured. This is perhaps a nicer way of referring to (ethno-) nationalism. Example: Ro Larren decided to betray the Federation and side with her own people in tng7x24 "Preemptive Strike". :: Parents human need attack from outer space by a genocidal enemy ============================================ :: Description Homicidal aliens from outer space come to your home planet and massacre everyone. Example: The colonists of Tau Cygna V were slated for extermination by the genocidal Sheliak in tng3x02 "The Ensigns of Command". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_invasion :: Parents extraterrestrial threat attack from outer space by a giant space amoeba =============================================== :: Description An enormous space-dwelling, single-celled organism with amoeba-like characteristics engulfs your whole planet and consumes every last thing living on it as well as the planet itself. Example: The Gamma 7A system, with its billions of inhabitants, was utterly destroyed by a giant space amoeba in tos2x19 "The Immunity Syndrome". :: Parents extraterrestrial threat attack from outer space by a powerful conquering alien race =========================================================== :: Description Imperialistic aliens from outer space come along and subjugate your civlization to their own ends. Example: The mirror universe Halkan homeworld was under threat of being conquered or destroyed by the savage Terran Empire in tos2x10 "Mirror, Mirror". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_invasion :: Parents extraterrestrial threat attack from outer space by a world eating machine ================================================= :: Description An enormous world eating machine gobbles up your whole planet for food or fuel. Example: All the planets in systems L-370 and L-374 were reduced to rubble by a world eating machine in tos2x06 "The Doomsday Machine". :: Parents extraterrestrial threat attack from outer space by a world eating space cloud ===================================================== :: Description An enormous world eating cloud from outer space gobbles up your whole planet for food or fuel. Example: The planet Mantiles, with its 82 million colonists, was very nearly consumed by a giant space cloud in tas1x03 "One of our Planets is Missing". :: Parents extraterrestrial threat attitude towards the dead ========================= :: Description We are shown possible ways of thinking about death and the departed. Example: Most of us feel a measure of respect for the body of a late compatriot, but the Klingons in tng1x20 "Heart of Glory" demonstrated complete disregard for the empty husk of a corpse their friend had recently departed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Death_customs :: Parents views and customs augmented reality ================= :: Description There is technology that allows a person to see artificial digital information overlaid on top of their real view of the world. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality :: Parents human enhancement aunt and nephew =============== :: Description The relationship between an aunt and her nephew is featured. :: Parents familial relations automatic butchering machine ============================ :: Description A machine that takes an whole animal and automatically butchers it into cuts of meat and so forth is featured. :: Parents fictional apparatus automatic surgery machine ========================= :: Description A non-sentient machine that can nonetheless perform surgery without human supervision. Example: In Prometheus (2012) Shaw used such a machine to remove a squid-like alien that was growing inside of her. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robot-assisted_surgery :: Parents fictional apparatus autonomous sentient coworker ============================ :: Description An artificial co-worker, for example a robot, that is autonomous and sentient. :: Parents AI technology autonomous sentient tool ======================== :: Description A sentient robot that functions essentially as a multi-purpose tool with a high degree of problem-solving ability. :: Parents AI technology autonomous weapon systems in society ==================================== :: Description Discussed is in what way the constitution of society as we know it may change with the emergence of weapons that can to a large extent operate on their own. For example, such systems may be used to oppress people for pennies a day. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethal_autonomous_weapon :: Parents contemporary social issue autonomous weapons system ========================= :: Description There is a weapons system that has a sufficient degree of artificial intelligence so as to select targets and operate entirely on its own, once unleashed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethal_autonomous_weapon :: Parents AI technology autonomous weapons system killing everyone ========================================== :: Description People create weapons systems (killer robots etc.) that can function all on their own but things get out of hand and the weapons kill everyone. :: Parents man-made existential risk avarice ======= :: Description A character is obsessed with the pursuit of material possessions. Example: DaiMon Lurin, motivated by profit, temporarily seized control of the Enterprise-D and threatened to force its crew to work the mines of Ligos VII in tng6x07 "Rascals". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greed :: Parents deadly sin avian being =========== :: Description A being patterned after birds. Example: The historian Aleek-Om, a bird-like alien of the race Aurelian, took tricorder readings in the vicinity of the Guardian of Forever in tas1x02 "Yesteryear". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_avian_humanoids :: Parents earth-life inspired life form awe === :: Description A character exhibits a strong feeling of wonder and amazement, often tinted with a dash of fear and reverence. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awe :: Parents pleasant emotion awkward expecting father ======================== :: Description There is a man whose mate is expecting his child and he acts in a stereotypically cloddish way with respect to this. For example, he may stumble over his own feet and get in the way in the delivery room to such an extent that the women send him off to boil unneeded water instead. :: Parents male stereotype baby incubator pod ================== :: Description A device for maintaining the growing a baby from conception to the point where they can enter the world is featured. :: Parents fictional apparatus bad government exports while the people are starving ==================================================== :: Description The governing body of a faction focuses time and resources on producing exports in order to strengthen the country or merely enrich themselves, all the while internal conditions are abysmal for the great majority of the population. Example: This is a charge often levied against Mao Zedong and wrt. the Great Chinese Famine of 1959-1961 in particular. :: Parents contemporary social issue bad influence on children ========================= :: Description A parent's concern for the bad influence someone may have on their child is noted. :: Parents parenting ball-shaped being ================= :: Description A being that is basically a bouncing ball. :: Parents miscellaneous life form basic calculus ============== :: Description A large and important area of mathematics with applications in all fields of science and engineering. Example: Young Harry did not understand why he had to study calculus in tng1x17 "When The Bough Breaks". He would much rather have spent his time sculpting dolphins. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calculus :: Parents topic in science be careful what you wish for ============================ :: Description Someone gets what they desire only to find out that they really shouldn’t have desired it in the first place. :: Parents life lesson be mindful of first impressions =============================== :: Description Someone learns how important first impressions can be as they often last longer in the mind than subsequent memories. Example: Sonya Gomez made a terrible first impression when she spilled hot chocolate all over Captain Picard on her first day in tng2x16 "Q Who". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_impression_(psychology) :: Parents life lesson be vary of fraudsters ===================== :: Description A character learns to be careful with whom they trust because there are many clever scoundrels around. :: Parents life lesson beards ====== :: Description The sublime matter of pogonotrophy (the cultivation of one's facial hair) is discussed. Example: Star Trek enthusiasts were treated to a double dose of Riker and his beard in tng6x24 "Second Chances". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facial_hair :: Parents male stereotype beating one's self up ===================== :: Description A character chastises themself over a perceived failure, usually in a way that is unfair or unnecessary. References: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/beat-yourself- up :: Parents introspection beauty and beast romance ======================== :: Description A beautiful person and an extremely ugly person become romantically involved. :: Parents romantic relationship beauty is in the eye of the beholder ==================================== :: Description We are shown that the perception of what is beautiful or not depends on the observer. What is pretty to one may be ugly to another. Example: The grotesque looking Horta alien thought that it was the humans that should be pitied for their unsightly appearance in tos1x26 "The Devil in the Dark". References: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/beauty_is_in_the_eye_of_the_beholder :: Parents views and customs becoming a nicer person ======================= :: Description A character struggles to change their personality so as to become kinder towards others in general. :: Parents introspection becoming like what you oppose ============================= :: Description A character realizes that by acting like their enemy they are becoming like their enemy. :: Parents introspection bedrock dwelling alien ====================== :: Description Aliens that live literally in bedrock. Example: The Horta, itself composed of silicon, eked out a living by burrowing tunnels in the bedrock on Janus VI in tos1x26 "The Devil in the Dark". :: Parents inhospitable environment dwelling life form being ashamed of who you are ============================ :: Description A character thinks about why the feel ashamed for who they are. :: Parents introspection being bitter about one's life ============================= :: Description A character reflects on their life with caustic bitterness over things that did not turn out to their satisfaction. :: Parents introspection being famous is not all it's cracked up to be ============================================= :: Description The age old wisdom that it may not be as much fun as it looks to be a celebrity is illustrated. :: Parents life lesson being that feeds on emotions ============================ :: Description An alien life form that somehow derives nourishment from the emotions of beings that have emotions. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/EmotionEater :: Parents parasitic life form being that feeds on radiation ============================= :: Description A life form that somehow derives nourishment from radiation, perhaps from an atomic power supply. :: Parents miscellaneous life form being uptight vs. loosening up ============================== :: Description A character wrestles with whether to be an uptight person or a relaxed and easy going person. :: Parents life choice being wiped out by more powerful aliens ======================================= :: Description A civilization is destroyed, perhaps perhaps intentionally, by the actions of comparatively more advanced aliens. Example: A Douwd wiped the Husnock clean out of existence in tng3x03 "The Survivors". :: Parents extraterrestrial threat bellicosity =========== :: Description A character is aggressive and hostile. :: Parents disagreeable characteristic belonging ========= :: Description Members of a group feel that they are an essential part of that group. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belongingness :: Parents group interaction best laid plans often go awry ============================= :: Description The proverbial expression used to signify the futility of making detailed plans when the ability to fully or even partially execute them is uncertain is featured. References: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/best_laid_plans :: Parents life lesson bestiality ========== :: Description Bestiality is cross-species sexual activity between human and non-human animals. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoophilia :: Parents past and present moral controversy betrayal ======== :: Description A character betrays the trust of friend, a family tie, or some other loyalty. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betrayal :: Parents one-on-one interaction better to have loved and lost ============================= :: Description The wisdom in the old saying "it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all" is illustrated. Example: When star-crossed lovers Nella Daren and Captain Picard opted to part ways after a passionate but turbulent dalliance in tng6x19 "Lessons", both seemed decidedly happier for the experience they had shared. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Memoriam_A.H.H. :: Parents life lesson big banking in society ====================== :: Description The ramifications of big banking in society are explored. :: Parents contemporary social issue bigotry in society ================== :: Description The ramifications of bigotry, insensitivity to other peoples beliefs, in society are explored. References: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/bigotry :: Parents contemporary social issue bilaterally colored alien ========================= :: Description A sentient species whose members have different skin pigmentation on the left side and the right side of their bodies respectively. Example: Cheron natives Bele and Lokai were black on one side and white on the other In tos3x15 "Let that be your Last Battlefield" :: Parents biologically distinguished life form binary pulsar ============= :: Description Two highly magnetized, rotating neutron stars or white dwarfs that emit beams of electromagnetic radiation rotate about each other and a common center of gravity. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_pulsar :: Parents what's out there binary star system ================== :: Description A star system consisting of two stars orbiting around their common center of mass. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_star :: Parents what's out there binary thinking alien ===================== :: Description An alien race that is said to think like a computer in ones and zeros. Example: The Bynar of Bynaus though in binary in tng1x15 "11001001". :: Parents mentally distinguished life form bio-mimicking life form ======================= :: Description An alien that can copy the shape of other aliens. An original is needed to stand model. :: Parents shapeshifter bioengineered human pathogen ============================ :: Description A virus, bacterium or equivalent type of infectious substance has been engineered by human hand. :: Parents bioengineering technology bioengineering technology ========================= :: Description An as-yet fictional thing that may conceivably be done with bioengineering techniques in the future. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_engineering :: Parents novel sci-fi concept biological computer =================== :: Description A machine that works much like a classical computer but is grown out of organic materials. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_computing :: Parents fictional apparatus biological computer virus ========================= :: Description A virus that is more like real viruses than computer viruses but infects biological components of a biological computer. :: Parents what's out there biological machinery ==================== :: Description There is an artificial device with components that are biological in nature. Note: This theme is not used for sentient objects such as androids. :: Parents bioengineering technology biological spaceship ==================== :: Description A spaceship made up of biological components, i.e., cells and such. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioship :: Parents spacecraft biological warfare ================== :: Description Biological weapons, i.e., man-made diseases, are used in warfare. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_warfare :: Parents war biologically distinguished life form ==================================== :: Description The category of themes that posit aliens with particular kinds of biologies such as living in symbiosis or having unusual methods of reproduction. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_extraterrestrials https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_extraterrestrials_by_form :: Parents novel alien concept bird in a gilded cage ===================== :: Description Someone faces living in luxury but without freedom. Example: Harry Mudd was waited on by an army of ostensibly loyal androids and had everything he could wish for except the freedom to leave in tos2x12 "I, Mudd". References: https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/a+bird+in+a+gilded+cage :: Parents facing general adversity birth control ============= :: Description We are asked what, if any, birth control methods are acceptable. Example: The People of Gideon, the Space Catholics, were fundamentally opposed to using birth control as a means to solve their over-population crisis in tos3x17 "The Mark of Gideon". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_control :: Parents past and present moral controversy bisexualism =========== :: Description A character displays an attraction to both men and women. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisexuality :: Parents past and present moral controversy black hole ========== :: Description A region of space exhibiting such strong gravitational effects that nothing (not even particles and electromagnetic radiation such as light) can escape from inside it. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_hole :: Parents what's out there black hole dwelling alien ========================= :: Description Aliens that live in black holes, i.e., in stellar bodies so dense and heavy that not even light can escape their gravitational pull. This is not to be confused with black aliens who dwell in holes. Example: Extradimensional aliens used a Romulan ship’s quantum singularity engine as a nursery, mistaking it for the kind of black hole in which they normally dwell, in tng6x25 "Timescape". :: Parents inhospitable environment dwelling life form black sheep =========== :: Description Someone is regarded as the family disgrace because of their uncouth or criminal ways. Example: Lore was the family disgrace in the eyes of his goody two-shoes brother Data in tng1x13 "Datalore". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_sheep :: Parents growing up blackmail ========= :: Description The social problem of blackmailing people is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackmail :: Parents contemporary social issue bliss ===== :: Description A character exhibits a feeling of euphoric but serene happiness. :: Parents pleasant emotion blobform ======== :: Description An amorphous alien organism that is solid enough to be able to maintain a definite shape for an extended period of time. References: https://aliens.wikia.com/wiki/Blob :: Parents miscellaneous life form blond ditziness =============== :: Description A pretty, young, blonde woman is acting silly to the extent that the sexist stereotype is apparent. Example: Gary Seven’s secretary, Roberta Lincoln, epitomized the ditzy blonde stereotype in tos2x26 "Assignment: Earth". References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DUMBBLONDE :: Parents female stereotype bluffing ======== :: Description A character insinuates they will do something that they in fact cannot or will not do, thereby deceiving someone else. :: Parents one-on-one interaction body swap ========= :: Description A process by which the consciousness inhabiting one body is swapped with that inhabiting another body. Each consciousness thus ends up in another body than where it began. Normally only two bodies are involved but the theme does not preclude the possibility that there are three or more bodies that each end up with a different consciousness than it began with. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/discussion.php?id=p3hoqy13q6z8nvnyru6zc5xi :: Parents human enhancement bondage sex =========== :: Description The practice of consensually tying, binding, or restraining a partner for erotic, aesthetic, or somatosensory stimulation is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bondage_(BDSM) :: Parents romantic relationship booby trap ========== :: Description The use of concealed deadly devices, such as land mines, to gain advantage in warfare is featured. Example: The Enterprise-D fell afoul of a leftover booby trap from some ancient alien war in tng3x06 "Booby Trap". It filled much the same function as a naval mine, but in space. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booby_trap :: Parents the art of war boredom ======= :: Description Someone feels compelled to give attention to something or someone for which they have contempt or disinterest, but do not feel "disgust" over. Example: Reading the 20th century novel "Hotel Royale" bored Captain Picard nearly to death in tng2x12 "The Royale". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boredom :: Parents unpleasant emotion botanical plague ================ :: Description A biological agent or pathogen wipes out a significant amount of plant-life on a planet and the dependent civilization collapses. Example: Captain Kirk had to pick up zenite consignment in order to stop such a plague on Merak II in tos3x19 "The Cloud Minders". :: Parents force majeure existential risk boyfriend and girlfriend ======================== :: Description There is an informal but extended, presumed monogamous, romantic relationship between a male character and a female character. :: Parents romantic relationship brain augmented soldier ======================= :: Description There is military type person whose thought processes and perceptions have been directly enhanced using some type of technology. :: Parents human enhancement brain disembodiment technology ============================== :: Description Technology by which a brain can be taken out of the body and maintained in a functioning state for an extended amount of time. Example: The Morg of Sigma Draconis VI used such technology to steal Spock’s big and sexy brain in tos3x06 "Spock's Brain". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_in_a_vat :: Parents human enhancement brain memory virus ================== :: Description A viral life form that embeds itself in the memory parts of the brain of a host. :: Parents parasitic life form brain stimulating implant ========================= :: Description There is a cranial implant which can be used to affect the brain in some generally beneficial way (cf. "pain implant"), for example to produce the effects of a narcotic drug. :: Parents fictional apparatus brain transplant ================ :: Description A procedure to transplant a brain from one person to another is featured in a science fictional context. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_transplant :: Parents human enhancement brain-computer interface ======================== :: Description There is a device that connects directly to the brain and interacts directly with your thoughts. References: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain%E2%80%93computer_interface :: Parents mind technology brain-shaped being ================== :: Description A being that is basically a bare brain, often big, sometimes floating. Example: The Providers of Triskellion had perhaps hocked their bodies in tos2x17 "The Gamesters of Triskelion", for they now subsided as disembodied brains in a subterranean cavern and engaged in all manners of gambling. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isolated_brain#In_fiction :: Parents miscellaneous life form brains vs. brawn ================ :: Description A clever person is pitted against a physically powerful opponent in a fight and we wonder which of these qualities is more important for victory. Example: Captain Kirk was pitted in an epic battle of agility and brains vs. brawn against a Gorn captain in tos1x19 "The Arena". References: https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/brains+versus+brawn :: Parents the art of war brainstorming ============= :: Description A number of people sit down together with the express purpose of tossing ideas back and forth in order to find a solution to a specific problem. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainstorming :: Parents group interaction brainwaves ========== :: Description The measurement of rhythmic patterns of neural electrical activity produced in the brain. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neural_oscillation :: Parents topic in science breaking the law for personal advantage ======================================= :: Description A character struggles with whether or not to commit a crime in order (typically) to enrich themself. Would you, for example, steal if there was a good chance of getting away with a fortune? Would you commit murder for the same fortune? :: Parents personal ethical dilemma breaking the law to cover up another crime ========================================== :: Description Someone must choose whether to commit a further transgression of the law in order for a past transgression not to become publicly known. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma breaking with tradition vs. suicide =================================== :: Description Someone must choose whether to commit suicide in a situation where suicide is expected of them by their society's norms and traditions. :: Parents life choice bribery in society ================== :: Description The social problem of people taking bribes is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bribery :: Parents contemporary social issue bridezilla ========== :: Description A bride whose behavior is seen as demanding or unreasonable. Note: The word uses the -zilla suffix derived from the Japanese movie monster Godzilla. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridezilla :: Parents female stereotype brinkmanship ============ :: Description A tense military or political confrontation is brought beyond its safe limits for the dangerous purpose of gaining an advantage when the opponent, it is hoped, backs down first. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brinkmanship :: Parents the art of war brother and brother =================== :: Description The relationship between two brothers is featured. :: Parents familial relations brother and sister ================== :: Description The relationship between brother and sister is featured. Example: Serova and her brother Rabal fought loyally together to stop warp- speeding space ships from polluting the subspace near Hekaras II in tng7x09 "Force of Nature". :: Parents familial relations brother-in-law and sister-in-law ================================ :: Description The relationship between a brother-in-law and his sister-in-law is featured. :: Parents familial relations bullying ======== :: Description The ramifications of bullying in society are explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullying https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberbullying :: Parents contemporary social issue bureaucracy =========== :: Description The ramifications of excessive bureaucracy, too much paperwork and red tape, to society are explored. Example: The Gideoneans tried in vain to use bureaucratic tricks to stop Spock from finding Captain Kirk in tos3x17 "The Mark of Gideon". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bureaucracy :: Parents contemporary social issue bureaucratic dystopia ===================== :: Description There is a Kafkaesque society in which much of daily life is a maddening series of seemingly pointless bureaucratic procedures. :: Parents dystopia burning the candle at both ends =============================== :: Description A character is working longer and harder than what they can really cope with. References: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/burn_one%27s_candle_at_both_ends :: Parents group interaction calligraphy =========== :: Description Decorative hadwriting is featured. Example: Keiko O'Brien fondly recalled having helped her grandmother to create Japanese calligraphic writings in tng5x12 "Violations". :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities camera doorbell =============== :: Description A doorbell equipped with a video camera to view who is ringing at the door is featured. :: Parents real gadget can machines have souls ======================= :: Description The question is posed: Can a machine have that immaterial immortal component that believers call "the soul"? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_artificial_intelligenc e#Can_a_machine_have_a_soul? :: Parents metaphysics canine alien ============ :: Description An alien race patterned after dogs. Example: Natasha Yar was appalled to learn that the dog-like Anticans like to eat their food alive in tng1x07 "Lonely Among Us". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mammalian_alien_species :: Parents earth-life inspired life form cannibalism =========== :: Description There is a person that consumes other people (or parts of them) for food. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_cannibalism :: Parents way of life cannibalism to survive ====================== :: Description A (presumably starving) character must decide whether or not to eat the corpse of another person in order to survive. This may or may not involve killing the other person first. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma capital punishment ================== :: Description We are asked how and when, if ever, it is acceptable to punish a criminal by death. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment :: Parents past and present moral controversy capitalism ========== :: Description Capitalism is an economic system based upon private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitalism :: Parents social order captain and crew's attachment to their ship =========================================== :: Description The human tendency to form strong bonds to ships we are in command of or serve on for some time, is illustrated. :: Parents human need career choice ============= :: Description A character is confronted with the consequential tough decision of which path to pursue in the development of their career. :: Parents life choice carefree way of life ==================== :: Description A character leads a life free from anxiety and responsibility. :: Parents way of life carpe diem ========== :: Description The wisdom of the old motto "seize the day" is illustrated, i.e., the idea that it is best for us to make the most of our time right away for who knows what tomorrow may bring. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpe_diem :: Parents way of life carrot vs. stick ================ :: Description Someone must decide, in a given situation, which approach is the better way to get another person to act as they should: the threat of consequence (the stick), or the promise of reward (the carrot). References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrot_and_stick :: Parents personal practical dilemma caste system ============ :: Description There is a system of hereditary social classes: one is born into a class and has little hope of ever changing it. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste :: Parents social order casuistry in interpretation of scripture ======================================== :: Description A character irreverently makes a clever interpretation of religious texts so as to fit their own agenda. :: Parents organized religion catastrophic flood ================== :: Description Large-scale flooding, or the rising oceans, sends civilization to a watery grave. Example: After seismic disturbances the planet Argo had become almost wholly covered with water and the inhabitants turned themselves into water-breathers in tas1x13 "The Ambergris Element". :: Parents force majeure existential risk catharsis ========= :: Description Someone releases passionate emotions they have previously kept bottled up inside in a way that results in renewal and restoration. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catharsis :: Parents introspection ceasing an opportunity vs. keeping the status quo ================================================= :: Description A character must choose whether or not to upend their current life in order to cease at an opportunity that has presented itself. :: Parents life choice celebrity culture in society ============================ :: Description Celebrity culture is a high-volume perpetuation of celebrities' personal lives on a global scale. It is inherently tied to consumer interests where celebrities transform their fame to become product brands. The ways in which this influences society are discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebrity_culture :: Parents contemporary social issue celebrity worship ================= :: Description Our human tendency to revere famous people is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebrity_worship_syndrome :: Parents human nature cell division ============= :: Description The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells. There are three types of cell division: binary fission, mitosis, and meiosis. Example: The giant space amoeba was poised to divide into two giant space amoebas in tos2x19 "The Immunity Syndrome". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_division :: Parents topic in science centaur ======= :: Description This mythological half-man half-horse being is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centaur :: Parents miscellaneous life form center of the universe dogma ============================ :: Description The oft ridiculed, supposed, Church doctrine of bygone days that Earth is at the centre of everything is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_center_of_the_Universe :: Parents organized religion chain of command ================ :: Description The command hierarchy of an institution is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Command_hierarchy :: Parents group interaction challenges in life ================== :: Description The category of themes about problems that we have to face in life. They are further subdivided according to how we must normally strive to deal with them: To endure and not despair, to overcome and not succumb, or to fight rather than flee. :: Parents the human condition chameleon-like being ==================== :: Description A being patterned after chemeleons. i.e., they can change appearance in order to conceal themselves. Example: Geordi metamorphosed into a bioluminescent, chamelion-like alien in tng4x18 "Identity Crisis" :: Parents earth-life inspired life form changing the orbit of a planet around its star ============================================== :: Description There is a technology used to alter the orbit of a planet around its star. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moving_the_Earth :: Parents mastering space charting unknown territory ========================== :: Description Someone faces the dangers inherent to exploring new territory, e.g., space exploration. :: Parents facing general adversity chastity ======== :: Description Someone refrains from engaging in sexual activity. Example: Captain Picard declined Ardra's amorous advances when she materialized in his quarters in the middle of the night in tng4x13 "Devil's Due". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chastity :: Parents heavenly virtue chemical castration =================== :: Description The ethics of compulsory chemical castration are explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_castration :: Parents contemporary social issue chemical warfare ================ :: Description Chemical weapons, i.e., poison gas, are used in warfare. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desertion :: Parents war child abuse =========== :: Description The ramifications of child abuse in society are explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_abuse :: Parents contemporary social issue child labor =========== :: Description The ramifications of children doing in any work that deprives children of their childhood, interferes with their ability to attend regular school, and that is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful are explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_labour :: Parents contemporary social issue child power =========== :: Description Children are featured as a powerful force in society. :: Parents contemporary social issue child rearing ============= :: Description The many trials and tribulations involved in bringing up a child are featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parenting :: Parents parenting child's point of view ===================== :: Description We are shown what things might be like from the point of view of a child. :: Parents views and customs childhood as an outsider ======================== :: Description Someone grows up in a community they don’t feel they quite fit in with, perhaps because they are a freaky alien with devilishly pointed ears. Example: Spock's trials and tribulations as a half-Human child growing up on conservative planet Vulcan were featured in tas1x02 "Yesteryear". :: Parents growing up childhood aspirations ===================== :: Description A child’s typically ephemeral life ambitions are featured. :: Parents growing up childhood pranks ================ :: Description A mischievous kid carries out an annoying practical joke such as kids sometimes do. :: Parents growing up childhood terrors ================= :: Description A child is afraid of something that adults normally know better than to fear, for example monsters in the dark or the bogeyman. :: Parents growing up childhood trauma ================ :: Description A child suffers a traumatic experience of the kind that can haunt you for the rest of your life. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childhood_trauma :: Parents growing up childishness ============ :: Description An adult character behaves in a silly and immature manner. Example: Captain Kirk coped with Elaan the Dohlman of Elas and her childish behavior in tos3x02 "Elaan of Troyius". References: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/childish :: Parents disagreeable characteristic childless reproducing alien =========================== :: Description A sentient species that does not undergo a development stage of "childhood" as humans do but arrive into the world mature. Example: The Iyaarans emerge full-grown from natal pods it was revealed in tng7x02 "Liaisons" :: Parents biologically distinguished life form children and candy from strangers ================================= :: Description The parental injunction to steer clear of strangers that offer candy is featured. :: Parents parenting children's rights ================= :: Description We are made to ponder what intrinsic rights we feel should be awarded children. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_rights :: Parents human rights chivalry ======== :: Description There is a "knight in shining armour standing up for the fair maiden" type scenario. Other types of chivalric virtues have their own themes when featured. Example: Captain Kirk rescued a damsel in distress from a sword wielding knave in tos3x23 "All Our Yesterdays". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chivalry :: Parents agreeable characteristic choosing between allegiances ============================ :: Description A character is faced with the stark choice of deciding which of multiple allegiances is more important to them. This could, for example, be country vs. family. Example: Ro Laren choose in the end to betray her erstwhile comrades and side with the terrorist Maquis in tng7x24 "Preemptive Strike". :: Parents life choice choosing between conflicting loyalties ====================================== :: Description A character has a bond of loyalty tying them to two different people or factions, but these come into conflict and the character must choose one in order not to betray both. Example: In voy3x06 "Remember", B'Elanna had an alien inspired dream in which she had to choose between saving her lover's life on one hand, and being obedient to her parents on the other. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma choosing between equally futile actions ======================================= :: Description A character must decide which action to take even though all potential actions appear equally unappealing. This situation is also allegorically known as "Sheridan's Ass" after renowned theme enthusiast Paul Sheridan who noted that it is a mirror reflection of "Burridan's Ass". :: Parents personal practical dilemma choosing between job opportunities ================================== :: Description A character faces that major life decision of which career path to go down. Example: Riker was torn between accepting an offer to command the starship Aries and continuing as first officer on his beloved Enterprise-D in tng2x14 "The Icarus Factor". :: Parents life choice choosing between just causes ============================ :: Description Someone must choose between two incompatible causes that both appear to be equally just. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma choosing between lovers ======================= :: Description A character is faced with the choice of deciding which of multiple lovers to be with. :: Parents life choice choosing between murderous regimes ================================== :: Description The dilemma of choosing one or the other between two unethical regimes when not choosing would probably lead to the worst outcome of all, is featured. :: Parents social ethical dilemma choosing what kind of person one wants to be ============================================ :: Description A character ponders a decision regarding what kind of person they want to be in the future. Example: In voy6x06 "Riddles", Tuvok has amnesia but learns to enjoy life as his new and now emotional self. When a cure is found, he contemplates whether or not he really wants to go back to being the cold emotionless Vulcan automaton he had been before. :: Parents life choice cipher codes ============ :: Description A collection of more or less complicated algorithms for encryption. These are strategies for writing messages such that they can only be read by those who know the secret to decoding them. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cipher :: Parents topic in science civil rights ============ :: Description Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from infringement by governments, social organizations, and private individuals. They ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the society and state without discrimination or repression. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_and_political_rights :: Parents human rights civil war ========= :: Description A segment of a society takes up arms and violently demand independence or reshaping of government. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_war :: Parents war civilians suffering in war ========================== :: Description We are shown the plight of a group of civilians that suffer as a direct consequence of war between two factions. They may for example have had their food confiscated, homes destroyed, or been put in an internment camp for fear of espionage. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilian_casualties https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internment_of_Japanese_Americans :: Parents war civilization vs. savagery ========================= :: Description The question of what can be called "civilized" and what, by contrast, is to be denounced as "savage" is discussed. References: http://www.william-golding.co.uk/explore-search/civilisation-vs- savagery https://www.gradesaver.com/lord-of-the-flies/study-guide/themes :: Parents ethics clash of Wills ============== :: Description Two William T. Riker’s lock wills in an argument over a joint course of action. Example: There was some serious Riker on Riker action going on in tng6x24 "Second Chances". References: http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Second_Chances_(episode) :: Parents one-on-one interaction clash of wills ============== :: Description Two characters lock wills in an argument over a joint course of action. Example: Spock and McCoy butted heads in no fewer than five episodes. In tos2x19 "The Immunity Syndrome", a rivalry ensued when they both volunteer to commandeer a specially equipped shuttlecraft into the giant space amoeba. References: https://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/battle/clash%20of%20wills :: Parents one-on-one interaction class prejudice in society ========================== :: Description The issue of a large portion of society having a hostile prejudice against people of certain social classes is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Class_discrimination :: Parents prejudice in society classical philosophy ==================== :: Description The category of themes that fall neatly in the traditional domains of philosophy: ethics, metaphysics, aesthetics, and thoughts about human nature. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy :: Parents the domain of reason claustrophobia ============== :: Description A character exhibits acute fear of confined spaces. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claustrophobia :: Parents pathological state of mind climate change and bureaucratic inaction ======================================== :: Description The sadly familiar social issue of people around the worlds not being able to agree on what to do about climate change is featured. :: Parents contemporary social issue clingy girlfriend ================= :: Description A female character in a relationship is annoying their partner by being overly demanding of time and attention. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ClingyJealousGirl :: Parents female stereotype cloning-related replicative fading ================================== :: Description People use cloning instead of natural methods to reproduce, but minute errors in the repeated copying compound until further replication becomes impossible. Example: The colonist of scientists on Mariposa could not propagate their race further because of degraded DNA in tng2x18 "Up The Long Ladder" and (being scientists) obviously had no idea how to do it the old fashioned way. :: Parents man-made existential risk close encounter with a passing astronomical object ================================================== :: Description An astronomical object comes into close proximity with a populated planet and poses a threat to continued civilization. Example: The genetically engineered colonist utopia on Moab IV was threatened by a stray stellar core fragment from a collapsed neutron star in tng5x13 "The Masterpiece Society". A worldwide catastrophe when an errant comet passes by Earth and causes natural disasters and social unrest in The End of The World (1916). :: Parents force majeure existential risk close encounter with a stray anthropogenic object ================================================= :: Description A human made object comes into close proximity with a populated planet and poses a threat to continued civilization. :: Parents man-made existential risk closed-mindedness ================= :: Description Someone is unreceptive of new ideas or information to the point of obstinance. Example: Captain Edward Jellico had one way of running the Enterprise-D in tng6x11 "Chain of Command, Part II": the Edward Jellico way. References: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/close-minded#English :: Parents disagreeable characteristic cold fusion device ================== :: Description There is a device capable of generating copious amount of energy through the fusing of atomic nuclei at room temperature. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_fusion :: Parents fictional apparatus collapsing bubble universe ========================== :: Description A collapsing deformation of spacetime called a bubble universe. Example: Beverly became trapped inside just such a universe in tng4x05 "Remember Me". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_inflation :: Parents speculative lands and worlds, what's out there collective dreaming =================== :: Description The idea that people can literally share the same dream and transmit information from one to the other in it. :: Parents superstition collective intelligence ======================= :: Description A shared or group intelligence that emerges from the collective efforts of many individuals. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_intelligence :: Parents AI technology collective punishment ===================== :: Description The rulers punish not only the criminal but also the criminal's family, society, people, etc. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_punishment :: Parents social order collectively intelligent aliens =============================== :: Description An alien race whose members are conscious more as a collective than individually. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_intelligence :: Parents mentally distinguished life form collision with a parallel universe ================================== :: Description Our universe somehow collides with another one and is completely destroyed. Example: Lazarus-A sacrificed himself to stop our universe from colliding with its parallel anti-matter duplicate in tos1x20 "The Alternative Factor". :: Parents force majeure existential risk colonialism =========== :: Description The practice of advanced civilizations to create colonies in less advanced regions is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonialism :: Parents social order colonization of Mars ==================== :: Description A permanent human settlement is established on the planet Mars. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonization_of_Mars :: Parents space colonization colonization of Mercury ======================= :: Description There is a permanent human settlement on the planet Mercury. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_colonization#Mercury :: Parents space colonization colonization of Pluto ===================== :: Description A permanent human settlement is established on the dwarf planet Pluto. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonization_of_trans- Neptunian_objects :: Parents space colonization colonization of the Moon ======================== :: Description A permanent human settlement is established on Earth's only major satellite. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonization_of_the_Moon :: Parents space colonization combat sports in society ======================== :: Description The issue of to what extent potentially dangerous fighting between consenting individuals should be allowed as a sport is discussed. Dueling, for example, has completely vanished and heavy boxing, if permitted, is heavily regulated. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_sport :: Parents contemporary social issue comet ===== :: Description A comet is explored or otherwise investigated by scientific means. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comet :: Parents what's out there coming out of the closet ======================== :: Description Someone faces the social consequences that come of revealing themself to be gay. Example: Riker helped Soren, a member of the gender neutral J'naii species, to explore her female side in tng5x17 "The Outcast". She was summarily brought before a tribunal of J'naii authorities and ordered to receive the equivalent of gay conversion therapy. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coming_out :: Parents facing general adversity coming to peace with one's self =============================== :: Description A character has had a lengthy internal struggle over some life issue, but finds a way to accept it and be at peace. Example: In voy1x14 "Faces", B'Elanna learns to accept the Klingon side of herself even though she grew up resenting it. :: Parents introspection coming to terms with one's impending death ========================================== :: Description A character is about to die, perhaps from a natural illness, comes to accept the fact and become at peace with themselves over it. :: Parents introspection coming to terms with one's own sexuality ======================================== :: Description A character learns to become comfortable with their sexuality. :: Parents introspection coming to terms with one's past =============================== :: Description A character has harbored guilt, resentment or other bad feelings with respect to some event in their past, but then comes to peace with all of that. :: Parents introspection coming to terms with things =========================== :: Description A character comes to accept some emotionally painful circumstance. References: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/come_to_terms_with :: Parents introspection commercial made-up holidays in society ====================================== :: Description Called into question is the status of such holidays and holiday practices as are often scolded for being shallow and made up by corporations for commercial reasons. :: Parents contemporary social issue commoner's point of view ======================== :: Description We are shown how things in general may appear from a more or less common person's point of view, i.e., someone who is not particularly educated, sophisticated, or powerful (but not extreme in lacking such qualities either). :: Parents views and customs communicating with deaf people ============================== :: Description The troubles a person who is deaf and one who is not, may have in communicating with each other are illustrated. :: Parents problem of language and meaning communicating with someone who speaks a different language ========================================================== :: Description Two characters neither of whom understands the other's language, try to communicate with each other. :: Parents problem of language and meaning communicating with the dead =========================== :: Description The practice of communicating with the spirits of the dead and living human beings. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediumship :: Parents superstition communism ========= :: Description Featured is the philosophical, social, political, and economic ideology and movement whose ultimate goal is the establishment of the communist society, which is a socioeconomic order structured upon the common ownership of the means of production and the absence of social classes, money and the state. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism :: Parents social order communist revolution ==================== :: Description Featured is a proletarian revolution often, but not necessarily inspired by the ideas of Marxism that aims to replace capitalism with communism, typically with socialism as an intermediate stage. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_revolution :: Parents contemporary social issue community of abandoned children =============================== :: Description Children are left without any adult supervision and are left to organize (or descend into chaos) by themselves. Example: A band of abandoned brats tried to "bonk bonk" Captain Kirk on the noggin in tos1x11 "Miri". :: Parents contemporary social issue compassion ========== :: Description Someone displays a notable degree of compassion toward the plight of another individual or group. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compassion :: Parents amicable disposition compassion vs. public safety ============================ :: Description Someone must chose between risking danger to many other on one hand, or helping someone in need on the other. Example: In the movie "Alien (1979)", Ripley tries to follow standard quarantine procedures and denies the distressed landing party access to the ship after Kane has come in contact with alien life. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma compassion vs. self-preservation ================================ :: Description Someone is forced to choose between acting with compassion toward another, and saving his or her own skin. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma competition among friends ========================= :: Description A group of friends compete in an amicable way, typically without dirty tricks and hard feelings. Example: Junior officer competed amicably for a promotion in tng7x15 "Lower Decks". :: Parents group interaction complacency =========== :: Description Someone is unappealingly indifferent to important events or to their own fate. Example: The Colonists of Omicron Ceti III, while under the influence of space spores, were content with have accomplished nothing in tos1x24 "This Side of Paradise". References: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complacency :: Parents disagreeable characteristic compromising ============ :: Description Two characters disagree over some arrangement and both concede something to reach a workable compromise. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compromise :: Parents one-on-one interaction compromising one's ethical principles vs. self-preservation =========================================================== :: Description Someone must choose whether or not to commit unsavory acts in order to save their own skin. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma computer simulated war ====================== :: Description In order to avoid the accidents an escalations commonly associated with a war, a powerful computer is tasked with simulating all the fighting in a fair and orderly manner. The outcome is reported to the combatants on whom the verdict is binding, i.e., losers must commit suicide. Example: Captain Kirk pulled the plug on a 500 year long computer simulated war between the Eminain Union and the People of Vendikar in tos1x23 "A Taste of Armageddon". :: Parents AI technology computer-aided mathematical model simulation ============================================ :: Description The simulation of a system as represented by a mathematical model on computer that is usually too complicated to find analytical solutions. Example: Geordi and Leah Brahms used such fancy maths to save the day in tng3x06 "Booby Trap". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_simulation :: Parents topic in science con artistry ============ :: Description There is a character who plays an elaborate confidence trick of some sort on another character. :: Parents one-on-one interaction conflict of duty ================ :: Description A common category of tough decisions that involve choosing between ones "duty" to something (typically a job or a leader) on one hand, and some conflicting cause or impulse on the other. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conflict_of_interest :: Parents personal ethical dilemma conflict of moral codes ======================= :: Description A pronounced difference between the way in witch "right" and "wrong" is understood in different cultures is featured. Example: Conflict arose between the Federation and the People of Angel One regarding the treatment of a rogue band of fugitives in tng1x14 "Angel One". :: Parents cross cultural understanding conflict of privacy preferences =============================== :: Description Someone is made uncomfortable by things they consider to be more private but that are flaunted publicly by people from another culture. This often has to do with love and sex. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privacy :: Parents cross cultural understanding conflicting systems of jurisprudence ==================================== :: Description Mutually incompatible systems of justice have a claim to maintaining the rule of law within society. If a mutually acceptable compromise cannot be reached, brute force may have to arbiter. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurisprudence :: Parents diplomacy conflicts of interest in society ================================ :: Description The social problem of people sometimes having misaligned or conflicting interests to the roles they are serving in, is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conflict_of_interest :: Parents contemporary social issue conformism in society ===================== :: Description The ramifications of conformism in society, the strong expectation (sometimes enforced) that everyone should adapt themselves to specific norms, are explored. Example: A band of space hippies refused to conform and scolded Captain Kirk for being a rigid old "Herbert" in tos3x20 "The Way to Eden". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conformity :: Parents contemporary social issue confronting an old ghost ======================== :: Description Someone deals directly with a problem they had previously avoided or ignored. Example: Kodos the Executioner, a.k.a. Anton Karidian, was haunted by his decision to sentence some 4,000 colonists to death as governor of Tarsus IV in tos1x12 "The Conscience of the King". :: Parents introspection confronting one's latent sexual feelings ======================================== :: Description A character has unacknowledged, perhaps socially improper, feelings relating to sex that they start thinking about consciously. :: Parents introspection conservative vs. liberal ======================== :: Description An conservative philosophy of life is contrasted with a liberal philosophy of life. Conservative typically means an emphasis on traditions (as it is perceived) whereas liberal typically means an emphasis on social progress (as it is perceived). :: Parents social dichotomy conspiracy theory ================= :: Description The belief that there is a secret and nefarious conspiracy in an institution, often a government. Example: Neural parasites hatched a conspiratorial plot to infiltrate Starfleet Command in tng1x25 "Conspiracy". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conspiracy_theory :: Parents crackpot theory consumerist dystopia ==================== :: Description There is a society in which human activity is geared towards acquisition of goods and services in absurd amounts. Other values and things that give us meaning are mostly absent. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumerism :: Parents dystopia contemplating suicide ===================== :: Description A character ponders whether their life is worth living. Example: Worf was by a hair talked out of committing suicide rather than to live with the shame of being paralyzed in tng5x16 "Ethics". Dr. Timicin was expected according to Kaelonian culture to commit suicide at the age of 65 in tng4x22 "Half a Life" and he had second thoughts before he caved to peer pressure. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_crisis :: Parents life choice contemporary social issue ========================= :: Description Themes that are about social issues too complex to be called moral controversies as solving them is not just a matter of making a decision between moral preferences. For example, "racism" is uncontroversially undesirable but solving the associated problem is far from straightforward. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_issue :: Parents domestic social issue contempt ======== :: Description A character regards another character with scorn or disdain and deems them beneath consideration. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contempt :: Parents antagonistic disposition control by intimidation ======================= :: Description A person in charge uses fear to keep his underlings under control. :: Parents group interaction controlling partner =================== :: Description One side in a romantic relationship is excessively controlling of their partner's activities. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CrazyJealousGuy :: Parents romantic relationship convalescence ============= :: Description Someone faces the drawn out process of gradual healing after an illness or injury. Example: Scotty was brought on medical leave to an Argelian bordello in the hope that it would cure his "total resentment towards women" in tos2x07 "Wolf in the Fold". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convalescence :: Parents facing general adversity cooperation =========== :: Description Various complications that can arise when two characters try to cooperate in an endeavour are featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooperation#Among_humans :: Parents one-on-one interaction cooperation vs. competition =========================== :: Description We are made to ponder whether it is more important that society and it's laws are centered around (the perhaps utopian idea of) people cooperating for the common good or around (the perhaps realistic assumption of) people working for their own benefit. :: Parents social dichotomy coping with a bad boss ====================== :: Description Someone copes with a boss who makes their work or life at the workplace difficult. Example: Riker had a rough go of it working under the command of the no- nonsense Captain Jellico in tng6x10 "Chain of Command, Part I". References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BadBoss :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with a bad hangover ========================== :: Description Someone experiences the effects of a bad hangover. Example: Scotty coped with the effects of a bad hangover after drinking the Kelvan Tomar under the table in tos2x21 "By Any Other Name". The engineer again struggled with a bad hangover in tas1x10 "Mudd's Passion" and later tng6x24 "Relics". :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with a bad sunburn ========================= :: Description A character stayed in the sun too long and got roasted like a lamb, then had to live with the consequences. :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with a disability ======================== :: Description Someone experiences life with a emotional or physical disability. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_disability :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with a drunken fool ========================== :: Description A character suffers through being in the vicinity of an intoxicated person who is acting obnoxiously, for example at a party. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with a failing marriage ============================== :: Description Family members struggle through a dysfunctional marriage. :: Parents coping with social issues coping with a friend who has an addiction ========================================= :: Description Someone must watch as a near and dear struggles with an addiction. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with a friend who is losing his mind =========================================== :: Description Someone is powerless to help a friend who is losing their mind and is left with no alternative but to stand idly by and watch the descent into madness. :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with a friend who is suffering from depression ===================================================== :: Description A character has to deal with having a friend who is more or less clinically depressed. :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with a greedy heir ========================= :: Description Someone, usually an aging or sick character, is bothered by a potential beneficiary who is overly concerned about their future inheritance. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with a life-changing event ================================= :: Description Someone must come to terms with the fact that an event has drastically changed their living conditions and future prospects. Example: Captain Picard resigned to living out the remainder of his life as an alien on an unknown planet in tng5x25 "The Inner Light". :: Parents coping with life issues coping with a loose cannon ========================== :: Description Someone copes with having an unpredictable and uncontrollable person around who is likely to cause unintentional harm. Example: Captain Picard and Wesley found themselves stranded on a desert moon with the cantankerous mining shuttle captain Dirgo in tng4x09 "Final Mission". :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with a loss of faith =========================== :: Description Someone struggles with a loss of faith in religious beliefs that they once held dear. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CrisisOfFaith :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with a loved one being in peril ====================================== :: Description Someone must stand idly by while a loved one faces a perilous situation. :: Parents coping with danger coping with a loved one being terminally ill ============================================ :: Description Someone experiences having a loved on who is terminally ill. :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with a maniacal leader ============================= :: Description A subordinate must find ways to cope with a leader who is acting irrationally to a great extent. :: Parents coping with social issues coping with a panicky relative ============================== :: Description A caregiver has to deal with a concerned and emotional relative of the patient. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with a pedantic authority figure ======================================= :: Description A subordinate is having trouble with their boss being overly critical of their work. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with a practical joker ============================= :: Description A character is subjected to practical jokes by a persons who does such things. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with a psychological illness =================================== :: Description A character has a psychological illness and has to learn to live with it. :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with a real nag ====================== :: Description Someone makes efforts to endure an inordinate amount of verbal abuse and admonishment. Example: Harry Mudd was nagged nearly to death by an android replica of his wife Stella in tos2x12 "I, Mudd". :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with a spoiled brat ========================== :: Description Someone copes with a child, or childish person, who screams their heads off until they get what they want. Example: Captain Kirk struggled with the behavioural problems of Elaan in tos3x02 "Elaan of Troyius". :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with a suicidal lover ============================ :: Description A character has to live with a lover of their's carrying notions of suicide around. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with a terminal illness ============================== :: Description Someone experiences having a terminal illness. Example: McCoy diagnosed himself with xenopolycythemia, a rare blood disease that is always terminal, in tos3x10 "For the World is Hollow and I have Touched the Sky". :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with a tough customer ============================ :: Description The proprietor of a business struggles to maintain cordial relations with a client who refuses to be content. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with adversity ===================== :: Description Themes that center around someone carrying on in the face of a pervasive difficulty that they can do nothing about. :: Parents challenges in life coping with aging ================= :: Description Someone copes with the inevitability of growing old. Example: Lwaxana coped with aging once in tng4x22 "Half a Life" and again in tng5x20 "Cost of Living". :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with amnesia =================== :: Description A character copes with the life altering effects of suddenly loosing much of their memory. Example: John Doe struggled with a bad case of amnesia in tng3x25 "Transfigurations", not even remembering his own name. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/IdentityAmnesia :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with an affliction ========================= :: Description A character is coping with a physical or mental condition that causes him or her a lot of pain or anxiety. :: Parents coping with adversity coping with an arrogant jerk ============================ :: Description Someone has to handle being around a conceited and condescending person. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with an envious lover ============================ :: Description A character has to deal with the fact that their lover is inordinately jealous of perceived and potential rivals. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with an excessively solicitous subordinate ================================================= :: Description A character who is in charge has to deal with a subordinate that is making numerous and/or extravagant requests. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with an incompetent coworker =================================== :: Description A character is burdened by an incompetent coworker. Example: The Delta Theta III landing party was generally bemused by the erratic actions of Ari bn Bem in tas2x02 "Bem". :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with an insubordinate subordinate ======================================== :: Description A character who is in charge has to deal with a subordinate that is disinclined to obey properly. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with an intransigent son of a bitch ========================================== :: Description a character copes with an inflexible person who is unwilling to compromise or see other peoples point of view. Example: Data struggled to convince Gosheven, the leader of a human colony on Tau Cygna V, to organize an evacuation in the face of a Sheliak invasion in tng3x02 "The Ensigns of Command". :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with an obnoxious chatterbox =================================== :: Description Someone struggles to listen to a person who talks at length about frivolous matters. Example: Captain Picard was obligated to attend a social gathering hosted by the notorious chatterbox Calvin "Hutch" Hutchinson in tng6x18 "Starship Mine". :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with an obnoxious jerk ============================= :: Description Someone struggles to deal with an annoying and inconsiderate person. Example: Berlinghoff Rasmusen played the role of obnoxious jerk aboard the Enterprise-D in tng5x09 "A Matter of Time" in order to distract the crew from his larceny. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with an obnoxious neighbor ================================= :: Description Someone has to deal with a noisy, or otherwise troublesome, neighbor. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with an overbearing jerk =============================== :: Description Someone struggles to deal with a domineering and inconsiderate person, i.e., an jerk. Example: Mr. Lurry, manager of Deep Space Station K-7, coped with verbal abuse at the hands of Captain Kirk after having issued an unnecessary Code One alert in tos2x13 "The Trouble with Tribbles". :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with an overbearing parent ================================= :: Description A child has to put up with a parent who is overly controlling and domineering. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with an overly affectionate parent ========================================= :: Description A character is embarrassed by, for example, kisses and smooches from their parent in public. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with an overly private individual ======================================== :: Description A character tries to be social with another character who is unusually taciturn. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with an overly strict examiner ===================================== :: Description A student struggles to please a real hard-ass of an examiner, for example at university. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with an overly vigorous massage ====================================== :: Description A character has to put up with an excruciatingly rough rubbing-down. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with an overprotective guardian ====================================== :: Description An adolescent copes with the anxiety and depression that comes with having an overprotective guardian. Example: Salia was excessively protected by her appointed guardian Anya in tng2x10 "The Dauphin". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicopter_parent :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with an unruly pet ========================= :: Description A character struggles with keeping an unruly pet under control. Example: Riker and Geordi both had a world of trouble caring for Data's pet cat Spot while the android was away at a three-day conference on the psychological effects of long-term deep space assignments in tng6x25 "Timescape". :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with an unwelcome house guest ==================================== :: Description A reluctant host has to suffer through having a guest that they would rather not have. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with an unwilling host ============================= :: Description A guest deals with the antics of a host that would rather not have them there. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with bad cooking ======================= :: Description A character is subjected to lousily prepared food. :: Parents coping with having to do something coping with being a cuckold =========================== :: Description A male character has to handle the information that their female love partner has been physically unfaithful with another man. :: Parents coping with social issues coping with being a danger to those around you ============================================== :: Description A character copes with being a danger to other people around them. :: Parents coping with life issues coping with being a laughing stock ================================== :: Description Someone is the perpetual laughing stock of a group. :: Parents coping with social issues coping with being alone ======================= :: Description Someone has to deal with being alone for a prolonged period of time. :: Parents coping with social issues coping with being an underachiever ================================== :: Description Someone repeatedly comes up short of expectations in school or at work etc. and must deal with the associated feelings and problems. :: Parents coping with life issues coping with being at the brink of destruction ============================================= :: Description A character, alone or in company with others, is harrowed and on the brink of destruction and manages to go on only by the skin of their teeth. Typically they are dirty, injured, thorned and impoverished. :: Parents coping with danger coping with being crammed up in a confined space with other people ================================================================== :: Description Someone has to spend an extended time shoulder to shoulder with other people in a relatively narrow space. :: Parents coping with stress coping with being different =========================== :: Description Someone who is notably different from people around them in some way struggles to come to term with this and, usually, tries to fit in in spite of their difference. :: Parents coping with social issues coping with being disfigured ============================ :: Description A character lives with a deformity or injury that has left them permanently disfigured to a appalling degree. Example: Vina was horribly disfigured in a crash landing on the planet Talos IV in tos0x01 "The Cage". :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with being famous ======================== :: Description Someone deals with the various travails that may come with being famous, such as lack of privacy, creepy stalkers, greedy supplicants, etc. etc. :: Parents coping with social issues coping with being ill on the job ================================ :: Description A character experiences symptoms of some illness while at work. :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with being imprisoned ============================ :: Description A character has to come to terms with being incarcerated. :: Parents coping with life issues coping with being indisposed ============================ :: Description A character is unable to go about their normal daily life because of some affliction and this changes their social interactions in a disagreeable way. They may, for example, resent being treated like an invalid by their well- meaning friends. :: Parents coping with social issues coping with being injured ========================= :: Description Someone who is injured is featured as trying to cope with their situation. Note: Since injuries are extremely common in fiction, the bar for using this theme ought to be high, i.e., the comment should cite something explicit that makes it clear why the coping was featured which is not necessarily the case just because there was an injury in passing and someone saying "ouch". :: Parents coping with danger coping with being lost in space =============================== :: Description Someone (or some sentient thing) copes with being lost in the vast vastness of space. Example: The sentient space probe Nomad coped briefly with being lost in space, parted from its maker Jackson Roykirk, in tos2x08 "The Changeling". :: Parents coping with danger coping with being obese ======================= :: Description Someone struggles with being over-weight. :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with being of mixed race =============================== :: Description A character has parents or grandparents of mixed ethnicity and must cope with the various social issues that can come from being physically or culturally with one foot each in two different worlds. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messiah_complex :: Parents coping with social issues coping with being on a diet =========================== :: Description A character struggles to keep a certain diet, usually having to avoid all the things they like to eat. :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with being pitied ======================== :: Description A character deals with the blow to their pride that comes with someone else feeling bad for them. Example: Miranda Jones, a blind telepath, sensed that she was being pitied by McCoy in tos3x07 "Is there no Truth in Beauty?". :: Parents coping with social issues coping with being separated from one's family ============================================= :: Description A character struggles with being separated from their family for an extended duration of time. Example: Jono was separated from his adoptive father the Endar in tng4x04 "Suddenly Human". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_estrangement :: Parents coping with social issues coping with being separated from someone you love ================================================= :: Description A character is struggling with relationship issues that come from being far away (or otherwise separated) from the object of their affection for an extended period of time. :: Parents coping with social issues coping with being stranded alone for years ========================================== :: Description A character copes with being stranded for an extended duration, like Robinson Crusoe. Example: Thomas Riker was rescued after having been stranded on Nervala IV for eight years in tng6x24 "Second Chances". :: Parents coping with social issues coping with being suspected of something ======================================== :: Description A character struggles with the feelings and social complications that can come with being suspected of a misdemeanor even without firm evidence. :: Parents coping with stress coping with being tortured ========================== :: Description A character is subjected to cruel, painful and deliberate mistreatment against their will. Example: Captain Picard coped with extreme physical and psychological torture in tng6x11 "Chain of Command, Part II". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torture :: Parents coping with danger coping with being unemployed ============================ :: Description A character deals with not having a job and the typical problems that come with it. :: Parents coping with life issues coping with cold feet ===================== :: Description A character is struggling with second though about getting married as their wedding day draws near. Example: Keiko O'Brien, née Ishikawa, experienced some last minute jitters over marrying Miles O'Brien in tng4x11 "Data's Day". :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with danger ================== :: Description A character experiences a dangerous situation. :: Parents coping with adversity coping with degrading mental faculties ====================================== :: Description A character has to learn to live with their mind not being as sharp as it once was. This could happen because of aging, brain trauma, or mysterious alien influences. :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with dementia ==================== :: Description A character gradually looses their memories and other important mental faculties. This typically happens in old age and as they near death. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dementia :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with disagreeable orders =============================== :: Description A character copes with being ordered by a superior to do something that they do not wish to do for personal reasons, for example pride. Note: This theme is not used when the orders cause a moral dilemma. Example: Ro Laren expressed her annoyance at Riker in the turbolift for making her write up flight handling assessment in his way in tng5x14 "Conundrum". :: Parents coping with social issues coping with discomfort during pregnancy ======================================= :: Description A pregnant woman (rarely a man except in fiction) has to deal with the various aches, pains and other annoyances that come with her condition. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symptoms_and_discomforts_of_pregnancy :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with enamored groupies ============================= :: Description A celebrity is accosted by fans who are sexually attracted to him or her and none too shy about it. :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with excruciating pain ============================= :: Description A character is racked with unbearable pain that they are powerless to stop. Example: Mirror Chekov was sentenced to a full duration in the agony booth as punishment for trying to assassinate the captain in tos2x10 "Mirror, Mirror". :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with family issues ========================= :: Description Someone is troubled by the obligations and other troubles that stem from one's family connection, for example spending time taking care of children. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysfunctional_family :: Parents coping with social issues coping with food poisoning ========================== :: Description A character ate something bad and now has an upset stomach. :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with getting dumped ========================== :: Description A former lovebird deals with the emotional fallout of having been dumped like a sack of potatoes. :: Parents coping with social issues coping with guilt ================= :: Description A character struggles with feelings of guilt over accidental or morally questionable past events. Example: Kodos the Executioner, a.k.a. Anton Karidian, was racked with guilt for having arranged the execution of 4,000 Tarsus IV colonists based on eugenic principles in tos1x12 "The Conscience of the King". :: Parents coping with social issues coping with having a bad day ============================ :: Description A character copes with having one of those days when everything that seemingly can go wrong, does go wrong. :: Parents coping with life issues coping with having a bad reputation =================================== :: Description A character struggles with the feelings and social complications that can come with having a bad reputation with people around you. :: Parents coping with social issues coping with having a chronic condition ====================================== :: Description A character has an intractable, constantly recurring disease or other medical condition that they just have to live with. This may involve regular visits to the doctor and onerous treatment procedures. :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with having a predetermined life ======================================= :: Description A character is burdened with their future role in this world being out of their own hands. Example: Salia was reluctant to be the predetermined ruler of Daled IV in tng2x10 "The Dauphin". :: Parents coping with life issues coping with having a shitty job =============================== :: Description Someone is stuck in a very low status job and must come to terms with it. :: Parents coping with life issues coping with having a speech disorder ==================================== :: Description Someone experiences life with a speech impediment. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speech_disorder :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with having a stigmatizing illness ========================================= :: Description Someone has a physical condition that makes them a pariah to the rest of their society. For example HIV/AIDS can be a stigmatizing disease in homophobic societies. References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2080544/ :: Parents coping with social issues coping with having been raped ============================= :: Description A character deals with the psychological problems that can come from being violated. :: Parents coping with stress coping with having been swindled ================================ :: Description A character has been defrauded and must come to terms with the emotions and other problems that can come in the aftermath of such a misfortune. :: Parents coping with life issues coping with having injured a friend =================================== :: Description Someone feels guilty at having been responsible for injuring a friend. Example: McCoy unintentionally blinded Spock in tos1x29 "Operation – Annihilate!". :: Parents coping with having injured someone coping with having injured someone ================================== :: Description Someone feels guilty at having been responsible for injuring another person. :: Parents coping with social issues coping with having let someone down =================================== :: Description A character copes with having disappointed somebody, i.e., by not fulfilling an obligation or promise. Example: Ro Laren let down Captain Picard in tng7x24 "Preemptive Strike" by defecting the the Maquis. :: Parents coping with social issues coping with having to do something ================================== :: Description A character has to do something they know they must do but that is nevertheless psychologically very difficult. :: Parents coping with adversity coping with humiliation ======================= :: Description A character believes themself to have been thoroughly embarrassed in the eyes of others. :: Parents coping with social issues coping with infertility ======================= :: Description A character struggles to come to term with the fact that they can't make babies of their own. :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with insomnia ==================== :: Description A character is unable to sleep. Example: Troi struggled with insomnia in tng4x17 "Night Terrors". :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with life issues ======================= :: Description A character comes to terms with some common problem that happens to common people in the common course of life. :: Parents coping with adversity coping with living in a foreign culture ======================================= :: Description A character copes with living in culture different from the one they are accustomed to. Example: Worf struggled to maintain his Klingon identity while serving aboard the Enterprise-D in tng2x14 "The Icarus Factor". :: Parents coping with social issues coping with losing a special ability ==================================== :: Description A character had an ability that made them somewhat special but then looses that ability and must cope with the associated feelings and potential loss of status. Example: In tng4x10 "The Loss" Counselor Deanna Troi looses her emphatic/telepathic powers and can no longer sense minds and emotions. Frustrated by this comparative handicap in her work and with a feeling that she has become useless to her fellow crew-members, she becomes distraught and attempts to resign. :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with lovesickness ======================== :: Description A character is unable to act normally, as if they are ill, because they are so in love. :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with memories of a lost love =================================== :: Description A character copes with heart-wrenching memories of a lover that they failed to entirely get over. Example: McCoy found himself in a "romantic haze" at the prospect of meeting his long-lost love Nancy on Planet M-113 In tos1x05 "The Man Trap". :: Parents coping with life issues coping with menopause ===================== :: Description A character, typically a woman aged 45-50, experiences menopausal symptoms. Example: Lwaxana coped with a characteristically Betazoid form of menopause in tng2x19 "Man Hunt". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menopause :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with mortality ===================== :: Description A character struggles with the realization that they will one day die. Example: Q was stripped of his transcendental powers, including immortality, by the Q Continuum in tng3x13 "Deja Q". :: Parents coping with life issues coping with opposing a friend ============================= :: Description A character is morally compelled to oppose and jeopardize their friendship with someone who is acting badly. Example: Captain Kirk coped with opposing his longtime friend Gary Mitchell, who became an imminent danger to the crew after acquiring super powers, in tos1x01 "Where No Man Has Gone Before". :: Parents coping with having to do something coping with personal failure ============================ :: Description A character copes with the aftermath of having experienced a personal failure in life. Example: Wesley needed some words of encouragement from Captain Picard after he failed the Starfleet Academy entrance exam in tng1x19 "Coming of Age". :: Parents coping with life issues coping with post-traumatic stress ================================= :: Description A character copes with a mental disorder that can develop after a person is exposed to a traumatic event. Example: Super soldier Roga Danar suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after having served in the Angosian military in tng3x11 "The Hunted". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posttraumatic_stress_disorder :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with problematic people ============================== :: Description A character puts up with a person who they cannot avoid but find if difficult to deal with for whatever reason. :: Parents coping with adversity coping with puberty =================== :: Description An adolescent character struggles with the normal hallmarks of puberty, such as a variety of bodily changes and sexual urges. :: Parents coping with life issues coping with radiation sickness ============================== :: Description A character experiences radiation sickness. Example: Little Willie Harding succumbed of radiation poisoning after spending a night in the hospital in "X the Unknown" (1956). References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acute_radiation_syndrome :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with reentering society ============================== :: Description Someone has been away from anything resembling normal society for a long time, for example due to a lengthy prison term, and tries to re-adjust to life amongst normal people again. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisoner_reentry :: Parents coping with social issues coping with rejection ===================== :: Description A character struggles with the feelings of rejection that comes after a romantic advance has been rebuffed. Example: Charlie Evans was rejected by Janice Rand in tos1x07 "Charlie X". :: Parents coping with social issues coping with saying goodbye forever ================================== :: Description A character is about to leave someone they care about behind forever and struggles with how to take their leave. :: Parents coping with life issues coping with senility ==================== :: Description A character copes with a loss of their mental faculties that comes naturally with age. Example: In tng3x23 "Sarek", Sarek coped with having Bendii Syndrome, which is a rare degenerative neurological disorder that sometimes affects Vulcans over the age of two hundred. :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with sexual dysfunction ============================== :: Description A character has trouble performing in the sack. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_dysfunction :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with social issues ========================= :: Description A character has trouble with their place in society, or with family and friends, etc. :: Parents coping with adversity coping with someone controlling your life ========================================= :: Description A character has to struggle with someone (or something) controlling their life. Example: Professor Kerry West got a new television set that began to regulate almost every aspect of his daily life in Twonky (1953). :: Parents coping with problematic people coping with someone who is overexerting themself ================================================ :: Description Someone experiences having to watch a person they care about overexert themself at work. :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with someone who refuses to take care of their health ============================================================ :: Description A character, usually a relative, is concerned about a person they care for risking their life by refusing to see the Doctor or not following medical advice, etc. :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with starvation ====================== :: Description A character is deprived of food for a dangerous period of time. :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with stress ================== :: Description A character is experiences a stressful situation. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_stress :: Parents coping with adversity coping with stress at work ========================== :: Description A character struggles to deal with heavy pressure and stress at work. Example: Barclay retreated to a holodeck powered fantasy world to escape his on the job problems in tng3x21 "Hollow Pursuits". References: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/work-stress.aspx https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupational_stress :: Parents coping with stress coping with suicide =================== :: Description A character experiences losing a near and dear one to suicide. Alternatively, in a creative sci-fi story, they could possibly cope with the ramifications of their own suicide. Example: The crew was shocked and bereaved at the suicide of their fellow crewman Daniel Kwan in tng7x18 "Eye of the Beholder". :: Parents coping with the death of someone coping with test anxiety ======================== :: Description A character frets and worries about taking a test. Example: Wesley was racked with anxiety in anticipation of taking the Starfleet Academy entrance exam in tng1x19 "Coming of Age". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test_anxiety :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with the death of a child ================================ :: Description A character grieves over the loss of their child. Example: Lwaxana mourned the death of her daughter Kestra in tng7x07 "Dark Page". :: Parents coping with the death of someone coping with the death of a colleague ==================================== :: Description A character grieves after a colleague has passed away. :: Parents coping with the death of someone coping with the death of a fellow compatriot ============================================ :: Description A character grieves over the death of a fellow countryman who they, for example, share nationality or common cause with. Example: Worf coped with the death of a renegade Klingon compatriot by unleashing a thunderous death howl in tng1x20 "Heart of Glory". :: Parents coping with the death of someone coping with the death of a fiancée ================================== :: Description A character grieves over the loss of their fiancée. Example: Angela Martine's fiancée Robert Tomlinson died after inhaling lethal quantities of phaser coolant in tos1x08 "Balance of Terror". :: Parents coping with the death of someone coping with the death of a friend ================================= :: Description A character grieves over the death of a friend. Example: McCoy mourned Captain Kirk after he was pulled into interspace in tos3x09 "The Tholian Web". :: Parents coping with the death of someone coping with the death of a grandparent ====================================== :: Description A character grieves over the death of a grandparent. Example: Beverly attended the funeral of her grandmother Felisa Howard on Caldos II in tng7x14 "Sub Rosa". :: Parents coping with the death of someone coping with the death of a loved one ==================================== :: Description A character must come to terms with having lost a loved one. :: Parents coping with the death of someone coping with the death of a lover ================================ :: Description A character grieves over the death of a lover. Example: Captain Kirk cried on Spock’s shoulder, after he had knowingly allowed his lover Edith Keeler to die, in tos1x28 "The City on the Edge of Forever". :: Parents coping with the death of someone coping with the death of a new-born =================================== :: Description A character, typically a parent, struggles with the emotions that can come when a new-born child to which they are beholden expires soon after delivery. :: Parents coping with the death of someone coping with the death of a parent ================================= :: Description A character (typically a child) grieves over the loss of a parent. Example: Jeremy Aster was racked with guilt in tng3x05 "The Bonding" for falsely thinking that he was responsible for the death of his parents. :: Parents coping with the death of someone coping with the death of a pet ============================== :: Description A character grieves over the loss of their pet. Example: Spock mourned the loss of his pet sehlat in tas1x02 "Yesteryear". :: Parents coping with the death of someone coping with the death of a sibling ================================== :: Description A character grieves over the death of a sibling. Example: Rabal mourned the loss of his sister, and fellow environmental activist, Serova in tng7x09 "Forces of Nature". :: Parents coping with the death of someone coping with the death of a spouse ================================= :: Description A character grieves over the loss of their spouse. Example: Worf howled over the body of his murdered spouse K'Ehleyr in tng4x07 "Reunion". :: Parents coping with the death of someone coping with the death of a subordinate ====================================== :: Description A character in a position of command grieves over the death one of their subordinates. Example: Captain Kirk mourned for crewman Hendorff, who was shot and killed by a pod plant on Gamma Trianguli VI in tos2x09 "The Apple" whilst wearing a red shirt. :: Parents coping with the death of someone coping with the death of one's entire crew ========================================== :: Description A character in command of a vessel grieves over the loss of their entire crew. Example: Commodore Matt Decker mourned the loss of his crew to the Planet Eater in tos2x06 "The Doomsday Machine". :: Parents coping with the death of someone coping with the death of one's entire family ============================================ :: Description A character grieves over the death of their entire family. Example: In tng1x26 "The Neutral Zone", Clare Raymond woke up from cryogenic preservation aboard the Enterprise-C only to be confronted by the stark realisation that everyone in her entire family from the 20th century was dead. :: Parents coping with the death of someone coping with the death of someone ================================ :: Description A character is coming to grips with the death of a person or persons who he or she had a degree of attachment to in life. :: Parents coping with adversity coping with the defeat of one's people ====================================== :: Description A character deals with the news that their people have been defeated. :: Parents coping with life issues coping with the imprisonment of a family member =============================================== :: Description A character must stand idly by while a loved one rots away in prison. :: Parents coping with a loved one being in peril coping with the loss of one's livelihood ======================================== :: Description A character copes with having had to give up their livelihood for whatever reason. :: Parents coping with life issues coping with the murder of a loved one ===================================== :: Description A character must come to terms with a loved one having been murdered. :: Parents coping with the death of a loved one coping with the rigors of command ================================= :: Description A commander struggles with the mental burden it is to be responsible for other people. Example: Captain Pike pondered going into business on Regulus or on the Orion colony in the aftermath of a hard fought battle on Rigel VII in tos0x01 "The Cage". :: Parents coping with stress coping with tight boots ======================= :: Description A character copes with having to wear a pair of boots that are too tight. Example: McCoy was outfitted as a Gestapo doctor in tos2x23 "Patterns of Force", but the boots were too damn tight. :: Parents coping with an affliction coping with time passing you by =============================== :: Description A character copes with not being able to keep up with an ever-changing world. Example: Scotty coped with time having passed him by after Geordi found him suspended in a transporter pattern-buffer in tng6x05 "Relics". :: Parents coping with life issues coping with unwanted sexual urges ================================= :: Description A character has carnal urges of which they are ashamed, or that they otherwise don't desire. :: Parents coping with life issues coping with unwelcome romantic attention ======================================== :: Description A character copes with unwelcome amorous advances. Example: Captain Picard was mortified to have his former lover Vash aboard the Enterprise-D in tng4x20 "Qpid". :: Parents coping with problematic people corruption in society ===================== :: Description Discussed is the social problem that arises when officials or other people that have been entrusted with authority, to a wide extent abuses their position to acquire illicit benefits for themselves. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption :: Parents contemporary social issue counterfactuals =============== :: Description A conditional statement containing an if-clause which is contrary to fact. For example: If I had only brought along an umbrella, then I would be dry. :: Parents topic in science courage ======= :: Description A character faces a perceived danger boldly. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courage :: Parents agreeable characteristic courage in the face of death ============================ :: Description Someone shows bravery in the face of lethal danger. :: Parents courage courtesy ======== :: Description Someone is polite to a remarkable degree. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtesy :: Parents agreeable characteristic courtly intrigues ================= :: Description Persons with political power in a society maneuver and scheme with various motives, usually to get more power, wealth, and influence. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DecadentCourt?from=Main .DeadlyDecadentCourt :: Parents contemporary social issue covert alien observers ====================== :: Description Powerful aliens observe us in secret to see what we are like, perhaps conducting an experiment or two in the process. :: Parents superior life form covert military program ======================= :: Description A secret military project is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covert_operation :: Parents war cowardice ========= :: Description Someone exhibits a marked lack of courage when the situation demands it. Example: Marplon lost his nerve in the lead up to Captain Kirk confronting Landru in the Hall of Audiences in tos1x22 "The Return of the Archons". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowardice :: Parents disagreeable characteristic cracking under pressure ======================= :: Description Someone is put under so much stress that they can’t handle it and, typically, start acting irrationally. Example: Dave Bailey was relieved of duty for snapping on the bridge in tos1x02 "The Corbomite Maneuver". :: Parents coping with stress crackpot aging theory ===================== :: Description There is some silly notion about aging that doesn't square with what we really know about the topic. :: Parents crackpot theory crackpot theory =============== :: Description The category of theories that are presented as scientific, but do not in fact adhere to accepted scientific standards. They range from the Bermuda Triangle and flying saucers, to the idea that the devil was really an alien. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudoscience :: Parents the domain of faith cranial aggression implant ========================== :: Description A device implanted in the head that makes you more aggressive. :: Parents fictional apparatus creationism in society ====================== :: Description The contemporary social issue of how to handle creationist teachings is discussed. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, of course, but to what extent is it permissible to teach children such nonsense? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creationism :: Parents contemporary social issue creative writing ================ :: Description The art of writing original and creative works of poetry, novels, plays, etc. is featured. This is contrasted with, for example, scientific and journalistic writing where creativity has to be constrained by objective facts to a much greater extent. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creative_writing :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities creativity ========== :: Description Someone displays creativity and imagination. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creativity :: Parents agreeable characteristic crime and punishment ==================== :: Description What acts are to be criminal, how they should be punished and otherwise handled, and their impact on society in general are discussed. :: Parents contemporary social issue criminal gang in society ======================== :: Description There is a criminal gang and their influence on society is featured. Example: Moses in Attack the Block (2011) headed a criminal youth gang in a rundown area of London. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gang :: Parents contemporary social issue cross cultural romance ====================== :: Description Two people with different cultural backgrounds engage in a romantic relationship, and face all the various misunderstandings and controversies that typically come with it. Will the respective families get along? :: Parents romantic relationship cross cultural understanding ============================ :: Description The category of themes that treat those social complications that arise when people from different cultural backgrounds meet and seek to co-exist in spite of their differences. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-cultural_communication :: Parents intercultural relations cruel and unusual punishment ============================ :: Description We are made to ponder what kinds of acts of punishments are so cruel and unusual that it would be preferable to prohibit them entirely. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruel_and_unusual_punishment :: Parents human rights cruelty ======= :: Description A character is indifferent to, or delights in, pain and suffering that they inflict on someone else. Example: Gul Madred subjected Captain Picard to unspeakable tortures in tng6x11 "Chain of Command, Part II" and tried to make him see five lights where there were only four, four lights! References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruelty :: Parents disagreeable characteristic crustacean-like being ===================== :: Description A life form patterned after crustaceans. :: Parents earth-life inspired life form cryogenic suspension punishment =============================== :: Description People convicted of crimes are frozen by means of cryogenic technology for some time and as a punishment. :: Parents human enhancement cryogenic technology ==================== :: Description Technology that can freeze, e.g., a human body and thus stop it from aging or changing in any major way for an extended amount of time. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryobiology :: Parents human enhancement cryogenics ========== :: Description We are asked whether it is acceptable, or wise, to freeze one's self before death in the expectation of being revived in a distant future where medical science is more advanced. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryobiology :: Parents past and present moral controversy cryptid ======= :: Description An animal or plant that has been inferred from anecdotal or other evidence considered insufficient by mainstream science. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cryptids :: Parents crackpot theory crystalline life form ===================== :: Description Aliens with bodies made out of crystal. Example: Data's evil twin brother Lore summoned the Crystalline Entity, the space snowflake, to feed on the lifeforms aboard the Enterprise-D in tng1x13 "Datalore". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothetical_types_of_biochemistry#In_fiction :: Parents inorganic life form cultural differences ==================== :: Description Differences between people from different cultures, including ways of looking at things, dressing, and personal expression are featured. :: Parents cross cultural understanding cultural exchange ================= :: Description An exchange of representatives between two cultures to promote cross cultural understanding is featured. Example: Riker participated in an officer exchange program that involved serving aboard the Klingon vessel Pagh in tng2x08 "A Matter of Honor". :: Parents cross cultural understanding cultural preservation ===================== :: Description The importance of preserving an imperiled culture is explored. Example: The aliens on Malcor III decided to protect their dogmatic we-are- the-centre-of-the-universe beliefs by shutting themselves off from the Federation and the outside world in tng4x15 "First Contact". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_heritage :: Parents contemporary social issue cultural symbols as a unifying force in society =============================================== :: Description People unify around some object that is of shared cultural and historical significance to them, for example a religious relic. :: Parents social order culturally distinguished life form ================================== :: Description The category of themes that posit aliens with particular cultural peculiarities such as über-belligerence or religious fanaticism. Come to think of it, perhaps humanity fits in this group. :: Parents novel alien concept culturally symbiotic aliens =========================== :: Description Distinct alien races whose respective civilizations are interdependent to the point that one would collapse if the other disappeared. Example: The Brekkian economy relied entirely on the production and sale of a potent narcotic to their trade partners, the Ornarans, who were addicted to it in tng1x22 "Symbiosis". :: Parents culturally distinguished life form culture shock ============= :: Description Someone feels disoriented and bewildered at being immersed in an unfamiliar culture. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_shock :: Parents state of mind cure for Alzheimer's disease ============================ :: Description A scientifically derived cure for Alzheimer's disease is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimer%27s_disease :: Parents human enhancement cure for acromegaly =================== :: Description A scientifically derived cure for acromegaly is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acromegaly :: Parents human enhancement cure for cancer =============== :: Description A scientifically derived cure for cancer is featured. Example: Dr. Bradshaw sought an electricity-based cure for cancer in the film Indestructible Man (1956). References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treatment_of_cancer :: Parents human enhancement cure for obesity ================ :: Description A scientifically derived near-instant cure for obesity is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity :: Parents human enhancement cure for polio ============== :: Description A scientifically derived cure for polio is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poliomyelitis :: Parents human enhancement cure for the common cold ======================== :: Description A scientifically derived cure for the common cold is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_cold :: Parents human enhancement cure for tuberculosis ===================== :: Description A scientifically derived cure for tuberculosis is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuberculosis :: Parents human enhancement custody battle ============== :: Description Two or more people fight over the legal guardianship of a child. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_custody :: Parents parenting cyborg ====== :: Description Am alien whose body is part biological and part mechanical. Example: Q acquainted the Enterprise-D crew with that enigmatic race of cyborgs known as the Borg in tng2x16 "Q Who". :: Parents inorganic life form cyclical mating cycle alien =========================== :: Description A sentient species that mates only at regular intervals. Example: Spock was returned to planet Vulcan at warp speed so that he might complete the Vulcan seven year mating cycle in tos2x05 "Amok Time" and did not die from abstinence. :: Parents biologically distinguished life form danger from a new technology ============================ :: Description People invent a new technology but it has unforeseen consequences and civilization collapses. References: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/12/upshot/a-discussion-of-the- danger-and-promise-of-tech.html :: Parents man-made existential risk dark family secret ================== :: Description There is an embarrassing fact about something pertaining to a person's family or ancestry that is not widely known. Example: In ds96x17 "Wrongs Darker Than Death or Night" Kira found out that her mother, who she previously thought was a heroine, had quite willfully prostituted herself to the enemy and become a collaborator in order to protect Kira and her family. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_secret :: Parents family affairs dark matter life form ===================== :: Description There is a life form somehow constituted of a hypothetical kind of matter known as "dark matter". :: Parents inorganic life form dark matter nebula ================== :: Description A hypothetical nebula (cloud in space) composed primarily of an unidentified type of matter tentatively called "dark matter" that otherwise comprises approximately 27% of the mass and energy in the observable universe. Example: The Enterprise-D "lit up" the Mar Obscura (dark matter) Nebula using specially modified photon torpedoes in tng4x25 "In Theory". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_matter https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebula :: Parents what's out there data privacy ============ :: Description The question of appropriate balance between the public expectation of privacy on one hand and various social, legal and political issues on the other, are discussed. Is it, for example, acceptable for the government to snoop on innocent people's browsing habits in order to pick up on potential terrorist threats? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_privacy :: Parents contemporary social issue deadly sin ========== :: Description One of the traditional "deadly sins" of Christian theology is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_deadly_sins :: Parents human emotion deal with the devil =================== :: Description A character chooses to make an agreement that gets them immediate gratification of some sort but leaves a terrible price to be paid down the road. Example: The Ventaxians had made a literal deal with the devil to provide a thousand years of paradise on their homeworld in return for future enslavement in tng4x13 "Devil's Due". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deal_with_the_Devil :: Parents life choice deal with the devil to save a friend ==================================== :: Description Someone must choose whether or not to accept an unsavoury agreement for the sake of helping a friend. Example: Captain Picard made a deal with the devil Armus to save Troy but Armus got bedeviled in tng1x23 "Skin of Evil". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deal_with_the_Devil :: Parents personal ethical dilemma dealing with children ===================== :: Description The many trials and tribulations involved in handling children are featured. Example: On Captain Picard Day, Picard had the onerous duty to feign interest, bestow awards and otherwise encourage youngsters in tng7x12 "The Pegasus". :: Parents parenting dealing with terrorists ======================= :: Description The art of negotiating effectively with hated enemy terrorists is featured. Example: Captain Picard negotiated to free Beverly from the clutches of terrorists in tng3x12 "The High Ground", but ended up himself a hostage. :: Parents diplomacy death ray ========= :: Description A hypothetical directed energy weapon that induces instant death in its victims. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_ray :: Parents fictional apparatus deciding what is best for the patient ===================================== :: Description A Doctor alone has to make a decision that will fundamentally affect the future of their patient in a situation where the patient is not entirely capable of making the choice themselves. The patient might for example be unconscious, immature, or mentally ill. :: Parents medical ethics deciding whether to be a parent =============================== :: Description A character wrestles with themselves over whether or not they are ready and willing to axle the mantle of being a parent. :: Parents life choice decision making in the face of uncertainty ========================================== :: Description Someone must decide, in a given situation that involves significant uncertainty, which among various courses of action is the better. :: Parents personal practical dilemma decoy tactic ============ :: Description An object of some sort is used to lure and enemy to move according to one's own machination, for example into a trap. :: Parents the art of war deductive logic =============== :: Description The top-down process of reasoning from one or more general laws to reach a particular conclusion with logical certainty. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deductive_reasoning :: Parents topic in science defamation of character vs. freedom of speech ============================================= :: Description We are made to ponder where the limits of free speech should be drawn. Should outright lies that hurt someone else's reputation be persecuted or is that a slippery slope towards totalitarianism? :: Parents contemporary social issue defeatism in groups =================== :: Description Pessimistic acceptance of defeat without struggle is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defeatism :: Parents group interaction defection ========= :: Description A character escapes from their own side and goes over to the enemy, sometimes bringing valuable information with them. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defection :: Parents the art of war deferring to unappealing laws in a foreign society ================================================== :: Description We are asked when and to what extent people from one civilization ought to defer to the laws of another society when those laws appear bad, unjust, or outright immoral. :: Parents social ethical dilemma dehumanization ============== :: Description We are made to ponder what treatments are so shameful and debasing that they should be prohibited. Such treatment have been used as early steps in stirring up ethnic hatred and may lead to repression and genocide. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dehumanization :: Parents human rights delivering bad news =================== :: Description Someone has the undesirable duty to deliver very bad news, i.e., to inform of the death of kin. Example: Captain Picard had the unpleasant duty of informing Jeremy Aster that his mother Marla had died on an away mission in tng3x05 "The Bonding". :: Parents coping with having to do something delusion of grandeur ==================== :: Description A character exhibits fantastical beliefs that they are famous, omnipotent, wealthy, or otherwise very powerful. Example: Navigator Riley suddenly thought he was the captain in tos1x06 "The Naked Time". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grandiose_delusions :: Parents pathological state of mind delusional point of view ======================== :: Description We are shown what things might be like from a mentally ill person’s point of view. :: Parents views and customs demagoguery =========== :: Description Someone uses fine words, speeches, rhetorical tricks etc. to influence a group of people. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demagogue :: Parents group interaction democracy ========= :: Description The workings of a democracy are featured. Example: Babylon 5, bbf1x01, involved an election on earth as well as voting on the station itself. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy :: Parents social order demonization of the enemy ========================= :: Description A propaganda technique which promotes an idea about the enemy being threatening evil aggressor with only destructive objectives is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demonizing_the_enemy :: Parents war denial ====== :: Description Someone is faced with an uncomfortable fact but tries irrationally to deny the evidence. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denial :: Parents state of mind depletion of a vital natural resource ===================================== :: Description People overexploit a vital resource on which they depend and civilization collapses. Example: The Salt Vampires of planet M-113 were on the road to extinction as their planet had run out of salt in tos1x05 "The Man Trap". Where exactly the salt went is unclear but perhaps they ate it all. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_resource_management :: Parents man-made existential risk depression ========== :: Description Someone exhibits a low, dark mood that at its extreme can lead to thoughts of suicide. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depression_(mood) :: Parents pathological state of mind descent into crime ================== :: Description The way that someone can, step by step and without particular premeditation, get drawn into evermore serious crime is featured. Example: In voy3x13 "Fair Trade" Neelix did a favor for a friend who turned out to be involved in drug smuggling. After covering up some minor transgressions Neelix eventually found himself an accomplice to serious crime. In voy5x26 "Equinox (1)" it is told that the Equinox crew accidentally killed an alien and discovered that its body made excellent fuel. Driven by exceptional need they procured another alien which they murdered for fuel, then another and so on. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SlowlySlippingIntoEvil :: Parents contemporary social issue descent into madness ==================== :: Description The transition of a healthy mind into unhealthy mental disorder is featured. Example: Riker thought he was losing his mind in an alien insane asylum in tng6x21 "Frame of Mind". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insanity :: Parents pathological state of mind desert planet ============= :: Description There is a planet where nearly all land is arid, hot and sandy so that it resembles nothing more than one gigantic desert. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_planet :: Parents speculative habitat, what's out there desertion ========= :: Description A character abandons a duty or post without permission and is done with the intention of not returning. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desertion :: Parents war desire vs. conscience ===================== :: Description Someone is made to choose between what they desire for themselves on the one hand, and a cause of action they know to be morally the right on the other. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma despair ======= :: Description A character feels that all hope is gone. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depression_(mood) :: Parents unpleasant emotion desperation =========== :: Description Someone is at the brink of disaster, defeat, or personal failure and may try desperate actions to avoid the dreaded outcome. :: Parents state of mind despotism ========= :: Description There is a society which is ruled by a despot with more or less absolute power. This should not be confused with totalitarianism, which is more severe. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Despotism :: Parents social order destiny ======= :: Description The idea that some or all of what will happen to us is pre-determined and cannot be influenced by our decisions. Example: Data was destined to find his own severed head in tng5x26 "Time's Arrow". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Destiny :: Parents superstition destroying one people to save another ===================================== :: Description The following type of ethical dilemma becomes topical: Can the destruction of one people be justified on account of it saving another? In particular, is a people justified in committing genocide if they think it is necessary for their own survival as a people? :: Parents social ethical dilemma destroying one's own creation ============================= :: Description A character struggles with the tough decision of whether or not they should destroy something they have created, perhaps because it is causing some kind of mischief. Example: In voy2x13 "Prototype" B'Elanna found an alien robot and spent much time lovingly restoring and upgrading him. When it turned out that the robot and his kin where completely genocidal, B'Elanna very reluctantly took the decision to destroy the work she had done in order that it would not aid them. :: Parents personal practical dilemma determination ============= :: Description A character exhibits a feeling of resolve, i.e., that one will remain firm in one’s purpose. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Determination :: Parents pleasant emotion developing one's social skills ============================== :: Description A character seeks to improve their ability to interact socially with other people. :: Parents introspection device bigger inside than outside ================================= :: Description There is a container-like device that, defying the laws of nature as we presently know them, has a larger interior volume than its exterior volume. References: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BiggerOnTheInside :: Parents fictional apparatus devil worship ============= :: Description The worship of Satan is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satanism :: Parents organized religion deviousness =========== :: Description SA character employs deceitful tactics in the pursuit of their objectives. Example: Colonel Green tried every dirty trick in the book to gain an advantage in a battle to the death with Captain Kirk and Abraham Lincoln in tos3x22 "The Savage Curtain". References: https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviousness :: Parents disagreeable characteristic devolution ========== :: Description A hypothetical process by which a creature can be transformed into some creature of an earlier stage in its evolutionary history. E.g., a human could become an ape-like "australopithecus", or a rat-like "repenomamus", etc. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devolution_(biology) :: Parents human enhancement digital afterlife ================= :: Description There is technology which can transfer the consciousness of a dying person into a simulated reality where they can live on after their body ceases to function. :: Parents simulated reality digital clone of a person ========================= :: Description A real person has been copied and a good facsimile of them exists in a computer simulation. :: Parents simulated person diligence ========= :: Description Someone is being zealous with respect to a duty or a personal conviction. Note that "fortitude", by contrast, is used when someone perseveres in spite of adversity and hardship. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diligence :: Parents heavenly virtue diplomacy ========= :: Description The category of transnational social issues that centre on the peaceful interaction between sovereign factions in the form of discussion, trade, and posturing as opposed to threats and brute force. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplomacy :: Parents transnational social issue diplomacy vs. force =================== :: Description The question of when to use peaceful diplomacy and when to resort to brute force is featured. :: Parents diplomacy diplomatic compromising ======================= :: Description One or both sides in the diplomatic negotiation accept less than everything they want in order to reach an agreement. :: Parents diplomacy diplomatic language =================== :: Description How to speak in a way that is conducive to effective negotiating is featured. :: Parents diplomacy diplomatic maneuvering ====================== :: Description The various tricks and strategies used to gain the upper hand in diplomacy are featured. :: Parents diplomacy diplomatic negotiating ====================== :: Description The art of negotiating effectively between sovereign factions is featured. :: Parents diplomacy disagreeable characteristic =========================== :: Description A character traits that is generally disagreeable and typically considered bad for society is featured. :: Parents human characteristic disapproving parent =================== :: Description A parent disapproves of the actions and decisions a child of theirs make, as so often happens. :: Parents parenting discipline in the workplace =========================== :: Description A person in charge is confronted by insubordination and tries to do something about it. :: Parents group interaction discipline of a child ===================== :: Description The subtle question of how best to teach a child self-discipline, appropriate obedience, and how to punish transgressions. Example: Worf gave Alexander a stern talking to for having pocketed a lizard model on a school field trip in tng5x10 "New Ground". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_discipline :: Parents parenting disciplined leadership vs. flexible leadership ============================================== :: Description Someone in a leadership position weighs what balance of flexibility and friendliness they should adopt vs. how much hard discipline to impose. :: Parents personal practical dilemma discovering a hidden talent =========================== :: Description Someone realizes they are good at something they had not previously considered as a skill in their posession. :: Parents introspection discredited scientific theory ============================= :: Description The category of scientific theories that were once widely accepted but have since been superseded or outright discarded. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superseded_scientific_theories :: Parents modern science discrimination ============== :: Description The ramifications of discrimination in society are explored. Example: The telekinetically endowed Platonians treated the dwarf Alexander as a second class citizen because he did not have any mental powers in tos3x12 "Plato's Stepchildren". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discrimination :: Parents contemporary social issue disembodied head ================ :: Description A severed head is kept alive, and perhaps placed inside a jar. :: Parents human enhancement disgust ======= :: Description Someone feels revolted; either morally for something that is against their consciousness or pathologically because of something that is repulsive. This theme is used as a middleground between "boredom" and flat out "loathing". Example: Lwaxana was visibly disgusted performing oo-mox, an erotic ear massage, on DaiMon Tog in tng3x24 "Ménage à Troi". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disgust :: Parents unpleasant emotion disillusionment =============== :: Description Someone realizes that something they had previously believed in is not so great after all. References: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/disillusionment :: Parents introspection disintegrating romantic relationship ==================================== :: Description A romantic relationship breaks down and becomes dysfunctional in one of the many ways such a thing can happen. :: Parents romantic relationship disintegration chamber ====================== :: Description A chamber with the capability to make its contents, for all intents and purposes, vanish into thin air. :: Parents fictional apparatus distaste for attention ====================== :: Description Someone is unassuming and declines attention for themselves. Example: Worf reluctantly participated in a surprise birthday party held in his honor in tng7x11 "Parallels". :: Parents agreeable characteristic distraction =========== :: Description A character exhibits a feeling of mild "surprise" for something, that is just enough to prevent one from concentrating on other things. Example: Captain Picard was interrupted numerous times while attempting to practice on his Ressikan flute in the comfort of his private quarters in tng6x08 "A Fistful of Datas". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distraction :: Parents pleasant emotion dithering democracy vs. decisive autocracy ========================================== :: Description Democracy is contrasted with autocracy and the point is made that the former can be inefficient and slow in making decisions where the later can act decisively. :: Parents social dichotomy diversity vs. unity =================== :: Description Diversity in society is contrasted with unity in society. Social "diversity" is the quality of people being and thinking in many different ways while social "unity" is the exact opposite. Either can be a strength and either can be a weakness. :: Parents social dichotomy divide and conquer ================== :: Description The well known strategy of gaining and maintaining power by breaking up larger concentrations of power into pieces that individually have less power than the one implementing the strategy, is demonstrated. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divide_and_rule :: Parents the art of war divine balance ============== :: Description The idea that there are two divine forces that exist in a precarious balance that it is best not to upset. Example: The moon God Korgano followed the Sun Goddess Masaka in a neverending chase in tng7x17 "Masks". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maat :: Parents organized religion divine intervention =================== :: Description A purported miracle caused by a deity's active involvement in the human world is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_Intervention :: Parents organized religion diving suit =========== :: Description A garment or device designed to protect a diver from the underwater environment is featured in a manner that makes it clear it is a future technological achievement. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diving_suit :: Parents real gadget divorce ======= :: Description Two characters who were formally married go through a divorce. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divorce :: Parents family affairs doctor and patient relationship =============================== :: Description A doctor and their patient engage in a romantic relationship, and the befuddling dilemmas that come with it. Can a besotted doctor still give good medical advice? :: Parents romantic relationship doctor assisted suicide ======================= :: Description Discussed is whether it is ethically right sometimes for a doctor to assist life-weary patients in committing suicide. Example: Worf longed for somebody to pull the plug on him after he was paralyzed as the result of a freak accident in tng5x16 "Ethics". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_suicide :: Parents medical ethics doctor vs. next of kin ====================== :: Description It is discussed what should be done when there is disagreement between doctors and their patient’s next of kin, in some important choice the patient is incapable of making. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor%E2%80%93patient_relationship :: Parents medical ethics doctor-patient confidentiality ============================== :: Description It is discussed when, if ever, a doctor is ethically obligated to divulge confidential information about their patient without the patient’s consent. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor%E2%80%93patient_relationship :: Parents medical ethics doctor’s opinion vs. patient preference ======================================= :: Description We are asked to what extent a Doctor must respect the wishes of the patient, their next of kin or guardians in case of a minor, when those wishes are seen as being against the good of the patient. :: Parents medical ethics domed city ========== :: Description A city protected by some manner of a dome-shaped barrier. Example: The Enterprise-D was diverted to save a doomed domed city of genetically engineered colonists in tng5x13 "The Masterpiece Society". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domed_city :: Parents speculative habitat, mastering space domestic social issue ===================== :: Description The category of themes that deal with issues that are normally discussed in the context of the internal affairs of a sovereign state. :: Parents society domestic violence ================= :: Description Violence or other abuse by one person against another in a domestic setting, such as in marriage or cohabitation. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_violence :: Parents contemporary social issue don't sleep in snow =================== :: Description The time tested wisdom that it is a bad idea to go to sleep in cold snow, is featured. People who suffer from hypothermia become drowsy and may not wake up if they go to sleep in the cold. :: Parents life lesson donating an organ to save a life ================================ :: Description A character chooses to donate an organ of their own in order to save someone else's life. :: Parents self-sacrifice drawing ======= :: Description The art of using relatively dry instruments such as pens and crayons (but not paint) to create images on a surface such as paper or a computer display. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drawing :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities dream recorder ============== :: Description A device used to record and replay your dreams. Example: The holodeck was employed to monitor Data’s dreams in tng7x06 "Phantasms". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thought_recording_and_reproduction_device :: Parents fictional apparatus dream walking ============= :: Description The idea that dreams are something real that, consequently, can be entered by other people and so on. :: Parents superstition dream walking alien =================== :: Description There's an alien species the members of which can enter the dreams of other people. :: Parents mentally distinguished life form drug addiction ============== :: Description Someone exhibits an addiction to a chemical substance. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance_dependence :: Parents pathological state of mind drug enhanced supersoldier ========================== :: Description Drugs have been used to enhance the fighting capabilities of military personnel. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supersoldier :: Parents human enhancement drug trade ========== :: Description The ramifications of drugs and drug trade in society are explored. Example: The Brekkians found that trading a certain drug to the Ornarans was such a lucrative enterprise that they needed no other industry whatsoever in tng1x22 "Symbiosis". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_drug_trade :: Parents contemporary social issue drugged up dystopia =================== :: Description There is a world in which existence is blissful thanks to one or more drugs that keep us happy. :: Parents dystopia drunk driving in society ======================== :: Description The social problem of people driving while under the influence of alcohol (or other impairing drugs) is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driving_under_the_influence :: Parents contemporary social issue duplicate of a person ===================== :: Description The technology to duplicate a person, or at least a person’s mind. :: Parents mind technology duty to disobey illegal orders ============================== :: Description We are asked whether an excuse like "I was merely following orders" is acceptable in some scenario where something illegal or unethical has been perpetrated. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superior_orders :: Parents past and present moral controversy duty vs. compassion =================== :: Description Someone is forced to choose between following their duty on the one hand, and acting to help a fellow being out of compassion on the other. :: Parents conflict of duty duty vs. conscience =================== :: Description Someone is forced to choose between acting in accord with their duty, and acting in accord with their conscience. :: Parents conflict of duty duty vs. desire =============== :: Description A character is forced to choose between following their duty, and acting to further some goal of their own. :: Parents conflict of duty duty vs. duty ============= :: Description Someone is forced to choose between opposing groups. :: Parents conflict of duty duty vs. friendship =================== :: Description Someone is forced to choose between following their duty, and helping a friend. Example: In tos1x13 "The Galileo Seven", Captain Kirk was torn between his duty to the Federation to deliver medicine on the one hand, and his duty to continue his search for Spock on the other. :: Parents conflict of duty duty vs. love ============= :: Description Someone is forced to choose between following their duty, and following their heart. Example: The allasomorph princess Salia chose the office of head of state of the planet Daled IV over Wesley in tng2x10 "The Dauphin". :: Parents conflict of duty duty vs. self-preservation ========================== :: Description Someone is forced to choose between following their duty, and saving their own skin. :: Parents conflict of duty dying sun ========= :: Description The sun to a planet becomes colder and civilization collapses. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellar_evolution :: Parents force majeure existential risk dysfunctional court system ========================== :: Description A judicial system is not functioning as we expect that a judicial system should. Typically this happens because the officials involved are corrupt and/or driven by political motives. In a totalitarian state, for example, they may simply act to remove undesirable people with little consideration for actual guilt and evidence. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judiciary :: Parents contemporary social issue dysfunctional upbringing ======================== :: Description A character grows up in a family under conditions that professionals would probably describe as dysfunctional. This typically involves some amount of psychological problems. Example: Beverly in "It" (1990) had a physically abusive father and later in life find herself drawn to other abusive men against her better judgment. :: Parents growing up dystopia ======== :: Description There is a functioning society that is nevertheless for some reason depressing and horrifying to contemporary eyes. :: Parents alternate society déjà vu ======= :: Description The unscientific notion that the sensation that an event currently being experienced has happened in the past means it did in fact happen in the past. Example: Beverly and her poker buddies experienced déjà vu when they got stuck in a time loop in tng5x18 "Cause and Effect". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A9j%C3%A0_vu :: Parents discredited scientific theory détente ======= :: Description Two parties in a conflict, like the Cold War, try to gradually back down and defuse the situation. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A9tente :: Parents diplomacy earth-life inspired life form ============================= :: Description The category of themes that posit cat-aliens, dog-aliens, fish-aliens and other mind-boggling hybrids of humanoid alien with well known Earth wildlife. :: Parents novel alien concept earthquake machine ================== :: Description There is a machine that can be used to cause significant seismic events. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Earthquakemachine :: Parents fictional apparatus eco-terrorism ============= :: Description Terrorist-like activities such as armed attacks, bombings and sabotage, are carried out in the name of environmentalism. Example: Militant activists from Hekaras II placed space mines to stop space ships from rupturing subspace with their warp cores in tng7x09 "Force of Nature". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eco-terrorism :: Parents activism ecological destruction ====================== :: Description People pollute the environment upon which they depend to the point of total collapse and everyone dies from starvation etc. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_degradation :: Parents man-made existential risk ecology ======= :: Description The scientific study of interactions among organisms and their environment, involving all of biology, geography, and Earth science. Example: Invasive species’ such as the Tribbles could have a profound impact on ecology as we are shown in tas1x05 "More Tribbles, More Troubles". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecology :: Parents scientific discipline economic depression =================== :: Description The ramifications of an economic depression on society are explored. Example: Captain Kirk and Spock followed McCoy back to the 1930s and got to experience the American Great Depression first hand in tos1x28 "The City on the Edge of Forever". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depression_(economics) :: Parents contemporary social issue ecstasy ======= :: Description A character exhibits a rapturous feeling of excitement that rises above what would properly be called "joy" in that they experience a loss of self-control. Example: Captain Kik indulged himself in a prolonged and joyous self-hug on the idyllic planet Amerind in tos3x03 "The Paradise Syndrome". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecstasy_(emotion) :: Parents pleasant emotion edge of the universe ==================== :: Description A hypothetical untraversable border around the universe which cannot be traversed. Example: The Traveler used his powers of thought a little bit too hard and tossed the Enterprise-D to the edge of the universe in tng1x06 "Where No One Has Gone Before" and it was found to be a really weird place. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Observable_universe :: Parents speculative lands and worlds, what's out there egocentrism =========== :: Description A character manifests an inability to understand or assume any perspective other than their own. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egocentrism :: Parents pathological state of mind eidetic memory ============== :: Description The phenomenon of photographic memory is discussed. Whether such a thing really exists is controversial among scientists. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eidetic_memory :: Parents topic in science elderly couple ============== :: Description Two elderly characters are romantically involved. :: Parents romantic relationship electioneering in society ========================= :: Description Problems and controversies surrounding the various practices by which politicians sometimes go about campaigning for public office are featured. For example, what can we do about all the fake news that is generated and how do we keep the Russians from meddling? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_campaign :: Parents contemporary social issue electromagnetic beast ===================== :: Description A very special Star Trek beast that is somehow electromagnetic, mostly invisibly, and highly aggressive. Example: Captain Picard joined forces with Dathon, a member of the enigmatic Children of Tama, to battle the ferocious Electromagnetic Beast of El-Adrel in tng5x02 "Darmok". :: Parents inorganic life form elitism ======= :: Description The ramifications of elitism in society, a small group of people being particularly favoured, are explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elitism :: Parents contemporary social issue embarrassing family member ========================== :: Description A person is ashamed because of a relative's anachronistic or otherwise embarrassing behavior. For example, a kid might be embarrassed when their parents accompany them to class. :: Parents family affairs embarrassment ============= :: Description Someone feels ashamed or self-conscious about themself in front of others. Example: Spock was mortified at the prospect of having to explain the nature of his secret Vulcan mating urges to Captain Kirk in tos2x05 "Amok Time". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embarrassment :: Parents unpleasant emotion emergent intelligence ===================== :: Description An intelligence forms through some natural process akin to evolution. This is as opposed to it being designed by some other intelligence. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noogenesis :: Parents AI technology emotional overwhelm =================== :: Description Someone feels overwhelmed by an emotion or impression, for example by the grandeur of an experience or the gravity of a responsibility, to such an extent that they are speechless and come close to fainting or commit suicide because they can’t handle it all. Example: Troi was shocked to wake up on a Romulan warbird looking like a Romulan in tng6x14 "Face of the Enemy". :: Parents state of mind emotionless emotion craving alien ================================= :: Description An alien that, lacking emotions of its own, somehow craves to experience emotions with the help of others. :: Parents mentally distinguished life form endangered species ================== :: Description Ideas surrounding the preserving of endangered species are explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endangered_species :: Parents contemporary social issue enemy point of view =================== :: Description We are simultaneously shown what things may be like from the respective viewpoints of two factions that see each other as enemies. :: Parents views and customs enlightened dictatorship ======================== :: Description There is a hypothetical social order where an incorruptibly wise, just and benevolent person is invested with absolute power for life. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benevolent_dictatorship :: Parents social order ennui ===== :: Description Someone is feeling bored and depressed with their life and existence. Example: General Trelane (retired), a.k.a. the Squire of Gothos, held an enterprise landing party against their will to help spice up his life in tos1x18 "The Squire of Gothos". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boredom :: Parents state of mind environmentalism ================ :: Description An ideology that emphasizes environmental protection and improvement of the health of the environment with a focus on non-human elements. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmentalism :: Parents activism epic love ========= :: Description The love between idealized Earth-moving love of Gods, legends, and Helen of Troy. :: Parents romantic love equal career opportunities for women ==================================== :: Description The problem women have in finding the same career opportunities as men in a male dominated society is featured. Example: Dr. Janice Lester was convinced that Captain Kirk had had the career she had not, only because of their respective genders in tos3x24 "Turnabout Intruder". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_the_workforce :: Parents the battle of the sexes erotic romance novels ===================== :: Description This naughty literary subgenre is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erotic_romance_novels :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities escape from reality =================== :: Description A character prefers to dream up a fantasy world rather than face reality. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escapism :: Parents state of mind espionage ========= :: Description One faction uses covert methods such as the planting of spies in order to glean secret information from an opposing faction and thus gain military or political advantage. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espionage :: Parents the art of war establishing diplomatic relations ================================= :: Description Dignitaries from two hitherto with each other unfamiliar nations negotiate the protocols under which they are to interact going forward. :: Parents diplomacy ethics ====== :: Description The branch of philosophy that involves systematizing, defending, and recommending moral principles. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethics :: Parents classical philosophy ethnic hatred ============= :: Description Hostility toward an ethnic group is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_hatred :: Parents contemporary social issue eugenics ======== :: Description We are asked to what extent, if any, we should collectively strive to control human evolution by selective breeding. In past this has meant sterilizing or killing "undesirable" people, and subsidizing the procreation of "desirable" people. Example: Doctor Stavos Keniclius 5 made a failed bid to create a galactic master race of giant Spock clones in tas1x07 "The Infinite Vulcan" - a giant Spock, of course, being the measure of eugenic perfection. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugenics :: Parents past and present moral controversy euthanasia ========== :: Description We are asked how and when, if ever, we should allow and assist the "merciful" killing of someone who is thought to suffer greatly without any other hope of relief. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthanasia :: Parents past and present moral controversy event horizon ============= :: Description An event horizon is a boundary in spacetime beyond which events cannot affect an outside observer. This is most commonly associated with black holes where gravity is so sever that from within a certain distance of them not even light can escape, let alone matter irrespective of its velocity. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Event_horizon :: Parents topic in science everlasting fabric ================== :: Description A fabric that never gets dirty and never wears out is featured. Example: Sidney Stratton makes a brilliantly white suit from an everlasting fabric made of a special polymer that repelled dirt using static electricity in "The Man in the White Suit" (1951). :: Parents fictional apparatus evil can come in the guise of beauty ==================================== :: Description We are warned not to be deceived by beauty as attractive people (or objects) may in fact be quite as evil as anyone (or anything) else. Example: Miranda Jones was both smart and beautiful but under the surface she had a viciously jealous streak in tos3x07 "Is There in Truth No Beauty?". This in contrast to the Medusan ambassador who was hideous yet remarkably accommodating. :: Parents life lesson exercising self-restraint ========================= :: Description Someone acknowledges their own emotions but refrains from giving them an outlet. Example: Riker urged Troi to exercise a modicum of self-restraint shortly after she picked up a young ensign on the turbolift in tng6x03 "Man of the People". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-control :: Parents introspection existential risk ================ :: Description The category of themes that are about how civilization on a planetary scale (notably Earth) and beyond could come into jeopardy. An event that would destroy an entire intelligent species or irreversibly cripple its civilization so that it could not reach its full potential is posited. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_catastrophic_risk :: Parents alternate society expecting parents ================= :: Description The lives of (typically) two soon-to-be parents between confirmed conception and the birth of a child is explored. If the story is primarily about maternal labor and the delivery of a baby and what comes after, use "giving birth" instead of this theme. :: Parents parenting experimental medical procedure ============================== :: Description The question of where to draw the line when it comes to the use of experimental medical procedures is featured. Examples include when a doctor resorts to the use of such procedures on his or her patients either in the name of the advancement of medical science or as a last resort on a critically ill patient. Example: Dr. Toby Russell wanted to test out her new surgical procedure for spinal transplantation on Worf but Beverly remonstrated in tng5x16 "Ethics". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Experimental_medical_treatments :: Parents medical ethics exploitation of sentient beings =============================== :: Description We are made to ponder what is needed for a creature to be considered sentient and when the exploitation of such a creature becomes shameful. Exploiting beasts of burden is typically condoned but the same treatment of human beings would be morally reprehensible. :: Parents human rights exploiting a lover ================== :: Description Someone scrupulously takes advantage of their lovers devotion for personal gain. :: Parents romantic relationship exponential growth ================== :: Description A very rapid kind of growth by which the amount of a quantity increases at a rate proportional to the amount already present. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exponential_growth :: Parents topic in science expressing feelings =================== :: Description The various troubles involved in expressing one’s feelings to another are featured. Example: Data expressed his affection for Spot the cat in characteristic android fashion by reciting "Ode to Spot" in tng6x05 "Schisms". :: Parents one-on-one interaction external immune system ====================== :: Description A hypothetical immune system that extends outside the body, attacking potential diseases before they can even come close. Example: Sara Kingsley’s genetically engineered super-children had such an effective immune system that it attacked pathogens before they could even get near the body in question in tng2x07 "Unnatural Selection"; unfortunately it also attacked other people. :: Parents human enhancement extinct interstellar civilization ================================= :: Description A civilization that flourished to the extent that they colonized other planets, but then went extinct for some reason or another. What perils may the distant future hold in store? :: Parents miscellaneous life form extra-dimensional alien ======================= :: Description Aliens said to be native to another dimension is featured. By "another dimension" it is usually meant a reality that is not reachable for us by conventional traversal of space, and that have somewhat different laws of nature. :: Parents superior life form extradition =========== :: Description One sovereign faction gives up a prisoner to the care of another soverign faction. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extradition :: Parents diplomacy extramarital affair =================== :: Description A character who is married engages in a sexual encounter or relationship outside the marriage, and deals with the consequences. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affair#Extramarital_affair :: Parents romantic relationship extrasensory perception ======================= :: Description The discredited theory that information can be received directly by the mind itself in addition to the recognized physical senses. Example: Elizabeth Dehner was reported to have an esper rating of 089 and an aperception quotient of 20/100 in tos1x01 "Where No Man Has Gone Before". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extrasensory_perception :: Parents discredited scientific theory extraterrestrial threat ======================= :: Description The category of themes that suggest ways in which civilization on Earth (or some inhabited planet) could come under threat because of the actions of a life form from outside. When will the Martians invade? :: Parents existential risk extremism ========= :: Description Religious or political ideologies far outside the mainstream attitudes of society that are considered to be threatening to the established order. Example: Ensign Ro Laren infiltrated a group of Bajoran terrorists known as the Maquis in tng5x03 "Ensign Ro". :: Parents contemporary social issue extrovert vs. introvert ======================= :: Description Featured are the contrasts, interactions and potential conflicts that can arise between people who are outgoing and extrovert on the one hand, and people who are reclusive and introvert on the other. :: Parents one-on-one interaction eye for an eye justice ====================== :: Description We are made to ponder the ethics of the age old creed that we should punish evildoers by treating them in a similar way to how they treated their victims. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_for_an_eye :: Parents social ethical dilemma eye transplant ============== :: Description A procedure to transplant eyes from one person to another is featured. :: Parents human enhancement face patch ========== :: Description Like an eye patch, but covering half of the face. Example: The "steady, reputable, and occasionally brilliant" Dr. Thomas Leighton sported a face patch in tos1x12 "The Conscience of the King". :: Parents human enhancement facing a conspiracy =================== :: Description Someone faces a secret conspiracy that aims to produce some nefarious outcome. Example: Ensign Ro got herself mixed up in an elaborate conspiracy to eradicate a Bajoran terrorist cell in the eponymous episode tng5x03 "Ensign Ro". :: Parents facing general adversity facing a ferocious beast ======================== :: Description Someone experiences what it is like to face a fearsome animal or some other kind of beast-like creature. Example: Captain Kirk was the victim of a nearly fatal mugato attack in tos2x16 "A Private Little War". :: Parents survival facing a fight to the death =========================== :: Description Someone experiences what it is like to be in a fight to the death. Example: Spock got the better of Captain Kirk in the mother of all fights to the death in tos2x05 "Amok Time". References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DuelToTheDeath :: Parents survival facing a genius adversary ========================= :: Description A character experiences what it is like to face a genius in a fight, competition, or other adversarial situation. :: Parents survival facing a hostage situation ========================== :: Description Someone is involved in a hostage situation. Example: The Pakled held Geordi hostage in the hopes of getting some Federation goodies in exchange for the engineer in tng2x17 "Samaritan Snare". References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HostageSituation :: Parents facing general adversity facing a mortal enemy ===================== :: Description Someone faces their mortal enemy, i.e., someone who would be happy to see them dead. Example: Captain Picard faced the evil genius Dr. James Moriarty in tng2x03 "Elementary, Dear Data" and tng6x12 "Ship in a Bottle". :: Parents survival facing a pandemic ================= :: Description Someone tries to deal with a highly infectious disease running rampant through a population. Example: A weary band of space lepers had their sights set on bringing themselves, and possibly their disease, to planet Haven in tng1x11 "Haven". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandemic :: Parents facing general adversity facing a ship takeover ====================== :: Description Someone tries to deal with their vessel being space-jacked. Example: A ragtag band of space hippies took over the Enterprise with the intention of commandeering the vessel and taking it to the mythical planet Eden in tos3x20 "The Way to Eden". :: Parents facing general adversity facing a vehicular disaster =========================== :: Description A character is in sinking ship, disintegrating space craft etc. and tries to survive as best they can. :: Parents facing general adversity facing a vermin infestation =========================== :: Description A facility is infested with rodents or some other type of animal nuisance and someone tries to get rid of the vermin. :: Parents facing general adversity facing adversity ================ :: Description A character confronts something difficult that they actively endeavor to overcome. This includes matters of survival and making a self-sacrifice. :: Parents challenges in life facing an evil genius ===================== :: Description A character faces an evil genius. :: Parents facing general adversity facing an existential risk ========================== :: Description Someone goes up against a situation that threatens their whole civilization and way of life. :: Parents facing general adversity facing an invading force ======================== :: Description Someone experiences what it is like when an invading force comes to attack them and their homeland. Example: The Delta Rana IV colonists faced a Husnock invading force very poorly by getting slaughtered down to the last man in tng3x03 "The Survivors". :: Parents survival facing an overpowering adversary ================================ :: Description Someone learns what it is like to come up against an opponent that is many times more capable than themselves. Example: The future of humanity was at stake in tng4x01 "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II" when the Borg came knocking in Sector 001: Earth’s sector. :: Parents survival facing being evicted from one's home ==================================== :: Description A character is facing being evicted from the place they live. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eviction :: Parents facing general adversity facing being stranded ===================== :: Description A character is stranded, for example shipwrecked, more or less alone and away from their civilization. They try to survive and be rescued. :: Parents facing general adversity facing general adversity ======================== :: Description The category of themes that involve someone confronting something difficult that they actively endeavor to overcome, but that is not a matter or survival and does not require a self-sacrifice. :: Parents facing adversity facing judgment from one's peers ================================ :: Description A character confronts a group of their peers and try to defend their opinions or choices against criticism. :: Parents facing general adversity facing life in an insane asylum =============================== :: Description Someone faces living as a patient in an insane asylum with few prospects of release. Example: Nefarious aliens made Riker believe he might live out his life in an insane asylum on Tilonus IV in tng6x21 "Frame of Mind" :: Parents facing general adversity facing life in captivity ======================== :: Description Someone faces living as a captive with no reasonable prospect of escape. Example: Fivas Fajo kidnapped Data to sit the android on display in his collection of rare and unusual objects tng3x22 "The Most Toys". :: Parents facing general adversity facing loan sharks ================== :: Description A character has taken a usury loan from a more or less criminal group and is under pressure to pay up, one way or the other. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loan_shark :: Parents facing general adversity facing muggers ============== :: Description A character is confronted by other characters who threaten them with violence should they fail to hand over various possessions. :: Parents survival facing mysterious adversity =========================== :: Description Someone tries to deal with inexplicable and mysterious, undesirable events that threaten them. Example: Captain Kirk was at a loss for how to explain why everyone had disappeared from the Enterprise in tos3x17 "The Mark of Gideon". :: Parents facing general adversity facing one's darker side ======================== :: Description Someone analyzes their own less desirable attributes and inclinations. Example: William T. Riker saw his darker side in Thomas Riker in tng6x24 "Second Chances", but the feeling was mutual. :: Parents introspection facing one's darkest fear ========================= :: Description Someone comes face to face with what they fear the most. Example: Barclay mustered the courage to face his darkest fear of going through the transporter in tng6x02 "Realm of Fear". :: Parents facing general adversity facing one's own death ====================== :: Description A character is confronted with the fact that they are about to die, perhaps because of a terminal illness, and has to come to terms with the fact. :: Parents facing general adversity facing one's own execution ========================== :: Description Someone is waiting to be executed. :: Parents facing one's own death facing organized pursuit ======================== :: Description A character is being pursued by for example the police, a crime syndicate, or some other organized group. :: Parents facing general adversity facing oxygen deprivation ========================= :: Description A character is faced with figuring out how to survive when oxygen is in short supply. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_hypoxia :: Parents facing general adversity facing persecution by the government ==================================== :: Description A character is being chased by the governing body in the region, for whatever reason. :: Parents survival facing the demise of a personal enterprise ========================================== :: Description A character is confronted with the imminent failure of a venture they had invested much of their energy in, for example a career pursuit, private company, etc. :: Parents facing general adversity facing wrongful accusations =========================== :: Description Someone must deal with being falsely accused of a misdeed. Example: Scotty was falsely accused of murdering three women while on shore leave on Argelius II in tos2x07 "Wolf in the Fold". :: Parents facing general adversity fairies ======= :: Description The notion of fairy folk, from primarily North European folk lore, is brought up. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy :: Parents superstition fairness ======== :: Description A character displays the ability to make equitable judgements without prejudice or bias. :: Parents agreeable characteristic faith in a friend ================= :: Description Someone supports a friend by showing unwavering trust in their abilities. Example: Captain Picard decided to trust Guinan implicitly, albeit after been on the receiving end of a stern talking to from the Ten Forward bartender, in tng3x15 "Yesterday's Enterprise". :: Parents one-on-one interaction faith vs. medicine ================== :: Description We are asked what society should do when some peoples' faith clashes with state of the art medical science and therefore puts public health at risk to lesser or greater extent. Example: A contemporary debate rages in some places about the use of vaccination. :: Parents organized religion faith vs. reason ================ :: Description The central question in the battle between the secular (science) and the ecclesiastical (religion): Is there a valid source of knowledge, i.e., revelation, that is not derived from reason and not subject to scientific experimentation? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith_and_rationality :: Parents organized religion fall from grace =============== :: Description A previously honored character finds themself out of favor, with a loss of status and prestige, for one reason or another. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_from_grace :: Parents survival falling out of friendship ========================= :: Description Two friends stop being friends, for example, because they come to disagree about an important issue. :: Parents one-on-one interaction false flag operation ==================== :: Description A faction that wants to make war creates an incident and blames it on the enemy. The real warmongerers can then attack while falsely claiming that their targeted enemy started the hostilities. Example: The Enterprise-D nearly destroyed a Lysian space station in revenge but then it turned out the whole situation had been orchestrated by the Sataarans in tng5x14 "Conundrum". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_flag :: Parents war false rape accusations ====================== :: Description The social issue that accusation of rape are sometimes false is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_accusation_of_rape :: Parents contemporary social issue familial love ============= :: Description Featured is the sort of love shared among family and friends. :: Parents love familial relations ================== :: Description A relationship between persons who are close enough to consider one another other as family is featured. :: Parents family affairs family affairs ============== :: Description The category of themes that are about interpersonal relations and interaction within a family. :: Parents social interaction family dispute ============== :: Description Two or more family members have a perennial or otherwise significant quarrel over some material family matter, for example family honor. :: Parents family affairs family honor ============ :: Description Members of a family contemplate their collective honor. This often happens because the actions of a family member threatens to put a stain on the family's reputability. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_honor :: Parents family affairs family life =========== :: Description The everyday life of a possible human family is featured. Example: In voy3x22 "Real Life" The Doctor created a stereotypical idealized American family on the holodeck with which he played out classical motifs such as the husband coming home from work to a loving house wife and sitting down to an orderly family dinner. Objecting to this unrealistic fantasy, B'Elanna introduced various elements of dysfunction: The wife became overworked and testy, their teenage son got caught up with a bad crowd of rowdy Klingons, their younger daughter wanted to engage in dangerous activities, etc. :: Parents group interaction fantasy romance =============== :: Description A character imagines their own ideal romantic adventure. :: Parents introspection fascism ======= :: Description There is a system of authoritarian nationalism in the best traditions of Mussolini’s Italy (1922-43) or Hitler’s Third Reich (1933-45). Example: Federation cultural observer John Gill ill-advisedly instituted a Nazi state on the planet Ekos in tos2x23 "Patterns of Force". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism :: Parents social order father and daughter =================== :: Description The relationship between a father and his daughter is featured. :: Parents parent and child father and son ============== :: Description The relationship between a father and his son is featured. :: Parents parent and child father and son rivalry ====================== :: Description There is conflict between father and son in keeping with the Oedipusean tradition. Example: Riker settled his long-standing rivalry with his father Kyle in the anbo-jtytsu dohyo tng2x14 "The Icarus Factor". :: Parents growing up father-in-law and daughter-in-law ================================= :: Description The relationship between a father-in-law and her daughter-in-law is featured. :: Parents familial relations father-in-law and son-in-law ============================ :: Description The relationship between a father-in-law and his son-in-law is featured. :: Parents familial relations fatherly disappointment in a son ================================ :: Description A son is not all that his father wishes him to be. :: Parents parental disappointment in child fear ==== :: Description Someone experiences anxiety about the near future in a way that rises above "apprehension", but is not so intense that they loose self-control and scream out in "terror". This theme is typically used when a character percieves a clear and present physical danger. Example: Beverly revealed her fear of heights to Captain Picard in tng7x08 "Attached". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear :: Parents unpleasant emotion fear for one's life =================== :: Description A character is terrified because there is a chance that they may soon be killed or otherwise die. :: Parents unpleasant emotion fear of abandonment =================== :: Description A character exhibits a fear that someone they love (for example a husband or a dad) will leave them. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abandonment_(emotional) :: Parents fear fear of an unknown future ========================= :: Description A character is afraid owing to the prospect of an uncertain and unfamiliar future. :: Parents unpleasant emotion fear of doctors =============== :: Description A character exhibits mild or acute iatrophobia. :: Parents pathological state of mind fear of flying ============== :: Description Someone exhibits aviophobia: the fear of being in a flying vehicle. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_of_flying :: Parents pathological state of mind fear of intimacy ================ :: Description A character manifests anxiety from having difficulty forming a romantic relationship with another person. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_of_intimacy :: Parents introspection fear of letting loose ===================== :: Description A character is afraid of expressing or acting out their feelings and innermost desires. :: Parents introspection fear of strangers ================= :: Description Someone exhibits an unusual amount of anxiety when encountering new people. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophobia :: Parents pathological state of mind fear of success =============== :: Description Someone stops short of doing their best because they feel worried about actually succeeding with an ambition, for example in their career. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonah_complex :: Parents pathological state of mind fear of telling someone how you feel about them =============================================== :: Description A character is reticent about their feelings towards another. In particular this is used when someone is secretly in love with someone else and struggles with how to let them know. :: Parents introspection fear of the lord ================ :: Description The believers sense of respect, awe and submission in front of their god. :: Parents organized religion fear of the unknown =================== :: Description A character is afraid because they have encountered something that is foreboding but unknown. :: Parents unpleasant emotion federalism ========== :: Description Societies with distinct political systems have come together and formed an overarching level of government that works in tandem with the individual systems. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federalism :: Parents social order feeling neglected in a relationship =================================== :: Description Someone is in a relationship where they feel their partner doesn't pay sufficient attention to them. :: Parents romantic relationship feeling of helplessness ======================= :: Description Someone feels distress at being unable to do something about a bad situation. :: Parents state of mind feeling of inadequacy ===================== :: Description A character feels they are not deserving of the things they've got and the honors they are awarded. :: Parents state of mind feeling of unfulfillment ======================== :: Description Someone feels that their life lacks purpose and they are achieving nothing meaningful. :: Parents state of mind feeling tied down in a relationship =================================== :: Description A character in an otherwise functional relationship re-thinks whether this commitment is preventing them from pursuing more enticing goals in life. :: Parents introspection felinoid alien ============== :: Description An alien race patterned after cats. Example: A race of carnivorous, feline humanoids, known as the Kzinti, were featured in tas 1x14 "The Slaver Weapon". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mammalian_alien_species#Felines :: Parents earth-life inspired life form female attraction to powerful men ================================= :: Description The oft cited stereotype that women are attracted to men of power and influence, is featured. :: Parents female stereotype female bonding ============== :: Description Two mature adult women strengthen their friendship by engaging in stereotypically female bonding activities such as chit-chatting about Willaim T. Riker. Example: Ro found her confidant in Guinan in tng5x03 "Ensign Ro". :: Parents one-on-one interaction female gold digging =================== :: Description A woman pursues a potential mate because of his wealth and power. :: Parents female stereotype female independence =================== :: Description The woman struggle to become less dependent on others, particularly men, is featured. Example: Female android Rayna was perhaps oppressively tied to her father and suitor Flint in tos3x21 "Requiem for Methuselah". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_woman :: Parents the battle of the sexes female need for male companionship ================================== :: Description The sexist idea that women much more than men have a particular need for a life partner is featured. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Clingyjealousgirl :: Parents female stereotype female sexuality ================ :: Description The sexual urges of a female character are notably featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_female_sexuality :: Parents human nature female stereotype ================= :: Description The category of themes that (correctly or incorrectly) highlight attributes that are believed to be typical of contemporary women. Many of these may be considered sexist today. :: Parents gender issue female vanity ============= :: Description A woman shows excessive concern for her appearance. :: Parents female stereotype femininity ========== :: Description Qualities and mannerisms that are associated with the feminine sex in contemporary society are featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Femininity :: Parents female stereotype femme fatale ============ :: Description There is a seductive female character who ensnares a lover and uses them for her own ends, often with danger involved. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Femme_fatale :: Parents female stereotype feral children in society ========================= :: Description The challenges of integrating a feral child back into society are featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feral_child :: Parents contemporary social issue fetal transplant ================ :: Description There is technology by which an unborn human baby can be safely moved from one woman's womb to another's and still be viable. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetal_tissue_implant :: Parents human enhancement fiancée and fiancée =================== :: Description The relationship between two people engaged to be married is featured. :: Parents familial relations fictional apparatus =================== :: Description The category of themes that feature fantastical gadgets like tractor beams and teleporters. :: Parents novel sci-fi concept fifth columns ============= :: Description Inside the governing institutions of society there is an organized group that more or less clandestinely seeks to undermine and take control from within. Example: In bbf1x06 "Mind War", Psi-corps was said to have an unseemly amount of secret power over affairs of the stat due to their psychic abilities. In bbf1x08 "And the Sky Full of Stars", Commander Sinclair was accused of acting as a fifth column on behalf of the Minbari. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_column :: Parents contemporary social issue fight vs. flee ============== :: Description Someone must decide, in a given confrontational situation, whether the better course of action is to stay and fight or to flee (perhaps to survive to fight another day). :: Parents personal practical dilemma fighting evil with evil ======================= :: Description A character contemplates whether to use evil means, such as extra-judicial murder, in order to fight other evils, such as crime. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma fighting one's inner demons =========================== :: Description A character is haunted by past memories or fictive notions with which they seek to come to grips in order to function normally. :: Parents introspection figuring out what to do with one's life ======================================= :: Description A character lacks a particular sense of purpose and tries to decide what they really want to do in the long term, e.g., choosing a career, a life of adventure, or settling down etc. :: Parents life choice filial love =========== :: Description The love of a child for their parent is featured. This is not used for very young children who just cling to their parents instinctively. :: Parents familial love film appreciation ================= :: Description How best to appreciate films is discussed. Example: Edith Keeler wanted to catch a Clark Gable film with Captain Kirk in tos1x28 "The City on the Edge of Forever", but she got herself hit by a car instead. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_criticism :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities finding religion ================ :: Description A character discovers a place for religion in their life. :: Parents introspection fingerprinting ============== :: Description The science of fingerprinting is dealt with. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fingerprint :: Parents topic in science first contact ============= :: Description Two cultures that were previously isolated from each other meet for the first time. This is normally feature in science fiction between man and alien, but could theoretically apply to some situation on present Earth too. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_contact_(science_fiction) :: Parents contemporary social issue first crush =========== :: Description A young person becomes romantically infatuated for the first time. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FirstLove :: Parents romantic relationship first strike tactic =================== :: Description Combatants decide to attack preemptively because they are convinced their opponent is about to attack. Example: Worf articulated this combat advice in tng2x02 "Where Silence Has Lease". :: Parents the art of war fish-like alien =============== :: Description An alien race patterned after fish. Example: Worf considered the fish-like Antedeans to be "a handsome race" in tng2x19 "Manhunt" References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_aquatic_alien_spec ies#Ichthyoids :: Parents earth-life inspired life form fitting in at work ================== :: Description A character has troubles getting along smoothly in day-to-day life with their coworkers. :: Parents group interaction flappers in society =================== :: Description The generation of young Western women in the 1920s who wore short skirts, bobbed their hair, listened to jazz, and flaunted their disdain for what was then considered acceptable behavior is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flapper :: Parents contemporary social issue flatscreen TV ============= :: Description A TV with an entirely flat screen. This was sci-fi back in the 60s. Example: Flint had a fancy flatscreen TV which he used for illicit surveillance of his guests in tos3x21 "Requiem for Methuselah". People did not have such devices when this episode was made so it constitutes sci fi. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_panel_display :: Parents real gadget flattery ======== :: Description Someone takes unusual pains to flatter someone else. Example: Berlinghoff Rasmussen nearly conned the Enteprise-D crew after putting them at ease with his silver tongue in tng5x09 "A Matter of Time". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flattery :: Parents one-on-one interaction flee to fight another day ========================= :: Description Combatants decide to run from a battle in which they are at a disadvantage and holds that this is sensible rather than cowardice as it will allow them to fight again later. :: Parents the art of war flight overbooking in society ============================= :: Description The contentious issue of whether and to what extent it is reasonable for airlines to oversell their flights is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overselling :: Parents contemporary social issue flirtation ========== :: Description Playful and seductive manners are employed to subtly express romantic interests in a prospective partner. Example: Thadiun Okona, a self-described rogue, not so subtly expressed his romantic interest in Lt. B.G. Robinson in tng2x04 "The Outrageous Okona". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flirting :: Parents romantic relationship floating city ============= :: Description A city suspended in air by means of anti-gravitational technology. Example: The political elite on Ardana lived in a floating city named Stratos in tos3x19 "The Cloud Minders". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floating_cities_and_islands_in_fiction :: Parents speculative habitat, mastering space flying boat =========== :: Description A boat that can fly is featured in a science fictional context. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_boat :: Parents fictional apparatus flying car ========== :: Description This classical sci-fi vehicle is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_car_(aircraft) :: Parents fictional apparatus flying drone ============ :: Description An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without a human pilot aboard. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unmanned_aerial_vehicle :: Parents real gadget flying saucer ============= :: Description A spaceship having a disc or saucer-shaped body, References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_saucer :: Parents spacecraft flying saucers ============== :: Description The crackpot theory that flying saucers or other U.F.O.’s are sometimes sighted in the sky. Example: The 60s era Air Force pilot John Christopher sighted the Enterprise in low Earth orbit in tos1x21 "Tomorrow is Yesterday". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unidentified_flying_object :: Parents crackpot theory focusing on the present vs. thinking about the future ===================================================== :: Description A character is focusing on the future at the expense of the present or vice versa and struggles with finding a reasonable balance between the two. :: Parents life choice food pill ========= :: Description Pills that when taken in place of meals render the consumption of ordinary food unnecessary. References: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FoodPills :: Parents fictional apparatus food synthesizer ================ :: Description A contraption used to produce any of a vast library of tasty meals and foods. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replicator_(Star_Trek) :: Parents fictional apparatus for better or for worse ======================= :: Description Two lovers stick together in spite of significant challenges to their relationship. :: Parents romantic relationship forbidden love ============== :: Description The love between two people who can't be together because society deems their relationship unnatural or otherwise proscribed. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/discussion.php?id=59jot0kdjvb4warku9qy2jwe :: Parents romantic love force field =========== :: Description Technology used to produce a (more or less) invisible and impenetrable wall of "force". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Force_field_(fiction) :: Parents fictional apparatus force majeure existential risk ============================== :: Description A way in which life on Earth (or some inhabited planet) could end because of essentially natural events that we do not control and may have little hope of preventing. When will the sun explode? :: Parents existential risk forced confession ================= :: Description Whether and to what extent society should consider confessions of crime that were acquired from the defendant while under any form of duress (whether extended isolation or outright torture) is considered. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forced_confession :: Parents past and present moral controversy forced fatherhood ================= :: Description Someone becomes a father against their will and we are asked what this person's responsibilities vis-à-vis his unwanted child should morally be. Example: In voy2x26 "Basics, Part I" we learn that Seska has stolen some DNA from Chakotay and made herself pregnant with his child entirely without his cooperation or consent. :: Parents past and present moral controversy forced labor camp ================= :: Description A harsh detention facility where inmates are forced to engage in penal labor as a form of punishment is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_camp :: Parents past and present moral controversy forced resettlement =================== :: Description We are made to ponder when, if ever, it can be morally justified to coerce someone into moving away from where they have long lived. Example: The Federation sough to resettle the Native Americans of Dorvan V in order to honor a treaty in tng7x20 "Journey's End". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forced_displacement :: Parents human rights forced resettlement for peoples' own good ========================================= :: Description We are asked whether it can be acceptable to force people to resettle against their will if letting them stay would mean that they are exposed to severe hardship and danger. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forced_displacement :: Parents social ethical dilemma forced sterilization ==================== :: Description We are asked when, if ever, it is acceptable to prescribe sterilization - typically in the context of crime (e.g. for sex offenders). Example: The Gidoneans conspicuously refused any kind of contraceptive solution in tos3x17 "The Mark of Gideon". :: Parents past and present moral controversy fortitude ========= :: Description Someone shows a capacity for putting up with hardship and pulling through in spite of it. :: Parents agreeable characteristic fortune favors the bold ======================= :: Description This old adage, endorsing courageous risk taking, is more or less explicitly referenced. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortune_favours_the_bold :: Parents life lesson fraternal love ============== :: Description The love of brother for brother is featured. :: Parents familial love fraud ===== :: Description The ramifications of legal fraud in society are explored. Example: Ardra conned an entire planet by pretending to be their Antichrist in tng4x13 "Devil's Due". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraud :: Parents contemporary social issue free inquiry vs. obedience ========================== :: Description The social principle of being allowed to speak freely without fear of retribution is contrasted with the principle of being obedient to higher authorities and greater causes. Should we, for example, stop people from advertising medicines that experts believe to be fake? :: Parents social dichotomy free love ========= :: Description A character shares their love freely and (at least ostensibly) accepts that others do the same. This is as opposed to monogamy and being jealous about a partners love affairs. Example: The hedonistic Edo from the planet Rubicun III shared their love freely in tng1x08 "Justice". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_love :: Parents way of life free love utopia ================ :: Description Society is seemingly paradisical because everyone in it shares their love freely without restraint, shame, or envy. Example: The hedonistic Edo from the planet Rubicun III shared their love freely with anyone who happened to pass by as long (as long as they were of age) in tng1x08 "Justice". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_love :: Parents utopia free trade ========== :: Description The ramifications of international free trade agreements are explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_trade :: Parents contemporary social issue freedom from torture ==================== :: Description We are made to ponder what treatments are to be considered "torture" and when, if ever, it may be morally justified to employ it. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Convention_against_Torture https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torture#Laws_against_torture :: Parents human rights freedom of information vs. patent system ======================================== :: Description We are asked to what extent, if any, information can be owned and whether there should be restrictions on the sharing and use of information through things like patents and copyright. Example: Harry Mudd discussed such legalisms with Kirk in tos2x12 "I, Mudd". :: Parents past and present moral controversy freedom of movement =================== :: Description We are made to ponder when and to what extent people should have the freedom and capability to go where they please. Example: The colonists on Moab IV wrestled with the dilemma of whether people were allowed to leave in tng5x13 "The Masterpiece Society" since it would upset their fragile social order. :: Parents human rights freedom of religion =================== :: Description We are made to ponder to what extent people should be free to practice what religious beliefs they please. What you believe may be your own business but is it ok to scare your children with stories of hellfire and brimstone? Example: Alternative religions were frowned upon in ancient space Rome in tos2x14 "Bread and Circuses". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_religion :: Parents human rights freedom of the press ==================== :: Description The oft desirable independence of the Fourth Estate, i.e. news and media, from undue influences by other branches of government is discussed. What counts as news, and should putative journalists be allowed to write and say whatever they choose in public forums? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_press :: Parents contemporary social issue freezing up in a critical moment ================================ :: Description Someone can’t handle the stress of an intense situation and freezes up in a critical moment when they should have acted. Example: Dave Bailey froze up at the conn when Captain Kirk ordered him to fire the main phasers at a menacing space cube in tos1x02 "The Corbomite Maneuver". :: Parents coping with stress friendship ========== :: Description The friendship between two characters is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friendship :: Parents one-on-one interaction friendship vs. career ===================== :: Description A character must decide what is more important to them: a friendship or their career. :: Parents life choice fright tactic ============= :: Description Combatants take some action to scare and demoralize an enemy. Example: Giant ape creatures were scared off with technological wizardry in tos1x13 "The Galileo Seven", albeit without lasting success. :: Parents the art of war from zero to hero ================= :: Description A meek character develops into a heroic one. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/discussion.php?id=baoiqccu02pghimsnupjug6d :: Parents introspection frustration =========== :: Description Someone exhibits irritation as a consequence of being unable to influence events or achieve what they desire. Example: Sirna Kolrami forfeited a game of Strategema against Data in frustration in tng2x21 "Peak Performance". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frustration :: Parents unpleasant emotion funeral rite ============ :: Description The traditional funeral ritual of a religion is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funeral :: Parents organized religion fungus proliferating over the entire world ========================================== :: Description A fungus overruns the world and everybody dies. :: Parents force majeure existential risk future point of view ==================== :: Description We are shown what things might seem like in the here and now if viewed from a future person’s perspective. :: Parents views and customs futuristic torture device ========================= :: Description A fantastical device that is used to inflict pain on someone without causing them physical injury. :: Parents fictional apparatus galactic barrier ================ :: Description A hypothetical negative energy field surrounding the Milky Way Galaxy. Example: The Enterprise traversed the galactic barrier in tos1x01 "Where No Man Has Gone Before". References: http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Galactic_barrier :: Parents speculative lands and worlds, what's out there galactic communication network ============================== :: Description A way of communicating in some kind of real-time across the vast distances of the galaxy. :: Parents mastering space galactic master race ==================== :: Description There is a race of beings that have achieved dominance over most other alien races in their galaxy. Example: The Slavers a billion years ago used their weird mental powers to dominate the galaxy in tas1x14 "The Slaver Weapon". :: Parents superior life form gambling addiction in society ============================= :: Description The social consequences of gambling addiction, such as the harm caused to those other than the gambler, are explored. Example: The pursuit of a good gamble had turned the Triskelian society into one of slavery and sadism in tos2x17 "The Gamesters of Triskelion". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_gambling :: Parents contemporary social issue gas giant collision =================== :: Description Two gas giants, like Jupiter and Saturn, collide to form a larger planet. Example: The collision of Detria II with Detria VI was a spectacular process that culminated in the formation of a new star in tng6x12 "Ship in a Bottle". :: Parents what's out there gas giant dwelling alien ======================== :: Description Aliens that live in the atmospheres of gas giants, i.e., large planets made largely of gas, like Jupiter. Example: A gas giant dwelling alien appeared to Geordi in the form of his mother in tng7x03 "Interface". :: Parents inhospitable environment dwelling life form gaseous life form ================= :: Description Aliens composed out of gaseous matter. They are not to be confuse with incorporeal aliens, whose bodies have no kind of matter at all. Example: Swirls of ionised gas known as the Calamarain sought vengeance against Q in tng3x13 "Deja Q". :: Parents inorganic life form gender bending ============== :: Description A character challenges our typical preconceptions of gender roles and attitudes, for example by behaving like the opposite sex that they are. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_bender :: Parents the battle of the sexes gender issue ============ :: Description The category of themes that center on gender, and that typically discuss the different roles of the two sexes in society. :: Parents domestic social issue gender neutral alien ==================== :: Description A sentient species whose members are all the same gender, i.e., neither male nor female. Example: The J'naii of tng5x17 "The Outcast" are a neither male nor female barring a few curious deviants. :: Parents biologically distinguished life form gene silencing ============== :: Description These are various techniques that can be used to prevent the expression of a certain gene, making it as if the gene was not present. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_silencing :: Parents topic in science general relativity ================== :: Description A theory of gravitation proposed by Albert Einstein that generalizes special relativity and Newton’s law of universal gravitation, providing a unified description of gravity as a geometric property of space and time. Example: Holographic recreations of Stephen Hawking, Isaac Newton, and Albert Einstein quibbled about this and other things in tng6x26 "Descent". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_relativity :: Parents topic in science generation loss =============== :: Description The loss of quality that occurs between subsequent copies of something, as is observed with photocopy of a photocopy of a photocopy. In the natural world, natural selection tends to mitigate this effect. Example: The repeated cloning of people illustrated this principle in tng2x18 "Up The Long Ladder". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_loss :: Parents topic in science generosity ========== :: Description A character goes out of their way to help someone else in material terms without being strongly motivated by love or duty: The other may be a stranger or an enemy. Example: The philosopher king Parmen bestowed gifts upon Captain Kirk, Spock, and McCoy in tos3x12 "Plato's Stepchildren". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generosity :: Parents heavenly virtue genetic engineering =================== :: Description The scientific study of genes and ways in which they can be modified. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_engineering :: Parents scientific discipline genetic engineering utopia ========================== :: Description Society is supposedly made perfect through the careful removal of anything undesirable in our genomes. :: Parents utopia genetically encoded memories ============================ :: Description The theory that a person's acquired memories can to a significant extent be passed along to its offspring is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamarckism :: Parents discredited scientific theory genetically enhanced person =========================== :: Description A person that has been genetically engineered to be capable of feats (physical or mental) well beyond normal human limits or abilities. :: Parents human enhancement genetically enhanced soldier ============================ :: Description A soldier that has been genetically engineered to be capable of operating well beyond normal human limits or abilities. Example: The Angosians had, during the Tarsan Wars, chemically and genetically enhanced their soldiers, we were told in tng3x11 "The Hunted". :: Parents genetically enhanced person genocide ======== :: Description A whole nation or large ethnic group is killed en masse. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genocide :: Parents war gentrification ============== :: Description The sometimes contentions process by which deteriorated urban neighborhoods are renovated, resulting in the driving up of prizes and squeezing out of local residents, is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentrification :: Parents contemporary social issue geoengineered planet ==================== :: Description A planet that has been consciously modified in some grand way, for example by ways of interfering with its climate or volcanic activity. :: Parents mastering space geoengineering ============== :: Description The scientific study of large scale methods by which the general conditions on a planet can be willfully modified. This may involve the shaping of land masses and oceans, or modification of the climate. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_engineering :: Parents scientific discipline geometric growth ================ :: Description A sequence of numbers where each term after the first is obtained by multiplying the previous one by a non-zero constant. Example: Sulu explained how Gary Mitchell's psychic ability was increasing geometrically in tos1x01 "Where No Man Has Gone Before". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exponential_growth :: Parents topic in science germophobia =========== :: Description A character exhibits a pathological fear of germs and takes extraordinary precautions to keep away from them. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysophobia :: Parents pathological state of mind gestural language ================= :: Description Someone communicates by means of large ritualistic gestures, well beyond simple sign language as we are familiar with it. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_language :: Parents problem of language and meaning getting a taste of one's own medicine ===================================== :: Description Someone is subjected to a treatment they had previously meted out to others, and starts thinking about the experience. :: Parents introspection getting along in spite of disagreement ====================================== :: Description Two characters must seek to abide each others company (for one reason or another) even though something makes it hard for them to get along, typically a difference of strongly held beliefs or preferences. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/OddCouple :: Parents one-on-one interaction getting away with using your working time to pursue your own passions ===================================================================== :: Description A character is busy at work but not with their assigned tasks so much as with their private passions and interests. :: Parents group interaction ghosts ====== :: Description The soul or spirit of a deceased person appears after death among the living. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost :: Parents superstition giant space amoeba ================== :: Description An amoeba-like being of enormous proportions but with internal components analogous those of living cells, i.e., organelles. Example: Such a being was encountered in tos2x19 "The Immunity Syndrome". :: Parents spaceborne life form girl power ========== :: Description The idea that women are more capable of feats than perhaps society and themselves give them credit for. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_power https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_empowerment :: Parents the battle of the sexes girlfriend and girlfriend ========================= :: Description There is an informal but extended, presumed monogamous, romantic relationship between two female characters. :: Parents romantic relationship give them a finger and they'll take the whole hand ================================================== :: Description The situation where the permitting of a small, seemingly innocuous act will open the door for larger, clearly undesirable actions is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camel%27s_nose :: Parents life lesson give-you-anything scanner ========================= :: Description A device used to make virtually anything happen at the push of a button. Example: Barash’s mother had kindly outfitted him with such devices in tng4x08 "Future Imperfect" before abandoning him. :: Parents fictional apparatus giving birth ============ :: Description A mother gives birth to a child, often with a medical professional present to assist and with a father standing anxiously by. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childbirth :: Parents parenting gladiatorial combat =================== :: Description There is a staged fight more or less to the death in front of a large audience for their amusement. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladiator :: Parents past and present moral controversy global unification under a central authority ============================================ :: Description There is a planet-wide political system with a single authority at the top and war between sovereign states is naught but a distasteful memory. :: Parents social order global warming ============== :: Description The greenhouse effect and/or other processes cause the temperature on a planet to rise and civilization collapses. Example: Global warning threatened civilization on the Beta moon of Peliar Zel in tng4x23 "The Host". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming :: Parents force majeure existential risk globular cluster ================ :: Description A spherical collection of stars orbiting the central bulge of a galaxy. Example: The Enterprise-D entered the Amargosa Diaspora, an unusually dense globular cluster, in tng6x05 "Schisms". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globular_cluster :: Parents what's out there gluttony ======== :: Description A character indulgences in food and drink to the point of excess. Example: Troi enjoyed her chocolate cake just a little bit too much in tng3x08 "The Price". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluttony :: Parents deadly sin godparent and godchild ====================== :: Description The relationship between a godparent and their godchild is featured. :: Parents familial relations godparenthood ============= :: Description A character becomes a godfather or godmother. :: Parents parenting good and evil in religion ========================= :: Description Good and evil as concepts in religion are discussed. The meaning of the words often itself becomes the topic of discussion but they relate to moral preference: Good is typically that which is morally preferable while evil is the exact opposite. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_and_evil :: Parents organized religion good luck machine ================= :: Description There is a man-made device that somehow alters chance so as to bring it's user good fortune. :: Parents fictional apparatus government concealing information ================================= :: Description The pros and cons of government secrecy to society are explored. Example: The Ressikan community on Kataan were kept in the dark about the impending doom of their civilization in tng5x25 "The Inner Light". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secrecy#Government_secrecy :: Parents contemporary social issue government expropriation of land ================================ :: Description The practice and principles by which a government can take ownership of privately owned land is discussed. For example, how much compensation should the government pay if any? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expropriation :: Parents contemporary social issue grabbing power vs. forgoing power ================================= :: Description Someone gets the opportunity to grab power with which to shape their world, and must choose whether they are really up to the task. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma graciousness in defeat ====================== :: Description Someone accepts a defeat with dignity. Example: Dr. James Moriarty conceded defeat with impeccable Victorian poise in tng2x03 "Elementary, Dear Data". :: Parents amicable disposition grandfather and granddaughter ============================= :: Description The relationship between a grandfather and his granddaughter is featured. :: Parents familial relations grandfather and grandson ======================== :: Description The relationship between a grandfather and his grandson is featured. :: Parents familial relations grandfather paradox =================== :: Description The following kind of paradox is featured: If I go back in time and do something that would prevent me from later going back in time (such as killing my own grandfather), then I can't have gone back in time. But then I won't have been prevented from going and so I went, and so on. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grandfather_paradox :: Parents time travel, metaphysics grandmother and granddaughter ============================= :: Description The relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter is featured. Example: Beverly mourned her late grandmother and reminisced in tng7x14 "Sub Rosa". :: Parents familial relations grandmother and grandson ======================== :: Description The relationship between a grandmother and her grandson is featured. :: Parents familial relations great need vs. breaking the law =============================== :: Description The following kind of dilemma is illustrated: Is it morally ok to break certain laws if that is the only way to protect your life? A friend’s life? A pet’s life? Your house? Example: The Bynars saw no other choice than to hijack the Enterprise-D to save their homeworld in tng1x15 "11001001". If they had asked, the Federation might have said no. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma great need vs. compromising one's ethical principles ==================================================== :: Description Someone is torn up over doing something they feel they greatly need to do but that is ethically unsavory to them. Example: In voy5x26 "Equinox, Part I" it is revealed that the Equinox crew choose to exploit and kill aliens in order to be able to get back to Earth, a voyage that would have taken more than a lifetime otherwise. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma great need vs. human rights =========================== :: Description The following kind of dilemma is illustrated: Can it be morally justified to violate human rights, for example to take someone’s children, if that is the only way to protect your own people? :: Parents social ethical dilemma grief ===== :: Description A character exhibits that deep "sadness" which comes with loosing someone near and dear. This typically involves the rending of garments and shedding of tears as the character loses self-control. Example: Captain Kirk both rued and lamented the loss crewman Hendorff in tos2x09 "The Apple". Hendorff, a token redshirt, was shot with poison darts by a pod plant. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grief :: Parents unpleasant emotion group bonding ============= :: Description More than two people engage in an activity together and thereby form the human bonds that often come with shared experiences. :: Parents group interaction group interaction ================= :: Description Featured is an interpersonal relation and interaction within a non-family group of more than two people. :: Parents social interaction group morale ============ :: Description Featured is the capacity of a group's members to maintain belief in an institution or goal, particularly in the face of opposition or hardship. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morale :: Parents group interaction growing as a person =================== :: Description A character realizes that they've learned something important that made them develop as a person, making them more mature and sophisticated as a result. :: Parents introspection growing up ========== :: Description Featured is one of the various problems someone may face during early part of our life, i.e., childhood and adolescence. :: Parents family affairs guardian and child ================== :: Description The relationship between a legal guardian of a child and that child is featured. Example: Captain Picard reluctantly accepted the responsibility of serving as guardian to Jono in tng4x04 "Suddenly Human". :: Parents familial relations guerrilla tactics ================= :: Description Tactics suitable for a small disadvantaged force going up against a greater enemy are used. This is not to be confused with terrorist tactics which involve the targeting of civilians. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guerrilla_warfare :: Parents the art of war guilt and evidence ================== :: Description The following kind of dilemma is illustrated: How much and how strong evidence should we require before considering someone guilty of a crime? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evidential_burden :: Parents social ethical dilemma gunboat diplomacy ================= :: Description A state representative uses the sinister threat of violence to gain an upper hand in diplomatic negotiation and may, essentially, be dictating terms. Example: Diplomatic contact was established at gunpoint with inhabitants of star cluster NGC 321 in tos1x23 "A Taste of Armageddon". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunboat_diplomacy :: Parents diplomacy habitable asteroid ================== :: Description An asteroid that is hypothetically amenable to human life. Example: Zefram Cochrane, the inventor of warp drive, was found living on a habitable asteroid in tos2x02 "Metamorphosis". :: Parents speculative habitat, what's out there habitable moon ============== :: Description A moon that is hypothetically amenable to human life. Example: Captain Picard, Wesley, and the irascible mining shuttle captain Dirgo crash landed on a barely habitable desert moon in tng4x09 "Final Mission". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habitability_of_natural_satellites :: Parents speculative habitat, what's out there habitable planet in a binary star system ======================================== :: Description A planet in a binary star system, that is hospitable to humanoid life. Example: Harry Mudd fled the Enterprise in an absconded shuttlecraft to planet in a binary star system inhabited by a giant, menacing worm in tas1x10 "Mudd's Passion". :: Parents speculative habitat, what's out there habitable planet in a trinary star system ========================================= :: Description A planet in a trinary star system, that is hospitable to humanoid life. Example: A trio of disembodied brain aliens ran a humanoid fighting ring on just such a planet in tos2x17 "The Gamesters of Triskellion". :: Parents speculative habitat, what's out there hand transplant =============== :: Description A surgical procedure to transplant a hand from one person to another is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_transplantation :: Parents human enhancement handheld X-ray device ===================== :: Description There is a device, often torch like, that can be held in one hand and used in order to see through various kinds of solid matter. :: Parents fictional apparatus handheld lab ============ :: Description A hand-held multifunction device used for sensor scanning, data analysis, and recording data. In other words: the tricorder from Star Trek. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tricorder :: Parents fictional apparatus handheld multifunction super gun ================================ :: Description A gun-like device used for all sorts of purposes, including as laser weapon, telescope, pocket calculator, and rocket motor. Example: An ancient slaver weapon of that kind was uncovered in a stasis box in tas1x14 "The Slaver Weapon". :: Parents fictional apparatus handheld organ extractor ======================== :: Description A relatively small device by which organs can be extracted from a human body. :: Parents fictional apparatus handing over the mantle before retirement ========================================= :: Description An elderly character or veteran thinks about handing over their privileges and duties to their children or successors. A parent might be thinking about passing along the family business. :: Parents parenting handling of industrial accidents ================================ :: Description The issue of how headline grabbing industrial accidents are handled is discussed. :: Parents contemporary social issue hate begets hate ================ :: Description The committing of hateful acts cause others to do the same, leading to a vicious self-reinforcing cycle. The same goes for violence. Example: Areel Shaw argued that it was basic human nature to hate a person who hates you in tos1x14 "Court Martial". :: Parents life lesson hatred between nations ====================== :: Description There are two sovereign states that despise each other for some reasons, to the extent that war of one sort or another is conceivably imminent. :: Parents war hatred unites ============= :: Description People who would otherwise not be allies come to work together because they share the same hated enemy. Example: It was their hatred of the Zeons that united the Ekosians in tos2x23 "Patterns of Force". :: Parents human nature having a baby out of wedlock ============================ :: Description Having a baby out of wedlock is featured in such a way that it is clear the practice is at odds with prevailing societal norms. :: Parents past and present moral controversy having a change of heart ======================== :: Description Someone undergoes a significant change their opinions or tastes. :: Parents introspection having a preconception challenged ================================= :: Description Someone is made to question beliefs they had previously taken for granted. :: Parents introspection having a skeleton in the closet =============================== :: Description A character thinks about a secret they are keeping from everyone else, or at least form the general public. :: Parents introspection having sex to save a life ========================= :: Description A character decides whether or not they will condescend to have sex with someone else if doing so means saving that person's life. :: Parents personal practical dilemma head transplant =============== :: Description A surgical procedure to transplant a head from one person to another is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_transplant :: Parents human enhancement healing after social upheaval ============================= :: Description The story discusses how societies come to terms (or not) with what has happened after a great social upheaval such as was World War 2. :: Parents contemporary social issue healthcare inequality ===================== :: Description The ramifications of people receiving different quality of medical care depending on social status are explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_equity :: Parents social inequality heart transplant ================ :: Description A procedure to transplant a living, beating heart from one person to another is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_transplantation :: Parents human enhancement heavenly virtue =============== :: Description One of the traditional "heavenly virtues" of Christian theology is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_virtues :: Parents human emotion hedonism ======== :: Description A character is driven by the pursuit of physical pleasure. Example: The Edo were quickly revealed to be full-blown sexual hedonists in tng1x08 "Justice". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedonism :: Parents disagreeable characteristic helicopter parenting ==================== :: Description A parent pays unusually close attention to a child's experiences and problems, particularly at educational institutions. Figuratively, the parent hovers over the child like a helicopter. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicopter_parent :: Parents parenting hell hath no fury like a woman scorned ====================================== :: Description The Shakespearian observation that many women take extraordinarily badly to being rejected by someone they are romantically interested in, is put forth. :: Parents female stereotype helping a stranger in need ========================== :: Description A character goes out of their way in order to help a stranger who appears to be in some need of help. :: Parents self-sacrifice hero worship ============ :: Description The way in which groups can come to excessively admire certain individuals is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_of_personality :: Parents group interaction hero's return ============= :: Description A hero returns home to his community after a long and arduous adventure. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero%27s_journey :: Parents human nature heroism ======= :: Description Good deeds are made at great personal risk or great personal sacrifice. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero :: Parents agreeable characteristic heteroscopic points of view =========================== :: Description The point of view of someone who is substantially different in size from humans is featured. Imagine for example how we might be perceived by an intelligent being the size of an ant, or one the size of a sun. :: Parents views and customs hexes and curses ================ :: Description The idea that someone can be cursed with, for example, ill-fortune is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curse :: Parents superstition high ground advantage ===================== :: Description Combatants have a military advantage by being at a greater elevation than their opponent. Typically the elevated side gain visibility and can use gravity to their advantage. Example: Captain Kirk was climbing a mountain in tos1x19 "Arena". Why was he climbing a mountain? To gain a high ground advantage over a Gorn captain against whom he was pitted in a fight to the death. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_ground :: Parents the art of war historical determinism ====================== :: Description Some variant of the philosophical concept of determinism is discussed. Determinism is the idea that events can only unfold in a certain way given the preceding state of things; thus history (past, present and future) is fixed and "free will" is perhaps but an illusion. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_determinism :: Parents metaphysics historical revisionism ====================== :: Description Some group in society seek to rewrite history in a way that makes it more advantageous to them. This typically involves glossing over inconvenient truths as well as outright lying. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_revisionism :: Parents contemporary social issue historiography ============== :: Description The methodology of historians studying history. This involves things like the role of primary evidence. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historiography :: Parents history history ======= :: Description This academic discipline that is the study of recorded history is featured. Note that the past may be studied in other ways under other headings, for example in archeology and geology. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities history altering technology =========================== :: Description Technology that goes beyond mere space and is capable of altering history itself, usually while leaving the operator safe from the resulting changes. :: Parents mastering space hive mind utopia ================ :: Description There is a seemingly perfect society (from someone's point of view) based on everyone in it being mentally connected to everyone else in a way that forms a single shared consciousness. Example: In voy3x17 "Unity" a group of liberated Borg drones defend the benefits of living as a hive mind. :: Parents utopia hoarder girlfriend ================== :: Description A female character in a relationship is so fond of collecting items that it unsettles her partner. :: Parents female stereotype hoist by one's own petard ========================= :: Description A character learns from being hurt or destroyed by their own plot intended to harm another. References: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/hoist_by_one%27s_own_petard :: Parents life lesson holding one's tongue ==================== :: Description Someone judiciously refrains from saying something they are otherwise inclined to blurt out. :: Parents introspection hollowed out asteroid habitat ============================= :: Description An asteroid has been turned into a living space suitable for humans. :: Parents speculative habitat, mastering space homework shirking ================= :: Description There is a young person who neglects doing their homework in favor of a more appealing activity. :: Parents growing up homework vs. play ================= :: Description A child must choose what is more important to them: boring homework or frivolous play. Example: Alexander was very much swayed by Lwaxana's arguments for choosing play over homework in tng5x20 "cost of Living". :: Parents life choice hominid evolution ================= :: Description The actual past hominid evolution on Earth, and the the hypothetical past or future humanoid-alien evolution in space. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_evolution :: Parents topic in science homosexuality ============= :: Description We are asked to what extent, if any, homosexuality should be tolerated in society and how homosexual people ought to be treated. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality :: Parents past and present moral controversy honesty ======= :: Description Someone displays notable truthfulness and lack of deceit. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honesty :: Parents agreeable characteristic honor ===== :: Description A character steadfastly sticks to a traditional moral code in spite of temptation to do otherwise. It nearly always has to do with being honest and defending ones reputation. It very often involves Klingons. Example: Worf, being a true man of honor, implored the Klingon authorities to grant honorable deaths to three Klingon renegades whom he had come to respect in tng1x20 "Heart of Glory". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honour :: Parents agreeable characteristic honorable suicide ================= :: Description A character contemplates committing suicide because doing otherwise would lead to some form of dishonor for themself and possibly their family. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honor_suicide :: Parents life choice hope ==== :: Description A character feels that events they wish for may come about. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hope :: Parents pleasant emotion hopeless search vs. to abandon hope =================================== :: Description Someone must choose in a search-and-rescue situation, whether and when the better course of action becomes to give up hope. Example: Captain Kirk and Commissioner Ferris debated whether to keep up the search for the Galileo shuttlecraft in tos1x13 "The Galileo Seven". :: Parents personal practical dilemma hospitality =========== :: Description Someone is very hospitable towards their guests. Example: Captain Kirk held a banquet for Khan Singh to welcome the former dictator of Earth to the 23rd century in tos1x24 "Space Seed". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hospitality :: Parents agreeable characteristic how to start a fire =================== :: Description Various ways in which fires can be started, along with the underlying physical principles, are illustrated. :: Parents topic in technology hubris ====== :: Description Someone exhibits excessive pride or self-confidence. This theme is typically used when someone gets a little too full of themselves and ends up getting a lesson in humility. Example: Riker was riding on his high horse after having been granted Q powers in tng1x10 "Hide and Q". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubris :: Parents disagreeable characteristic human anatomy ============= :: Description The scientific study of the morphology of the human body is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outline_of_human_anatomy :: Parents topic in science human and AI love ================= :: Description The love between a person and an artificial intelligence. :: Parents romantic love human and AI romance ==================== :: Description A romantic relationship between a real person and an artificial person is featured. :: Parents romantic relationship human aspiration ================ :: Description A basic human hope, dream, or the question of what we want out of life is featured. :: Parents purpose in life human body composition ====================== :: Description The human body is 65% oxygen, 18% carbon, 10% hydrogen, 3% nitrogen, and 4% other elements as measured by mass. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composition_of_the_human_body :: Parents topic in science human characteristic ==================== :: Description The category of themes that center around character traits, i.e., inborn or acquired attributes that a character may exhibit more or less permanently. "Heroism" and "cowardice" are two illustrative examples. :: Parents human personality human cloning ============= :: Description The technology to create new individuals that have the same dna as an original, but not necessarily have anything else in common. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_cloning :: Parents mind technology human disposition ================= :: Description The category of themes that center around attitudes one person can have to another or, occasionally, to some thing. "Contempt" and "compassion" are illustrative examples. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disposition :: Parents human personality human emotion ============= :: Description The category of themes that center on those conscious inner mental states that we call emotions. "Rage" and "happiness" are illustrative examples. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotion :: Parents human personality human empathy for babies ======================== :: Description The way humans tend to feel particular empathy for babies is noted. :: Parents human nature human enhancement ================= :: Description The category of themes that suggest future technology which will enhances the minds and bodies of men and women: plug-in learning adn rejuvenation technology, for example. :: Parents novel sci-fi concept human implanted suicide-weapon ============================== :: Description Technology used to turn someone into a living walking bomb, for example. :: Parents human enhancement human nature ============ :: Description The distinguishing characteristics—including ways of thinking, feeling, and acting—which humans tend to have naturally. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_nature :: Parents classical philosophy human need ========== :: Description The things we humans tend to need in order to consider ourselves healthy, content, and fulfilled in life. :: Parents purpose in life human personality ================= :: Description The category of themes that are about individual mental states. They are further subdivided into those that deal with plain dispositions to others, individual emotions, general states of mind, and broader characteristics. :: Parents the human condition human pleasure ============== :: Description A character takes marked pleasure in an activity such as a hobby. :: Parents purpose in life human rights ============ :: Description The category of themes that centre around basic rights we believe should be awarded to all human(oid)s irrespective of political circumstances or differences in nationality, religion, ethnicity, etc. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights :: Parents values and ethics in society human sacrifice =============== :: Description The act of killing humans, usually as an offering to a deity, as part of a ritual is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_sacrifice :: Parents organized religion human sex pheromones ==================== :: Description The idea that human men and/or women emit chemicals that attract the opposite sex is featured. Despite numerous studies there is no evidence for anything that does so to any significant extent. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_sex_pheromones :: Parents discredited scientific theory human sexuality =============== :: Description The mating urges and rituals of homo sapient are discussed in a philosophical manner. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_sexuality :: Parents human nature human shields in war ==================== :: Description Armed forces are deliberately using civilians (whether their own, their enemy's, or otherwise) to make it hard for their opponent to strike at a military target without causing casualties among said civilians. :: Parents war human-alien hybrid ================== :: Description There is a half-human, half alien being. :: Parents miscellaneous life form human-amphibian hybrid ====================== :: Description There is a part human, part amphibian being. :: Parents miscellaneous life form human-arachnid hybrid ===================== :: Description There is a half-human, half arachnid being (e.g. spider-like or scorpion-like being). :: Parents human-arthropod hybrid human-arthropod hybrid ====================== :: Description There is a half-human, half arthropod being (i.e. an invertebrate having an exoskeleton, a segmented body, and jointed appendages). :: Parents miscellaneous life form human-canine hybrid =================== :: Description There is a part human, part dog being. :: Parents miscellaneous life form human-insect hybrid =================== :: Description There is a half-human, half insect being. :: Parents human-arthropod hybrid humanoid mutant =============== :: Description An originally humanoid being has been rendered grotesque relative to the norm of its species owing to genetic mutation. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutants_in_fiction https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Mutants :: Parents miscellaneous life form humility ======== :: Description Someone downplays their own abilities or receives a lesson in humility that appears effective. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humility :: Parents heavenly virtue hunter-gatherer lifestyle ========================= :: Description A character consciously prefers a simple life of foraging for food among wild plants and animals, over that of agricultural or other modern modes of subsistence. Note: Not used for, for example, stone-age societies who simply have no choice in the matter. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter-gatherer :: Parents way of life husband and wife ================ :: Description The relationship between husband and wife is featured. Example: Harry Mudd bickered with an android replica of his wife, Stella, in tos2x11 "I, Mudd". :: Parents familial relations hypnotic regression =================== :: Description Hypnosis used to bring out buried or suppressed old memories. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_regression_in_therapy :: Parents topic in science hypochondria ============ :: Description Someone exhibits an abnormal anxiety about the state of their own health. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypochondriasis :: Parents pathological state of mind ice age ======= :: Description A planet becomes so cold that glaciers advance and civilization collapses. Example: The Eymorg civilization had collapsed when they entered an ice age in tos3x06 "Spock's Brain". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_age :: Parents force majeure existential risk ice planet ========== :: Description There is a planet that is more or less entirely covered in ice so that the whole of it resembles nothing so much as an arctic wasteland. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_planet :: Parents speculative habitat, what's out there if it ain't broke don't fix it ============================== :: Description A character learns to avoid attempting to correct, fix, or improve what is already sufficient (often with an implication that the attempted improvement is risky and might backfire). References: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/if_it_ain%27t_broke,_don%27t_fix_it :: Parents life lesson if it sounds too good to be true it probably isn't true ======================================================= :: Description The age-old adage is illustrated: If circumstances that are extremely advantageous too you manifest against the odds, you should seriously consider that someone (possibly your self) is simply deceiving you. References: https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/too+good+to+be+true :: Parents life lesson if we adopt the way of the enemy we become the enemy ==================================================== :: Description The idea that when fighting for one’s belief one must hold to those beliefs even if the enemy does not, because otherwise the fight is for nothing. Example: This piece of wisdom was vocalized by the Zeon Isak in tos2x23 "Patterns of Force". :: Parents the art of war ignorance is bliss ================== :: Description The old wisdom that one may be happier not knowing certain things is featured. References: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ignorance_is_bliss :: Parents life lesson imaginary friend ================ :: Description A child has a friend who is entirely a figment of their imagination. Example: Clara’s imaginary friend Isabelle became real thanks to a mischievous incorporeal alien in tng5x22 "Imaginary Friend". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imaginary_friend :: Parents growing up imitativeness ============= :: Description Someone is obnoxiously eager to the follow in the example set by others. Example: Spock described the Sigma Iotians, a.k.a, the space gangsters, as being "extremely intelligent and somewhat imitative" in tos2x20 "A Piece of the Action". :: Parents disagreeable characteristic immigration in society ====================== :: Description We are asked how much immigration, if any, it is appropriate for a society to permit. One extreme is to disband all borders and the other is to build walls. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration :: Parents contemporary social issue immobilization web ================== :: Description A spiderweb-shaped force field that prevents you from moving once you step onto it. Example: The Kzinti immobilized Spock and his landing party with a weaponized form of this technology in tas1x14 "The Slaver Weapon". :: Parents fictional apparatus immortal secretly living among us ================================= :: Description The crackpot notion that immortals are living secretly among us run-of-the- mill mortals. Example: Flint was revealed to be an immortal human who had lived on Earth under various aliases for thousands of years in tos3x21 "Requiem for Methuselah". :: Parents crackpot theory impartiality in the legal system ================================ :: Description The problem of ensuring impartiality in the legal system is highlighted. We all suffer from various preconceptions and judges are no exception. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impartiality :: Parents contemporary social issue imperialism =========== :: Description A faction systematically uses the military in order to subjugate their neighbours and expand their own power. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperialism :: Parents war imperialism vs. modus vivendi ============================= :: Description A faction which espouses a policy of expansion through force is contrasted with a faction that seeks a way to co-exist amicably with their neighbors. :: Parents social dichotomy imperialistic society ===================== :: Description There is a society that is entirely geared towards military expansion at the expense of neighbouring societies. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperialism :: Parents social order implanted memory punishment =========================== :: Description A fictional type of criminal correction that involves putting unpleasant memories into the brain of the convict, for example to let them experience what their victim may have felt. :: Parents mind technology implosion vs. explosion ======================= :: Description The distinction between an implosion (matter being violently sucked in towards a point) and an explosion (matter being violently pushed out and away from a point) is described. :: Parents topic in science imprisonment as a punishment ============================ :: Description The question of whether it is alright to deprive someone of their freedom as punishment for some offense is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imprisonment :: Parents past and present moral controversy imprisonment without a lawful cause =================================== :: Description We are made to ponder what justifications and procedures should be required in order to deprive someone of their freedom. :: Parents human rights inaction vs. futile action ========================== :: Description Someone has no good options but must choose between doing nothing, or waste effort doing something that is most certainly pointless. :: Parents personal practical dilemma inattentive boyfriend ===================== :: Description A male character in a relationship is inattentive to their partner's emotional needs. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/UnderstandingBoyfriend :: Parents male stereotype incest in society ================= :: Description Whether and to what extent people who are closely related should be allowed to have sex and procreate together is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incest :: Parents past and present moral controversy incompatible modes of communication =================================== :: Description The trouble two intelligent beings who use entirely different approaches to communication may face in understanding each other is illustrated. :: Parents problem of language and meaning incorporeal being ================= :: Description There is a being that doesn't have material a body. It may be electromagnetic patterns, or something entirely beyond our science. Example: The alien Sargon no longer needed a body at the end of tos2x22 "Return to Tomorrow". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_extraterrestrials_ by_form#Immaterial/Incorporeal_beings :: Parents superior life form incorporeal point of view ========================= :: Description We are shown what things might be like from the point of view of an entity that does not itself have a material body. Example: Ian, the embodiment of a benign incorporeal entity, saw life on the Enterprise-D through incorporeal eyes in tng2x01 "The Child". Note that Ian literally had eyes, but he viewed through them in a figurative manner. :: Parents views and customs indefinite detention ==================== :: Description The ramifications of allowing governments to detain people indefinitely are discussed. Example: The Romulans had kept Klingon war prisoners from the Khitomer Massacre in a prison camp for many years in tng6x17 "Birthright, Part II". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indefinite_detention_without_trial :: Parents contemporary social issue independence struggle ===================== :: Description A character is an activist for the cause of independence or autonomy of a region that is part of a political entity. :: Parents activism indoctrination of a people ========================== :: Description The ramifications of instilling the people in a society with a biased, one- sided or uncritical ideology are explored. Example: The Cardassian military indoctrinated the Cardassian people in the virtues of the Cardassian military in tng6x11 "Chain of Command, Part II". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indoctrination :: Parents contemporary social issue indoctrination of the young =========================== :: Description The ramification of indoctrinating a group of young people are explored. Example: Spock was unsettled to have stumbled on the fugitive Lokai indoctrinating some younger members of the crew in tos3x15 "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indoctrination :: Parents contemporary social issue indomitable woman ================= :: Description There is a female character who in spite of unusual pressure to do so refuses to defer to someone else. :: Parents the battle of the sexes inductive logic =============== :: Description The bottom-up process of reasoning where by observed particular instances lend support to broader general laws. Example: Geordi correctly inferred the location of an object by performing a vector analysis on the shadow it cast in tng4x18 "Identity Crisis". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inductive_reasoning :: Parents topic in science industrialization ================= :: Description Featured is a period of social and economic change that transforms a human group from an agrarian society into an industrial society, involving the extensive re-organisation of an economy for the purpose of manufacturing. :: Parents past and present moral controversy inebriated interaction ====================== :: Description A character is inebriated in a social setting. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheDrunkenSailor :: Parents group interaction inebriated practitioner of medicine =================================== :: Description What extent a Doctor may have an extra duty to retain a grip on his faculties while practicing medicine is discussed. :: Parents medical ethics inequality in the justice system ================================ :: Description People of different classes are treated differently in the legal system when they commit the same type of crimes. For example, a rich man may get away with murder while a poor man of an ethnic minority is sent to the gallows. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_in_the_United_States_criminal_j ustice_system :: Parents social inequality infatuation =========== :: Description An intense but (typically) short-lived passion that may peter out or settle into more enduring romantic love. Example: Riker and Minuet enjoyed a short, but memorable, infatuation on the holodeck in tng1x15 "11001001". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infatuation :: Parents romantic love inferiority complex =================== :: Description A character experiences a lack of self-worth and possibly feelings of not measuring up to expectations. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inferiority_complex :: Parents antagonistic disposition inflexible education system =========================== :: Description The education system is held up as rigid and intolerable of creative thinking, something that might be an important problem for society. :: Parents contemporary social issue informed consent in medicine ============================ :: Description The idea in medical ethics that to the extent possible, a patient should not be subjected to a treatment unless they have consented to it with a clear understanding of its implications. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informed_consent :: Parents medical ethics ingenuity ========= :: Description A character is being at least a borderline genius. This is used about technical minded problem solving; for genial artists see "creativity". Example: Captain Kirk's ingenuity was put on display in tos1x19 "Arena" when he made an improvised cannon by stuffing a bamboo stockl with sulfur, coal, potassium nitrate, and diamonds. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingenuity :: Parents agreeable characteristic ingratitude =========== :: Description A character has been helped and ought to be grateful, yet displays remarkable ingratitude. :: Parents disagreeable characteristic inheritance fight ================= :: Description Putative beneficiaries (usually family members) of a departed person's estate squabble over how to divide the inheritance. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inheritance :: Parents family affairs inhospitable environment dwelling life form =========================================== :: Description The category of themes that posit aliens that thrive in environments that would be startlingly inhospitable to us humans. In scorching fire, for example, or in bedrock. :: Parents novel alien concept inorganic life form =================== :: Description The category of themes that posit various inorganic alien physiologies: crystalline, gaseous, electromagnetic, etc. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_extraterrestrials_ by_form#Other_inorganic_life :: Parents novel alien concept inquisitiveness =============== :: Description Someone exhibits the genuine desire to find things out in the way of a good student or scientist. Note that a person’s questions being perceived as bothersome neither implies nor precludes the theme; its applicability depends on the motives for the inquiry. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curiosity :: Parents agreeable characteristic insectoid alien =============== :: Description An alien race patterned after common earth insects and arachnids. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_extraterrestrials_ by_form#Invertebrates :: Parents earth-life inspired life form institutionalized slavery ========================= :: Description There is a system of slavery within a society. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery :: Parents social order institutionalizing a loved one ============================== :: Description A character is wrestling with the decision of whether or not to let a near and dear person be committed to, for example, an asylum for the mentally ill. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institutionalisation#The_mentally_ill :: Parents personal ethical dilemma insubordination =============== :: Description A character in a group where there is a line of command, e.g. the military, refuses to obey the orders of their superiors. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insubordination :: Parents group interaction intangibility device ==================== :: Description There is a device which confers upon its target the ability to pass unscathed through solid matter. Example: Captain Archer was able to walk through walls using a handheld device in "Star Trek: Enterprise" Cold Front (ent1x11). References: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Intangibility?from=Mai n.IntangibleMan :: Parents fictional apparatus integrity ========= :: Description When a character sticks to their moral principles in spite of temptation to do otherwise. Example: Captain Kirk unhesitatingly refused Korob's offers of tasty foods and sparkling gemstones in exchange for his cooperation in tos2x01 "Catspaw". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrity :: Parents agreeable characteristic intellectual development of a child =================================== :: Description The subtle question of how a child’s intellect develops and what should be done to aid this process is discussed. Example: The Aldeans had an enlightened approach to raising children they kidnap in tng1x17 "When The Bough Breaks". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_development :: Parents parenting intellectualism =============== :: Description Someone strives (more or less sincerely) towards knowledge, understanding, sophistication, and refinement in all matters. Example: Flint was an insufferable know-it-all smartypants intellectual in tos3x21 "Requiem for Methuselah"; outrageous! References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectualism :: Parents way of life intelligence augmentation technology ==================================== :: Description There is technology by which an ordinary person can be transformed into a genius. :: Parents human enhancement intelligence boosting device ============================ :: Description There is a device, often a wearable, that boosts the mental acuity of its subject. :: Parents human enhancement intelligent dinosaurs ===================== :: Description The theory that some dinosaurs had intelligence comparable to that of modern humans is featured. :: Parents crackpot theory intercultural relations ======================= :: Description The category of themes that deal with issues that arise when people of different cultures try to interact with one another. :: Parents society interest ======== :: Description A character exhibits a mild feeling of wanting to find out more about, or to experience, something. Example: Spock managed to get a visual of Balok up on the Enterprise viewscreen out of a desire to see how the alien appeared in tos1x02 "The Corbomite Maneuver". :: Parents pleasant emotion intergalactic space travel ========================== :: Description Featured is spaceflight between galaxies. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intergalactic_travel :: Parents space travel intergalactic void ================== :: Description A vast empty space between two galaxies. Example: The Kelvans presently living on their multi-generation starship had been born in the wast void between galaxies in tos2x21 "By Any Other Name". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Void_(astronomy) :: Parents what's out there intergenerational conflict ========================== :: Description Social problems that arise because of conflict between age groups are explored. For example, when the young feel they are unemployed and poor because previous generations have run up national debt and extract juicy pensions there can be some resentment. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intergenerationality :: Parents contemporary social issue international politics ====================== :: Description The intricacies of politics when multiple sovereign factions and ethnic identities are involved is features. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_relations :: Parents diplomacy international sanctions ======================= :: Description One or more states seek to punish another state by by preventing activities such and trade and travel. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_sanctions :: Parents diplomacy interplanetary space travel =========================== :: Description Featured is spaceflight between planets or other bodies withing the same star system. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interplanetary_spaceflight :: Parents space travel interstellar probe ================== :: Description An unmanned spacecraft that has been dispatch outside the solar system. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstellar_probe :: Parents topic in science interstellar space travel ========================= :: Description A people travels outside its original solar system. Note: As space travel is present as the backdrop in every Star Trek episode, the theme is used only when a particular point is made about it in the story line. Example: Captain Picard explained the Federation’s mission in detail in tng1x01 "Encounter at Farpoint". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstellar_travel :: Parents space travel interstellar teleportation ========================== :: Description There is a device that can move you instantly across many light years, i.e., distances comparable to those between stars. :: Parents space travel, teleportation device intimidation ============ :: Description A character tries to browbeat another by threat and intimidation. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intimidation :: Parents one-on-one interaction intoxication ============ :: Description Someone becomes or acts as if they have become intoxicated by, e.g., alcohol. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance_intoxication :: Parents pathological state of mind introspection ============= :: Description A character examines their own conscious thoughts and feelings. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introspection :: Parents social interaction invasive life form from outer space =================================== :: Description The ecosystem, or a vital resource (food), on your planet is destroyed by an invasive life form from outer space and you all die. Example: The grain supply designated for Sherman's Planet was entirely consumed by Tribbles in tos2x13 "The Trouble with Tribbles". :: Parents extraterrestrial threat investigative journalism ======================== :: Description The profession of journalists that dig deeply into particular topics and create primary sources of information is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Investigative_journalism :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities invisible parasites =================== :: Description An invisible alien life form that parasitizes humanoids. This makes it a ghost like, fearful and mystic entity perfect for a horror story. Example: Such parasites were found on members of the Enterprise-D in tng7x06 "Phantasms". :: Parents parasitic life form ion space drive =============== :: Description A spaceship propulsion technology the idea of which is to create thrust by using electricity to accelerate ionized particles. Example: An ion-powered starship from Sigma Draconis VI was encountered in tos3x06 "Spock's Brain". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion_thruster :: Parents starship technology irredentism =========== :: Description A character burns with patriotic fervor to reclaim for their people land which they think once belonged to them. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irredentism :: Parents way of life irreverence =========== :: Description Someone shows flagrant disregard toward people and things that generally expected to be taken seriously. Example: Thadiun Okona comported himself with a attitude of flagrant disregard toward authority aboard the Enterprise-C in tng2x04 "The Outrageous Okona". :: Parents disagreeable characteristic is there a higher power ======================= :: Description The question is posed: Is there a cosmic principle or eternal omnipotent entity at work in the universe? Example: Captain Picard soliloquized on the possible existence of a higher power at work in the cosmos in tng2x02 "Where Silence Has Lease". :: Parents metaphysics is there a purpose to life ========================== :: Description The abstract, possibly nonsensical, question of whether life has some sort of meaning and purpose is featured. :: Parents metaphysics isolationism ============ :: Description A society endeavors to cut all ties to the outside world and avoid strangers to the extreme. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isolationism :: Parents social order it's what's on the inside that counts ===================================== :: Description The idea that one's character is more important than one's external appearance is put forth. :: Parents way of life jealousy ======== :: Description A character is desirous of an advantage perceived to be held by another, whether it be material (fancy hat) or intangible (love, friends, power, ability, fame, etc.). Example: Janice Lester went insane with jealousy over the achievements of her one time lover Captain Kirk in tos3x24 "Turnabout Intruder". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jealousy :: Parents deadly sin jellyfish-like being ==================== :: Description A being resembling a jellyfish. Example: An enormous spaceborne jellyfish-like creature was imprisoned and exploited by the Bandi in tng1x01 "Encounter at Farpoint", but its mate showed up to rescue it. :: Parents miscellaneous life form jet pack ======== :: Description A device worn on the back which uses jets of gas or liquid to propel the wearer through the air. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_pack :: Parents fictional apparatus joining forces against a common enemy ===================================== :: Description Two sovereign factions put their differences aside and make common cause for the purpose of opposing a third faction. Example: Captain Kirk’s crew and the Klingons joined forces against a mysterious cloud being in tos3x11 "Day of the Dove". :: Parents diplomacy joy === :: Description A character exhibits a feeling of great pleasure or happiness that rises above the calm feeling of "serenity", but not so much that they lose self-control, as would be the case with "ecstasy". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joy :: Parents pleasant emotion just be yourself ================ :: Description The wisdom of the old motto "be yourself" is featured: one should strive to act in a way that feels natural. Example: Mudd’s women were trying to act attractive but arguably became more attractive when they stopped acting in tos1x03 "Mudd's Women". :: Parents way of life justification for torture ========================= :: Description The following kind of dilemma is illustrated: Can it be morally justified to use torture, for example, if it is the only way to protect your country? What if you have only weak evidence that it can protect your country? Rumors? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torture :: Parents social ethical dilemma justifications for foreign intervention ======================================= :: Description The ethical dilemma of when and under what circumstances it is permissible, or even imperative, for one society to intervene in the internal affairs of another. If, for example, some people in the other society are oppressed by a genocidal dictator, liberal democratic societies may feel a collective duty to intervene. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanitarian_intervention :: Parents social ethical dilemma keeping a promise when circumstances have changed ================================================= :: Description A character struggles with whether or not they are honor bound to keep a pledge in a situation when circumstances have changed so much that it is unclear whether the spirit of the pledge still applies. Example: In ds92x19 "Blood Oath" Jadzia Dax has to decide whether she should keep her blood oath to go on a murderous quest of vengeance, even though the oath was made by her antecedent Curzon Dax whose memories she retains but whose personality is long departed. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma keeping secrets =============== :: Description Someone tries to keep something a secret from others around them. :: Parents group interaction kid getting a first job ======================= :: Description A young person is introduced to the job aspect of adult life, for example by means of a summer job. :: Parents growing up kids' science project ===================== :: Description A young person is made to perform a science project of some sort in school, or some equivalent scenario. :: Parents growing up kill all humans utopia ====================== :: Description Society is made perfect by the removal of its one failing component: mankind. Example: Lore and his loyal Borg minions wanted to wipe out the human scourge and make the universe a perfect place in tng7x01 "Descent, Part II". :: Parents utopia kill button =========== :: Description A device used to make anyone you want anywhere disappear forever at the push of a button. Example: Evil Kirk had access to such a device in tos2x10 "Mirror, Mirror", the Tantalus field. :: Parents fictional apparatus killer microdrone ================= :: Description A small autonomous aerial vehicle designed specifically to kill. :: Parents fictional apparatus killing an artificial person ============================ :: Description We are made to ponder whether killing a sentient but artificial human-like being would be as bad as killing a normal human being. Example: Sarek and the good guys debated the morality of killing artificial villains in tos3x22 "The Savage Curtain". :: Parents human rights killing an injured pet ====================== :: Description Someone has to euthanize a beloved but incurably injured pet. Example: Spock made the tough decision to put his pet sehlat out of its misery in tas1x02 "Yesteryear". :: Parents coping with having to do something killing for personal advantage ============================== :: Description Someone struggles with the decision of whether or not to kill another in a situation where what's at stake for the potential killer is wealth or status etc. This theme is not used in "kill or be killed" situations, or when the killing is otherwise primarily done to save lives. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma killing innocent but dangerous people ===================================== :: Description Some people are innocent of any wrongdoing yet pose a danger to public safety for one reason or another; are we socially justified in killing these people in order to defend ourselves? :: Parents social ethical dilemma killing to save a loved one =========================== :: Description Someone struggles between whether to commit murder if that is required to save a loved one from death. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma killing to survive ================== :: Description A character struggles with whether or not it is acceptable in a certain situation to take another's life in order to save their own. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma kindness ======== :: Description Someone feels deeply for the plight of another and offers kindness and compassion rather than material aid. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kindness :: Parents heavenly virtue knowing when to fight and when not to fight =========================================== :: Description Combatants engage the enemy in battle only when the advantage is on their side. The underlying principle "He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight" is found in "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu. Example: Portal 6-3 educated Riker about this in tng1x05 "The Last Outpost". :: Parents the art of war knowledge is power ================== :: Description The age old wisdom that having knowledge that others' lack can be a source of power to influence the actions of others, is featured. Example: In bbf1x03, "Born to the Purple" (1994), one character sought knowledge to gain power in society, at two characters pointedly used their secret knowledge for good and one character obtained private knowledge but refrained from taking advantage from it out of compassion. :: Parents the art of war kumbayah utopia =============== :: Description Society is seemingly paradisical because everyone just stops being a jerk. Example: The tiny alternate universe time continuum Elysia was a veritable utopia where everyone simply got along in tas1x12 "The Time Trap". :: Parents utopia labor revolt ============ :: Description Featured is a period civil unrest characterized by strong labor militancy and strike activity. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labour_revolt :: Parents contemporary social issue labor unionism ============== :: Description There is an organization of workers who have come together to achieve common goals; such as protecting the integrity of its trade, improving safety standards, and attaining better wages, etc. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_union :: Parents contemporary social issue lamentation over a lost love ============================ :: Description Someone sadly ponders a love affair that has long since ended. :: Parents introspection language of musical notes ========================= :: Description The (very real) idea of a language composed of musical sounds is illustrated. Example: The myseterious space obelisk on Amerind featured such a language in tos3x03 "The Paradise Syndrome". :: Parents problem of language and meaning lawless anarchy dystopia ======================== :: Description There is a dysfunctional society without laws or order. Typically the strong and powerful do as they wish and violence abounds. :: Parents dystopia laying on of hands ================== :: Description The ritualistic practice of prayer and gesture claimed to elicit divine assistance in healing. This practice is common among certain Christian denominations. Example: The amnesiac alien called John Doe could heal with a touch in tng3x25 "Transfigurations", just like the Christian Redeemer. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laying_on_of_hands :: Parents superstition leadership ========== :: Description Someone does a good or bad job of leading a group of people. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadership :: Parents group interaction learning languages ================== :: Description The difficulties involved in learning a new language are illustrated. :: Parents problem of language and meaning learning to depend on others ============================ :: Description A character must learn to accept their dependence on other people as we all depend on each other for various human needs. :: Parents introspection leaving one's old life behind ============================= :: Description A character must choose between staying put in a familiar old role on one hand or grab a fresh new (but unknown and risky) opportunity on the other. :: Parents life choice leaving one's old life for love =============================== :: Description A character struggles with the life choice of whether to leave everything else behind to follow a lover. :: Parents leaving one's old life behind leaving the nest ================ :: Description A juvenile reaches that stage in life when it is time to take leave of mom and dad and face the world. Example: Wesley wrestled with leaving the comfortable confines of the Enterprise-D to enter Starfleet Academy in tng3x24 "Ménage à Troi". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaving_the_nest :: Parents growing up legal proceedings ================= :: Description A hearing, trial, or other such legal procedure is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_proceeding :: Parents contemporary social issue lesbian couple ============== :: Description Two females are in a lasting romantic relationship. :: Parents romantic relationship lesbianism ========== :: Description We are asked to what extent, if any, lesbianism should be tolerated in our society and how lesbians ought to be treated. Example: Beverly was propositioned by Kareel Odan in tng4x23 "The Host", alas declined. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesbian :: Parents homosexuality lesson in humility ================== :: Description Someone who was previously proud or arrogant is humbled and becomes more conscious of their own limitations. :: Parents introspection lethal mating practice alien ============================ :: Description An alien race for which, like the preying mantis, the practice of mating is a lethal affair. :: Parents biologically distinguished life form letting go of a lover ===================== :: Description Someone painfully comes to terms with a relationship that has ended and moves on. :: Parents romantic relationship letting go of someone you love ============================== :: Description A character will part with someone they love and must come to terms with the fact. :: Parents coping with having to do something liar paradox ============ :: Description The statement of a liar who states that they are lying: for instance, declaring that "I am lying" or "everything I say is false". If they are indeed lying, they are telling the truth, which means they are lying and so on ad infinitum. Example: Captain Kirk bested the android Norman by skillfully wielding this dangerous piece of otherwise abstract mathematics in tos2x12 "I, Mudd". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liar_paradox :: Parents topic in science lie detector ============ :: Description A gadget that can detect whether or not someone is lying. Such machines exist but their reliability is debated. Example: The Enterprise computer doubled as a lie detector in tos2x07 "Wolf in the Fold". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lie_detection :: Parents real gadget life choice =========== :: Description A character is made to reflect on a tough decision that involve choices that are hard, not because of ethical issues or uncertainty regarding the outcome, but because the decision that will have a major impact on the course of their life. A typical example is "career choice". :: Parents tough decision life force ========== :: Description The idea that people have some sort of vital energy that can (usually) be used and depleted much like a liquid. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_(esotericism) :: Parents superstition life force draining alien ========================= :: Description An alien life form that somehow derives nourishment from the "life force" of other beings. :: Parents parasitic life form life force draining headband ============================ :: Description A headband-shaped device used to transfer the wearer’s life-force somewhere else. Example: Taurean women put such devices on men in tas1x04 "The Lorelei Signal", until Captain Kirk and his crew put a stop to it all. :: Parents fictional apparatus life in 1950s America ===================== :: Description We are shown what life might have been like for various people in USA in and around the 1950s. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_in_the_1950s :: Parents history life in 19th century Ireland ============================ :: Description It is described what life might have been in Ireland during the 18-hundreds. :: Parents history life in 19th century Italy ========================== :: Description The everyday life of people in this era and region of the world are depicted. :: Parents history life in 20th century England ============================ :: Description It is described what life might have been in England during the early 20th century. :: Parents history life in 20th century France =========================== :: Description It is described what life might have been in France during the early 20th century. :: Parents history life in 21st century America ============================ :: Description We are shown what life in America in the early 21st century might have been like. :: Parents history life in Age of Enlightenment ============================ :: Description It is conveyed what life might have been like in intellectual circles in Europe between the years of 1715 (the year that Louis XIV died) and 1789 (the beginning of the French Revolution). Example: Peter Standish traveled back in time to 18th century London and met a number of historical figures, including Samuel Johnson, in "I'll Never Forget You" (1951). References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment :: Parents history life in Ancient Rome ==================== :: Description It is shown what life might have been like in world of Ancient Rome. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_ancient_Rome :: Parents history life in academia ================ :: Description We are shown what life might be like for professors, lecturers, grad-students, and suchlike creatures. :: Parents what life is like life in college =============== :: Description We are shown what life might be like for university students. Stereotypically this might involve fraternities, pranks on the Dean, spring breaks, etc. :: Parents what life is like life in the Age of Sail ======================= :: Description It is conveyed what life might have been like on the high seas in the Age of Sail (usually dated as 1571–1862) - a period roughly corresponding to the early modern period in which international trade and naval warfare were dominated by sailing ships, lasting from the 16th to the mid-19th century. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Sail :: Parents history life in the American Wild West ============================== :: Description It is shown what life might have been like in America during its post- revolutionary frontier expansion, roughly 1783-1912, the times popularly associated with Cowboys and Indians. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_frontier :: Parents history life in the late 20th century ============================= :: Description We are shown what life was like for people in the second half of the 20th century. :: Parents history life in the stone age ===================== :: Description It is described what life might have been in the stone age. References: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/research/research- projects/archaeology/daily-life-in-the-stone-age :: Parents history life lesson =========== :: Description A character comes to learn useful knowledge or a principle that can be applied to living a better life. References: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/life-lesson :: Parents purpose in life life toiling in a coal mine =========================== :: Description A character experiences what it is like to toil in a coal mine. :: Parents what life is like life with a handicap vs. death ============================== :: Description Someone must decide whether or not to accept a permanent physical or mental impairment, for example the loss of a limb, in order to survive. :: Parents life choice life-support belt ================= :: Description A simple belt-like device that can be worn in lieu of a clumsy space suit but that offers the same protection. :: Parents fictional apparatus light refraction ================ :: Description The change of direction in a light wave due to a change in its transmission medium, such as a transition from air to a glass prism. Example: The Aldean planetary cloak made use of this scientific principle in tng1x17 "When The Bough Breaks". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refraction :: Parents topic in science literature appreciation ======================= :: Description How best to appreciate litterature is discussed. Example: Spock was most impressed with Mr. Flint's taste in literature in tos3x21 "Requiem for Methuselah". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literary_criticism :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities live and let die ================ :: Description A character follows the bandit's philosophy of living at the expense of others and killing with ease be it for profit or pleasure. :: Parents way of life live and let live ================= :: Description A character follows the civilized philosophy of living a peaceful life and not interfering with other people's choices in way of life insofar as possible. :: Parents way of life living dinosaur =============== :: Description The theory that non-avian dinosaurs have survived the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) extinction event is entertained. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_dinosaur :: Parents crackpot theory living isolated from civilization ================================= :: Description A character or small community chooses the hermit's life of isolation from most of the rest of society. :: Parents way of life living spaceship ================ :: Description A being that is alive and sentient yet also functions as a spaceship to other beings. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LivingShip :: Parents spaceborne life form living up to expectations ========================= :: Description Someone struggles with the pressure of meeting the expectations of others. Example: Wesley, the wunderkind, failed to meet expectations that he would pass the Starfleet Academy entrance exam in in tng1x19 "Coming of Age". :: Parents coping with stress loathing ======== :: Description Someone exhibits a feeling of "disgust" so intense that it cannot be concealed or suppressed. Example: Worf loathed Duras and his entire house in tng4x07 "Reunion". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disgust :: Parents unpleasant emotion lobotomization ============== :: Description We are asked when, if ever, it is acceptable to prescribe lobotomization, the surgical destruction of part of someone’s brain, typically in the context of ameliorating a mental disorder. Concrete lobotomization is no longer done but surgery on the brain is sometimes necessary and there are many tough decision to wrangle. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobotomy :: Parents past and present moral controversy localized time distortion ========================= :: Description A small-scale distortion in spacetime causing anything within it to travel in time. Example: Small localized time distortions wrought havoc aboard the Enterprise-D and made Captain Picard’s finger nails grow rapidly in tng6x25 "Timescape". :: Parents time travel, alternate laws of nature logarithmic scale ================= :: Description A scale of measurement that displays the value of a quantity using intervals corresponding to orders of magnitude, like the Richter scale for earthquakes. Example: Data and Geordi used a logarithmic scale in tng5x04 "Silicon Avatar" to improve image resolution. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logarithmic_scale :: Parents topic in science logic vs. gut feeling ===================== :: Description Someone must decide, in a given situation, which course of action is the better: the one dictated by their gut instinct or the one dictated by their head (logic). :: Parents personal practical dilemma loneliness ========== :: Description Someone feels bad because they lack friends and meaningful companionship. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loneliness :: Parents unpleasant emotion lonewolf way of life ==================== :: Description Someone deliberately shuns contact with others and prefers to live alone as much as they can. :: Parents way of life long distance relationship ========================== :: Description Two lovers try to remain romantically involved in spite of being miles or lightyears apart, perhaps even without access to real-time communication. Can they keep the spark alive? Example: Captain Picard recalled that he and Miranda Vrgo had broken up because their long distance relationship didn’t work out in tng7x22 "Bloodlines". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-distance_relationship :: Parents romantic relationship looking for a lover =================== :: Description Someone is actively seeking a romantic partner. :: Parents romantic relationship lookism in society ================== :: Description The issue of people being too obsessed with looks and appearances, their own and others, is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lookism :: Parents prejudice in society loss of emotional equilibrium ============================= :: Description A character acts impulsively due to extreme emotion and (normally) against better judgment. :: Parents pathological state of mind love ==== :: Description This category of themes concern that feeling of deep affection and attachment toward someone or (occasionally) something. Sexuality may or may not be involved: References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love :: Parents pleasant emotion love at first sight =================== :: Description The kind of love a person feels who becomes instantly infatuated upon first seeing someone. Example: It was love at first sight for Troi and Devinoni Ral in tng3x08 "The Price". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_at_first_sight :: Parents romantic love love conquers all ================= :: Description Two lovers have such strong feelings for each other that prove to survive surprisingly difficult obstacles, e.g., years of separation. Example: Anne Nored remained as deeply in love as ever with Carter Winston even after it came to light that he was a betentacled alien spy in tas1x06 "The Survivor". :: Parents human nature love does not transcend all bounds ================================== :: Description The time tested wisdom that "love conquers all" is refuted by an illustration of how two lovers drift apart because of some obstacle. Example: While Beverly would go far for the sake of love she drew a firm line at lesbianism when her lover switched gender in tng4x23 "The Host". :: Parents human nature love kindled by danger ====================== :: Description The idea that a shared danger can kindle peoples' passions for each other is illustrated. :: Parents romantic love love of a pet ============= :: Description The love of a master for their pet is featured. :: Parents familial love love triangle ============= :: Description Three people (sometimes more) are connected via multiple romantic relationships or unrequited romantic aspirations in a so called "love triangle" ("love mesh" more generally). For example: A loves B loves C loves A, or A and B are friends and both lovers of C, etc. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_triangle :: Parents romantic relationship love vs. career =============== :: Description A character must decide what is more important to them: love or career. :: Parents life choice love vs. faith ============== :: Description Someone is forced to choose between adhering to their faith (for example the doctrines of a church they belong to), or pursuing a romantic interest. :: Parents life choice love vs. friendship =================== :: Description Someone has to choose between pursuing a romantic relationship on one hand, and maintaining a friendship on the other. :: Parents life choice love vs. the good of humanity ============================= :: Description A character must choose between the love one on one hand, and a general good, such as a cure for cancer, on the other. Example: If time traveler Peter Standish had married his love Helen Petigrew, then the timeline would have been irreparably altered in "I'll Never Forget You" (1951). :: Parents personal ethical dilemma love-hate relationship ====================== :: Description Two characters simultaneously or alternatingly adore each other and despise each other in a very chaotic relationship. :: Parents romantic relationship lover caught in flagrante ========================= :: Description Someone in an exclusive sexual relationship catches their partner in the act of being unfaithful. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_flagrante_delicto :: Parents romantic relationship lovers' quarrel =============== :: Description Two lovers quarrel as lovers will. :: Parents romantic relationship loyalty ======= :: Description The category of themes that deal with loyalty, e.g., between friends, from a subordinate to a superior, etc.. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loyalty :: Parents amicable disposition loyalty to a cause ================== :: Description Someone shows constant support to a movement they feel strongly about. :: Parents loyalty loyalty to a friend =================== :: Description Someone shows constant support to a friend. :: Parents loyalty loyalty to a group ================== :: Description Someone shows constant support to a group to which they belong. :: Parents loyalty loyalty to a leader =================== :: Description A subordinate shows constant support to their leader. Example: Kirk's senior officers remained loyal to their captain at his court martial in tos1x24 "Court Martial". :: Parents loyalty loyalty to a subordinate ======================== :: Description A leader shows constant support to a subordinate. :: Parents loyalty loyalty to one's family ======================= :: Description Someone shows constant support to a family member. :: Parents loyalty loyalty to one's species ======================== :: Description Someone shows constant support to their species. :: Parents loyalty lucid dreaming ============== :: Description The way we can sometimes dream with full awareness and control of our dream is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucid_dream :: Parents human nature lucky charm =========== :: Description Someone believes a certain object gives them luck. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_luck_charm :: Parents superstition lust ==== :: Description A character is overcome with insatiable sexual desires. This is used when it is made reasonably clear that a character wishes to engage in sexual relations, rather than when a proclamation of love is made. Rule of thumb: Prolonged French kissing is typically sufficient, but a peck on the cheek or a dreamy stare is not. Example: Chekov lusted after the Harry Mudd programmed androids Alice 118 and Alice 332 in tos2x12 "I, Mudd". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lust :: Parents deadly sin machine controlled society ========================== :: Description Society is supposedly ideal thanks to being controlled by machines that go about optimizing everybody’s well-being in the best way possible. :: Parents utopia machine dictation ================= :: Description A machine that can listen to human speech and put it down in writing. This was sci-fi in the 60s but is by-and-by and more becoming reality. Example: Roberta Lincoln had trouble coming to grips with her hands-off typewriter in tos2x26 "Assignment: Earth". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dictation_machine :: Parents real gadget machine learning ================ :: Description The scientific study of how to construct machines that have the ability to learn without being explicitly programmed. Example: Dr. Richard Daystrom’s M-5 Multitronic Unit could learn and adapt in tos2x24 "The Ultimate Computer". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_learning :: Parents scientific discipline machines in society =================== :: Description The role of machines in society is explored. Examples include the ramifications of people being replaced by machines at work and the use of AI technology in daily life. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanization :: Parents contemporary social issue magical amusement planet ======================== :: Description An entire planet designed and constructed as an oversized amusement park. Example: The sole purpose of the Shore Leave Planet of tos1x17 "Shore Leave" and tas1x09 "Once Upon a Planet" was to provide amusement to weary space travelers. :: Parents mastering space magnanimity in victory ====================== :: Description Someone is forgiving to a rival they have bested. Example: Riker graciously declined Portal 6-3's offer to destroy a party of conniving Ferengi in tng1x05 "The Last Outpost". :: Parents amicable disposition magnetic boots ============== :: Description Boots that are magnetic, which allows them to attach to the ferrous floor or hulls of a spacecraft during weightlessness, and presumably would allow someone to walk around the cabin of a spacecraft, are featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_boots :: Parents real gadget mail-order brides ================= :: Description The pros and cons of the mail-order bride system are explored. Example: The secluded lithium crystal miners on Rigel XII where overjoyed when Harry Mudd appeared with their shipment of mail-order brides in tos1x03 "Mudd's Women". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail-order_bride :: Parents contemporary social issue maker and machine ================= :: Description The relationship between a maker of a (more or less intelligent) machine and that machine is featured. :: Parents familial relations maker and monster ================= :: Description The relationship between a maker and a monster of their own creation is featured. :: Parents familial relations male banter =========== :: Description Two male characters exchange banter as males are known to do. :: Parents male stereotype male bonding ============ :: Description Two mature adult males strengthen their friendship by engaging in stereotypically male bonding activities such as William T. Riker fighting an Anbo-jyutsu match. Example: Geordi and Bochra, a Romulan centurion and sworn enemy of the Federation, engaged in some serious male bonding while stranded together on the planet Galorndon Core in tng3x07 "The Enemy". :: Parents one-on-one interaction male brutishness ================ :: Description The sexist attitude that males are blunt and violent is illustrated as such. :: Parents male stereotype male competitiveness ==================== :: Description The idea that men are inherently competitive is expressed. References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9639863 :: Parents male stereotype male fear of commitment ======================= :: Description The trope concerning male reluctance to engage in or stay with a long-term exclusive romantic commitment, even when it is otherwise good, is featured. While this fear is not exclusive to males, it is notably featured as a male stereotype in some stories. :: Parents male stereotype male homosexuality ================== :: Description We are asked to what extent, if any, homosexuality should be tolerated in our society and how homosexual people ought to be treated. Example: The J’naii’s gender identities were rather fuzzy in tng5x17 "The Outcast"; Riker’s fling with Soren may have been as close as we ever got to seeing male homosexuality in TNG. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality :: Parents homosexuality male posturing ============== :: Description The tendency of some males to prance and posture, particularly in front of females, is demonstrated. :: Parents male stereotype male protectiveness =================== :: Description The tendency of some males to be protective of females is illustrated. Example: Scotty had a crush on Carolyn Palamas and tried awkwardly to be her knight in shining armor in tos2x04 "Who Mourns for Adonais?". :: Parents male stereotype male stereotype =============== :: Description The category of themes that (correctly or incorrectly) highlight attributes that are believed to be typical of contemporary men. Many of these may be considered sexist today. :: Parents gender issue male wingmanship ================ :: Description A strategy by which a man's friend draws away a woman's friend in order to leave a more private opening for the man to pitch his woo. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wingman_(social) :: Parents male stereotype male-female bonding =================== :: Description Two mature adult characters of the opposite sex strengthen their friendship through some sort of bonding activity or shared hardship etc. Note: This theme is not used if the nature of the relationship is predominantly romantic. Example: In ent1x15 "Shadows of P'Jem", Archer and T'Pol are held hostage together, a tribulation during which they come to much better understand each other. :: Parents one-on-one interaction malevolence =========== :: Description A character wishes to inflict acts of unspeakable evil on others. The wickedness of the acts is understood by the perpetrator, i.e., they are not doing evil in the name of good or out of mere ignorance. Example: The slick of malevolent tar and embodiment of all evil, Armus, was very malevolent in tng1x23 "Skin of Evil". :: Parents disagreeable characteristic man vs. affliction ================== :: Description A character struggles to overcome an affliction, like a disease, a disorder, or something else that causes pain and suffering. :: Parents survival man vs. beast ============= :: Description A struggle between human and animal is featured. Example: Captain Kirk was mauled by a Mugato tos2x16 "A Private Little War". :: Parents survival man vs. captivity ================= :: Description A struggle between captive and captor is featured. Example: Butthead aliens held Captain Pike captive with the intention to use him as breeding stock in tos0x01 "The Cage". :: Parents survival man vs. evil genius =================== :: Description A struggle between a protagonist and a stock mad scientist type character is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_scientist :: Parents survival man vs. institution =================== :: Description A character experiences what it is like to face an entire institution, like the secret police, that is out to get them. :: Parents survival man vs. machine =============== :: Description A struggle between human and machine is featured. Example: The Enterprise-D crew were almost overwhelmed by the autonomous planetary defense system of Minosian design in tng1x21 "The Arsenal of Freedom". References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ManVersusMachine :: Parents survival man vs. nature ============== :: Description A human struggle to survive the elements is featured. This could be about surviving in blistering cold, scorching heat, raging wind, etc. Example: Sulu nearly froze to death of Alfa 177 during a geological survey gone wrong in tos1x04 "The Enemy Within". References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Conflict :: Parents survival man vs. self ============ :: Description A character must overcome an internal struggle within themself. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conflict_(narrative)#Man_against_self :: Parents survival man vs. space anomaly ===================== :: Description A human struggles to survive contact with a space anomaly of some kind. Example: Beverly became trapped in a collapsing warp bubble universe in tng4x05 "Remember Me". :: Parents survival man vs. technology ================== :: Description A conflict between a person and technology is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_vs._Technology :: Parents survival man vs. the occult ================== :: Description A human fights supernatural forces, e.g., ghosts. Example: All manner of hocus-pocus abounded in tos2x01 "Catspaw". :: Parents survival man vs. woman ============= :: Description There is competition between a man and a woman, and emphasis on the different advantages and disadvantages associated with their respective genders. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Conflict :: Parents the battle of the sexes man vs. zombie ============== :: Description There is a struggle between man and zombie. :: Parents survival man-made existential risk ========================= :: Description The category of themes that suggest ways in which life on Earth (or some inhabited planet) could end as a consequence of what the inhabitants on the planet choose to do. When will the self-replicating, self-aware killer robots be unleashed? :: Parents existential risk man-made pandemic ================= :: Description People deliberately create a dangerous pathogen, typically for the purpose of war, but it gets out of control and kills everyone. Example: The inhabitants of Earth Two sought to increase their lifespan but instead released an infectious virus that quickly killed off all adults in tos1x11 "Miri". :: Parents man-made existential risk mandatory retirement ==================== :: Description We are asked when in life it is right and proper for a person to retire. Example: The Federation decided to review the mandatory retirement age of 75 in the case of Commodore April after his heroic actions in tas2x06 "The Counter-Clock Incident". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandatory_retirement :: Parents past and present moral controversy mandrake root legend ==================== :: Description The legend that humanoid-shaped Mandrake root is produced by the semen of hanged men under the gallows. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alraune#Legend https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandrake#Magic_and_witchcraft :: Parents superstition manliness ========= :: Description What it means to be a real man is at stake. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masculinity :: Parents male stereotype manners ======= :: Description The importance of, for example, not telling fools they are fools straight to their face is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etiquette :: Parents group interaction marriage ceremony ================= :: Description There is a wedding. :: Parents romantic relationship mass consumerism ================ :: Description We are made to ponder the pros and cons of a society in which happiness is linked to the acquisition of goods and services in ever-increasing amounts. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumerism :: Parents past and present moral controversy mass hysteria ============= :: Description Allusions of a threat spread through a group causing panic, each person’s fear reinforcing that of the next and in a vicious circle. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_hysteria :: Parents group interaction mass infertility ================ :: Description For one reason or another people become infertile and civilization gradually die out. :: Parents force majeure existential risk mass mind control ================= :: Description The technology to, more or less directly and with some degree of precision, control the minds and actions of entire populations of people. Example: Landru mind controlled a entire population with the help of an absorption chamber or two in tos1x22 "The Return of the Archons". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainwashing :: Parents mind technology mass radiation poisoning ======================== :: Description Radiation from some unspecified source wipes out life on a planet. Example: The Scalosians were nearly wiped out by radiation in tos3x13 "Wink of an Eye". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acute_radiation_syndrome :: Parents force majeure existential risk mass surveillance ================= :: Description The question of whether and to what extent we should have large scale surveillance systems in place is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surveillance :: Parents past and present moral controversy master and pet ============== :: Description The relationship between a master and their pet is featured. Example: Data replicated feline supplement 74 for his beloved pet Spot the cat in tng4x11 "Data's Day". :: Parents familial relations master and slave ================ :: Description The relationship between a master (or mistress) and their slave is featured. :: Parents familial relations master race controlled society ============================== :: Description Society is supposedly ideal because it is controlled by an exalted race of individuals who are just better than the rest. Example: The plant-like Phylosians were so superior that they once decided to take control of the galaxy for its own good, we were told, in tas1x07 "The Infinite Vulcan". The attempt was abortive. :: Parents utopia mastering space =============== :: Description The category of themes that revolve around space: artificial planets, space colonization and the like. :: Parents novel sci-fi concept match fixing in society ======================= :: Description The problem of criminals rigging games and sports matches by various means in order to profit from betting and spectator revenues, is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Match_fixing :: Parents contemporary social issue matchmaking technology ====================== :: Description There is a technology with the putative ability of pairing love seekers off in some sort of optimal way. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matchmaking :: Parents fictional apparatus maternal love ============= :: Description The love of a mother for her child is featured. Example: Beverly expressed her love for Wesley in tng1x03 "The Naked Now" by slapping him clear across the face. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maternal_bond :: Parents familial love mating strategies ================= :: Description This is a topic in biology that focuses on the various ways in which males and females from different species (plants and animals as well as humans) go about selecting a mate for reproduction. The purpose is generally to maximize the evolutionary fitness of one's offspring, but what this means in practice is a complicated question. :: Parents topic in science matriarchy ========== :: Description There is a social system in which exclusively women have political power. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matriarchy :: Parents social order matriarchy vs. patriarchy ========================= :: Description A social order in which mainly women wield political power is contrasted with a social order where mainly men wield political power. :: Parents social dichotomy matrimonial love ================ :: Description The love between two married people is featured. :: Parents familial love matter duplicator ================= :: Description A machine that can exactly duplicate physical objects. References: http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/matter_duplication :: Parents fictional apparatus matter replicator ================= :: Description A device used to synthesize all sorts of material objects merely out of energy. Example: L.Q. "Sonny" Clemonds replicated a straight up martini with two olives (for the vitamins) using the Enterprise-D matter replicator in tng1x26 "The Neutral Zone". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replicator_(Star_Trek) :: Parents fictional apparatus matter transmuter ================= :: Description A device used to transform material objects into other material objects or into energy. :: Parents fictional apparatus mechanical insect ================= :: Description There is a mechanical device that is shaped like an insect and that acts like an insect in some ways. Example: In blackmirror3x06 "Hated in the Nation" enormous swarms of mechanical bees had been created to pollinate plants, because real bees had died out. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RoboBee :: Parents AI technology mechanical man ============== :: Description An automaton that resembles a human being is featured. :: Parents AI technology meddling parent =============== :: Description The life of a child or adult whose parent or parents interfere more than is desired is explored. Example: Worf's adoptive, Human parents embarrassed the Klingon during their visit aboard the Enterprise-D in tng4x02 "Family". :: Parents parenting mediation ========= :: Description Someone acts as a helpful intermediary between two factions that have trouble negotiating effectively on their own, perhaps because they can’t stand the sight of one another. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediation :: Parents diplomacy medical assistance to the enemy =============================== :: Description A medical professional ponders whether and to what extent they should expend effort to treat a wounded enemy. :: Parents medical ethics medical ethics ============== :: Description The category of themes that highlight ethical questions in medicine. These are awarded its own category due to their popularity in contemporary fiction. Most of us will, after all, be hospitalized at some point in our life. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_ethics :: Parents values and ethics in society medical etiology ================ :: Description The scientific study of illnesses and the many factors that come together to cause an illness. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cause_(medicine) :: Parents scientific discipline medical risk taking =================== :: Description It is discussed how one can weight one set of risks and benefits against another in planning medical treatments. :: Parents medical ethics medical triage ============== :: Description A practitioner of medicine has to choose which patient to prioritize base on factors such as likelihood of survival, age, and expected quality of remaining life. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triage :: Parents medical ethics medicine wheel ============== :: Description There is a Shamanic medicine wheel such as appears in many NAtive American traditions. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicine_wheel :: Parents superstition meeting the parents =================== :: Description A paramour meets the parents of their lover for the first time. :: Parents romantic relationship megalomania =========== :: Description Someone is obsessed with (and normally deluded about) their own grandeur, powers, and abilities. Example: Garth of Izar suffered from delusions of grandeur in tos3x16 "Whom Gods Destroy". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissistic_personality_disorder :: Parents state of mind memory implantation technology ============================== :: Description There is technology by which memories may be implanted into someone's brain. :: Parents mind technology memory wipe =========== :: Description The technology to remove segments of someone’s memories. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_erasure :: Parents mind technology mental illness ============== :: Description A character exhibits general mental illness. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_disorder :: Parents pathological state of mind mentally distinguished life form ================================ :: Description The category of themes that posit aliens with distinguished minds, e.g., telepathic, superintelligent, or collectively linked aliens. :: Parents novel alien concept mentor and protégé ================== :: Description The relationship between a mentor and the person they are mentoring is featured. Example: The Traveler played the role of mentor to Wesley in tng1x06 "Where No One Has Gone Before". :: Parents familial relations mercy ===== :: Description Someone displays forgiveness, pity, or compassion toward another who is under their authority, i.e., is at their mercy. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercy :: Parents amicable disposition merpeople ========= :: Description There is a race of mermaids and mermen, i.e., beings that share fish-like characteristics and that live under water. :: Parents miscellaneous life form messiah ======= :: Description A religious savior or liberator of a group of believers, similar to a holy prophet but usually a notch higher in the divine pecking order. Example: Kahless the Unforgettable, the Klingon messiah, was resurrected by cloning by Klingon monks in tng6x23 "Rightful Heir". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messiah :: Parents organized religion metal detector ============== :: Description An electronic instrument which detects the presence of metal nearby is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_detector :: Parents real gadget metal eating microscopic organism ================================= :: Description There is a tiny organism (for example a bacteria) that can devour metal. :: Parents miscellaneous life form metaphysics =========== :: Description The branch of philosophy concerned with the fundamental nature of reality and such basic concepts as existence, matter, space, time and causation. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphysics :: Parents classical philosophy micro black hole ================ :: Description There is a microscopic singularity such as has been theorized to exist. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micro_black_hole :: Parents what's out there microbe-like being ================== :: Description A macroscopic single celled being. :: Parents miscellaneous life form microscopic sentient life form ============================== :: Description A life form that is microscopic in size, yet (astonishingly when compared to a common brain) is considered sentient. Example: The "Microbrains" of Velara III were tiny, yet somehow sentient, crystals in tng1x18 "Home Soil". :: Parents miscellaneous life form military bluffing ================= :: Description Someone strives to deceive their opponent, e.g., by pretending to have greater power then they actually do. :: Parents the art of war military dictatorship ===================== :: Description Society is ruled by a military group that maintain power by means of violence and repression. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_dictatorship :: Parents social order military retaliation to discourage ================================== :: Description The following kind of dilemma is illustrated: Is it right to retaliate after an offence in order to dissuade an enemy from further violence? Or will that just lead to a vicious circle of vendetta? Example: Captain Kirk chased down Gorn marauders to discourage them from further aggression in tos1x19 "Arena". It had nothing to do with vengeance, nothing! :: Parents social ethical dilemma military secrets ================ :: Description The practice of keeping sensitive military information secret is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secrecy#Military_secrecy :: Parents the art of war military tactics ================ :: Description It is discussed how one should act and maneuver in battle to gain an advantage. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_tactics :: Parents the art of war military training moon ====================== :: Description An entire moon has been conditioned for the sole purpose of military training. :: Parents mastering space mind control technology ======================= :: Description Technology that can be employed to shape someone’s mental states, thoughts, and opinions. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_control_in_popular_culture :: Parents mind technology mind controlled society ======================= :: Description Society is supposedly ideal thanks to the use of mass mind control. :: Parents utopia mind linking technology ======================= :: Description Technology that links two or more people’s minds so that they can sense each other’s emotions and perhaps even hear each other’s thoughts. Example: Captain Picard and Beverly shared their most intimate thoughts while mind linked in tng7x08 "Attached". References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PsychicLink :: Parents mind technology mind reading technology ======================= :: Description Technology that can be employed by one person to read another person’s mind. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thought_identification :: Parents mind technology mind technology =============== :: Description The category of themes that posit technology to manipulate the human mind by cloning it, wiping it, moving it, controlling it, etc. :: Parents novel sci-fi concept mind transfer technology ======================== :: Description Technology used to transfer someone’s mind from one body to another, or to a computer or some sort of artificial brain. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_uploading :: Parents mind technology mind wipe punishment ==================== :: Description As a punishment for crime, someone has their mind and memories wiped clean. :: Parents mind technology mind-computer merging ===================== :: Description Technology that provides a low-latency interface between a brain and a computer, thus blurring the boundaries between man and machine. Example: Barclay got tired of the slow old interfaces and connected his brain directly to the Enterprise-D computer when he developed super-intelligence in tng4x19 "The Nth Degree". :: Parents mind technology mind-controlled vehicle ======================= :: Description There is a vehicle that is controlled simply by thinking, without using knobs, wheels, levers, etc. :: Parents mind technology minefields in war ================= :: Description One faction in a conflict uses hidden proximity activated explosive devices (mines) in order to booby trap an area and make it more or less impassable for the enemy. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_mine :: Parents war miniaturization technology ========================== :: Description Technology by which material objects (such as people) can be made smaller in size compared to their surrounding without changing their characteristics otherwise. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Size_change_in_fiction :: Parents fictional apparatus mining a planet from orbit ========================== :: Description Hitherto unknown technology is used from a spaceship in orbit in order to extract minerals out of a planet. Example: Dr. Farallon developed a technology called the Particle Fountain to achieve this end in tng6x09 "The Quality of Life". :: Parents mastering space minority rights =============== :: Description We are made to ponder what added rights a minority group might deserve to be awarded in the face of a majority population. Should subsidies be paid to preserve minority languages, for example? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minority_rights :: Parents human rights misandry ======== :: Description Someone exhibits prejudice, dislike, or even hatred, of men. Example: Janice Lester was deeply resentful of Captain Kirk and other men who got ahead because of their sex in tos3x24 "Turnabout Intruder". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misandry :: Parents state of mind misanthropy =========== :: Description Someone exhibits prejudice, dislike, or even hatred, of humans and humanity. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misanthropy :: Parents state of mind miscellaneous life form ======================= :: Description The category of themes that posit alien concepts that do not fit in any of the other categories. :: Parents novel alien concept misery loves company ==================== :: Description The embarrassingly human tendency for unhappy people to want other people to be unhappy as well, is featured. :: Parents human nature misfortune as divine punishment =============================== :: Description A character believes that a misfortune is in fact a punishment from God or a comparative entity. :: Parents organized religion misfortune unites ================= :: Description It is observed that a shared spat of adversity can work to bring people closer together. :: Parents life lesson misogyny ======== :: Description Someone exhibits prejudice, dislike, or even hatred, of women. Example: Scotty took shore leave on Argelius II in an effort to overcome his "total resentment towards women" in tos20x7 "Wolf in the Fold". He was then accused of brutally murdering a number of women on the planet, but was ultimately found to be innocent. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misogyny :: Parents state of mind mistrust leading to group dysfunction ===================================== :: Description The way in which mistrust can lead to a group of people not getting along is noted. :: Parents group interaction mixed marriage ============== :: Description We are asked when, if ever, marriage between people of different ethnicities ought to be tolerated. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interethnic_marriage :: Parents past and present moral controversy mobile life support box ======================= :: Description A bewheeled box-like device that keeps you alive and mobile even after the most crippling of catastrophic accidents. Example: Captain Pike was confined to just such a device in tos1x15 "The Menagerie, Part I" and tos1x16 "The Menagerie, Part II". :: Parents human enhancement mobile phone overuse in society =============================== :: Description We are made to contemplate the widespread of hand-held communication devices that some people think is excessive. In particular the impact of this on children tends to be controversial. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone_overuse :: Parents past and present moral controversy modern science ============== :: Description Featured is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science :: Parents the domain of reason modular starship ================ :: Description There is a starship that is composed of many more-or-less autonomous modules that can detach and re-attach to reconfigure the whole thing. :: Parents starship technology mole people =========== :: Description Creatures that live entirely under the Earth, or more generall underground in a planet, in caves or hollowed out regions. References: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MoleMen :: Parents inhospitable environment dwelling life form monasticism =========== :: Description A "holy" order of monks or nuns practicing religion is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monasticism :: Parents organized religion money can't buy love ==================== :: Description This age old adage is demonstrated, refuted, or otherwise discussed. :: Parents life lesson monitoring implant ================== :: Description There is an implant that lets someone else monitor the wearer's activities and experiences to a significant extent. :: Parents fictional apparatus monogamy vs. single life ======================== :: Description A character contemplates whether to enter into a presumed monogamous relationship or whether to stay single. :: Parents life choice monophobia ========== :: Description Someone exhibits a fear of being alone. Example: Aquiel Uhnari did not much like being all alone on Relay Station 47 in tng6x13 "Aquiel". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autophobia :: Parents pathological state of mind monopolies in society ===================== :: Description The ramifications of economic monopolistic forces at work in society are explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopoly :: Parents contemporary social issue monotheism ========== :: Description A creed which involves a single supreme entity (usually "God") is described. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monotheism :: Parents organized religion monster apocalypse ================== :: Description Monsters or beasts of some kind ravage a world and put an end to civilized life. :: Parents force majeure existential risk monsters in distant lands ========================= :: Description The notion that strange monsters are lurking just beyond the horizon. Example: A number of Barkon IV villagers assumed Data to have been an iceman from the Vellorian Mountains in tng7x16 "Thine Own Self". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster :: Parents superstition moodiness ========= :: Description A character switches unusually fast or with little provocation between emotions, positive and negative. :: Parents state of mind moon slowly spiraling into a planet =================================== :: Description The moon to a planet drops out of its normal orbit for some reason and starts on a slow, spiraling collision course with the planet. Example: The Enterprise-D saved the Natives of Bre'el IV from this fate in tng3x13 "Deja Q". :: Parents force majeure existential risk moral outrage ============= :: Description Someone is visibly outraged by something that conflicts with his or her own personal morals. :: Parents antagonistic disposition mother and daughter =================== :: Description The relationship between a mother and her daughter is featured. :: Parents parent and child mother and son ============== :: Description The relationship between a mother and her son is featured. :: Parents parent and child mother's right to determine pregnancy ===================================== :: Description The notion that an expecting mother should have the sole right to decide whether or not she will carry a pregnancy to term is featured. Example: The senior officers discussed what to do about Troi’s mysterious pregnancy and Worf suggested an abortion in tng2x01 "The Child", but Troi would have none of it. :: Parents the battle of the sexes mother-in-law and daughter-in-law ================================= :: Description The relationship between a mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law is featured. :: Parents familial relations motherly disappointment in a son ================================ :: Description A son is not all that his mother wishes him to be. Example: Beverly was disappointed in Wesley for covering up the now infamous Nova Squadron Incident in tng5x18 "The First Duty". :: Parents parental disappointment in child move fast or take it slow in a romantic relationship ==================================================== :: Description Someone embarking on a romance is trying to decide how strongly they should come on. :: Parents personal practical dilemma moving in together ================== :: Description Two lovers contemplate whether or not to start living together in the same home. :: Parents romantic relationship multi-gendered alien ==================== :: Description There is an alien species that has more than the customary two genders. Three or more individuals have to contribute genetic material in order to procreate. :: Parents biologically distinguished life form multi-generational starship =========================== :: Description A spaceship built for voyages longer than an individual’s lifespan and with a view to let the crew procreate and live out their lives on-board. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_ship :: Parents starship technology multicultural upbringing ======================== :: Description A kid is brought up being part of two or more cultures, perhaps because mom and dad have different heritages. Example: Worf and his mate K'Ehleyr discussed the troubles of growing up with a foot each in two different cultures in tng2x20 "The Emissary". :: Parents growing up multiculturalism ================ :: Description There is a society in which sizable groups of people with different ethnicities seek to live together under a common law. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiculturalism :: Parents social order multinational corporations ========================== :: Description We are made to think critically about the role of multinational corporations in society. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multinational_corporation :: Parents contemporary social issue multiple alien species evolved on the same planet ================================================= :: Description There are multiple sentient, alien species that evolved on the same planet and all live there together. :: Parents biologically distinguished life form multiple personality disorder ============================= :: Description A mental disorder characterized by at least two distinct and relatively enduring identities or dissociated personality states. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissociative_identity_disorder :: Parents pathological state of mind multistage rocket ================= :: Description A rocket that uses two or more stages, each of which contains its own engines and propellant is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multistage_rocket :: Parents spacecraft multiverse ========== :: Description The hypothetical set of finite and infinite possible universes, including the universe in which we live. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiverse :: Parents speculative lands and worlds, what's out there music appreciation ================== :: Description How best to appreciate music is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_appreciation :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities musical machine interface ========================= :: Description There is a machine which uses harmonious sequences of sound to interact with its user. :: Parents fictional apparatus mutual respect ============== :: Description Two characters come to respect each other. :: Parents one-on-one interaction mutual trust ============ :: Description Two characters come to trust each other. :: Parents one-on-one interaction mysterious maker alien race =========================== :: Description A long gone alien race that left behind a creation of some significance, for example a grand technological construction. Example: A mysterious maker alien race left an asteroid deflecting obelisk on the planet Amerind in tos3x03 "The Paradise Syndrome". :: Parents superior life form nanotechnology ============== :: Description The branch of technology that concerns the control of matter on the atomic and molecular scale. Example: Wesley made nano-machines work together and evolve in tng3x01 "Evolution" and things got a bit out of hand. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanotechnology :: Parents scientific discipline narcissism ========== :: Description A character exhibits excessive vanity and admiration of their own attributes. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissism :: Parents pathological state of mind nature conservationism ====================== :: Description Someone works to protect a natural environment against threatening changes brought on by humanoid activity. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_(ethic) :: Parents activism nebula ====== :: Description An interstellar cloud of dust, hydrogen, helium and other ionized gases. Example: The Enterprise-D hid from a Borg cube inside the Paulson Nebula in tng3x26 "The Best of Both Worlds". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebula :: Parents what's out there negotiating deadlock ==================== :: Description Two or more people are in a process of negotiating but neither will budge from their entrenched position. :: Parents group interaction negotiation =========== :: Description Two or more characters seek to reach a mutually acceptable arrangement of some sort. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negotiation :: Parents group interaction neighbor and neighbor ===================== :: Description The relationship between two people who live next to each other is featured. :: Parents familial relations neo-luddism =========== :: Description Someone holds the belief that life is better without machines and that mechanization (relative to some intuitive reference point) is altogether undesirable. Example: Geordi preferred shaving with an old-fashioned razor over a technologically perfect sonic one in tng1x04 "Code of Honor". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-Luddism :: Parents way of life neo-luddist utopia ================== :: Description Society goes back to the perfect state it was once in, after the root of all evil has been made away with: machinery. :: Parents utopia nepotism ======== :: Description The ramifications of someone favoring relatives or personal friends because of their relationship rather than because of their abilities are explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepotism :: Parents contemporary social issue neural parasite =============== :: Description A life form that dominates other species by attaching themselves to the others’ neural systems. Example: Patch-like flying aliens attached themselves to people’s nervous system in tos1x29 "Operation -- Annihilate!". :: Parents parasitic life form neutron star ============ :: Description A very small and dense star made up almost completely of neutrons. Example: A colony of genetically engineered Humans on Moab IV was nearly wiped out by a stellar core fragment from a disintegrated neutron star in tng5x13 "The Masterpiece Society". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_star :: Parents what's out there nihilism ======== :: Description A philosophical doctrine that suggests the lack of belief in one or more reputedly meaningful aspects of life. Most commonly, nihilism is presented in the form of existential nihilism, which argues that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nihilism :: Parents metaphysics nihilophobia ============ :: Description A character exhibits an irrational fear of nothingness. :: Parents pathological state of mind noble lies in society ===================== :: Description Can a myth or untruth (often, but not invariably, of a religious nature) knowingly propagated by an elite to maintain social harmony or to advance an agenda ever be justified as benefiting society more than it harms it in the long run? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_lie :: Parents social ethical dilemma noble savage utopia =================== :: Description Society is bliss because it is made up of noble savages who live as one with nature etc., never mind antibiotics and such pointless luxeries. :: Parents utopia non-Euclidean geometry ====================== :: Description One of two geometries that arise by relaxing Euclid’s postulate that the angles of a triangle sum to 180 degrees. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-Euclidean_geometry :: Parents topic in science non-Euclidean space =================== :: Description Space as it would be if the rules and axioms of geometry were suddenly different from what we know. Example: The Enterprise flew at warp speed in a straight line only to find itself back where it began in tng2x02 "Where Silence Has Lease", just as would someone who traveled in a straight line on the surface of Earth. Perhaps Nagilum’s realm was a hypersphere. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-Euclidean_geometry :: Parents alternate laws of nature nonlinear systems ================= :: Description A comparatively complex system in which the output is not directly proportional to the input. Nonlinear systems may appear chaotic in contrast with much simpler linear systems. Example: Spock's calculation of the time at which the next "interphase" state would occur was comfounded by nonlineariries in tos3x09 "The Tholian Web". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonlinear_system :: Parents topic in science nostalgia ========= :: Description A character exhibits a feeling of sentimentality, longing for the days of yore, etc. Example: Scotty drunkenly relived his glory days in a holodeck simulation of the original Enterprise bridge in tng6x04 "Relics". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nostalgia :: Parents pleasant emotion nostalgic love ============== :: Description The kind of love a person feels springing from the memory of a bygone passion. :: Parents romantic love novel alien concept =================== :: Description The category of themes that are about what kind of sentient beings there could be out there in the universe. Aliens that range from bacteria-like organisms all the way to transcendental beings are posited. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_extraterrestrials_by_form :: Parents science fiction and fantasy theme novel sci-fi concept ==================== :: Description The category of themes about where science might potentially lead us. These themes explore futuristic technologies and the implications of alternate laws of nature. :: Parents science fiction and fantasy theme nuclear holocaust ================= :: Description Nuclear weapons are widely employed to an extent that destruction and radioactive fallout causes the collapse of civilization. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_holocaust :: Parents annihilation by WMDs nuclear power ============= :: Description The use of nuclear reactions to release energy that can be harnessed for practical use is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power :: Parents topic in science nuclear power safety ==================== :: Description The social problem of whether and to what extent nuclear power generation can be made safe is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_safety_and_security :: Parents contemporary social issue nuclear proliferation ===================== :: Description We are made to think about the perils of the spread of nuclear technology and information. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_proliferation :: Parents contemporary social issue nuclear submarine ================= :: Description A submarine powered by a nuclear reactor is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_submarine :: Parents submarine obeying the rules vs. acting for a just cause ============================================= :: Description A character weighs whether to break with rules in order do a perceived good deed. Example: In tng5x07 "Unification I", Spock disobeys his government by traveling to Romulus and working with the resistance there to undermine the government and bring about peace with The Federation. In voy5x09 "Thirty Days", Tom disobeyed Janeway's direct orders and broke the Prime Directive in order to save an aquatic alien home-world from destruction at the hands of their own greedy elite. :: Parents duty vs. conscience obsession ========= :: Description Someone is fixated with a particular idea or objective to the extent that they dangerously neglect other concerns. Example: Captain Kirk became obsessed with stalking down a vampiric cloud entity in tos2x18 "Obsession". References: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obsessed :: Parents state of mind obsession with a life-dedicated project ======================================= :: Description Someone is fixated with a project that they have dedicated their life to, to the extent that they dangerously neglect other concerns. Example: Dr. Richard Daystrom made it his life's work to build a computer so powerful that it could replace Kirk as the captain aboard the Enterprise in tos2x24 "The Ultimate Computer". References: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obsessed :: Parents state of mind obsessive infatuation ===================== :: Description An infatuation that is so intense and obsessive that one’s self-control and judgement becomes impaired. Example: Lwaxana chased Captain Picard like a rabbit from one end of the ship to another in tng2x19 "Manhunt" and was only narrowly diverted from her objective when she encountered an attractive bartender on the holodeck. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive_love :: Parents infatuation obsessive-compulsive disorder ============================= :: Description A character has a pathological need to need to check things repeatedly, perform certain routines repeatedly, etc. Often featured as repeated cleaning. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive%E2%80%93compulsive_disorder :: Parents pathological state of mind ocean planet ============ :: Description A hypothetical type of exoplanet wherein the surface is completely covered by water. Example: Captain Kirk and Spock were transformed into fish-like humanoids on the water-world Argo in tas1x13 "The Ambergris Element". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_planet :: Parents speculative habitat, what's out there off-world prison colony ======================= :: Description There is a prison somewhere away from any inhabited planet. Typically it is on a moon, asteroid, spaceship or the like. :: Parents speculative lands and worlds, mastering space office politics =============== :: Description There is scheming, maneuvering, and intrigue in the workplace. Example: Younglings on the Enterprise pondered how to get ahead in their careers in tng7x15 "Lower Decks". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workplace_politics :: Parents group interaction office romance ============== :: Description Two (or more) workplace colleagues embark on a romantic relationship. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workplace_relationships#Romantic :: Parents romantic relationship official scapegoating in society ================================ :: Description Someone in officialdom tries to divert public attention from, for example, themselves or a social problem by blaming or otherwise denigrating a different group of people. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scapegoat :: Parents contemporary social issue oil spills in society ===================== :: Description An oil spill is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment, especially the marine ecosystem, due to human activity, and is a form of pollution. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_spill :: Parents pollution in society old flames ========== :: Description Someone ponders a past love or encounters their former lover again. Example: McCoy met whom he assumed to be his old flame Nancy Crater on planet M-113 in tos1x05 "The Man Trap", but she turned out to be a ravenous salt vampire. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/OldFlame :: Parents romantic relationship old man fetish ============== :: Description A young woman is sexually attracted to older men. Example: Janet Wallace's former passion for Captain Kirk was rekindled when he started to age rapidly in tos2x11 "The Deadly Years" and became a dithering old coot. :: Parents romantic relationship old-age love ============ :: Description The love between two aged people that have been together a long time and are well familiar with each other’s kinks and flaws. :: Parents romantic love old-age romance =============== :: Description Two elderly people embark on a romantic relationship in spite of their considerable life experience. :: Parents romantic relationship omens ===== :: Description The idea that we are given mysterious signs that, if only noticed and interpreted, tell us something important about the future. Example: Worf used the Boraalan people’s belief in omens to his advantage in tng7x13 "Homeward". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omen :: Parents superstition on the move parenting ===================== :: Description The many trials and tribulations involved in rearing a child while frequently moving from one place to another, as opposed to being settled down, is featured. Example: The Sutter family found it so hard to raise a child while on assignments in space that they required counseling in tng5x22 "Imaginary Friend". :: Parents parenting one cannot cheat fate ===================== :: Description The conviction that the future events of one's live are written in the stars, so to speak, and cannot be changed. :: Parents superstition one night stand =============== :: Description A consummated but short lived romantic involvement is featured. Example: Helen Noel reminded Captain Kirk about what happened between them when he dropped in at the science lab Christmas party in tos1x10 "Dagger of the Mind". :: Parents romantic relationship one-on-one interaction ====================== :: Description Featured is a relation and/or interaction between two characters. :: Parents social interaction ooze dwelling alien =================== :: Description Aliens that live in vile stinking muck and filth. Example: Wesley could not believe the smell of the slime pit that Geordi constructed for a visiting delegation of Legarans in the observation lounge in tng3x23 "Sarek". :: Parents inhospitable environment dwelling life form open sexuality in society ========================= :: Description We are asked to what extent, if any, it is acceptable or wise for people to have multiple sex partners. Example: Argelian culture in tos2x07 "Wolf in the Fold" was sexually permissive to put it nicely. :: Parents past and present moral controversy opera ===== :: Description This intersection between theater and singing is featured with focus on its production or artistic qualities. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opera :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities opium addiction in society ========================== :: Description Featured are the social consequences of widespread opium abuse. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium :: Parents contemporary social issue opium in 19th century China =========================== :: Description The historically important role of opium (and the opium wars) in 19th century China is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_opium_in_China https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Opium_War https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Opium_War :: Parents history opposites attract ================= :: Description We are shown that sometimes people that are very much unlike in some respects can be attracted to each other. :: Parents life lesson opposition to authority ======================= :: Description The ramifications of challenging the authority, and by extension the social order, in society are explored. :: Parents contemporary social issue oppression ========== :: Description The exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner against an identifiable group of people is explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oppression :: Parents contemporary social issue optimism vs. pessimism ====================== :: Description The general attitude of having an optimistic outlook on life is compared with the general attitude of having a pessimistic outlook on life. :: Parents way of life orbital decay ============= :: Description Every planet has a characteristic minimum orbital altitude, below which orbiting objects experience rapid orbital decay and altitude loss. Example: The Enterprise experienced orbital decay around 20th century Earth in tos1x21 "Tomorrow is Yesterday". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_decay :: Parents topic in science orbital nuclear weapons platform ================================ :: Description Nuclear weapons are strategically placed in space, in orbit around a planet, from where they can easily be deployed against any desired target. Example: The Enterprise visited the 20th century and found that Earth was about to go down the path of self-obliteration by putting nukes in orbit in tos2x26 "Assignment: Earth". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_weapon :: Parents war orbital spaceflight =================== :: Description A spaceflight in which a spacecraft is placed on a trajectory where it could remain in space for at least one orbit. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_spaceflight References :: Parents space travel orchestrated asteroid bombardment ================================= :: Description Civilization on a planet is threatened when asteroids are directed on a collision course with the planet. :: Parents man-made existential risk order vs. freedom ================= :: Description The typically desirable quality of order in society is contraposed with the typically desirable quality of individual freedom. Should we limit how people can move about in order to avoid potential chaos? :: Parents social dichotomy order vs. progress ================== :: Description The likely trade-off between having things orderly and predictable in society on one hand, and improving social conditions via. innovations on the other is discussed. :: Parents social dichotomy organ harvesting ================ :: Description The pros and cons of harvesting the organs of others to serve some great need are discussed. Example: Spock’s brain was harvested by aliens who wanted it as a computer in tos3x06 "Spock's Brain". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_procurement :: Parents contemporary social issue organized crime in society ========================== :: Description The particular social problem of large centralized enterprises that engage in criminal activity is displayed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organized_crime :: Parents contemporary social issue organized religion ================== :: Description The category of doctrines and practices that tend to be a part of organized religion. They range from beliefs about the afterlife to pronouncements about the end of the world. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organized_religion :: Parents the domain of faith orphanhood ========== :: Description Someone grows up having no parents for all or part of their childhood. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphan :: Parents growing up orphans in society ================== :: Description The care of orphans in society is expolred. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphan :: Parents contemporary social issue out of control AI ================= :: Description An artificial intelligence goes amok and makes trouble for society. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AI_takeover :: Parents contemporary social issue out of control scientific experiment ==================================== :: Description Something goes wrong during a scientific experiment, and everyone dies. Perhaps a particle accelerator created a black hole. Stupid scientists. :: Parents man-made existential risk out of control technology ========================= :: Description The potential problem of a technology somehow getting out of hand and damaging the lives and well being of large groups of people are discussed from a society point of view. :: Parents contemporary social issue out-of-body experience ====================== :: Description A character experiences a feeling being outside of their own physical body. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out-of-body_experience https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astral_projection, :: Parents superstition overcoming a limitation ======================= :: Description Someone strives to overcome a limitation of theirs. :: Parents introspection overcoming an addiction ======================= :: Description Someone struggles to overcome being addicted to a substance or activity, e.g., a drug or gambling. Example: Barclay struggled with getting his holodeck addiction under control in tng3x21 "Hollow Pursuits". :: Parents introspection overcoming an imaginary reliance ================================ :: Description A character feels that they cannot function fully without a certain object or the like, but that is all in their head and they struggle to overcome this mental barrier. Example: In ds97x10 "It's Only a Paper Moon" Nog required a cane to walk even though the doctor's said there is absolutely nothing wrong with his leg. When at one point he became emotionally upset and forgot to use the cane it became apparent that this was indeed just a mental block that he should seek to overcome. References: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MagicFeather https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ItWasWithYouAllAlong :: Parents introspection overcoming an inhibition ======================== :: Description Someone struggles to overcome a feeling of fear or embarrassment that stops them from behaving in a natural way. Example: Barclay began his long journey towards overcoming shyness in tng3x21 "Hollow Pursuits". :: Parents introspection overpopulated dystopia ====================== :: Description There is a world that is stereotypically hellish due to too many people using up too much space and other resources. :: Parents dystopia overpopulated planet ==================== :: Description People just keep on reproducing until all the planets resources are depleted and everyone dies from starvation etc. Example: The Gideans had extended their own lifespans remarkably but were completely unable to control their own reproduction and had so overpopulated their planet that people lived literally shoulder to shoulder in tos3x17 "The Mark of Gideon". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_overpopulation :: Parents man-made existential risk ozone layer depletion ===================== :: Description A severely depleted ozone layer leaves civilization exposed to deadly UV radiation. Example: The Aldeans had gone sterile in tng1x17 "When The Bough Breaks" as a result of their planet’s ozone layer having become depleted. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_depletion :: Parents man-made existential risk pacifism ======== :: Description Someone believes that violence should never be used. In the extreme, a pacifist may feel that violence should not even be used in self-defence against violence. Example: A replica of the Vulcan philosopher Surak espoused pacifism as a way of life in tos3x22 "The Savage Curtain". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacifism :: Parents way of life pain belt ========= :: Description A belt-like device used to induce unbearable pain in its wearer without causing physical injury. Example: The Eymorg outfitted Captain Kirk, McCoy, and Scotty with pain belts in tos3x06 "Spock's Brain". :: Parents futuristic torture device pain booth ========== :: Description A phone-booth shaped contraption used to inflict unbearable pain without causing physical injury. Example: Chekov (mirror universe) was sentenced to a full duration in the agony booth for his role in an assassination attempt on his captain in tos2x10 "Mirror, Mirror". :: Parents futuristic torture device pain buzzer =========== :: Description A handy device that when attached to a person can be used to induce unbearable pain without causing physical injury. Example: Spock with a goatee disciplined Kyle (mirror) using an agonizer, i.e. a pain buzzer, for his carelessness at the transporter controls in tos2x10 "Mirror, Mirror" :: Parents futuristic torture device pain collar =========== :: Description A collar-like device used to induce unbearable pain in its wearer without causing physical injury. Example: A trio of disembodied brains employed "collars of obedience" to maintain control over their thrall gladiators in tos2x17 "The Gamesters of Triskelion". :: Parents futuristic torture device pain implant ============ :: Description A medical device implanted in the body to induce unbearable pain in its wearer without causing physical injury. Example: Arctus Baran was not above using neural servos (i.e. pain implant devices) to keep control over his rogue crew in tng7x04 "Gambit, Part I" and tng7x05 "Gambit, Part II". :: Parents futuristic torture device pain seat ========= :: Description There is a chair or other such chattel made for sitting, that can be used by an operator to induce pain in an occupier. :: Parents futuristic torture device pain stick ========== :: Description A stick-like device used to induce unbearable pain in its target without causing physical injury. Example: The "painstick" is the Klingon equivalent of cattle prod. It was usedto inflict pain on Worf in tng2x14 "The Icarus Factor" for ritualistic purposes. :: Parents futuristic torture device painting ======== :: Description The art of drawing pictures is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painting :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities pandemic ======== :: Description A biological agent or pathogen wipes out civilization on a planet. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandemic :: Parents force majeure existential risk parallel antimatter universe ============================ :: Description A hypothetical self-contained universe that is identical to ours in most important respects except that it is composed entirely of antimatter. Example: Anti-Lazarus came from a parallel anti-matter universe and tried to destroy both universes in tos1x20 "The Alternative Factor". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_universes_in_fiction :: Parents parallel universe, what's out there parallel earth ============== :: Description A hypothetical planet that has paralleled Earth closely in its biological and social development, absurd as the notion may sound. Example: Hodgkin's Law of Parallel Planetary Development was illustrated in tos2x14 "Bread and Circuses" when Captain Kirk and team came upon the planet of the space Romans, 892-IV. :: Parents speculative habitat, what's out there parallel universe ================= :: Description A hypothetical self-contained universe co-existing with our own. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_universes_in_fiction :: Parents speculative lands and worlds, what's out there paralysis field =============== :: Description A device used to paralyze people in an extended area. :: Parents fictional apparatus parasitic bug aliens ==================== :: Description Cockroach-like looking aliens that attach themselves to the brainstem of humanoids thus deriving nourishment, taking control, and conquering the galaxy all in one go. Example: Bug-like neural parasites from outer space nearly took over Starfleet by attaching themselves to important officers’ brainstems in tng1x25 "Conspiracy". :: Parents parasitic life form parasitic life form =================== :: Description The category of themes that posit aliens that live as parasites off of other life forms. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_parasitic_alien_species :: Parents novel alien concept parent and child ================ :: Description The relationship between a parent and their child is featured. :: Parents familial relations parental controls in society ============================ :: Description We are asked whether and to what extent the practice of blocking children from access to different kinds of contents, sights, and experiences is beneficial for them. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parental_controls :: Parents contemporary social issue parental disappointment in child ================================ :: Description A child is not all that a parent wishes them to be. :: Parents parenting parental love ============= :: Description The love of a parent for their child is featured. :: Parents love parental pride ============== :: Description A parent shows pride in their offspring. :: Parents parenting parental right to refuse medical treatment for their child ========================================================== :: Description We are made to think about whose will shoudl prevail when a doctor and a child's parents disagree about the child’s medical treatment. :: Parents contemporary social issue parenting ========= :: Description A problem or situation that may arise in the interaction between parents and their progeny is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parenting :: Parents family affairs parody on life in academia ========================== :: Description We are shown a highly parodical version of what life in academia might seem to be like. :: Parents life in academia parody on showbiz ================= :: Description We are shown some highly parodical version of what life in the entertainment industry is like. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Show_business :: Parents what it is like in showbiz passion for acting ================== :: Description A character exhibits a passion for acting. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acting :: Parents human pleasure passion for antique cars ======================== :: Description A character is enthusiastic about old vintage cars and the like. :: Parents human pleasure passion for archaeology ======================= :: Description A character gets a kick out of digging up old relics and frequenting ancient places. Example: Captain Picard's much anticipated lecture on archaeological ruins of Tagus III was rudely cut short by Q in tng4x20 "Qpid". :: Parents human aspiration passion for astronomy ===================== :: Description A character is enthusiastic about the stargazing science and profession. :: Parents human aspiration passion for baseball ==================== :: Description Someone gets a kick out of playing and/or watching baseball. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball :: Parents passion for spectator sports passion for charitable volunteering =================================== :: Description A character gets a kick out of trying to make the universe a better place. Example: It was revealed that Miranda Vigo had cared for orphans on Camor V in tng7x22 "Bloodlines". :: Parents human aspiration passion for classic films ========================= :: Description A character is enthusiastic about old movies of cultural significance. :: Parents human pleasure passion for collecting data =========================== :: Description A character is enthusiastic about collecting and curating data of any kind. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data :: Parents human aspiration passion for event management ============================ :: Description A character is enthusiastic about the hobby or profession of organizing large get-togethers and the like. :: Parents human aspiration passion for exploration ======================= :: Description A character is passionate about the exploration of parts unknown, such as the poles, the depths of the sea, and outer space. :: Parents human aspiration passion for fast vehicles ========================= :: Description A character is excited by cars, boats, planes etc. that go fast. :: Parents human pleasure passion for flying ================== :: Description A character is enthusiastic about the hobby and profession of piloting aircrafts, spaceships, or the like. :: Parents human aspiration passion for gambling ==================== :: Description A character takes great pleasure in engaging in games of chance with money or other valuables at stake. Example: The Providers, a trio of disembodied brains, had a gambling problem to say the least in tos2x17 "The Gamesters of Triskelion". :: Parents human aspiration passion for geology =================== :: Description A character gets a kick out of studying rocks. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geology :: Parents human aspiration passion for history =================== :: Description A character is enthusiastic about the subject of history. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History :: Parents human aspiration passion for journalism ====================== :: Description A character is enthusiastic about the news-reporting profession - tabloid, investigative or otherwise. :: Parents human aspiration passion for languages ===================== :: Description A character takes unusual pleasure in the study of languages. :: Parents human aspiration passion for learning languages ============================== :: Description A character is passionate about learning languages. :: Parents human aspiration passion for martial arts ======================== :: Description A character gets a kick out of practicing fighting in a consensual and, more or less friendly setting. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martial_arts :: Parents human pleasure passion for medicine ==================== :: Description A character gets a kick out of curing ailments and treating injuries. Example: Beverly treated some casualties of a terrorist attack at extreme risk to her personal safety in tng3x12 "The High Ground". :: Parents human aspiration passion for music ================= :: Description A character gets a kick out of hearing or producing harmonious sonic vibrations in the air. Example: Captain Picard and Nella Daren made beautiful music together aboard the Enterprise-D in tng6x19 "Lessons". :: Parents human aspiration passion for photography ======================= :: Description A character likes very much to take pictures with a camera. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photography :: Parents human pleasure passion for space exploration ============================= :: Description A character gets a kick out of flying about in space and finding new things there. Example: Captain Kirk marveled at the prospect of observing matter being create at the of center of the galaxy in tas1x08 "The Magicks of Megas-Tu". :: Parents human aspiration passion for spectator sports ============================ :: Description A character is an enthusiastic fan of a sport (but not typically a player themself). References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectator_sport :: Parents human pleasure passion for the fine arts ========================= :: Description Someone is passionate about one or more of the disciplines categorized under the label of fine arts. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fine_art :: Parents human aspiration passion for throwing darts ========================== :: Description Someone is enthusiastic about lugging small missiles/torpedoes/arrows/darts in the direction of a circular dartboard affixed to a wall. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darts :: Parents human pleasure passion for water polo ====================== :: Description Someone gets a kick out of playing and/or watching water polo. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_polo :: Parents passion for spectator sports passion for writing =================== :: Description Someone is excitedly trying to become a writer. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writing :: Parents human aspiration passive resistance ================== :: Description Someone refuses either to cooperate or to violently resist an aggressor, i.e., in the manner of Gandhi against Brittain in India. Example: Space hippies frustrated Captain Kirk the Herbert with such antics in tos3x20 "The Way to Eden". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonviolent_resistance :: Parents activism past and present moral controversy ================================== :: Description The category of themes that are about those ideas of how society should be structured that become particularly controversial because large numbers of people have seemingly incompatible religious and moral convictions. :: Parents domestic social issue past point of view ================== :: Description We are shown what things might seem like in the here and now if viewed from a past person’s perspective. :: Parents views and customs paternal love ============= :: Description The love of a father for his child is featured. :: Parents familial love pathological lying ================== :: Description A character lies compulsively and disproportionately to any discernible end in view. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathological_lying :: Parents pathological state of mind pathological state of mind ========================== :: Description Featured is a mental illness, i.e., such states of mind that are undesirable and serious enough that professional treatment should be considered. :: Parents state of mind patience ======== :: Description A character has every reason to be angry or vengeful but manages to put a lid on it. Example: Jenna D'Sora needed the patience of Job to keep up a romantic relationship with Data in tng4x25 "In Theory". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patience :: Parents heavenly virtue patriarchy ========== :: Description There is a social system in which exclusively men have political power. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchy :: Parents social order patricide ========= :: Description The crime of killing ones own father is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_patricides :: Parents crime and punishment patriotism ========== :: Description A character believes fervently in the causes of their homeland. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriotism :: Parents way of life peace process diplomacy ======================= :: Description Two recently warring factions are talking to each other (potentially with an intermediary or mediator involved) with the aim of reaching an accord and stopping the violence. :: Parents diplomacy peaceful telepathic utopia ========================== :: Description Society is peaceful and amicable because people can hear each others' thoughts and have learned to control their anti-social instincts. :: Parents utopia pecking order ============= :: Description The struggle for social dominance in the workplace is featured. Example: Chief Engineer Logan stormed to the bridge to issue a challenge Geordi's authority in the midst of a heated space battle in tng1x21 "The Arsenal of Freedom". Geordi, who had been left in command of the Enterprise-D, promptly ordered Logan back to main engineering. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecking_order :: Parents group interaction pedagogy ======== :: Description The scientific study of how people learn and methods by which they can be taught. Example: Spock was impressed with the pedagogical qualities of historian John Gill’s textbook on Earth history in tos2x23 "Patterns of Force". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedagogy :: Parents scientific discipline pedophiles in society ===================== :: Description We are made to contemplate how adults that are sexually attracted to minors affect society, and how such individuals ought to be treated. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedophilia :: Parents contemporary social issue peer pressure ============= :: Description A member of some group is pressured into making a certain choice by other members of that group. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peer_pressure :: Parents group interaction pensiveness =========== :: Description Someone is engaged in deep and somber thought with mild undertones of "sadness". Example: Ensign Garrovick sulked in his quarters after he was reprimanded by Captain Kirk for having waited too long to fire on a vampiric cloud creature in tos2x18 "Obsession". References: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pensiveness :: Parents unpleasant emotion people bread for organ donation =============================== :: Description We are asked to what extent, if any, it might be ethically acceptable to create human clones to harvest their organs. :: Parents social ethical dilemma people can change ================= :: Description Someone who was of a certain character proves later to have changed in a profound and, perhaps, surprising way. For example, a no-good punk, juvenile delinquent reforms their wicked ways to become a veritable saint. Example: Returning defector Stefan DeSeve had really seen the error of his ways in tng6x14 "Face of the Enemy". :: Parents human nature people constantly rated dystopia ================================ :: Description There is a world in which people are constantly rated on whatever they do by other people, and have to take utmost care to receive good ratings. :: Parents dystopia people escaping from reality ============================ :: Description The ramifications of people collectively ignoring or somehow escaping mentally from the problems they face are explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escapism :: Parents contemporary social issue people may not always live up to their reputations ================================================== :: Description A character anticipates what another will be based on their reputation but comes to find that the reputation was not entirely warranted. :: Parents life lesson perfect prosthetics =================== :: Description Replacement limbs and body parts, such as eyes, that work just as well or better than the original thing. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosthesis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroprosthetics :: Parents human enhancement performance enhancing drugs =========================== :: Description We are asked to what extent, if any, drugs used to enhance performance should be tolerated. This could be in the context of sports, the military, or a university test for example. Example: Three women used beauty-enhancing drugs to get ahead in the game of love in tos1x03 "Mudd's Women". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Performance-enhancing_substance :: Parents past and present moral controversy perjury ======= :: Description The matter of perjury in relation to miscarriages of justice is explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perjury :: Parents contemporary social issue perpetual energy machine ======================== :: Description A hypothetical machine that can do work indefinitely without an energy source. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_motion :: Parents fictional apparatus persecution complex =================== :: Description A character is obsessed with exaggerated or irrational worries about being the object of hostility, conspiracy, etc. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecutory_delusion :: Parents pathological state of mind persecution of heretics in society ================================== :: Description The social issue of organized religious bodies tracking down and punishing individuals who they deem to be in opposition to that religious body's religious dogma, is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heresy :: Parents contemporary social issue personal conviction =================== :: Description A character feels strongly for a worthy cause and tries hard to further it. It sometimes turns out to be a bad cause but it is the motives that define the theme. :: Parents agreeable characteristic personal ethical dilemma ======================== :: Description A character struggles with a tough decision that involves choices that are hard because they involve moral considerations. Would you, for example, let another person die if that was the only way to save your own life? :: Parents tough decision personal freedom vs. romantic love ================================== :: Description A character must decide what is more important to them: love and commitment or the freedom of being single. Example: McCoy chose to live under the domination of the Oracle of the People so that he might live out his days with his love Natira in tos3x10 "For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky". :: Parents life choice personal identity ================= :: Description The tricky, as yet sci-fi:ish, question of what precisely constitutes ones "personhood" is posed: Is it DNA, the body, the brain, memories, something elusive called the "soul," or a combination of these? What happens, legally and ethically, if some of these are copied or transferred somehow? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_identity :: Parents metaphysics personal invisibility cloak =========================== :: Description There is technology by which a person can render their own body practically invisible. :: Parents fictional apparatus personal practical dilemma ========================== :: Description A character struggles with a tough decision that involve choices that are hard, not because of moral considerations or preferences but simply because the effect of possible choices are less than clear. A typical example is "risk taking vs. playing it safe": high risk with high reward, or low risk with low reward. :: Parents tough decision philanthropy ============ :: Description Featured is a private initiative, for the public good, focusing on quality of life, e.g., on the provision of public services. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philanthropy :: Parents contemporary social issue phrenology ========== :: Description The study of cranial shapes and the discredited notion that features on the skull are indications of mental ability and personal character. Example: Melakon considered the shape of Spock’s head to indicate stupidity in tos2x23 "Patterns of Force". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrenology :: Parents discredited scientific theory pictographic writing system =========================== :: Description A writing system composed of elements which represent concepts rather than sounds is illustrated. Each English character represents a sound. A Chinese character can for example represent a house and have many different pronunciations. Example: The ancient Iconians had left such writing behind in tng2x11 "Contagion". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pictogram :: Parents problem of language and meaning pity ==== :: Description A character shows feelings of sympathy at the misfortune of another. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pity :: Parents amicable disposition pity sex ======== :: Description A character has sex with an infatuated devotee solely out of pity for them. Example: Janet Wallace offered intimate comforting to Captain Kirk in tos2x11 "The Deadly Years" when he started aging rapidly. :: Parents romantic relationship placing blame ============= :: Description One character places the blame for some misfortune squarely on another character. :: Parents one-on-one interaction planet being flung out of its orbit =================================== :: Description Civilization on a planet is threatened by an the planet somehow being flung out of its natural orbit. :: Parents force majeure existential risk planet being knocked off its axis by nuclear blast ================================================== :: Description Civilization ending natural disasters ensue when a nuclear explosion knocks a planet off its normal axis of rotation. :: Parents man-made existential risk planet hunting ============== :: Description A collection of methods for discovering planets outside the Solar System, including direct imaging with telescopes, the radial-velocity method, and the transit method. Example: Such methods were employed in tos3x20 "The Way to Eden" to search for the mythical planet Eden. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methods_of_detecting_exoplanets :: Parents topic in science planet killing weapon ===================== :: Description A device that is capable of physically destroying an entire planet. This goes beyond making the surface uninhabitable. :: Parents mastering space planet scorching atmospheric conflagration ========================================== :: Description The whole atmosphere on a planet ignites and civilization goes up in flames. :: Parents force majeure existential risk planet scorching solar flare ============================ :: Description An abnormally strong solar flare roasts the surface of a planet like so many coffee beans, and civilization collapses. Example: The Irish colonists on Bringloidi V had to be evacuated as their sun began to emit powerful solar flares in tng2x18 "Up The Long Ladder". :: Parents force majeure existential risk planetary invisibility cloak ============================ :: Description A device capable of rendering a whole planet invisible. Example: The Aldeans had such a device in tng1x17 "When The Bough Breaks" and it had made them complacent. :: Parents mastering space planetary weather control system ================================ :: Description A system capable of modifying and controlling weather on a planetary scale is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weather_modification :: Parents fictional apparatus planetary-scale machine ======================= :: Description There is an interconnected system of machinery or a monolithic machine that is at least the size of a small planet. Example: In bbf1x18 "A Voice in the Wilderness (Part 1)" it was revealed that Epsilon 3 was crisscrossed by a massive system of fusion reactors. :: Parents mastering space plant-like being ================ :: Description A being patterned after plant life. Example: The Phylosians of the planet Phylos were a race of technologically advanced, space-faring, plants in tas1x07 "The Infinite Vulcan". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_plant_and_fungi_alien_species :: Parents earth-life inspired life form platonic love ============= :: Description The love of one human being for another of a type that is non-sexual. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platonic_love :: Parents familial love playing God with nature ======================= :: Description We are asked to what extent, if any, it is acceptable to willfully interfere with nature. Though breeding programs have been around for millennia, the advent of gene modification technology brings the question to a whole new level. Example: Reckless scientists learned a lesson about playing around with Nature when their genetically engineered super-babies turned out to be deadly company in tng2x07 "Unnatural Selection". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playing_God_(ethics) :: Parents past and present moral controversy playing dead tactic =================== :: Description Combatants decide to entice enemy combatants into approaching them under the pretense of weakness. :: Parents the art of war playing it fair vs. taking an advantage ======================================= :: Description A character must choose between their sense of fairness on one hand, and their desire to gain an advantage on the other. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma pleasant emotion ================ :: Description A base human emotion that we typically enjoy having is featured. :: Parents human emotion pleasure in antiquing ===================== :: Description The human predilection for engaging with old curios is illustrated. Example: Geordi was keen to take a look at some Ktarian antiques on the Deep Space 9 Promenade in tng6x16 "Birthright, Part I". He had heard there was a twenty-first century plasma coil in perfect condition for sale. :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in beating the tar out of someone ========================================== :: Description The embarrassingly human (male?) predilection for brawling is illustrated. Example: Captain Kirk took full advantage of the opportunity to beat the living tar out of a robot replica of his former tormenter Finnegan in tos1x17 "Shore Leave". :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in blood sports ======================== :: Description The human enthusiasm for arranging and watching deadly fights between animals or other humans is featured. :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in carpentry ===================== :: Description A character takes great pleasure in working with wood and the like. :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in coffee ================== :: Description A character takes great pleasure in preparing or imbuing the black heavenly nectar colloquially known as "coffee". :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in cooking =================== :: Description The pleasure some of us take in good old fashioned preparation of culinary delights is featured. Example: Riker whipped up a batch of 'Owon egg omelets for a few selected members of the command crew in tng2x13 "Time Squared". Worf pronounced the omelets to be "delicious", but the others did not concur. :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in dancing =================== :: Description The pleasure some of us take in wagging about to the rhythms of music is demonstrated. Example: Beverly "the dancing doctor" got a kick out of teaching Data the art of tap dancing in tng4x11 "Data's Day". :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in discharging firearms ================================ :: Description The way some of us indulge in igniting volatile chemicals to propel tiny slugs of metal in the general direction of designated targets, or wildly into the air, is illustrated. Example: Captain Kirk stumbled on an overly-excited Sulu target shooting with an old-time police special that the helmsman had found lying on the ground in tos1x17 "Shore Leave". The pistol was summarily confiscated. :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in eating ================== :: Description The natural human predilection for reveling in food far beyond nutritional necessity is illustrated. Example: Tomar of the Kelvan Empire enjoyed all the delicacies that the Enterprise replicator could offer in tos2x21 "By Any Other Name". :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in floriculture ======================== :: Description A character takes great pleasure in working with flowers and the like. :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in horseback riding ============================ :: Description The excitement some of us experience by engaging in equestrian escapades is examined. Example: Captain Picard shared his passion for riding Arabian horses with Troi on the holodeck in tng2x15 "Pen Pals". :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in horticulture ======================== :: Description A character takes great pleasure in bringing up vegetables, flowers, and other plants. :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in hunting =================== :: Description The enjoyment some of us take out of chasing down and dispatching wild animals is illustrated. Example: General Trelane (retired) hunted Captain Kirk for sport in tos1x18 "The Squire of Gothos". :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in listening to music ============================== :: Description The pleasure different humans take in hearing different sequences of more-or- less melodious noises is featured. Example: Troi took pleasure in listening to Aaron Conor serenade her on the piano in tng5x13 "The Masterpiece Society". :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in meeting new cultures ================================ :: Description A character takes great pleasure in fraternizing with people from other cultures. :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in playing games ========================= :: Description The human penchant for enjoying games of various kinds is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in shooting pool ========================= :: Description A character takes great pleasure in playing cue sports such as the game of pool. :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in singing opera ========================= :: Description A character takes great pleasure in singing the kind of singing known as opera singing. :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in solving a puzzle ============================ :: Description The human predilection for taking on riddles and enigmas is illustrated. Example: Data and Geordi amused themselves solving Sherlock Holmes mysteries on the holodeck in tng2x03 "Elementary, Dear Data". :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in storytelling ======================== :: Description A character manifests pleasure in the regaling of their audience with the telling of a story. :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in taking exercise =========================== :: Description The endemic mental disorder that makes some humans enjoy deliberate physical exertion is examined. Example: Shirtless Sulu galavanted around the Enterprise wielding a rapier in tos1x06 "The Naked Time". :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in telling someone to shut the hell up =============================================== :: Description The kick it can be to finally tell an obnoxious chatterbox to cram a sock in it is contemplated. Example: Harry Mudd kept an android replica of his nagging wife Stella for the expressed purpose of being able, finally, to get the last word in tos2x12 "I, Mudd". :: Parents human pleasure pleasure in violence ==================== :: Description The embarrassingly human predilection for battle and bloodshed is featured. Example: Data confessed that he had taken pleasure in chocking a Borg drone to death in tng6x26 "Descent, Part I". :: Parents human pleasure plug-in learning ================ :: Description Technology by which you can inject your brain with knowledge and skill in an instant. Example: McCoy plugged himself into "The Great Teacher" in order to acquire the knowledge necessary to surgically restore Spock's brain to the Vulcan's body in tos3x06 "Spock's Brain". :: Parents human enhancement poetry ====== :: Description The art of stringing words together is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poetry :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities poison murder in society ======================== :: Description The crime of murdering someone using poison is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_poisonings :: Parents crime and punishment police brutality in society =========================== :: Description The problem of police sometimes willfully using excessive force and violence to brutalize either criminals or the innocent is explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_brutality :: Parents contemporary social issue political apathy in society =========================== :: Description There is in the public a feeling of disinterest in politics. This typically happens because we feel that all viable politicians are self-serving or inept and it makes little difference how we vote. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_apathy :: Parents contemporary social issue political assassination ======================= :: Description An individual or faction uses the targeted killing of important people for the purpose of military and political advantage. Example: A traitorous Klingon conspired with the Romulans to brainwash Geordi into assassinating another Klingon and frame the Federation in tng4x24 "The Mind's Eye". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination :: Parents the art of war political asylum ================ :: Description A sovereign faction grants an individual safety in their own jurisdiction, typically because that political actor is in danger from a rival faction. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_of_asylum :: Parents diplomacy political neutrality ==================== :: Description Some faction tries to maintain neutrality in a political conflict. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutral_country :: Parents diplomacy political polarization ====================== :: Description The problem of political attitudes diverging, in a society, to such extremes that cooperation becomes difficult and even violence may be imminent is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polarization_(politics) :: Parents contemporary social issue political purge =============== :: Description The ruling body in a state institute a program aimed at killing or otherwise neutralizing potential political opponents. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purge :: Parents contemporary social issue pollution in society ==================== :: Description The social issue of pollution caused by human behavior is explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollution :: Parents contemporary social issue polyamorous relationship ======================== :: Description Three or more characters are involved in a lasting romantic relationship, with all of them understanding and accepting the situation. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyamory :: Parents romantic relationship polygamy ======== :: Description The contentious social question of whether or to what extent a man or woman should be permitted to be lawfully married to more than one spouse at a time. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygamy :: Parents past and present moral controversy polytheism ========== :: Description Religions that contain a pantheon of many gods, as opposed to the Abrahamic religions. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytheism :: Parents organized religion post-apocalyptic dystopia ========================= :: Description There is a society in which something extraordinary bad has happened to civilization and the survivors must now cope as best they can. Usually this happens because society had a brush with one existential risk or another (cf. theme "existential risk"). :: Parents dystopia post-scarcity economy utopia ============================ :: Description There is a society in which goods needed for human welfare are all abundant so that trade and squabbles over ownership are pretty much redundant. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-scarcity_economy :: Parents utopia postponing grief ================ :: Description A character delays mourning the death of another until after some more urgent practical matter has been attended to. :: Parents facing general adversity power corrupts ============== :: Description Someone who was decent gains power and because of the power becomes nasty. References: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/power-tends-to-corrupt-absolute- power-corrupts-absolutely :: Parents human nature powered exoskeleton =================== :: Description A machine that surrounds you and enhances your normal human movements. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powered_exoskeleton :: Parents real gadget powerful conquering alien race ============================== :: Description A powerful alien race that repeatedly conquers other races. Example: The Kelvan Empire of the Andromeda galaxy was revealed to favor conquest over colonization in tos2x21 "By Any Other Name". :: Parents culturally distinguished life form practitioner vs. theorist ========================= :: Description The stereotypical divide in science between those who are inclined towards pure theory one one hand, and those who are inclined to practice and experiments on the other, is featured. :: Parents one-on-one interaction pre-crime responsibility ======================== :: Description The following hypothetical dilemma is considered: If through some marvel of time travel like technology it is possible to prove that someone is about to commit a crime in the future, can they then be arrested and considered guilty already in the present? Example: In Philip K. Dick's 1956 science fiction short story "The Minority Report", PreCrime police officers can put people in a detainment camp before they commit the crime they are destined to commit. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-crime :: Parents social ethical dilemma precognition ============ :: Description The idea that someone can sense what will happen in the future. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precognition :: Parents superstition predator vs. prey ================= :: Description The prey's struggle for survival against the hunter is featured. :: Parents survival preemptive strike in self-defense ================================= :: Description The following kind of dilemma is illustrated: Can it be right to use military force pre-emptively to prevent an attack on yourself? Example: Picard was urged to attack the Romulans before they could strike at the Federation in tng3x10 "The Defector". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preemptive_war :: Parents social ethical dilemma prejudice ========= :: Description A character has a preconceived negative opinion about a category of people, typically an ethnic group. In the extreme this leads to fear and hatred of that group. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prejudice :: Parents antagonistic disposition prejudice against ex-convicts ============================= :: Description The issue of a large portion of society having a hostile prejudice against ex- convicts even though the latter have atoned for their crimes is discussed. Example: Nobody trusted Ro Laren after she got out of the penal stockade on Jaros II and was assigned to the Enterprise-D in tng5x03 "Ensign Ro" until Guinan took pity on her. :: Parents prejudice in society prejudice in society ==================== :: Description The subject of prejudice against a group of people in society is explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prejudice :: Parents contemporary social issue prenuptial agreement ==================== :: Description Partners entering into marriage draw up a contract to formalize their legal obligations to each other. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prenuptial_agreement :: Parents romantic relationship price inflation in society ========================== :: Description It is featured that prices in society rise rapidly in nominal terms, making savings worth much less than they would have been otherwise, etc. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflation :: Parents contemporary social issue price rigging in society ======================== :: Description Two or more parties conspire to influence prices in such a way as to achieve higher profits at the expense of the consumer. Example: Adam Smith in "The Wealth of Nations" wrote that: People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices. References: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/price_rigging.asp :: Parents contemporary social issue prickliness =========== :: Description A character is easily irritated. Example: The strain of memorizing a complicated greeting in the Jaradan language left Captain Picard in a highly irritable mood in tng1x12 "The Big Goodbye". :: Parents disagreeable characteristic pride ===== :: Description A character is overly concerned with objects or qualities of character that they (rightly or wrongly) believe they possess. Example: Khan Noonien Singh, known better as "Khaaaaaaaaan!", was an embodiment of pride in tos1x24 "Space Seed". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride :: Parents deadly sin pride in one's own creation =========================== :: Description A character takes pride in something they have created. :: Parents pleasant emotion prime numbers ============= :: Description A number greater than 1 that has no positive divisors other than 1 and itself. Example: Captain Picard tapped the first six prime numbers into a door panel in tng3x18 "Allegiance". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_number :: Parents topic in science primitive point of view ======================= :: Description We are shown what things might be like from the point of view of a person that comes from a technologically less advanced culture than our own. :: Parents views and customs prisoner rights =============== :: Description We are made to ponder what conditions in prisons should be like and what may morally be done to prisoners who have committed crimes of different kinds. Example: The Angosians kept their super-soldiers imprisoned without any right to appeal on a shabby little moon in tng3x11 "The Hunted". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisoners%27_rights :: Parents human rights prisoners being exploited for entertainment =========================================== :: Description Condemned prisoners are being made sport of for the entertainment of free people. :: Parents treatment of prisoners prisoners of war ================ :: Description One faction takes members of another faction as prisoners during the course of a war. The treatment of such prisoners is wrought with potential problems and moral questions. Example: It was unclear whether Captain Picard was technically a prisoner of war thus protected by a treaty against mistreatment in tng6x11 "Chain of Command, Part II". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisoner_of_war :: Parents war problem of language and meaning =============================== :: Description Featured is a practical problem that arises when people who communicate differently, i.e. who use very different languages, have to interact. :: Parents intercultural relations prohibition leads to black markets ================================== :: Description That legally prohibiting an activity tends to give rise to a black market for that activity, is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_market :: Parents contemporary social issue prostitution vs. poverty ======================== :: Description A character has to choose whether to perform sexual services for money in order not to starve. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution :: Parents personal ethical dilemma, life choice, protecting children vs. letting them learn ========================================== :: Description We are asked whether and to what extent we should be shielding children from things that are considered unsavory and disturbing. Surely they must learn about these things eventually in order to become well rounded adults. Typical controversies generally center around pornography, violence, or crime. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicopter_parent :: Parents contemporary social issue prudishness =========== :: Description A character is too easily offended or shocked by sexual matters. Example: Campio called off his wedding to Lwaxana when it became apparent that the ceremony was to be conducted in the nude, as was the Betazoid custom, in tng5x20 "Cost of Living". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prude :: Parents disagreeable characteristic psychedelic drug trip ===================== :: Description The experiences of someone who takes a psychedelic drug (or the like) are featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychedelic_experience :: Parents state of mind psychokinesis ============= :: Description The idea that some individuals may be able to use only their mind to influence physical objects at a distance, is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychokinesis :: Parents superstition psychopathic criminal in society ================================ :: Description The social ramifications of there being psychopathic criminals, and the treatment of such individuals, is explored. :: Parents contemporary social issue psychopathy =========== :: Description A character exhibits persistent antisocial behavior, impaired empathy, and abnormal egotism. :: Parents pathological state of mind public safety vs. human rights ============================== :: Description Is it justified to deprive an innocent person of their rights if we think public safety may be in danger? Where would the line be drawn? :: Parents social ethical dilemma public–private partnership ========================== :: Description The justifications for and/or ramifications of cooperative arrangements between two or more public and private sectors, typically of a long-term nature, are discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public%E2%80%93private_partnership https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_sector https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_sector :: Parents contemporary social issue pulsar ====== :: Description A rotating neutron star that emits a beam of electromagnetic radiation, like a lighthouse. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulsar :: Parents what's out there punishment as a deterrent to crime ================================== :: Description It is discussed to what extent different kinds of prescribed punishments can work to deter people from committing crimes in the first place. :: Parents past and present moral controversy pure evil alien =============== :: Description An entity that is pure sadistic evil. Example: The slick of malevolent tar Armus was such a being in tng1x23 "Skin of Evil". :: Parents mentally distinguished life form purpose in life =============== :: Description Featured is a topic about what drives us and makes us act with what we perceive as "purpose". These are themes about our aspirations and needs, pleasures and cherished beliefs. :: Parents the human condition pursuing one's dream vs. advancing one's career =============================================== :: Description A character must decide what is more important to them: their career or some other personal ambition such as galavanting around the universe. Example: Picard was mightily tempted to leave his post as captain of the Enterprise-D in tng6x20 "The Chase" to do space archaeology with his old mentor Professor Richard Galen. :: Parents life choice pursuing one's dream vs. saving a friend ======================================== :: Description A character must decide what is more important to them: a friends well being or their own goals and aspirations. Example: Wesley had the stark choice of leaving to join Starfleet Academy or staying and saving his friends in tng3x24 "Ménage à Troi". :: Parents life choice putting differences aside ========================= :: Description Two characters agree to put past differences aside in order to pursue some more important joint purpose. :: Parents one-on-one interaction putting yourself in someone else's shoes ======================================== :: Description A character looks at a situation from a different point of view, as if one were the other person, to empathise. References: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/put_oneself_in_someone%27s_shoes :: Parents introspection quacksalvery ============ :: Description The fradulent practice of peddling unproven "medicines" that are highly unlikely to work as advertised. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quackery :: Parents superstition quality vs. quantity ==================== :: Description The ever-present dichotomy between quantity and quality is features: Should one strive towards producing many mediocre things or a few high quality things, or is there a sweet spot somewhere in between? :: Parents life lesson quarantine dilemma ================== :: Description Some people carry an infectious and undesirable, typically deadly, condition and we are asked what measures the rest of society is ethically justified in taking in order to protect itself from those that are infected but innocent of any wrongdoing. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarantine :: Parents social ethical dilemma quasar ====== :: Description Featured is an active galactic nucleus of very high luminosity. Example: The Enterprise encountered Murasaki 312, a quasar-like phenomena, in tos1x13 "The Galileo Seven". Interestingly, "murasaki" means purple in Japanese, yet the quasar was plainly green. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quasar :: Parents what's out there quasi-religious cults ===================== :: Description The practices religious cults are featured. Example: The Children of Landru in tos1x22 "The Return of the Archons" Landru lead a cult-like following. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult :: Parents organized religion questioning one's beliefs ========================= :: Description A character comes to re-evaluate some idea, usually a moral sentiment, that they had previously taken for granted. :: Parents introspection questioning one's loyalties =========================== :: Description A character considers whether the things they are loyal to are really worthy of that devotion. This happens for example when the morality of a previously accepted leader, faction, or ideology comes into doubt for some reason. :: Parents introspection questioning one's sanity ======================== :: Description A character questions whether their beliefs are really rational. :: Parents introspection racism in society ================= :: Description The issue of a large portion of society having an irrational, hostile, prejudice against people of a certain ethnicity, i.e., race, is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism :: Parents prejudice in society radiation neutralizer ===================== :: Description A device that somehow makes radioactive material to which it is exposed un- radioactive. Example: Dr. Adam Royston invented an anti-radiation container that could neutralize any radioactive material put inside it in "X the Unknown" (1956). :: Parents fictional apparatus rage ==== :: Description A character is experiences "anger" to the extent that they are about to loose control and start smashing teeth or tables. Example: Enraged, Worf smashed Geordi’s mandolin to smithereens in tng4x20 "Qpid". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rage_(emotion) :: Parents unpleasant emotion raising a physically disabled child =================================== :: Description The struggle of a parent to raise a child that has a significant physical disability of some sort, is featured. :: Parents parenting randomization ============= :: Description The practice of thoroughly mixing up a collection of objects so that nobody can tell which is which, like the use of a well-shuffled deck of playing cards at the fizzbin table (c.f. tos2x20 "A Piece of the Action"). Example: Worf tacitly questioned Data’s randomization of a deck of cards in tng5x18 "Cause and Effect". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randomization :: Parents topic in science rapid aging =========== :: Description A hypothetical process that makes you age significantly faster than normal and faster than natural. Example: When Gamma Hydra IV experienced mild radiation in the tail of a rogue comet, Captain Kirk and some of his team started to age rapidly in tos2x11 "The Deadly Years". References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RapidAging :: Parents human enhancement rapid healing device ==================== :: Description There is a device that heals wounds and injuries with extraordinary quickness. :: Parents fictional apparatus rationality vs. emotionality ============================ :: Description The allegedly rational parts of the human psyche are contrasted with its emotional parts. For example, the claim might be made that there are cognitive tasks in which emotional people excel far beyond what more rational people can manage, or vice versa. :: Parents human nature rationalization of a belief =========================== :: Description A character strains to find arguments to support a cherished belief while irrationally overlooking potential counterarguments. :: Parents introspection real gadget =========== :: Description Featured is a technology which is now real though it was near enough sci-fi at the time of the making. :: Parents novel sci-fi concept rearing a child with a mental disorder ====================================== :: Description A character struggles with bringing up a child who suffers from, for example, learning disability, attention deficit disorder, autism, etc. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_disorder https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_disability https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention_deficit_hyperactivity_disorder https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism :: Parents parenting rearing a child with mental problems ==================================== :: Description Someone struggles to bring up a child who has serious mental problems, such as ADHD or mood disorders. :: Parents parenting reasons for war =============== :: Description The question of why wars happen is taken up. :: Parents war rebuilding society after a disaster =================================== :: Description The troubles and tribulations faced by a society that begin rebuilding after a disaster are featured. :: Parents war rebuilding society after war ============================ :: Description The troubles and tribulations faced by a society that has just experienced the ravages of war are featured. :: Parents war recapitulation theory ===================== :: Description A largely discredited hypothesis advanced by Ernst Haeckel that in developing from embryo to adult, animals pass through stages resembling successive stages in the evolution of remote ancestors. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recapitulation_theory :: Parents discredited scientific theory reclusiveness ============= :: Description Someone takes pains to avoid the company of other people. Note: This is used for individuals and not for, say, a xenophobic alien species. Example: It was revealed that Tam Elbrun lived among the non-humanoid, telepathic Chandrans in order to avoid contact with other humanoids in tng3x20 "Tin Man". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recluse :: Parents disagreeable characteristic reconciliation ============== :: Description Two characters who have quarreled in the past come to a more or less amicable reconciliation. Example: Riker and his father Kyle reconciled their differences over a heated anbo-jyutsu match in tng2x14 "The Icarus Factor". References: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/reconciliation :: Parents one-on-one interaction reconciliation between two peoples ================================== :: Description Two factions who have been at odds with each other decide to put their difference aside and seek rapprochement. :: Parents diplomacy recording implant ================= :: Description There is a device that can be implanted into the body and which records some one or more of our senses, typically the visual and auditory much like a camera. :: Parents fictional apparatus red giant ========= :: Description A luminous giant star in a late phase of stellar evolution. Example: The astrophysicist Paul Stubbs was aboard the Enterprise-D to observe a red giant explode in tng3x01 "Evolution". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_giant :: Parents what's out there reflecting on family ties ========================= :: Description A character thinks deep and long about what their family means to them. :: Parents introspection refugee crisis ============== :: Description We are made to think of movements of large groups of displaced people, who could be either internally displaced persons, refugees or other migrants. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refugee_crisis :: Parents contemporary social issue reincarnation ============= :: Description The belief, typical in Indian religions, that there is some non-corporeal us the after our death is reborn in a new physical body. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation :: Parents organized religion relentless enemy ================ :: Description A people is threatened by an enemy who uncompromisingly wants them all dead and who will not be reasoned with. :: Parents war reliable streak of luck ======================= :: Description Someone believes that a recent streak of luck is indicative of future outcomes in some game of chance or the like. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BornLucky :: Parents superstition reliance on a central computer ============================== :: Description People come to rely on a single central computer, but it crashes and everyone dies. That’s a real "blue screen of death". Example: The Bynar’s central computer was knocked out by an electromagnetic pulse in tng1x15 "11001001" and they nearly perished. :: Parents man-made existential risk reliance on a single point of failure is unwise =============================================== :: Description The reasons for why you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket is illustrated. :: Parents life lesson religion as a control mechanism =============================== :: Description There is a society in which the ruling elite moulds religious doctrine to justify their own position and exert control. :: Parents social order religion in public education ============================ :: Description The contentious issue of whether and to what extent unscientific religious notions should be taught to students in public education is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creation_and_evolution_in_public_education :: Parents contemporary social issue religious evangelical vs. progressive ===================================== :: Description We are asked whether society should be organized along the principles of religious evangelicals or modernist progressives when their respective ideologies are in contradiction. :: Parents social dichotomy religious fervor ================ :: Description A character exhibits an obsessive enthusiasm related to their religion. Example: Worf encountered zealous Klingons who resurrected their Messiah in tng6x23 "Rightful Heir". :: Parents state of mind religious festival ================== :: Description There is a day of celebration or observance for something related to a religion. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_festival :: Parents organized religion religious fundamentalism in society =================================== :: Description The ramifications of people acting more or less fanatically to promote the literally interpreted doctrines of a religion are explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamentalism#Religious :: Parents contemporary social issue religious point of view ======================= :: Description We are shown what things might be from the point of view of someone who is extremely pious with respect to some religious doctrine or another. :: Parents views and customs religious prophet ================= :: Description An individual who is regarded as being in contact by a divine being and is said to speak on that entity's behalf, serving as an intermediary with humanity by delivering messages or teachings from the supernatural source to other people. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophet :: Parents organized religion religious toleration ==================== :: Description There is a society in which people with drastically different religious beliefs are seen to treat each others with toleration. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toleration :: Parents social order remembrance =========== :: Description A character reflects on memories of a departed loved one, friend, or colleague, etc. :: Parents introspection reminiscence ============ :: Description A character looks back with emotion on previous experiences. :: Parents introspection reminiscence about one's childhood ================================== :: Description A character thinks back to their childhood years. :: Parents introspection remorse ======= :: Description Someone feels regret for a past action that they have come to see as morally wrong, or for a mistake they should have been able to avert. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remorse :: Parents unpleasant emotion remote controlled person ======================== :: Description Technology by which, e.g., one person can be controlled by another person at a distance. Example: McCoy jury-rigged a brainless Spock so that he could be operated by remote control in tos3x06 "Spock's Brain". :: Parents human enhancement repressing one's desires ======================== :: Description A character strives consciously to ignore their innate urges. For example, a person may seek to ignore their sexual attraction towards another person because the match would unpractical or proscribed. :: Parents introspection repressing one's hatred ======================= :: Description Someone acknowledges their instinctive dislike of someone else, but strives not to become hate filled. Example: Alexander put a lid on his ill-feelings towards powerful Parmen in tos3x12 "Plato's Stepchildren". :: Parents introspection reproductive surrogacy ====================== :: Description One or two parents have another woman carry their baby to term. Surrogacy in this sense can thus easily be discussed from either of three rather different perspectives. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrogacy :: Parents parenting reptilian alien =============== :: Description An alien race patterned after reptiles. Example: Captain Kirk was pitted in a fight to the death against a reptilian alien in tos1x19 "The Arena". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_extraterrestrials_ by_form#Reptilians_and_amphibians :: Parents earth-life inspired life form republic vs. empire =================== :: Description These two modes of government are contrasted and compared. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Republic :: Parents social dichotomy resentment ========== :: Description A character harbors a resentment toward another stemming from a belief that he or she has been wronged by that person. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resentment :: Parents antagonistic disposition resettlement vs. fighting for one's homeland ============================================ :: Description A character must decide whether it is worth it to stay and fight for their homeland when powerful authorities want their way with it. :: Parents life choice resistance movement =================== :: Description There is a group of people that engages in organized resistance against an occupying enemy or other oppressing force. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resistance_movement :: Parents activism resisting a temptation ====================== :: Description A character is tempted to do or indulge in something that they know they shouldn’t. Example: Captain Picard resisted the temptation to sleep with the empathic metamorph Kamala in tng5x21 "The Perfect Mate". :: Parents facing general adversity respect for an enemy ==================== :: Description A character exhibits feelings of admiration toward an enemy owing to their abilities or achievements. :: Parents amicable disposition resurrection of the dead ======================== :: Description A person is brought back to life by miraculous means, as opposed to by the application of technology. Example: Worf was brought back from dead by the amnesiac alien provisionally named John Doe in tng3x25 "Transfigurations". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resurrection :: Parents organized religion retarded aging ============== :: Description A hypothetical process that makes you age much slower than normal. Example: McCoy's tricorder scans of the Vaalians in tos2x09 "The Apple" revealed them to not be aging at all, praise be Vaal. :: Parents human enhancement retreat tactic ============== :: Description The military tactic of retreating is described. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withdrawal_(military) :: Parents the art of war reunion with a long lost child ============================== :: Description A parent is reunited with their child after a very long time apart. :: Parents parenting reunion with a loved one ======================== :: Description Two lovers are reunited after a significant time apart. :: Parents romantic relationship reverse aging alien =================== :: Description There is an alien who starts life as old and then becomes younger as time passes. :: Parents biologically distinguished life form reverse psychology ================== :: Description Someone employs reverse psychology to influence another in a desired way. Example: Data attempted a clever bit of reverse psychology on the stubborn colonists of Tau Cygna V in tng3x02 "The Ensigns of Command" but to no avail. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_psychology :: Parents one-on-one interaction reverse universe ================ :: Description A hypothetical universe where black stars shine in a white void, etc. Example: The Enterprise got sucked into just such a universe in tas2x06 "The Counter-Clock Incident". :: Parents speculative lands and worlds, what's out there reversed time ============= :: Description A fantasy world where time runs in reverse, e.g., people are born old and die young. Example: The Enterprise got sucked into just such a universe in tas2x06 "The Counter-Clock Incident". :: Parents time travel, alternate laws of nature revival long after death ======================== :: Description Technology that can bring someone back from death many hours after they are technically dead. :: Parents human enhancement revolution in society ===================== :: Description Peacefully or by the sword, an old ruling class is forced to make way for a new social order. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolution :: Parents contemporary social issue rhetoric ======== :: Description The art of speaking to a group of people is featured. Example: Data tried every rhetorical trick in the book on the stubborn colonists of Tau Cygna V the in tng3x02 "The Ensigns of Command", but they insisted they’d rather stay and die fighting the Sheliak. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhetoric :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities right to protest ================ :: Description A perceived human right to assemble with other humans in order to demonstrate displeasure with, typically, one's government. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_protest https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_assembly :: Parents human rights righteousness ============= :: Description Someone makes themselves out to be morally better than others. Example: Lokai (the half white and half black Native of Cheron) portrayed himself as being morally better than his hated enemy Bele (the half black and half white Native of Cheron) in tos3x15 "Let that be your Last Battlefield". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Righteousness :: Parents disagreeable characteristic rights of accused ================= :: Description We are made to ponder the rights and privileges of a person accused of a crime, such as the right to know the charges under which one is being held, and the assurances guaranteeing them a fair trial. References: https://www.britannica.com/topic/rights-of-accused https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_a_fair_trial :: Parents human rights rise in ambient galactic radiation level ======================================== :: Description The ever-present background radiation in a galaxy suddenly rises and everyone dies of radiation poisoning. Example: The Kelvan Empire was imperiled by a rise in ambient radiation across the Andromeda galaxy in tos2x21 "By Any Other Name". :: Parents force majeure existential risk rise of a new species ===================== :: Description A new species evolves, or otherwise appears, and overthrows the civilization of the current dominant species on a world. :: Parents force majeure existential risk rise of the machines ==================== :: Description People construct clever machines but the machines become too clever and decide to kill everyone. They won’t be back. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RobotWar :: Parents man-made existential risk rise to prominence from humble beginnings ========================================= :: Description A character who has little or no particular social status at birth rises to a prominent position, usually due to their talents and hard work. :: Parents human aspiration risk taking in the advancement of science and technology ======================================================== :: Description It is discussed how one can weight one set of risks and benefits against another in planning scientific experiments and developing technology. :: Parents social ethical dilemma risk taking vs. playing it safe =============================== :: Description A character must decide, in a given situation, which course of action is the better: the risky one with (perhaps) a high reward or the relatively safe one that has but small reward. :: Parents personal practical dilemma risky revival of patient for vital information ============================================== :: Description A medical professional must choose whether to revive a patient to allow important interrogation, when doing so would posed added risk to the patients health. The unconscious patient may, for example, know where a terrorist attack is going to take place. :: Parents medical ethics rite of passage into manhood ============================ :: Description A young male performs a feat that according to his culture (in part or wholly) qualifies him for status as adult. :: Parents growing up ritualistic communication ========================= :: Description A way of communicating through rituals that involve more than merely talking is illustrated. Example: To communicate with the Jarada in tng1x12 "The Big Goodbye", Captain Picard had to memorize a long and complicated ritual greeting. :: Parents problem of language and meaning rivalry ======= :: Description Two characters are rivals over, for example, a desired mate or workplace prestige. :: Parents one-on-one interaction robot helper ============ :: Description A sophisticated but not quite sentient mobile machine that serves man as his helper. Example: The immortal Mr. Flint had a hovering robot helped named M-4 in tos3x21 "Requiem for Methuselah". :: Parents AI technology rogue comet =========== :: Description A comet that is not gravitationally bound to a star. Example: The tail of a rogue comet passing over Gamma Hydra IV in tos2x11 "The Deadly Years" caused Captain Kirk and some of his team to age rapidly. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogue_planet :: Parents what's out there rogue planet ============ :: Description A planet that is not gravitationally bound to a star. Example: General Trelane (retired) was found to live on a rogue planet in the middle of a "star desert" in tos1x18 "The Squire of Gothos". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogue_planet :: Parents what's out there role models =========== :: Description A young character imitates a character they look up to. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Role_model :: Parents growing up romantic fidelity ================= :: Description The question of monogamatic faithfulness arises between two characters in a romantic relationship. This usually appears because one of the pair is tempted by an attraction to someone else, or one of the pair jealously perceives it to be so. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infidelity :: Parents romantic relationship romantic love ============= :: Description Featured is that peculiar sort of love between people so often associated with sexual attraction. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romance_(love) :: Parents love romantic relationship ===================== :: Description Two characters engage in a romantic relationship. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romance_(love) :: Parents one-on-one interaction romantic seduction ================== :: Description A character explicitly and purposefully attempts to entice another character to engage in a romantic relation or activity. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seduction :: Parents romantic relationship rudeness ======== :: Description Someone is impolite or rude to others. Example: Wesley was flat out rude to Geordi in tng7x20 "Journey's End". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudeness :: Parents disagreeable characteristic rule by strength of arm ======================= :: Description There is a military strongman that holds political power on account of their ability to forcibly repress any opposition. :: Parents social order rumor spreading in society ========================== :: Description The potential consequences to society of excessive rumor spreading is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumor_spread_in_social_network :: Parents contemporary social issue ruthlessness ============ :: Description A character pursues their objectives without taking pity on others. Example: Arctus Baran used pain implants to control the crew of his mercenary vessel in tng7x04 "The Gambit, Part I" and tng7x05 "The Gambit, Part II". :: Parents disagreeable characteristic ruthlessness to quicken the end of the war ========================================== :: Description The following ethical dilemma is posed: Can extreme levels of aggression, such as the use of nuclear weapons against a comparatively weak enemy, be justified by the argument that they quicken the end of the war and therefore save lives in the long run? Example: This argument is sometimes raised in discussions about America's use of nuclear bombs on Japan in the second world war. :: Parents social ethical dilemma ruthlessness vs. mercy ====================== :: Description The contrast between these two attitudes is featured. This typically happens when a merciful character is pointedly contrasted with a ruthless character. :: Parents way of life sacred ground ============= :: Description There is a religious faith that for one reason or another considers a particular plot of land to be sacred. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred#Sacred_ground :: Parents organized religion sacrifice for a child ===================== :: Description A character endangers themself in order to save or otherwise benefit a child. :: Parents self-sacrifice sacrifice for a friend ====================== :: Description A character does a self-sacrificial thing for the sake of a friend. :: Parents self-sacrifice sacrifice for a loved one ========================= :: Description A character does a self-sacrificial thing for the sake of a person they love, i.e., a family member or a lover. :: Parents self-sacrifice sacrifice for a mad stranger ============================ :: Description A character endangers themself in order to save or otherwise benefit a crazy person with whom they are not really acquainted. :: Parents self-sacrifice sacrifice for a subordinate =========================== :: Description A character does a self-sacrificial thing for the sake of a person that is under their command at work or in the military. Example: Captain Kirk saved Uhura from a savage whipping by taking her place in tos2x17 "The Gamesters of Triskelion", perhaps anticipating the chance to pose bloodied and defiant in a savagely torn shirt. :: Parents self-sacrifice sacrifice for an adversary ========================== :: Description A character does a self-sacrificial thing for the sake of someone who is an opponent or even an enemy. :: Parents self-sacrifice sacrifice for an obsession ========================== :: Description A character does a self-sacrificial thing for the sake of an idea they are strangely obsessed by. Example: Matt Decker gave his life piloting a shuttlecraft clear into the maw of a planet eating machine in an effort to destroy it in tos2x06 "The Doomsday Machine". :: Parents self-sacrifice sacrifice for one's beliefs =========================== :: Description A character does a self-sacrificial thing for the sake of a cause they believe in. :: Parents self-sacrifice sacrifice for one's people ========================== :: Description A character does a self-sacrificial thing for the sake of the people they belong to, i.e., their tribe, country, ethnic group, etc. :: Parents self-sacrifice sacrifice self and crew to foil an enemy ======================================== :: Description The captain of a crew decides to sacrifice them all an self, in order to deny an enemy satisfaction. Example: Captain Picard was ready to destroy the Enterprise-D, himself and the crew with it, rather than give in to Nagilum in tng2x02 "Where Silence Has Lease". :: Parents self-sacrifice sacrifice to help another ========================= :: Description A character does a self-sacrificial, for example dangerous, thing for the sake of another person. :: Parents self-sacrifice sacrifice to prevent mass death =============================== :: Description A character does a self-sacrificial thing in order to save a large number of people from death. Example: In voy5x25 "Warhead" the eponymous warhead (a sentient bomb) decides to detonate to destroy a number of other bombs instead of letting them complete their missing, thereby saving countless innocent lives. :: Parents self-sacrifice sacrificing a friend to save one's self ======================================= :: Description A character must choose whether to accept their own demise, typically death or capture, or whether to callously sacrifice a friend to save themself. Example: Captain Kirk decided to maroon his old friend Gary on an uninhabited planet after Gary developed dangerous psychic abilities in tos1x01 "Where No Man Has Gone Before". :: Parents personal ethical dilemma sacrificing a loved one to defeat an enemy ========================================== :: Description A character struggles with whether or not to sacrifice a loved one in the struggle against some vicious foe. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma sacrificing one's self to contain a pandemic ============================================ :: Description A character does a self-sacrificial thing in order to contain a highly infectious disease. Example: Spock sacrificed his eyesight in order to defeat the neural parasites in tos1x29 "Operation -- Annihilate!", though it turned out he had second eyelids that in fact saved him. :: Parents self-sacrifice sadism ====== :: Description Someone enjoys inflicting physical pain. Example: Gul Madred subjected Captain Picard to a host of sadistic tortures in tng6x11 "Chain of Command, Part II". :: Parents disagreeable characteristic sadness ======= :: Description Someoner feels a degree of sorrow for one reason or another that borders between "pensiveness" and outright "grief". Example: The Enteprise crew was saddened to learn that McCoy had been diagnosed with xenopolycythemia, a rare and terminal illness, in tos3x10 "For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadness :: Parents unpleasant emotion sadomasochism ============= :: Description It means that people get together to either give or receive pain and humiliation. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadomasochism :: Parents state of mind saving a friend vs. self-preservation ===================================== :: Description A character must choose between their own life and the life of a friend. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma saving a people vs. self-preservation ===================================== :: Description A character must choose between saving an entire people on one hand, and saving their own skin on the other. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma saving innocent lives vs. compromising one's ethical principles =============================================================== :: Description A character must choose whether or not to commit unsavory acts in order to save innocent people. Example: Riker could have saved mining colonists and a dead child with his new Q-powers in tng1x10 "Hide and Q" if he had broken his word to Picard. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma scams against the elderly ========================= :: Description The social issue of criminals and other immoral characters trying to cheat the elderly out of their hard-earned savings is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elder_financial_abuse :: Parents contemporary social issue schizophrenia ============= :: Description A character clearly exhibits some of the main symptoms of schizophrenia as it is popularly perceived. For example, a character may exhibit abnormal behavior due to hearing voices that do not exist. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophrenia :: Parents pathological state of mind science as magic to the primitive ================================= :: Description It is illustrated how people of a less advanced culture may perceive the science and technology of a more advanced culture as being, for all intents and purposes, magic. It is something outside the primitives’ understanding of the world. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke%27s_three_laws :: Parents views and customs science fiction and fantasy theme ================================= :: Description Themes related to subject matter falling outside of reality as it is presently understood. These are classical science fiction and fantasy themes, such as ideas about the future, futuristic science and technology, as well as just plain old nonsense of some kind or another. :: Parents science for war or peace ======================== :: Description The following dilemma is illustrated: Should we pursue scientific research that has promising beneficial applications (cheap energy) if it has potentially devastating military applications (nuclear weapons)? Example: The pros and cons of science that creates super soldiers was discussed in tos1x24 "Space Seed". :: Parents social ethical dilemma scientific discipline ===================== :: Description Featured is a common contemporary scientific disciplines such as, for example, "physics" and "biology". :: Parents modern science scientific experimentation ========================== :: Description Featured is the process of scientific experimentation, e.g., a scientist in their laboratory. Example: In Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920), Henry Jeckyll develops a potion in his laboratory to temporarily transform himself into the evil Edward Hyde. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experiment :: Parents topic in science scientific utopia ================= :: Description A utopia based on an enthusiasm for science coupled with use of advanced science and technology. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utopia#Science_and_technology :: Parents utopia scorched earth ============== :: Description Combatants destroy their own resources to prevent an enemy from using them. Example: Klingons ignited the atmosphere on Indri VIII and destroyed all biological life there in tng6x20 "The Chase" to prevent others from collecting DNA samples. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scorched_earth :: Parents the art of war sculpture ========= :: Description The art of shaping materials is featured. Example: Data sculpted a treble clef at breakneck speed in tng7x17 "Masks". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sculpture :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities seance ====== :: Description The idea that a trained mystic can help us communicate with the dead. Example: Prefect Jaris of Argelius II figured that this with be a good way to resolve the murder case brought against Scotty in tos2x07 "Wolf in the Fold". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A9ance :: Parents superstition searchable electronic database ============================== :: Description A computerized database that is readily searchable. This was avant garde technology in the 60s when people still spent inordinate amounts of time cross-referencing information manually using filing cabinets and indexing cards. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database :: Parents real gadget second guessing a superior ========================== :: Description A subordinate questions the propriety of their superior’s decision. :: Parents one-on-one interaction second guessing one's self ========================== :: Description a character questions the propriety of their own previously held beliefs or past actions. Example: Kevin Uxbridge second guessed himself over having wiped the Husnock race clean out of existence in tng3x03 "The Survivors". :: Parents introspection secret crush ============ :: Description A character has feelings of romantic attraction to someone else but is too shy to say anything. :: Parents romantic love secret government project ========================= :: Description The issue of the government or its agencies having large scale secret projects going on is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secrecy#Government_secrecy :: Parents contemporary social issue secret military base building ============================= :: Description One faction covertly builds a military base in a location that is strategically sensitive to an opposing faction. Example: Captain Maxwell did not take well to Cardassian attempts at building a secret base near Federation territory in tng4x12 "The Wounded". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secrecy#Military_secrecy :: Parents the art of war secret toenail compartment ========================== :: Description A character has a fake toenail that conceals a secret compartment. :: Parents human enhancement security vs. freedom ==================== :: Description The typically desirable quality of safety and security in society is contraposed with the typically desirable quality of individual freedom. Should we, for example, limit freedom of the press in order not to provoke terrorism? Example: The Rutians had given up much liberty to gain but little security for the sake of fighting terrorism in tng3x12 "The High Ground". :: Parents social dichotomy seeing something through to the end =================================== :: Description A character inspects or is confronted with their own tendency to leave things unfinished and their resolve to instead see things through to the end. :: Parents introspection seeing the error of one's ways ============================== :: Description A character comes to realize that their previous actions and attitude were in fact bad. :: Parents introspection selective memory ================ :: Description A character seems to remember only those things that it suits their interests to remember. Example: Each person remembered events much as they preferred it to have been in the little murder drama of tng3x14 "A Matter of Perspective". :: Parents state of mind self-analysis ============= :: Description A character tries to put pretension aside and sort out what they truly think and feel. :: Parents introspection self-confidence =============== :: Description A character ponders whether they are really capable enough to do what they do, intend to do, are requested to do, etc. Example: Wesley was assigned to lead a science team in an effort to help build his self-confidence in tng2x15 "Pen Pals". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-confidence :: Parents introspection self-control ============ :: Description A character reflects on having lost the ability to regulate their emotions, thoughts, and behavior in the face of temptations and impulses. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-control :: Parents introspection self-coup ========= :: Description A form of putsch or coup d'état in which a nation's leader, despite having come to power through legal means, dissolves or renders powerless the national legislature and unlawfully assumes extraordinary powers not granted under normal circumstances. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-coup :: Parents war self-deception ============== :: Description Someone refuses to face uncomfortable truths. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-deception :: Parents introspection self-destruct tactic ==================== :: Description Combatants decide to destroy themselves and their vessel rather than to surrender, and perhaps in order to kill their opponents with themselves. :: Parents the art of war self-driving car ================ :: Description There is a car-like vehicle that does not require a driver in order to operate. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-driving_car :: Parents fictional apparatus self-image ========== :: Description A character thinks about how they see themselves in contrast with how other people may see them. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-image :: Parents introspection self-injurious behavior ======================= :: Description A character engages in deliberately reckless behavior or outright self-harm. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-harm :: Parents pathological state of mind self-love ========= :: Description A character is egocentric and very much taken with their own greatness. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-love :: Parents disagreeable characteristic self-replicating machine ======================== :: Description There is a device of some sort that is able to create perfect copies of itself ad infinitum. Note: This is used for machines large enough to be seen; there is another theme for self-replicating nanodevices. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-replicating_machine :: Parents fictional apparatus self-replicating nano-devices ============================= :: Description The potential consequences of introducing small man-made self-replicating devices is explored. Example: Wesley created such things in tng3x01 "Evolution". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-replicating_machine :: Parents fictional apparatus self-sacrifice ============== :: Description A character helps another character or cause at a significant cost or risk to themself. :: Parents facing adversity selfishness =========== :: Description A character is concerned excessively or exclusively, for themself or their own advantage, pleasure, or welfare, regardless of others. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selfishness :: Parents disagreeable characteristic selfless service ================ :: Description Someone does a self-sacrificial thing in the line of duty but above and beyond the call of duty. :: Parents self-sacrifice selling out for money ===================== :: Description A character is must choose whether or not to give up on something that is important to them for financial gain. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma semantic progression ==================== :: Description The way that words and sounds tend to change meaning over the course of history is illustrated. Example: An Abraham Lincoln replica asked forgiveness for calling Uhura "a charming negress" in tos3x22 "The Savage Curtain" upon recalling that the term was used by some in his time as a description of property. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantic_change :: Parents problem of language and meaning sentient bomb ============= :: Description There is an explosive device with a built in artificial intelligence that is self-aware and able to make complex strategical decisions on pair with humans. :: Parents AI technology sentient computer ================= :: Description A computer-like machine that is self-aware an intelligent. This is used about stationary devices. :: Parents AI technology sentient machine ================ :: Description There is a machine, artificial by definition, imbued with intelligence to the level that it is considered sentient. :: Parents AI technology sentient nanomachines ===================== :: Description Tiny artificial machines that are somehow sentient. Example: Wesley experimented with self replicating nanomachines that got loose aboard the Enterprise-D and evolved sentience in tng3x01 "Evolution". :: Parents inorganic life form sentient rights =============== :: Description We are made to ponder what intrinsic rights we feel should be awarded all sentient beings even if they are nothing like humans in shape or temperament. :: Parents human rights sentient space probe ==================== :: Description An artificial self-aware object designed to explore space. Example: Nomad was such an object in tos2x08 "The Changeling", and hellbent on cleansing the universe of imperfect beings. :: Parents AI technology sentient spaceship ================== :: Description A space ship that can think intelligently is featured. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SapientShip :: Parents spacecraft serenity ======== :: Description A character exhibits a feeling of calm and contentment without the pleasure or happiness that come with the experience of "joy". :: Parents pleasant emotion sex to control soldiers ======================= :: Description The social issue of sex (often rape) being used as a means of keeping soldiers in line, is discussed. :: Parents contemporary social issue sex-droid ========= :: Description A "fully functional" android of one gender or another, designed to please its masters in matters of the flesh. :: Parents AI technology sexism in society ================= :: Description Prejudice against someone because of their gender is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexism :: Parents contemporary social issue sexual debut ============ :: Description A character is introduced to sex, or a particular and very distinctive type of sexual activity, for the first time. :: Parents introspection sexual harassment ================= :: Description There is bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_harassment :: Parents the battle of the sexes shades of gray ============== :: Description We are shown that moral questions are often not black and white but have many coherent and potentially valid viewpoints in between the extremes. :: Parents views and customs shamanism ========= :: Description The ritualistic practice among tribal people of crediting supposed magicians with powers of healing, divination, and protection against bad magic conjured by others. Example: Captain Kirk was made a genuine space shaman after he lost his memories on the planet Amerind in tos3x03 "The Paradise Syndrome". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamanism :: Parents superstition shame ===== :: Description A character feels bad because of past actions of theirs that they have come to think were wrong, or because they have an unbecoming outwards appearance. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shame :: Parents unpleasant emotion shapeshifter ============ :: Description A being that can radically change its shape, seemingly by magic. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shapeshifting :: Parents miscellaneous life form shapeshifting ============= :: Description A hypothetical process by which a human or other biological creature can change shape to a seemingly different kind of creature. This is often featured as an inate ability. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shapeshifting :: Parents human enhancement short and sweet life vs. long and miserable life ================================================ :: Description A character chooses or rejects living by the age old doctrine of "live fast and die young". :: Parents life choice shotgun wedding =============== :: Description The parents of a girl attempt to force a boy to marry the girl after the said girl has been compromised by, oh dear, sexual intercourse with the boy. Example: Debin of the planet Altec compelled Benzan of the planet Straleb to marry his daughter Yanar in tng2x04 "The Outrageous Okona", when it became apparent that the Stralebian had impregnated Yanar. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_wedding :: Parents parenting sibling rivalry =============== :: Description There is conflict between brothers and sisters. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sibling_rivalry :: Parents growing up siege warfare ============= :: Description When and how to attacked a fortified enemy position in war is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege#Siege_warfare :: Parents the art of war signs from the heavens ====================== :: Description Some seemingly miraculous event is interpreted as a sign of divine origin. :: Parents organized religion silicon-based life form ======================= :: Description Aliens whose body chemistry is based on silicon just like conventional biology is based on carbon. Example: The mother Horta of tos1x26 "The Devil in the Dark" was just such a life form. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothetical_types_of_biochemistry#S ilicon_biochemistry :: Parents inorganic life form simian alien ============ :: Description A sentient alien race patterned after apes. Example: The Taurus II Anthropoids of tos1x13 "The Galileo Seven" were a giant ape-like species that menaced the shuttlecraft Galileo crew. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mammalian_alien_species#Simians :: Parents earth-life inspired life form simulated hunting ================= :: Description Simulated hunting in a virtual reality environment is used as a substitute for the real thing. :: Parents speculative lands and worlds, simulated reality simulated person ================ :: Description A personality that exists only as a program within some computer. It is self- aware but may or may not be cognizent of its status as a simulation. Perhaps we all are such. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simulated_consciousness_in_fiction :: Parents AI technology simulated reality ================= :: Description Technology that is like the virtual reality of today, but handles all the sense so that it can be all but impossible to distinguish the fantasy world from reality. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simulated_reality :: Parents fictional apparatus single fatherhood ================= :: Description A man raises a child alone because the mother has passed away or is absent for some other reason. Example: Worf having to raise Alexander as a single father was featured in tng5x10 "New Ground". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_parent :: Parents parenting single motherhood ================= :: Description A mother raises a child alone because the father has passed away, is unknown, or is absent for some other reason. Example: Beverly raising Wesley as a single mother was featured in tng1x03 "The Naked Now". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_parent :: Parents parenting sins of the father ================== :: Description We are asked to what extent descendants are answerable for the actions of their ancestors. Example: For Javier Maribona Picard’s role in the reconquest of New Mexico in the 1690’s, all of Captain Picard's family was deemed to wear a stain of blood until this day in tng7x20 "Journey's End". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sins_of_the_Father :: Parents past and present moral controversy sister and sister ================= :: Description The relationship between two sisters is featured. :: Parents familial relations slavery ======= :: Description We are asked to what extent practices like slavery, indentured servitude, etc. ought to be tolerated. While the question may seem outlandish to a pampered rich-country dweller, there are many degrees of obligatory servitude - and even outright slavery is by no means extinct in the world. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery :: Parents past and present moral controversy slaves to technology ==================== :: Description People start relying on technology for everything and loose their ability to cope creatively with novel problems that may arise in the future. When something does, everybody dies. Example: The Aldeans of tng1x17 "When The Bough Breaks" had remarkable technology, including a planetary invisibility cloak, but it was all controlled by a central computer which they no longer understood, so they became helpless when the computer broke down. :: Parents man-made existential risk sleep deprivation ================= :: Description A character exhibits the symptoms that come from not having been able to sleep adequately. Example: Alien influences prevented the crew from being able to dream which made them angry and violent in tng4x17 "Night Terrors". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_deprivation :: Parents pathological state of mind sleeper agents ============== :: Description Agents live and work among the enemy for a very long time before "becoming active" and taking action on the behalf of their real side. Example: Half-Klingon emissary K’Ehlayr was dispatch in a refurbished space torpedo at warp 9 to help stop a ship full of frozen Klingon’s who, ignorant that the war was over, were about to wake up and attack Federation colonies in tng2x20 "The Emissary". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleeper_agent :: Parents the art of war sleeper starship ================ :: Description A spaceship built to carry people in extended sleep (i.e. cryogenic stasis) on extended journeys. :: Parents starship technology slick of malevolent tar ======================= :: Description A very special Star Trek being who is literally pure evil, which in its liquid form is found to resemble a slick of black tar. Example: Armus appeared in tng1x23 "Skin of Evil". :: Parents inorganic life form sloppy character vs. tidy character =================================== :: Description An untidy an perhaps uncleanly character is deliberately contrasted with a tidy and neat character. :: Parents one-on-one interaction sloth ===== :: Description A character is very lazy, either physically (too lazy to work or move about) or mentally (too lazy to bother attending to their duties). Example: Spock abandoned his duties in favor of frolicking in a tree while under the influence of space spores in tos1x25 "This Side of Paradise". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloth_(deadly_sin) :: Parents deadly sin slug-like being =============== :: Description A being patterned after land slugs and such gastropods. Example: A full-grown Lactran resembled a 30 meter long slug in tas1x15 "The Eye of the Beholder". :: Parents earth-life inspired life form smart ammunition ================ :: Description Ammunition for a firearm has some built-in capability to assess the situation mid-flight and adjust itself according to the situations it finds. Example: Neal Stephenson in "Sevenevens" (2015) describe small arms munition that could, for example, detect if it were to impact a wall in which case it would reconfigure itself to shatter and inflict minimal damage (useful in spaceships). References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_bullet :: Parents fictional apparatus sneak attack tactic =================== :: Description Combatants take advantage of concealment and the element of surprise to attack an unsuspecting enemy. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambush :: Parents the art of war soap opera ========== :: Description The art of creating episodic works of fiction presented in serial format on television, radio and in novels, featuring the lives of many characters and focusing on emotional relationships to the point of melodrama, is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soap_opera :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities social activism =============== :: Description Someone works to change society in a grassroots movement kind of way, i.e., through consciousness-raising and example, not with guns and diplomacy. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activism :: Parents activism social awkwardness ================== :: Description A socially awkward character has trouble interacting and communicating effectively with other people. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_skills :: Parents group interaction social dichotomy ================ :: Description Compared are two distinct ideologies of social order directly against each other. Such discourse has been present at least since ancient Greek days, but is perhaps more recognizable today through the example of the "liberal vs. conservative". :: Parents values and ethics in society social ethical dilemma ====================== :: Description A tough trade-off between different ethical considerations in the shaping of government policy and norms of conduct is featured. :: Parents values and ethics in society social inequality ================= :: Description The ramifications of social inequality in society are explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_inequality https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_privilege :: Parents contemporary social issue social interaction ================== :: Description A relationship between two or more individuals, or an individual with themselves on a high mental level, is featured. These are further subdivided according to the subject of interaction: family, other groups, other individuals, or ones self. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_relation :: Parents the human condition social media in society ======================= :: Description Social media are interactive computer-mediated technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, career interests and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networks. The various ways in which these affect society is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media :: Parents the Internet in society social order ============ :: Description A particular set or system of linked social structures, institutions, relations, customs, values and practices, which conserve, maintain and enforce certain patterns of relating and behaving is featured. Here is contained orations about the pros and cons of political ideologies, such as fascism, democracy, communism, etc. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_order :: Parents values and ethics in society social stagnation ================= :: Description A society ceases to advance in art, science, forms of government, and other characteristics of advancing civilization. :: Parents contemporary social issue society ======= :: Description One of the four top theme categories: "Society" themes illustrate how groups of people (or even sentient rock monsters) in the same geographical territory subject to the same political authority and cultural expectations organize themselves. These are themes about the interactions and patterns of relationships inside or between different societies. :: Parents society living in space ======================= :: Description There is a society of people that live, more or less exclusively, away from any planet and normal gravity over many generations. :: Parents mastering space solar eclipse ============= :: Description The science of the type of eclipse that occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, and when the Moon fully or partially blocks the Sun is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse :: Parents topic in science solar sail ========== :: Description Massive sail-like sheets that can be folded an unfolded are used to harness energy from the sun. The energy can be used directly as propulsion or indirectly by being stored as electricity. Example: The colony ship in "Alien: Covenant" (2017) unfurled solar sails to gather power. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_sail :: Parents starship technology solitary confinement as a punishment ==================================== :: Description Someone is imprisoned in isolation from other people as a punishment. Note that while solitary confinement may sometimes be used out of necessity to protect people, its use merely as a punishment is controversial and may constitute torture due to its adverse psychological effects. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solitary_confinement :: Parents past and present moral controversy soliton wave ============ :: Description A self-reinforcing wave that maintains its shape while it travels at a constant speed.The Morning Glory Cloud of the Gulf of Carpentaria is one example from nature. Example: Dr. Ja'Dar developed a soliton wave method of propulsion in tng5x10 "New Ground". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soliton :: Parents topic in science sonar-based artificial vision ============================= :: Description A sonar-like technology that translates sounds in the environment into something that the brain can use to understand its surroundings in lieu of eyesight. Example: The blind telepath Miranda Jones wore a sonar-based sensor web dress that helped her to compensate for her disability in tos3x07 "Is There in Truth No Beauty?". :: Parents human enhancement sonic gun ========= :: Description A gun that uses sound waves to destroy its target is featured in a science fictional context. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_weapon :: Parents real gadget sonic razor =========== :: Description A device that removes unwanted body hair with sonic vibrations: the shave of tomorrow. Example: Geordi whipped out his sonic razor in front of Data in tng1x04 "Code of Honor". :: Parents fictional apparatus sonic shower ============ :: Description A shower-like device that uses sound vibrations instead of water to dislodge the grit from your body. :: Parents fictional apparatus sophistry ========= :: Description The use of plausible and clever but misleading and fallacious arguments, is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophist#Modern_usage :: Parents group interaction sororal love ============ :: Description The love of sister for sister is featured. Example: Aquiel and her sister Shianna Uhnari where very close indeed in tng6x13 "Aquiel". :: Parents familial love sound masking ============= :: Description A system that can selectively filter out some sounds in a recording. This was pure sci-fi in the 60s but nowadays you can purchase a pair of noise canceling headphones at your local electronics store. Example: The Enterprise computer was employed to mask out the sound of heartbeats of all known personal aboard in tos1x14 "Court Martial". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_masking :: Parents real gadget space Bolsheviks ================ :: Description Aliens with beliefs and mannerisms reminiscent of mid-20th century communists. Example: The Kohms were mortal enemies of the Yangs in tos2x25 "The Omega Glory", just like Yankees and Commies on 20th century Earth. :: Parents space stereotype space Catholics =============== :: Description Aliens with beliefs and mannerisms reminiscent of traditional Catholics. Example: The inhabitants of Gideon, in spite of suffering horrific over- population, apparently had a practically religious respect for life and aversion to any form of birth control in tos3x17 "The Mark of Gideon". :: Parents space stereotype space Egyptians =============== :: Description Aliens with beliefs and mannerisms reminiscent of the ancient Egyptians. Example: The D’Arsay shared some remarkable similarities with the ancient Egyptians in tng7x17 "Masks". :: Parents space stereotype space Greeks ============ :: Description Aliens with beliefs and mannerisms reminiscent of the Ancient Greeks. Example: The Platonians of tos3x12 "Plato's Stepchildren" cavorted with the Greeks of old in ancient times. :: Parents space stereotype space Irish =========== :: Description Aliens with attitudes and mannerisms reminiscent of 20th century Irish stereotypes. Example: The Enterprise-D transported a group of technophobic space-colonists of Irish descent, the Bringloidi, in tng2x18 "Up The Long Ladder". :: Parents space stereotype space Jews ========== :: Description Aliens who due to their ethnicity are persecuted by space Nazis. Example: The Zeons were persecuted by Ekosians dressed in full Nazi regalia in tos2x23 "Patterns of Force". :: Parents space stereotype space Native Americans ====================== :: Description Aliens with beliefs and mannerisms reminiscent of Native Americans before the arrival of the Europeans. Example: On the planet Amerind there were people who were just like a 20th century stereotype of pre-colonial Native Americans in tos3x03 "The Paradise Syndrome". :: Parents space stereotype space Nazis =========== :: Description Aliens with attitudes and mannerisms reminiscent of World War II era Nazis. Example: The Ekosians had all the attributes and trappings of Nazis down to the persecuting of a people called the Zeons in tos2x23 "Patterns of Force". :: Parents space stereotype space Romans ============ :: Description Aliens with beliefs and mannerisms reminiscent of the the Ancient Romans. Example: The natives of planet 892-IV were just like the ancient Romans would have been if they had had 20th century technology in tos2x14 "Bread and Circuses". :: Parents space stereotype space Scottish ============== :: Description Aliens with attitudes and mannerisms reminiscent of 20th century Scottish stereotypes. Example: Beverly attended her grandmother's funeral on a planet colonized by Scottish admirers in tng7x14 "Sub Rosa". :: Parents space stereotype space Yankees ============= :: Description Aliens with attitudes and mannerisms reminiscent of 19th century North American stereotypes. Example: The Yangs of Omega IV had developed in a close parallel to Earth Yankees until they lost a biological war against the Kohms, in tos2x25 "The Omega Glory". :: Parents space stereotype space cloud life form ===================== :: Description An alien life form that exists as a gaseous cloud in outer space. :: Parents spaceborne life form space colonization ================== :: Description A sentient race spreads its civilization to other worlds. Example: The Enterprise found an Earth colony flourishing on Omicron Ceti III in tos1x25 "This Side of Paradise" in spite of lethal levels of berthold radiation on their planet. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_colonization :: Parents science fiction and fantasy theme space elevator ============== :: Description A proposed type of planet-to-space transportation system using a cable anchored to the a planetary surface that extends into space References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_elevator :: Parents mastering space space folding travel technology =============================== :: Description A spaceship, or the technology that enables a spaceship, to travel possibly vast distances by folding space is featured. :: Parents fictional apparatus space gangsters =============== :: Description Aliens with the attitudes and mannerisms of 20th century American movie gangsters. Example: The imitable natives of Sigma Iotia II had gotten hold of a 20th century Earth book about Chigago Mobs and promptly became stereotypical gangsters in tos2x20 "A Piece of the Action". :: Parents space stereotype space gun ========= :: Description Featured is a method of launching an object into space using a large gun- or cannon-like structure. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_gun :: Parents topic in science space gypsies ============= :: Description There is an alien species which is reminiscent of the gypsy stereotype in that they constitute an itinerant ethnic group that are often shunned and discriminated against. :: Parents space stereotype space hippies ============= :: Description Aliens with beliefs and mannerisms reminiscent of those weed smoking, Woodstock loving hippies. Example: Dr. Severin and his loyal disciples displayed all the ideologies and mannerisms of hippies and scolded Kirk for being a rigid narrow-minded "Herbert" in tos3x20 "The Way to Eden". :: Parents space stereotype space lepers ============ :: Description Aliens that are shunned and isolated because they carry an infectious disease. Example: A ship of Tarellians was shunned and feared by all because they were carriers of an infectious plague in tng1x11 "Haven". :: Parents space stereotype space library ============= :: Description A library placed in space to keep it safe from the various dangers, social and environmental, that constantly threaten it on a planet. Example: The Federation central library was located on a planetoid somewhere out in space. It was destroyed by the Zetarians in tos3x18 "The Lights of Zetar". :: Parents mastering space space monument ============== :: Description A monument, such as a large sculpture, in space is featured. :: Parents mastering space space paupers ============= :: Description Aliens that are poor an destitute and usually dressed in rags. :: Parents space stereotype space pirates ============= :: Description Aliens with attitudes and mannerisms reminiscent of story book pirates of the caribbean, but in space. Example: Orion space pirates hijacked a Federation cargo freighter in tas2x01 "The Pirates of Orion". Contrary to popular belief they did not appear to wield space cutlasses. :: Parents space stereotype space protozoa ============== :: Description A spaceborne alien life form with protozoan-like characteristics, such as flagella, is featured. :: Parents spaceborne life form space rednecks ============== :: Description Aliens with the attitudes and mannerism of humble but ill-educated country- folk from pre-globalization days. Example: Captain Debin chased down Thadiun Okona with all but shotgun and pitchfork in tng2x04 "The Outrageous Okona", intent upon organizing an honorable marriage for his daughter who was thought to be pregnant by Okona. :: Parents space stereotype space station ============= :: Description A spacecraft capable of supporting crewmembers, which is designed to remain in space for an extended period of time and for other spacecraft to dock is featured in a science fictional context. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_station :: Parents mastering space space stereotype ================ :: Description A alien based on a common stereotype of Earth an culture in space is featured: space hippies, space pirates, space Catholics and space Nazis to name a few. :: Parents novel alien concept space telescope =============== :: Description A powerful telescope in space, far away from atmospheric interference and other obstacles found on or around a planet. Example: The Enterprise-D was dispatched to the far-flung reaches of the galaxy to repair the Argus Array, a subspace telescope, in tng4x19 "The Nth Degree". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_telescope :: Parents mastering space space travel ============ :: Description There is crewed or uncrewed travel in a spacecraft in outer space. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_exploration :: Parents travel spaceborne life form ==================== :: Description A alien that lives mostly in outer space is featured. They are often enormous in size what with not being slaves to gravity and all. :: Parents novel alien concept spacecraft ========== :: Description A vehicle or machine designed to fly in outer space is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spacecraft :: Parents starship technology spacefaring aliens with primitive minds ======================================= :: Description Sentient aliens with primitive minds that have nonetheless achieve space- travel through means other than by their own science. Example: Geordi was held hostage by a couple of dimwitted but nevertheless spacefaring Pakled in tng2x17 "Samaritan Snare". :: Parents mentally distinguished life form spacefaring plants ================== :: Description Plants that have evolved to spread themselves to other planets, e.g., by shooting clouds of spores into space. Example: The pod plants of Omicron Ceti III had arrived after traversing space as a cloud of spores in tos1x25 "This Side of Paradise". :: Parents spaceborne life form spacesuit ========= :: Description A garment worn to keep a human alive in the harsh environment of outer space. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_suit :: Parents real gadget special relativity ================== :: Description Albert Einstein's theory regarding the relationship between space and time is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_relativity :: Parents topic in science species transmutation ===================== :: Description The practice of altering one species to become another using scientific means. :: Parents human enhancement speciesism ========== :: Description We are made to think about the assignment of different values, rights, or special consideration to individuals solely on the basis of their species membership. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speciesism :: Parents human rights speculative habitat =================== :: Description Speculative places on and off the Earth humans might one day call home. :: Parents speculative lands and worlds speculative lands and worlds ============================ :: Description There is a science fictional or fantasy world. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_universes_in_fiction :: Parents science fiction and fantasy theme speed of light limitation ========================= :: Description According to special relativity, the speed of light (c=299,792,458 meters per second) is the maximum speed at which all matter and information in the universe can travel. Example: In a rare nod to real astrophysics, Trelane actually saw the Earth as it was centuries earlier when he observed it from Gothos in tos1x18 "The Squire of Gothos". :: Parents topic in science spirit guide ============ :: Description An entity that remains as a disincarnate spirit to act as a guide or protector to a living incarnated human being is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_guide :: Parents superstition spiritual strive towards higher ideal ===================================== :: Description A character pursues a higher ideal like those of the world religions, for example the Christian salvation or the Buddhist Nirvana. :: Parents organized religion spoiled brat ============ :: Description An overindulged, pampered kid acts in a selfish and inconsiderate manner. Example: Trelane was an alien being of unimaginable power who could create planets out of thin space in tos1x18 "The Squire of Gothos", but he was also a spoiled kid of the kind who would enjoy pulling the wings off of flies. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SpoiledBrat :: Parents growing up spontaneous generation ====================== :: Description The discredited theory according to which different types of life repeatedly emerge from inanimate matter, like fleas emerging from dust, or maggots from carrion. Example: Beverly discovered that a virus, which had infected a large proportion of the Enterprise-D crew, spontaneously generated from a certain chemical when brought into contact with the lungs in tng1x14 "Angel One". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spontaneous_generation :: Parents discredited scientific theory spontaneous planetary break up ============================== :: Description A planet suddenly breaks apart and becomes rubble for no particular reason. Example: Planets in the Selcundi Drema sector were spontaneously breaking up as a result of natural geologic cataclysms in tng2x15 "Pen Pals". :: Parents force majeure existential risk sporting to promote peace ========================= :: Description The idea that international sporting events (Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, etc.) can be valuable in promoting peace between nations is featured. The "Olympic Truce" is an ancient Greek example. :: Parents diplomacy stage fright ============ :: Description A character experiences anxiety stemming from the requirement to perform in front of an audience. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stage_fright :: Parents state of mind stage magic =========== :: Description A performing art in which audiences are entertained by staged tricks or illusions of seemingly impossible feats using natural means. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_(illusion) :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities stand up comedy =============== :: Description The art of making a group of people laugh is featured. Example: Data tried to learn the art of stand-up comedy on the holodeck in tng2x04 "The Outrageous Okona" but not even the juxtaposition of female attire and an amphibian briefcase could make him laugh. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand-up_comedy :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities standing up to a boss ===================== :: Description A character confronts their boss over perceived unfair treatment. :: Parents facing general adversity standing up to a bully ====================== :: Description A character defends themself against a bully. Example: Worf stood up to his bully of a brother Kurn in tng3x17 "Sins of the Father". :: Parents facing general adversity star desert =========== :: Description A hypothetical vast region of space inside a galaxy devoid of any stars. Example: The powerful alien Trelane created the planet Gothos in the middle of a "star desert" in tos1x18 "The Squire of Gothos", in order to amuse himself. :: Parents what's out there star-crossed lovers =================== :: Description A pair of lovers whose relationship is often thwarted by outside forces is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star-crossed :: Parents romantic love starfish-like alien =================== :: Description An alien race patterned after starfish. Example: Starfish-like aliens travel to Japan in the form of Humans in Warning from Space (1956). :: Parents earth-life inspired life form starship invisibility cloak =========================== :: Description Technology that renders a spaceship invisible. :: Parents starship technology starship technology =================== :: Description An idea for how to build starships, i.e., spaceships for interstellar travel, is featured. :: Parents novel sci-fi concept starship that can fly within a sun ================================== :: Description Technology that makes it possible for a spaceship to fly intact within a sun, i.e., while being somehow shielded from the heat. Example: Equipped with Dr. Reyga’s metaphasic shield, the shuttlecraft Justman was able to fly safely through the star Vaytan’s dense and unstable Corona in tng6x22 "Suspicions". :: Parents starship technology starship that can fly within solid matter ========================================= :: Description Technology that makes it possible for a space ship to somehow fly intact through solid matter. Example: Rear Admiral Erik Pressman, Riker’s old captain, violated the Treaty of Algeron to bring such technology to the Federation in tng7x12 "The Pegasus". :: Parents starship technology stasis box ========== :: Description A box used to preserve its contents indefinitely, as if frozen in time. Example: The versatile Slaver gun had been kept safely in a stasis box for a billion years in tas1x14 "The Slaver Weapon". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stasis_(fiction) :: Parents fictional apparatus state of mind ============= :: Description A complicated internal mental state that is not described as simple emotions, i.e., disorders and the like, is featured. "Depression" and "obsession" are illustrative examples. :: Parents human personality status symbols in society ========================= :: Description The ramifications of status symbols in society are explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Status_symbol :: Parents contemporary social issue statute of limitations ====================== :: Description A statutory maximum time that may elapse between a crime and the initiation of legal proceedings for that crime is featured. Example: Did Kodos the Executioner really deserve to be persecuted 20 years after his alleged crime in tos1x12 "The Conscience of the King"? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statute_of_limitations :: Parents contemporary social issue stellar nursery =============== :: Description A vast molecular cloud inside which stars form. Example: The Enterprise-D passed through such a place in tng3x24 "Ménage à Troi" and it played hell with communications. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_formation#Stellar_nurseries :: Parents what's out there stellar rejuvenation ==================== :: Description A dying star is somehow rekindled and brought back to a more agreeable state of activity. Example: The Enterprise-D helped a scientist from Kaelon II to put new life into their fading sun in tng4x22 "Half a Life". :: Parents mastering space stepping up to the task ======================= :: Description A character makes an effort beyond what they normally would. :: Parents introspection strikes in society ================== :: Description The feature of strike action among organized worker groups in society is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strike_action :: Parents contemporary social issue struggling with a life-changing decision ======================================== :: Description A character copes with the stress and pressure that comes with making a life- changing decision. Example: Wesley struggled with whether or not to quit Starfleet Academy to go galavanting around the galaxy with his friend the Traveler in tng7x20 "Journey's End". :: Parents coping with having to do something stubbornness ============ :: Description A character is determined to do as they please, and not as others want. Example: Pulaski was intent on releasing a potentially disease infected child from its styrolite casing to conduct further testing in spite of Captain Picard's objections in tng2x07 "Unnatural Selection". References: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/stubbornness :: Parents disagreeable characteristic sub-orbital spaceflight ======================= :: Description A crewed or uncrewed spacecraft reaches outer space, but its trajectory intersects the atmosphere or surface of the gravitating body from which it was launched, so that it will not complete one orbital revolution. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sub-orbital_spaceflight :: Parents space travel subatomic bacteria ================== :: Description A non-sentient life form that is to an atom as a common bacteria is to, say, a human skin cell. Example: Both the Enterprise-D and the Klingon vessel IKS Pagh were in danger when their hulls got infested by a tritanium eating subatomic bacteria in tng2x08 "A Matter Of Honor". :: Parents parasitic life form subliminal stimuli ================== :: Description The psychological study of sensory stimuli that are below an individual's threshold for conscious perception. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subliminal_stimuli :: Parents topic in science submarine ========= :: Description A watercraft capable of independent operation underwater is featured in a manner that makes it clear it is a future technological achievement. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarine :: Parents real gadget subterranean civilization ========================= :: Description A civilization that lives underground is featured. :: Parents what if society were different subterrene ========== :: Description A vehicle that travels underground (through solid rock/soil) much as a submarine travels underwater, either by mechanical drilling or by melting its way forward, is featured in a science fictional context. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subterrene :: Parents fictional apparatus subversive life form from outer space ===================================== :: Description Aliens, creatures, or some other form of life from outer space, come along and (usually gradually) subvert the civilization on a target planet until the point where it is merely an extension of the invading life form's way of life. Example: In tng1x25 "Conspiracy", bug-like aliens from outer space subvert the higher echelons of Starfleet by secretly attaching themselves to the brain stems of its key leaders. :: Parents extraterrestrial threat succumbing to dark emotions =========================== :: Description A character is beset by dark emotions to a degree that their behavior is influenced. Example: Data suddenly became angry, spiteful and filled with hate in tng6x26 "Descent"; he succumbed and turned against his former friends. :: Parents pathological state of mind sucking up ========== :: Description Someone fawns over another in order to gain their general support or affection. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ProfessionalButtKisser :: Parents one-on-one interaction sugar addiction =============== :: Description Someone cannot cease eating or drinking sugary things in unhealthy excess. :: Parents pathological state of mind suicide bombing =============== :: Description A character, who can typically be labeled a terrorist, blows themself up while trying to do damage to their perceived enemy at the same time. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_attack :: Parents war suicide booth ============= :: Description A fictional machine for committing suicide. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_booth :: Parents fictional apparatus suicide in society ================== :: Description The social ramifications of people taking (and wishing to take) their own lives, are explored. Example: Troi investigated the suicide of Lt. Daniel Kwan, learned about another suicide long ago, and ended up nearly taking her own life in tng7x18 "Eye of the Beholder". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide :: Parents contemporary social issue sun going supernova =================== :: Description The sun to a planet enters its supernova state and civilization is fried like so many chickens. :: Parents force majeure existential risk sun gun ======= :: Description A theoretical orbital weapon, which makes use of a concave mirror mounted on a satellite, to concentrate rays from the sun on to a small area of the Earth's surface, destroying targets or killing through heat. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_gun :: Parents mastering space super accelerated Darwinian evolution ===================================== :: Description We imagine what the world would be like if some beings in it "evolved" at a much accelerated rate. :: Parents alternate laws of nature super growth serum ================== :: Description A serum that when administered to living organisms makes them grow to much larger than their ordinary proportions. :: Parents human enhancement super high-yield grain ====================== :: Description A grain that has been genetically engineered to yield much more usable food than its original. This was sci-fi in the 60s. A gene modified plant (antibiotic-resistant tobacco) was first developed in 1982. Example: Quadrotriticale was a high-yield genetically modified grain, and the only Earth grain that could grow on Sherman’s Planet, in tos2x13 "The Trouble with Tribbles". :: Parents real gadget super spy pen ============= :: Description A pen-like device used to make all sorts of things happen at the push of a button. Example: Agent Gary Seven used such a pen to save the Earth from nuclear holocaust in tos2x26 "Assignment: Earth". :: Parents fictional apparatus superior life form ================== :: Description An alien with for us unfathomable capabilities that more often than not seem like magic. Incorporeal and god-like aliens belong here. :: Parents novel alien concept supernatural forces =================== :: Description The idea that magic is literally possible is broached. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supernatural :: Parents life lesson supernova ========= :: Description A giant exploding star. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supernova :: Parents what's out there superstition ============ :: Description Beliefs that are neither rational nor fall within the typical framework of organized religious activity. They range from faith healing to spirit worship. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstition :: Parents the domain of faith suppressed emotion ================== :: Description A character suppresses strong emotions and suffers the consequences that come thereof. :: Parents pathological state of mind suppressed memories =================== :: Description A character is found to have suppressed uncomfortable memories. Example: Riker was found to have suppressed the memory of a vivisection in which his arm was severed in tng6x05 "Schisms". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repressed_memory :: Parents pathological state of mind suppression of a technology to preserve an industry =================================================== :: Description The following social problem is featured: People with vested interests try to suppress new technology in order to preserve the potentially antiquated industry they have shares in. :: Parents contemporary social issue surface-to-air missile ====================== :: Description A missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles is featured in a science fictional context. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface-to-air_missile :: Parents real gadget surprise ======== :: Description A character exhibits a feeling of mild astonishment stemming from the experiencing of something unexpected. This is a stronger version of the theme "distraction", but not so strong as the theme "amazement". Example: Captain Kirk was somewhat taken aback to hear that Spock's brain had been stolen in tos3x06 "Spock's Brain". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surprise_(emotion) :: Parents pleasant emotion surprise war ============ :: Description A faction is unexpectedly attacked by another faction that they were and expected to be at peace with. :: Parents war survival ======== :: Description A character faces a situation where their life itself is at stake. :: Parents facing adversity survival of one's species ========================= :: Description A character learns what it is like to fight for the survival of the last remnants of their entire race. :: Parents survival surviving an existential risk ============================= :: Description A character learns what it is like to have barely survived a cataclysmic event that could have wiped out their entire race. :: Parents survival survivor guilt ============== :: Description Someone has strong feelings of guilt associated with surviving an event in which others perished. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivor_guilt :: Parents pathological state of mind suspended animation =================== :: Description Technology that can considerably slow basic life processes, e.g., breathing or a heartbeat, in a manner that allows for subjects to be later revived. Example: Kamala the Metamorph was kept in a stasis device so that she wouldn’t upset the crew with her erotic powers in tng5x21 "The Perfect Mate". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspended_animation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stasis_(fiction) :: Parents human enhancement swallowing one's pride ====================== :: Description A character acknowledges their instinctive feelings of pride but consciously strives not to be arrogant. :: Parents introspection symbiogenesis ============= :: Description The evolutionary theory of the origin of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic organisms holding that the organelles distinguishing eukaryote cells evolved through symbiosis of individual single-celled prokaryotes. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbiogenesis :: Parents topic in science symbiosis ========= :: Description A mutually beneficial and often long-term interaction between different biological species. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbiosis :: Parents topic in science symbiotic alien =============== :: Description A sentient species that lives in a close interdependent relationship with an entirely different species. Both receive some benefit from the arrangement which would otherwise be called parasitic. Example: The humanoid Trill Odan was found to to have a bug-like symbiont inside his body In tng5x24 "The Host". :: Parents biologically distinguished life form symbolism ========= :: Description The idea of how various symbols can represent complex ideas is illustrated. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolism_(arts) :: Parents problem of language and meaning sympathetic magic ================= :: Description There is a kind of supposed magic that involves effigies and images of a target, e.g., voodoo dolls and the like. Example: Extradimensional aliens found memories of such things in the human subconsciousness and used the knowledge scare Captain Kirk and his crew in tos2x01 "Catspaw". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sympathetic_magic :: Parents superstition table manners ============= :: Description The importance of, for example, not tearing into a bloody steak with your bare hands in polite company is featured. Example: Captain Kirk gave Elaan, the Dohlman of Elas, a lesson in table manners in tos3x02 "Elaan of Troyius". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_manners :: Parents manners take-you-anywhere gateway ========================= :: Description A portal-like device which can let you pass through it in order to appear anywhere else in the universe. :: Parents space travel, fictional apparatus taking control of one's fears ============================= :: Description A character looks inwards to understand and take control of their own fears so as not to act irrationally because of them. :: Parents introspection taking responsibility for one's actions ======================================= :: Description A character is honest about negative consequences of their actions, as opposed to engaging in self-deception. :: Parents introspection taking the law into one's own hands =================================== :: Description A character can’t wait for law-enforcement and instead takes matters into their own hand by, e.g., tracking down and killing criminals. :: Parents conflict of duty talking someone out of suicide ============================== :: Description A character is about to commit suicide and someone else tries to talk them out of it. :: Parents one-on-one interaction tap dancing =========== :: Description The art of punishing parquetry using wooden shoes is featured. Example: Beverly "the dancing doctor" put her tap dancing skills on display in tng4x11 "Data's Day". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tap_dance :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities tardiness ========= :: Description A character is conspicuously late for a scheduled activity. Example: Wesley dozed off in the science lab and was subsequently late for duty in tng3x01 "Evolution". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tardiness :: Parents disagreeable characteristic teaching children about death ============================= :: Description A character, typically a parent, struggles with how to explain death and dying to a child. :: Parents parenting teen romance ============ :: Description Young characters engage in romantic relationships, typically for their first time. :: Parents romantic relationship teenage angst ============= :: Description A teenager feels anxious about fitting in and being misunderstood as teenagers so often do. :: Parents growing up telekinesis =========== :: Description A character is thought to be able to manipulate objects at a distance, using only the power of their mind. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychokinesis :: Parents superstition telepathic alien ================ :: Description An alien that communicates telepathically with or read the thoughts of others. :: Parents mentally distinguished life form telepathic memory transfer ========================== :: Description Memories are transferred from mind to mind via telepathy instead of, say, spoken communication. :: Parents alternate laws of nature telepathically linked aliens ============================ :: Description Aliens that link with each other in semi-permanent telepathic communication. :: Parents mentally distinguished life form teleportation device ==================== :: Description A device used to move people and objects over vast distances by transforming matter into energy and the reconstituting the matter at the destination. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teleportation http://tvtropes.org/pm wiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Teleportation?from=Main.TeleportersAndTransporters :: Parents space travel, fictional apparatus teleportation phobia ==================== :: Description A character exhibits an irrational fear of being physically disintegrated and then reconstituted at a remote location. Example: Barclay was diagnosed with this condition in tng6x02 "Realm of Fear". :: Parents space travel, pathological state of mind temperance ========== :: Description A character abstains from hedonism and seems like a pretty ascetic fellow, choosing a straightforward and simple lifestyle. Example: Robert Picard, the elder brother of Jean-Luc Picard, was a man of moderation. In tng4x02 "Family" it was revealed that Robert would not even allow food replicators in his home. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperance_(virtue) :: Parents heavenly virtue terraformed planet ================== :: Description The climate and environment on a planet is engineered to make it more Earth- like. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terraforming :: Parents space colonization terraforming ============ :: Description The scientific study of methods by which another planet can be made more Earth-like. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terraforming :: Parents scientific discipline terror ====== :: Description A character experiences "fear" to the point of panic, i.e., they freeze up or otherwise loose control of themself. Example: Ensign Haskell died of sheer terror in tng2x02 "Where Silence Has Lease". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear :: Parents unpleasant emotion terrorism ========= :: Description Attacks are characterized as "terrorism" by others. There is no objective definition, but the attacks typically target civilians and the attacker is not a conventional military carrying out normal war operations. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism :: Parents war terrorism in society ==================== :: Description We are made to ponder how society reacts to and confronts terrorist threats, for example from political dissidents or religious zealots. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism :: Parents contemporary social issue terrorist or freedom fighter ============================ :: Description We are shown that a group that is seen as vicious terrorists by some may well be seen as heroic freedom fighters by others. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/YourTerroristsAreOurFreedomFighters :: Parents views and customs test of love ============ :: Description One character is concerned about whether their romantic partner really loves them and does something in order to test this. Example: In futurama3x06 "Bendless Love", Bender wonders whether Angelyne is really in love with him. To find this out he seduces her in the guise of her ex-husband, Flexo, and is upset to find that she falls for him. :: Parents romantic relationship test of loyalty =============== :: Description A commander is unsure of their subordinate’s loyalty and arranges a temptation to see whether they will commit treason or not. Example: Romulans tested their commander Jarok’s loyalty by enticing him to defect to the Federation in tng3x10 "The Defector". Jarok was so upset he ingested a felodesine chip to kill himself. :: Parents the art of war the AI singularity ================== :: Description The idea that at some point AI will become more advanced than humans. Then they will accelerate the development of even more advanced AI, and so on ad infinitum. The result will be completely unpredictable and may make humans obsolete in the wink of an eye, goes the thinking. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_singularity :: Parents man-made existential risk the Aztec gods ============== :: Description The pantheon of gods worshiped in the Mesoamerican religion of the Aztecs. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aztec_religion :: Parents organized religion the British Raj =============== :: Description The British Raj was the rule by the British Crown in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Raj :: Parents history the Christ story ================ :: Description The story of Jesus is discussed from a historical point of view. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus :: Parents history the Cold War ============ :: Description A state of geopolitical tension after World War II between powers in the Eastern Bloc (the Soviet Union and its satellite states) and powers in the Western Bloc (the United States, its NATO allies and others). References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_War :: Parents history the Egyptian gods ================= :: Description The pantheon worshipped by the ancient Egyptians some 3000 years ago. Example: Though not known to be connected, the culture and mythology of the D’Arsay was just like that of ancient Egypt in tng7x17 "Masks". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_deities :: Parents organized religion the French Resistance ===================== :: Description A collection of French movements that fought against the Nazi German occupation of France and against the collaborationist Vichy régime during the Second World War :: Parents World War II the Greek gods ============== :: Description The pantheon of gods worshipped by the ancient Greeks some 2500 years ago. Example: Greek God Apollo appeared in tos2x04 "Who Mourns for Adonais?". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Greek_mythological_figures :: Parents organized religion the Greek gods were really aliens ================================= :: Description The crackpot notion that the Greek gods actually existed along side humans in Ancient Greece, but that they were aliens. Example: The alien Apollo revealed himself to have been the Apollo of the Ancient Greeks to the Enterprise crew in tos2x04 "Who Mourns for Adonis?". :: Parents crackpot theory the Holocaust ============= :: Description The systematic murder of six million Jews perpetrated by Adolf Hitler of Germany in the early 1940s is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holocaust :: Parents history the Internet ============ :: Description The Internet is the global system of interconnected computer networks that use the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to link devices worldwide. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet :: Parents topic in technology the Internet in society ======================= :: Description This is the global system of interconnected computer networks that has become transformational and ushered in what some people call a new age. The various ways in which it affects society is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet :: Parents contemporary social issue the Mayan gods ============== :: Description The pantheon of gods worshipped by the classic or post-classic Mayans some 1000-2000 years ago. Example: Mayan God Kulkulkan appeared in tas2x05 "How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Maya_gods_and_supernatural_beings :: Parents organized religion the Mayan gods were really aliens ================================= :: Description The crackpot notion that the Mayan gods actually existed along side the Ancient Mayans, but they were aliens. Example: Kulkulkan revealed itself to have been the Ancient Mayan god of the same name to the Enterprise crew in tas2x05 "How Sharper Than a Serpant's Tooth". :: Parents crackpot theory the Mesopotamian gods ===================== :: Description The pantheon of gods worshiped by the Ancient Mesopotamians. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumerian_religion :: Parents organized religion the Nazi stereotype =================== :: Description A stereotypically Nazi character is featured. This typically involves military fatigues with Swastikas, hatred for other races, admiration for a strong leader, glorification of violence, sadism, etc. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazism :: Parents history the October Revolution ====================== :: Description Featured is the revolution in Russia led by the Bolsheviks and Vladimir Lenin that was instrumental in the larger Russian Revolution of 1917. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_Revolution :: Parents history the Roman gods ============== :: Description The pantheon of Gods worshipped by the ancient Romans some 2000 years ago. Example: Unsurprisingly in light of Hodkin’s Law of Parallel Planetary Development, these gods were also worshiped by the Space Romans of planet 892-IV in tos2x14 "Bread and Circuses". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Roman_deities :: Parents organized religion the Turing test =============== :: Description An idea famously suggested by Allan Turing that when AI can fool humans, they will indeed by intelligent. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_test :: Parents topic in science the admiration for strength =========================== :: Description The human tendency to fawn over strong and powerful beings (or things) is featured. :: Parents human nature the afterlife ============= :: Description The idea that we somehow continue to exist in spirit after we die is discussed. Example: Ro and Geordi thought they might have died and become wandering spirits in tng5x24 "The Next Phase", before finding out that they had merely been phase shifted. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife :: Parents organized religion the art of blowing one's nose ============================= :: Description The proper techniques and etiquette for blowing one's nose are featured. :: Parents human nature the art of boxing ================= :: Description The means and methods by which one may prevail in a fist-fight are discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxing :: Parents the art of war the art of entrepreneurship =========================== :: Description The art of launching a business and engaging in economical activity is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrepreneurship :: Parents human nature the art of flattery =================== :: Description How and why we feel flattered is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flattery :: Parents human nature the art of hand-to-hand combat ============================== :: Description The means and methods by which one may overcome a foe in unarmed combat are discussed. :: Parents the art of war the art of salesmanship ======================= :: Description The many ways by which a prospective customer can be enticed to make a trade are discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales :: Parents human nature the art of smalltalk ==================== :: Description The human tendency to sometimes engage in mostly meaningless and idle chit- chat is featured. Example: Data studied the master of smalltalk Calvin "Hutch" Hutchinson in tng6x18 "Starship Mine". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_talk :: Parents human nature the art of war ============== :: Description The best ways to conduct fights and warfare are discussed. Humanity should be embarrassed that this is such a large theme group. :: Parents the domain of reason the ascent of man ================= :: Description Man's development from pre-historical primate through various stages of civilization, cultural and scientific development through to our present state is featured more or less in the whole. :: Parents history the battle of the sexes ======================= :: Description A debate and struggle for supremacy between the male gender and the female gender is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Sexes :: Parents gender issue the beauty of nature ==================== :: Description The human susceptibility for taking satisfaction in scenes of serene natural beauty is shown. Example: The whole crew in turns got to admire the beauty of the magical amusement planet now known as the "Shore Leave Planet" in tos1x17 "Shore Leave". :: Parents human pleasure the big bang ============ :: Description The Big Bang theory of the origin of the universe is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bang :: Parents topic in science the biology of high yield grain =============================== :: Description High-yield grain is any variety of ordinary grain that has been bred, genetically modified, or fertilized to increase yield amounts. Example: Quadrotriticale was a genetically engineered hybrid of wheat and rye developed in 20th century Canada and a favorite food of tribbles in tos2x13 "The Trouble with Tribbles". :: Parents topic in technology the birds and the bees ====================== :: Description A parent struggles to explain sex to their child. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_birds_and_the_bees http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheTalk :: Parents parenting the boogeyman ============= :: Description A mythical creature used by adults to frighten children into good behavior is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogeyman :: Parents superstition the bureaucrat at command ========================= :: Description A paper-pusher with little practical experience of how things are done is suddenly in command of a group in the field. Example: When Captain Kirk started to loose his wits due to rapid aging, Commodore George Stocker took command of the Enterprise in tos2x11 "The Deadly Years" but not having any field experience he of course made a mess of it. :: Parents group interaction the butterfly effect ==================== :: Description The notion that a small change in the initial conditions of a system can result in large differences in a later state. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_effect :: Parents topic in science the calculus of human life ========================== :: Description When someone has a calculated life-and-death decision to make, such as: saving two moderately close friends with 50% probability vs. saving a dozen perfect strangers with 60% probability. The details spelled out here for illustration are typically left ambiguous in real stories. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma the chemistry of gunpowder ========================== :: Description Gunpowder is a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate (saltpeter) with the sulfur and charcoal acting as fuels, while the saltpeter functions as an oxidizer. Example: Captain Kirk knew this well and used the knowledge to defeat his Gorn enemy in the legendary fight to the death in tos1x19 "Arena". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunpowder :: Parents topic in technology the control of fire =================== :: Description The control of fire by early humans is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_of_fire_by_early_humans :: Parents topic in technology the dangers of blind obedience ============================== :: Description We are shown why having people follow orders unquestioningly might not be a good thing. :: Parents contemporary social issue the dangers of circumstantial evidence ====================================== :: Description The social consequences of the human weakness for sometimes putting undue weight on circumstantial evidence is featured. Circumstantial evidence is evidence that relies on an inference to connect it to a conclusion of fact. This is to say that the conclusion does not follow with 100% certainty; correctly gauging the degree of justified certainty may require careful weighting of probabilities beyond what many people are capable of. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumstantial_evidence :: Parents contemporary social issue the dangers of radioactivity ============================ :: Description The adverse health effects of exposure to radiation are featured. Example: Little Willie Harding passed away from radiation poisoning after having been exposed to a natural source of radioactivity on the Scottish mores in "X the Unknown" (1956). :: Parents contemporary social issue the dangers of sending information out into space ================================================= :: Description The potentially adverse consequences of sending messages or space probes etc. out into space are discussed. One idea is that they may alert an advanced and hostile alien species to our existence. :: Parents topic in science the dangers of smoking ====================== :: Description The adverse health effects of smoking tobacco are featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_tobacco :: Parents contemporary social issue the dangers of unchecked ambition ================================= :: Description The adverse effects to society of ambition left unchecked are explored, for example, Napoleon and the Napoleonic Wars. :: Parents contemporary social issue the dangers of unfettered scientific advancement ================================================ :: Description The dangers of scientific experiments going out of control with disastrous consequences for society, or the results of scientific discovery being used for mass destruction, are explored. :: Parents contemporary social issue the dangers of wishful thinking =============================== :: Description A character allows their actions to be unduly influenced by what they desire rather than what is reality, and something bad happens as a consequence. :: Parents life lesson the deadly sins =============== :: Description The seven (or thereabouts) deadly sins from Christian mythology are featured more or less explicitly. :: Parents organized religion the decision to have a child ============================ :: Description A character deliberates over whether or not to bring a child into the world. :: Parents parenting the desire for fame =================== :: Description A character manifests a strong desire to become famous. :: Parents human aspiration the desire for glory ==================== :: Description A character wants nothing better than to become famous for great and grand achievements such as the vanquishing of foes. :: Parents human aspiration the desire for glory in battle ============================== :: Description A character manifests a strong desire to become famous for having performed great feats in battle. :: Parents human aspiration the desire for justice ====================== :: Description A character seeks righteous, and typically lawful, vengeance upon some miscreant. Example: Riker and his team wanted to bring Captain Picard’s presumed murderers to justice in tng7x04 "Gambit, Part I". :: Parents human aspiration the desire for personal development =================================== :: Description A character wants nothing better than to improve on their own competences and character. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_development :: Parents human aspiration the desire for prestige ======================= :: Description A character wants nothing better than to become pre-eminently respected in their community. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reputation :: Parents human aspiration the desire for redemption ========================= :: Description A character seeks to make up for past misdeeds and gain forgiveness. Example: Worf and his brother Kurn together sought redemption for the father's soiled reputation in tng4x26 "Redemption" and again in tng5x01 "Redemption, Part II". :: Parents human aspiration the desire for vengeance ======================== :: Description A character seeks vengeance over a perceived injury or wrong. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revenge :: Parents human aspiration the desire to advance one's career ================================== :: Description A character seeks ever further promotion, influence, rank, and salary at work. :: Parents human aspiration the desire to be beautiful ========================== :: Description A character wants nothing less than to look good. :: Parents human aspiration the desire to be liked ====================== :: Description A character manifests a wish to be liked by someone else they care about. :: Parents human aspiration the desire to be worshiped ========================== :: Description A character wants nothing less than for others to worship them like a god. Example: The alien Apollo craved worshipers in tos2x04 "Who Mourns for Adonais?". :: Parents human aspiration the desire to have followers ============================ :: Description A character manifests a strong desire to have a following to call their own. :: Parents human aspiration the desire to pursue one's dream ================================ :: Description A character has wishes to pursue unusual or fanciful ambitions that most people typically do not spend their lives persuing. :: Parents human aspiration the desire to repay one's debts =============================== :: Description A character manifests a strong desire to repay something, typically money or a favor, that they feel they own to someone else. :: Parents human aspiration the devil ========= :: Description A being of pure evil that is posited by some religions, i.e., the antithesis of the Christian God. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil :: Parents organized religion the devil was really an alien ============================= :: Description The crackpot notion that the devil of Judeo-Christian lore is really an alien. Example: Lucien, a friendly alien from the magical world of Megas-Tu, was revealed to have been known as Lucifer on Earth millennia ago in tas1x08 "The Magicks of Megas-tu". :: Parents crackpot theory the difficulty of picking a name ================================ :: Description A character experiences the trials and tribulations that come with choosing a name for either themself or another. :: Parents life choice the domain of faith =================== :: Description A belief that is held to be a matter of instinct or revelation and not subject to rational inquiry by arrogant scientists is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belief :: Parents the pursuit of knowledge the domain of reason ==================== :: Description The investigation of how the world works by means of logic and the scientific method, i.e., observation and experimentation, is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reason :: Parents the pursuit of knowledge the end justifies the means =========================== :: Description The following dilemma is illustrated: Can wicked policies, such as oppression, lead to socially good outcomes? Are the policies morally justified if so? :: Parents social ethical dilemma the end of the world ==================== :: Description A religious doctrine that predicates the end of all material things for one reason or another is featured. Example: The people of Ventax II thought the prophesied end was neigh when their devil seemed to appear in the flesh in tng4x13 "Devil's Due". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/End_time :: Parents organized religion the enemy of my enemy is my friend ================================== :: Description A character comes to learn that the enemy of their enemy is their friend - or perhaps not. :: Parents life lesson the enigma cipher ================= :: Description A series of electro-mechanical rotor cipher machines developed and used in the early- to mid-20th century to protect commercial, diplomatic and military communication. The system was famously used by Germany during WW2 and cracked by Alan Turing and others, with resounding military implications. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enigma_machine :: Parents history the ethics of interfering in less advanced societies ==================================================== :: Description The ethical question of whether and to what extent it is morally acceptable for an advanced society to interfere in the everyday life and development of a less advanced society is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Directive :: Parents the ethics of interfering in the internal affairs of other powers the ethics of interfering in the internal affairs of other powers ================================================================= :: Description The ethical justifications for supporting or opposing one political entity intervening in the affairs of another nation as part of its foreign policy are explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interventionism_(politics)#Foreign_i nterventionism :: Parents social ethical dilemma the ethics of killing in self-defense ===================================== :: Description The question of how killing in self-defense can or cannot be justified is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justifiable_homicide :: Parents ethics the ethics of valuing human lives ================================= :: Description How we can come to terms with the fact that sometimes some people’s lives may be more important to preserve than others’ is discussed. :: Parents ethics the fine arts and the humanities ================================ :: Description Art forms or the study of human society is featured. They range from painting to tap dancing, from calligraphy to stand up comedy, and from rhetoric to anthropology. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fine_art https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanities :: Parents the domain of reason the flip side of a promotion ============================ :: Description A character gets a promotion and learns that various problems can come with the broadened responsibilities. :: Parents life lesson the flip side of immortality ============================ :: Description A character lives so long that they start to see the downsides to "immortality", i.e., the boredom and lack of purpose. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/WhoWantsToLiveForever https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immortality_in_fiction :: Parents life lesson the flip side of success ======================== :: Description A character discovers that becoming successful brings with it drawbacks, for example they might become lonely and isolated or stressed out. :: Parents life lesson the four elements ================= :: Description An antiquated theory advanced by the ancient Greeks that earth, water, air, and fire are the fundamental constituents of all matter. Example: Data debunked this theory in front of a classroom of Barkonian kids in tng7x16 "Thine Own Self" to their teacher's chagrin. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_element :: Parents discredited scientific theory the fulfillment of prophesy =========================== :: Description The idea that the divinely inspired prognostications of holy prophets are on the verge of coming to fruition. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophecy :: Parents organized religion the function of a surprise party ================================ :: Description The reasons why surprise parties constitute an important part of social life are explored. :: Parents human nature the genius was really a time traveler ===================================== :: Description The crackpot theory that genius is attributable to time travelers returning to the past equipped with future ideas. :: Parents time travel, crackpot theory the ghost was really an alien ============================= :: Description The crackpot speculation that ghosts are actually aliens. Example: Beverly’s ghost-like lover Ronin turned out to be just another nefarious alien in tng7x04 "Sub Rosa". :: Parents crackpot theory the good of the many vs. the needs of the few ============================================= :: Description The following kind of dilemma is illustrated: In choosing between two incompatible policies, if one is somewhat beneficial to a large number of people while the other is many times more important to a smaller number of people, how do we decide which is morally preferable? :: Parents social ethical dilemma the greatest among us is the smallest in another world ====================================================== :: Description We are shown that the famous people we may admire and worship are only "great" on a very limited human scale. In the larger scheme of things none of us stands out all that much from the rest. Example: Captain Kirk and his crew were harassed by an alien with unimaginable powers until its parents appeared in tos1x18 "The Squire of Gothos". :: Parents views and customs the greenhouse effect ===================== :: Description Certain gasses in the Earth's atmosphere (e.g. carbon dioxide) trap heat from the sun, making the planet hotter than it would be otherwise. Example: Global warming is normally viewed as a bad thing, but when Penthara IV got hit by a type C asteroid in tng5x09 "A Matter of Time", a dose of the greenhouse effect was in fact the prescribed cure. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_effect :: Parents topic in science the hippie movement =================== :: Description We are asked what we think of the trappings and ideologies of the movement that started among young people now known as "Hippies" in the 60s in the USA. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_hippie_movement :: Parents past and present moral controversy the holy chalice ================ :: Description A mythological artifact within the Christian religion that has been at the center of countless stories over the centuries. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Chalice :: Parents organized religion the horrors of war ================== :: Description The terrible impact war has on ordinary people is featured. :: Parents war the human capacity for good and evil ==================================== :: Description An examination of the duality of human nature, usually expressed as an inner struggle between good and evil is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_and_evil :: Parents human nature the human condition =================== :: Description One of the four top theme categories: "The Human Condition" themes illustrate the experience of being uniquely human (or something vaguely humanoid or an android etc.). These are themes about wants, needs, emotions, relationships; about what we want in life, the challenges we have to face and the hardships we endure. :: Parents the human mind and big numbers ============================== :: Description The problem our brain has with comprehending very large numbers is featured. How does the radius of the universe compare with, say, the length of your nose? Example: Spock pointed out in tos2x19 "The Immunity Syndrome" how the human mind finds it easier to understand the death of one than the death of a million. :: Parents human nature the importance of firepower =========================== :: Description The simple fact that pure firepower is important to the outcome of conflict is highlighted. :: Parents the art of war the importance of not displaying weakness ========================================= :: Description The ramifications of displaying weakness in front of one’s enemy is featured. Example: Spcok argued rationally for attack in tos1x08 "Balance of Terror", because anything else would be a sign of weakness. :: Parents the art of war the importance of patience in communication =========================================== :: Description It is illustrated that impatience can be an impediment to good communication. Example: Thanks to the patient persistence of Captain Dathon in tng5x02 "Darmok", Captain Picard finally gained the ability to communicate with the Children of Tama. :: Parents life lesson the importance of punctuality ============================= :: Description A character causes trouble and discord by not keeping their appointments. Example: The Tholians were renown for their punctuality in tos3x09 "The Tholian Web". :: Parents group interaction the importance of remembering history ===================================== :: Description The importance to a well-functioning society of remembering history is featured. :: Parents contemporary social issue the importance of reputation ============================ :: Description The fact that one's reputation is of vital importance to one's well being is highlighted. :: Parents life lesson the indignities of flesh ======================== :: Description The story comments on what a poor disgusting thing the human body is, usually as seen from the point of view of a hypothetical artificial being. :: Parents human nature the instinct for violence ========================= :: Description The all too familiar human penchant for violence is discussed. Example: The Melkotians deplored the human instinct for violence and sought to turn it against the Enterprise crew in tos3x01 "Spectre of the Gun". :: Parents human nature the joys of love ================ :: Description The ephemeral feelings of euphoria that sometimes comes to those who fall joyfully and blissfully in love are featured. Example: McCoy summed up the ecstasies, miseries, and "glorious victories" of love to Spock in tos3x21 "Requiem for Methuselah". :: Parents human pleasure the killing of animals ====================== :: Description We are asked to what extent, if any, it is acceptable to kill other animals for food or sport. References: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/animals/using/eating_1.shtml :: Parents past and present moral controversy the letter of the law vs. the spirit of the law =============================================== :: Description The following dilemma is illustrated: Language and writing is fallible and there is always ambiguity and room for misunderstanding. So to what extent should the law be obeyed to the letter, and to what extent should we instead look to the intent of the legislators and, ultimately, our own sense of right and wring? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_and_spirit_of_the_law :: Parents social ethical dilemma the life of a friend vs. the lives of many ========================================== :: Description A character must choose between the life and/or well being of a close friend on one hand, and the lives and/or well being of a group of other people on the other. Example: Captain Picard was in a crux when Natasha Yar got abducted by ebony skinned aliens who held a desperately needed vaccine in tng1x04 "Code of Honor". :: Parents personal ethical dilemma the life of a loved one vs. the good of humanity ================================================ :: Description A character must choose between the life of a loved one on one hand, and a general good, such as a cure for cancer, on the other. Example: Captain Kirk had to let his lover Edith Keeler die in order to restore the timeline in tos1x28 "The City on the Edge of Forever". :: Parents personal ethical dilemma the limits of language ====================== :: Description The idea that language is not always up to the task of accurately expressing thoughts and notions on one hand, or objective reality on the other, is expressed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_language :: Parents problem of language and meaning the limits of science ===================== :: Description The empirical limits of science in regard to limits of human ability to inquire and answer questions about phenomena. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empirical_limits_in_science :: Parents metaphysics the logic of reverse psychology =============================== :: Description The psychology behind the advocacy of one course of action in such a way as to persuade someone to take an opposite course. Example: Data contemplated the use of reverse psychology to persuade the colonists of Tau Cygna V to evacuate before the Sheliak arrived in tng3x02 "The Ensigns of Command". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_psychology :: Parents topic in science the lust for gold ================= :: Description A character wants nothing better than to acquire more money and possessions. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greed :: Parents human aspiration the lust for power ================== :: Description A character seeks ever more influence in society and the means to make people do their bidding. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AmbitionIsEvil :: Parents human aspiration the making of a monster to society ================================== :: Description The social factors involved in the development of a psychopathic criminal are explored. Example: Armus became a being of pure evil when the Titans left him behind in tng1x23 "Skin of Evil". :: Parents contemporary social issue the meaning of life =================== :: Description Questions about the significance of living or existence in general are discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meaning_of_life :: Parents human nature the mechanics of firearms ========================= :: Description Typically, the pulling of a trigger causes a hammer to snap forward and trigger an explosion (of some sort) that propels a bullet out from an elongated metal barrel at high velocity and in the direction of a designated target. Example: The Klingons supplied primitive townspeople on planet Neural with increasingly advanced firearms with which to wage war against the local hill people in tos2x16 "A Private Little War". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firearm :: Parents topic in technology the millennium shift ==================== :: Description One or more topics, for example the Y2K bug scare or the general excitement, that are connected to the shift from the 2nd to the 3rd millennium in the Gregorian calendar, are featured. :: Parents history the morality of colonization ============================ :: Description We are asked when and to what extent it is acceptable to colonize another land and bring your own culture there, perhaps displacing indigenous inhabitants and surely having some impact on the environment. Example: The Federation was preparing a seemingly lifeless planet for colonization in tng1x18 "Home Soil", but it turns out that it harbored a really unusual form of life. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonization :: Parents past and present moral controversy the morality of human cloning ============================= :: Description We are asked to what extent, if any, the cloning of human beings is acceptable. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_cloning :: Parents past and present moral controversy the nature of animal instincts in humans ======================================== :: Description Those ancient instincts that are deeply rooted in the reptile core of our brains are discussed. They typically involve aggression, survival, and reproduction. Example: Suppressed animal instincts come to the surface as the crew begins to de-evolve in tng7x19 "Genesis". :: Parents human nature the nature of being sick ======================== :: Description We are shown what it is like to be sick through the eyes of a character experiencing illness. :: Parents human nature the nature of children ====================== :: Description What children’s innate attributes and behaviors are is discussed. Example: Earth Two was populated wholly by child Onlies in tos1x11 "Miri" as all the adults had succumbed to a disease. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child :: Parents human nature the nature of creativity ======================== :: Description It is discussed what precisely human "creativity" is and from whence it comes. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creativity :: Parents metaphysics the nature of cuteness ====================== :: Description The question of what "cuteness" really is, is discussed. Why do we call some things "cute"? Example: McCoy pondered what it is that attracts us to cute little Tribbles in tos2x13 "The Trouble with Tribbles". :: Parents aesthetics the nature of death =================== :: Description Existential questions about the end of life are discussed. Example: The immortal alien being Nagilum killed Enterprise-D crew in order to understand the nature of this whole dying business in tng2x02 "Where Silence Has Lease". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuteness :: Parents human nature the nature of decision making ============================= :: Description The cognitive process resulting in the selection of a belief or a course of action among several alternative possibilities is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decision-making :: Parents human nature the nature of fear ================== :: Description The experience of fear and its root causes is discussed. :: Parents human nature the nature of friendship ======================== :: Description How friendships work, end, or come about is discussed. Example: Data the emotionless android emphatically explained the essentials of friendship to Ishara in tng4x06 "Legacy". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friendship :: Parents human nature the nature of grief =================== :: Description The emotion of grief and associated activities are pondered. Example: Captain Picard explained how grief is a natural part of the human life cycle to an incorporeal alien in tng3x05 "The Bonding". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_and_evil :: Parents human nature the nature of human courtship ============================= :: Description The complex ins and outs (no pun intended) of human mating rituals are discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtship :: Parents human nature the nature of human emotions ============================ :: Description What emotions are and what they mean to us is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotion :: Parents human nature the nature of human perception of time ====================================== :: Description How we sense and think of time is discussed. Example: Data put the aphorism "a watched pot never boils" to the test in tng6x25 "Timescape". :: Parents human nature the nature of humor =================== :: Description What it means to leave people in stitches is pondered. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humour :: Parents human nature the nature of individuality =========================== :: Description What it is that distinguishes us as individuals from other people in the mass of humanity, is pondered. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individual :: Parents human nature the nature of love ================== :: Description The emotion of love and associated activities are pondered. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love :: Parents human nature the nature of meditation ======================== :: Description The experience and/or value of meditation is discussed. :: Parents human nature the nature of memory ==================== :: Description The definition for, and workings of, human memory is discussed. Example: Telepathic aliens studied memory and the subconscious in tng5x12 "Violations". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory :: Parents metaphysics the nature of nightmares ======================== :: Description Peoples' nightmares and people having nightmares is featured in detail. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightmare :: Parents human nature the nature of persuasion ======================== :: Description The ways by which we sway each others’ opinions are pondered. Example: Expert negotiator Ral soliloquize about this in tng3x08 "The Price". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persuasion :: Parents human nature the nature of reality ===================== :: Description The fundamental philosophical question of "what is real" is discussed. Might everything we perceive be an illusion or is there something we can identify as certainly real? Example: Living out a life as a villager named Karmin on the planet Kataan felt very real to Captain Picard in tng5x25 "The Inner Light", but in reality it was all an elaborate fiction produced by an alien probe. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality :: Parents metaphysics the nature of sentience ======================= :: Description The definition of sentience is discussed. Here as in most sci-fi the word "sentient" is taken to mean intelligent and self-aware. That, however, still leaves much to be questioned. Example: how could Picard tell whether he was transported to an alternate world or whether he was just crazy References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentience :: Parents metaphysics the nature of sneezing ====================== :: Description The deep and profound mysteries of the sneeze are examined. Example: Wesley stumbled on Data practicing his artificial sneezing in tng1x13 "Datalore". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sneeze :: Parents human nature the nature of taste =================== :: Description The nature of gustatory taste is discussed (as opposed to, for example, taste in art). Example: Q and Data discussed that human habit of eating in tng3x13 "Deja Q". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taste :: Parents aesthetics the nature of the senses ======================== :: Description What our senses are and how they work is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sense :: Parents human nature the nature of the subconscious ============================== :: Description The workings of the subconscious mind is explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subconscious :: Parents human nature the need for a challenge in life ================================ :: Description It is suggested that humans, in order to feel fulfilled, need some kind of long term challenge to overcome. :: Parents human need the need for a purpose in life ============================== :: Description It is suggested that humans, in order to feel fulfilled, need some kind of long term purpose to work toward. :: Parents human need the need for adventure ====================== :: Description A character, in order to feel fulfilled, need some kind of adventure in their life. :: Parents human need the need for closure ==================== :: Description We see that humans tend to feel bad about past affairs being left partially unresolved or unknown. We would, e.g., dislike not knowing whether a missing family member is dead or alive. Example: Geordi found closure in accepting the death of his mother in tng7x03 "Interface" by speaking with an alien entity that had taken on her identity. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closure_(psychology) :: Parents human need the need for companionship ========================== :: Description It is illustrated that humans need close friends or life partners etc. in order to feel fulfilled. :: Parents human need the need for compassion in society ================================== :: Description The importance of people, en masse, feeling empathy for other people in order for society to work as it should, is discussed. :: Parents social order the need for cultural heritage ============================== :: Description It is illustrated that humans often need to feel they have roots in a culture in order to feel content in life. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_heritage :: Parents human need the need for death ================== :: Description The pros and cons of accepting death, as opposed to seeking immortality, in society are explored. :: Parents contemporary social issue the need for freedom ==================== :: Description It is suggested that humans do not feel good about being in captivity or otherwise deprived of liberty. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom :: Parents human need the need for peace and quiet ============================ :: Description The human need to have a little peace and quiet in this noisy modern world of ours is featured. :: Parents human need the need for play ================= :: Description It is suggested that humans need some fun and games in order to develop and function normally. :: Parents human need the need for privacy ==================== :: Description It is illustrated that lack of privacy, if taken too far, will lead to unhappy and ill-functioning humans. Example: Miranda was born with the ability to hear thoughts and might have gone insane, in tos3x07 "Is There in Truth No Beauty?", had she not learned how to shut the voices out. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privacy :: Parents human need the need for procreation ======================== :: Description That humans typically need to reproduce and sire offspring in order to feel self-fulfilled is illustrated. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reproduction :: Parents human need the need for rest and recreation ================================ :: Description It is illustrated that humans, in order to function well, need to rest and unwind with amusing activities from time to time. Example: Captain Picard reluctantly took in a little R&R on Risa in tng3x19 "Captain's Holiday". :: Parents human need the need for self-determination =============================== :: Description It is suggested that humans need to feel they have a measure of control over their own destinies if they are to function well. For example, having every other need tended to by a benevolent guardian might leave us with little capability to control our own lives. :: Parents human need the need for self-vindication ============================= :: Description The human need to clear their names from perceived accusations or suspicions is featured. Example: In tos1x12 "The Conscience of the King", Kodos the Executioner justified committing genocide as governor of Tarsus IV to Captain Kirk, saying that it was a matter of life and death. :: Parents human need the need for sleep ================== :: Description It is illustrated that people, in order to function well, need sleep. :: Parents human need the need to be remembered ========================= :: Description It is suggested that humans are driven to do something with their lives that is worth remembering at least for someone. :: Parents human need the need to be treated with respect =================================== :: Description It is illustrated that humans feel bad if they are not treated with sufficient respect by their fellow humans. :: Parents human need the need to belong ================== :: Description The human need to be part of and accepted into a social group is demonstrated. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belongingness :: Parents human need the need to feel useful to society ================================== :: Description It is illustrate that humans in order to be content must feel that they have a meaningful place in society. :: Parents human need the need to get there on one's own merits ========================================= :: Description It is illustrated that humans may put high importance on achieving something by their own merits, rather than having it handed to them on a silver plate. :: Parents human need the need to know one's roots ============================ :: Description It suggested that people need to understand where they come from and who their nearest ancestors are in order to be content. :: Parents human need the need to maintain an image ============================= :: Description It is illustrated that humans, to function well in society, to some extent must maintain an outwards facade that can be quite different from their true inner selves. Example: Captain Picard took elaborate measured to prevent the crew from learning that he suffered from a heart condition in order to maintain his image in tng2x17 "Samaritan Snare". :: Parents human need the need to prove one's self ============================ :: Description It is illustrated that humans, in order to feel content, may feel the need to demonstrate that the skills they claim to have are true, to themselves and to others. :: Parents human need the need to understand someone's motives ======================================== :: Description It is illustrated that people sometimes need to understand the motive behind the action of another in order to feel closure. :: Parents human need the neurobiology of moral behavior ================================== :: Description The connection between a person's brain chemistry and their propensity for anti-social behavior is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuromorality :: Parents topic in science the placebo effect ================== :: Description The phenomena where patients given a placebo treatment have a perceived or actual improvement in a medical condition. Example: In the end the Mudd's women found that it was the confidence a drug had inspired that made them beautiful rather than the drug itself in tos1x03 "Mudd's Women". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placebo :: Parents topic in science the power of art to influence society ===================================== :: Description The idea is expressed that ideas expressed skillfully through art have the potential to influence and shape society. :: Parents aesthetics the power of intuition ====================== :: Description The idea that we can find previously unknown information about the external world merely through looking inwards to our intuitions. :: Parents superstition the power of thought ==================== :: Description The idea that our thoughts have power to affect the external world well beyond the mere manipulation of our own bodies. :: Parents superstition the presumption of innocence ============================ :: Description The pros and cons of the presumption of innocence as a legal right are explored. Example: On Tanuga IV, by contrast with the Federation, people were presumed to be guilty until proven innocent in tng3x14 "A Matter of Perspective". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presumption_of_innocence :: Parents contemporary social issue the price of freedom is eternal vigilance ========================================= :: Description We are shown that freedom comes with a price and should not be taken for granted. :: Parents life lesson the principles of flight ======================== :: Description The mechanical principles that underly various types of flying are discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight :: Parents topic in technology the promised land ================= :: Description The religious doctrine that there is a "promised land" which God has ordained to his believers. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promised_Land :: Parents organized religion the psychology of torture ========================= :: Description How torture affects the mind of victim, perpetrator, bystanders, etc. is explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torture :: Parents human nature the pursuit of knowledge ======================== :: Description One of the four top theme categories: "The Pursuit of Knowledge" themes are ideas about ideas, thoughts and reasoning; about how things are and how we should act. These themes range over anything (real) that are in the domain of human investigation but don’t fit snugly under the "the Human Condition" or "Society". :: Parents the qualities of a good leader ============================== :: Description What it takes to lead other people effectively is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadership :: Parents human nature the qualities of a good wife ============================ :: Description A character is concerned with what a woman should be like in order to make a good house wife. :: Parents female stereotype the quest for immortality ========================= :: Description A character is tempted by a perceived chance to live on well beyond what is considered to be a normal lifespan. Example: Ira Graves surreptitiously transferred his consciousness into Data in an effort to gain eternal life in tng2x06 "The Schizoid Man". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immortality :: Parents human aspiration the reasons for playing games ============================= :: Description What in our minds attract us to games of different sorts is pondered. Example: Data, Troi and Pulaski discussed why we enjoy playing games in tng2x21 "Peak Performance". :: Parents human nature the reliability of AI evidence in court ======================================= :: Description The following dilemma is illustrated: To what extent can we rely on the internal state of very complex machines that, perhaps, we do not fully understand? Can it be trusted as evidence in a court? Example: Spock challenged the accuracy of computer evidence in the court martial of Captain Kirk in tos1x14 "Court Martial". :: Parents social ethical dilemma the right to a fair trial ========================= :: Description We are made to ponder what kind of legal procedures are required before action may be taken to deprive someone of their freedom or property, etc. Example: Admiral Norah Satie’s investigation of Simon Tarses turned into a witch-hunt because of her racial prejudice against Romulans in tng4x21 "The Drumhead". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_a_fair_trial :: Parents human rights the right to commit suicide =========================== :: Description The right, or lack thereof, of a person to end their own life or to undergo voluntary euthanasia. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_die :: Parents human rights the right to education ====================== :: Description The perceived human right to receive a reasonable level of education is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_education :: Parents human rights the right to exist of a xenocidal species ========================================= :: Description The following dilemma is illustrated: Suppose another people (or alien species) engages in pathological killing and genocide; do they themselves have the right to exist? Would we be morally justified in visiting genocide on them? Is there room for doubt? :: Parents social ethical dilemma the right to not have one's brain confiscated ============================================= :: Description We are made to ponder under what circumstance it might be morally justified to confiscate someones brain for one purpose or another. Example: The Eymorg refused to grant Spock this basic human right in tos3x06 "Spock's Brain". :: Parents human rights the right to one's own likeness =============================== :: Description We are made to ponder to what extent or for what purposes it might be wrong to use someone elses’ physical appearance. Would it be ok to make a film in which it looked like a famous actor appeared even if they didn’t nor had permitted it? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personality_rights :: Parents human rights the right to privacy ==================== :: Description The putative human right to keep some affairs and doings private is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_privacy :: Parents human rights the right to privacy of thoughts ================================ :: Description We are made to ponder to what extent and in what way it might be acceptable to figure out what someone is thinking. Is it okay to use technology (or inante ability) to read someone's mind? Example: Telepathic aliens visiting the Enterprise-D claimed to respect peoples’ right to privacy of thought but one of them turns out to be a psychopath in tng5x12 "Violations". :: Parents human rights the right to self-determination =============================== :: Description We are made to ponder to what extent we feel that each individual should have the freedom and capability to determine their own fate. I want to be supreme dictator of the universe. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-determination :: Parents human rights the road to hell is paved with good intentions ============================================== :: Description This old adage, usually meaning that many bad things have come about because of people who thought they were doing good, is illustrated. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_road_to_hell_is_paved_with_good_intentions :: Parents life lesson the role of the disabled in society =================================== :: Description The role of disabled people in society is explored. Example: Miranda Jones hid her blindness and proved she could do just as well as a normal person in tos3x07 "Is There in Truth No Beauty?". :: Parents contemporary social issue the role of the elderly in society ================================== :: Description The role of the elderly in society is explored. :: Parents contemporary social issue the role of war veterans in society =================================== :: Description The role of war veterans in society is explored. Example: The Angosians tucked their genetically engineered war veterans safely away on a shabby little moon in tng3x11 "The Hunted". :: Parents contemporary social issue the rudeness of eavesdropping ============================= :: Description It is pointed out that eavesdropping on others can be rude. :: Parents group interaction the science of anti-matter ========================== :: Description Matter composed of anti-particles, which have the same mass as particles of ordinary matter but opposite charge. Also there can be big explosions. Example: The danger of trying to mix matter with anti-matter was explained in tos1x20 "The Alternative Factor". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimatter :: Parents topic in science the science of blood types ========================== :: Description Some aspect of the science of blood types is explained. Popularly, this is the classification system O-, O+, A-, A+, and so forth (eight categories) or simply O, A, B, AB (four categories). However, other systems are in use as well. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_type :: Parents topic in science the science of cheese ===================== :: Description The process of how to produce cheese is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheese :: Parents topic in science the science of heat =================== :: Description What "heat" is and how it works according to modern science is discussed. Loosely, heat is the random motion of atoms and molecules within an object. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat :: Parents topic in science the science of oil lamps ======================== :: Description At the heart of it an oil lamp is nothing more than an oil-filled receptacle with a wick sticking out of it. The lighting of the lamp results in a steady flame being emitted from the tip of the wick. Example: Kirk impressed the space Native Americans of planet Amerind by inventing an oil lamp in tos3x03 "The Paradise Syndrome" while suffering from amnesia. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_lamp :: Parents topic in technology the scientific method ===================== :: Description A body of techniques that rely on reasoning from empirical observations for investigating various phenomena in nature. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method :: Parents topic in science the seeding of space with life ============================== :: Description The hypothesis that life exists throughout the universe and is distributed naturally by asteroids and comets or perhaps even at the direction of aliens. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panspermia :: Parents topic in science the ship Titanic ================ :: Description The magnificent luxury cruiser RMS Titanic that famously hit an ice berg and sank in 1912, is featured. :: Parents history the soul ======== :: Description The doctrine that humans (and perhaps other sentient beings if they exist) have an immaterial, intangible and immortal component that will somehow continue to exist after the body dies. Example: Captain Pike balked at the notion that having free reign in an Orion den of sin was worth a man's soul in tos0x01 "The Cage". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul :: Parents organized religion the supernatural ================ :: Description Things that are traditionally thought of as not being valid targets for rational inquiry and experimentation are featured. Typically ghosts, spirits, and the like. Example: Two extradimensional aliens used their mysterious abilities to conjure up a haunted castle and other things from the dark depths of human imagination in tos2x01 "Catspaw". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supernatural :: Parents superstition the theater =========== :: Description The art of playing out stories live is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities the theory of everything ======================== :: Description A hypothetical all-encompassing theory of physics that fully explains and links together all physical aspects of the universe. Example: Barclay had a heated discussion with a virtual Albert Einstein about this theory on the holodeck in tng4x19 "The Nth Degree". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_everything :: Parents topic in science the theory of evolution ======================= :: Description The process of change in all forms of life over generations that is characterized by mutation, genetic drift, and natural selection. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_evolution :: Parents topic in science the thirst for knowledge ======================== :: Description A character wants ever more information, understanding, and knowledge. :: Parents human aspiration the thrill of danger ==================== :: Description A character experiences the feeling of exuberance that can sometimes come with a perilous situation. :: Parents pleasant emotion the trial of Galileo ==================== :: Description The sequence of events, beginning around 1610, culminating with the trial and condemnation of Galileo Galilei by the Roman Catholic Inquisition in 1633 for his support of heliocentrism. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_affair :: Parents history the unappreciated and unimportant at the workplace ================================================== :: Description The ungratifying experience of someone who is at the very bottom rung of the corporate ladder is featured. :: Parents pecking order the unforeseen consequences of supernatural powers ================================================== :: Description The dangers of people with supernatural powers running amok control with disastrous consequences for society are explored. :: Parents what if society were different the universe is a dream theory ============================== :: Description The hypothesis that reality as we know it is simply the dream of some (presumably unknowable) sentient entity. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_argument :: Parents metaphysics the universe is a simulation theory =================================== :: Description The notion that all we are and all we know is just a simulation within a larger reality is featured. Example: Dr. James Moriarty was to unwittingly live out his simulated life in a simulated universe in tng6x12 "Ship in a Bottle", but who knows: maybe we all are? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simulation_hypothesis :: Parents metaphysics the use of genetic engineering ============================== :: Description We are asked to what extent, if any, it is acceptable or wise for us to interfere with our own genes and, by extension, our evolution as a species. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_engineering#Controversy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_food_controversies :: Parents past and present moral controversy the value of imagination ======================== :: Description Whether and to what extent our imagination is of benefit to us is discussed. :: Parents human nature the value of pi =============== :: Description 3.1415926535 8979323846 2643383279 5028841971 6939937510 5820974944 5923078164 0628620899 8628034825 3421170679 8214808651 3282306647 09384460... Example: Wily Spock ordered the computer to compute pi to the last digit in tos2x07 "Wolf in the Fold". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi :: Parents topic in science the value of product testing ============================ :: Description A process of measuring the properties and performance of products that helps to increase consumer protection by checking the claims made by manufacturers. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_testing :: Parents topic in science the value of testing a hypothesis ================================= :: Description The testing of a hypothesis, i.e., a proposed explanation for a phenomena, has proved essential to science and the search for truth. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method :: Parents topic in science the vastness of the universe ============================ :: Description Doctor McCoy sums it up best in tos1x08 "Balance of Terror": " In this galaxy, there's a mathematical probability of three million Earth-type planets. And in all of the universe, three million million galaxies like this. And in all of that, and perhaps more, only one of each of us. Don't destroy the one named Kirk." Example: MyCoy waxed lyrical in tos1x08 "Balance of Terror" on the likelihood of three million Earth-like planets in the Milky Way, and three million million galaxies like it in all the universe, but only one Captain Kirk. :: Parents topic in science the white man's burden ====================== :: Description The idea that the white man has a moral obligation to rule the non-white peoples of the Earth, whilst encouraging their economic, cultural, and social progress through colonialism. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_White_Man%27s_Burden :: Parents past and present moral controversy the winners write history ========================= :: Description The time tested wisdom that time tested wisdom and history are generally constructed by the winners of conflicts and would possibly look quite different if such conflicts had ended differently. :: Parents human nature the wish to live ================ :: Description The basic instinct in humans to fight for self-preservation is discussed more or less explicitly. Note: Since many if not most stories feature some sort of struggle for survival, this theme should be used only when the psychological force is more or less explicitly made topical. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_to_live :: Parents human nature the workings of computers ========================= :: Description Those electronics-filled boxes that we rely on to run our lives. Example: Duotronic computer technology had supplanted conventional transistor based computing in the Federation by the 23rd century in tos2x24 "The Ultimate Computer". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer :: Parents topic in technology the workings of irrigation ========================== :: Description Any of a number of technologies developed over the ages to supply controlled amounts of water to crops at regular intervals. Example: Captain Kirk, while suffering from amnesia, had plans to irrigate Amerind in tos3x03 "The Paradise Syndrome". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irrigation :: Parents topic in technology theater of the absurd ===================== :: Description The art of playing out absurdist fiction live is featured. Absurdism revolves around existentialism and the idea that human existence has no particular meaning. Example: Kirk and his team in tos2x12 "I, Mudd" found that such theater does not compute and is therefore an excellent weapon against androids. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_of_the_Absurd :: Parents the fine arts and the humanities theft in society ================ :: Description The social implications of there being people who steal other people's lawful property are featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theft :: Parents contemporary social issue theocracy ========= :: Description There is a society in which one or more gods are recognized as rulers and the ruling elite is essentially a priesthood (or the gods themselves). References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theocracy :: Parents social order there is always a third course ============================== :: Description A variant of "thinking outside the box", the notion that choices are rarely binary except in our minds, is featured. :: Parents life lesson there is nothing to fear but fear itself ======================================== :: Description An age old adage which signifies that oftentimes, fear itself is the most dangerous thing we have to fear. Fear may make us do stupid things that break social bonds. Example: Pennywise in "It" (1990) manipulated people via their innermost fears. :: Parents life lesson there is strength in unity ========================== :: Description The time tested wisdom that we are stronger when we stand united is illustrated. Example: Kor explained that the Klingons are united and therefore strong in tos1x27 "Errand of Mercy". :: Parents life lesson there is value in diversity =========================== :: Description The idea that diversity in skills and in thinking can be very useful to a group of people is featured. :: Parents life lesson there is value in experience ============================ :: Description The value of a person’s experience is emphasized. Example: Inexperienced Stocker mistakenly thought he could handle running the Enterprise after Captain Kirk was incapacitated by age in tos2x11 "The Deadly Years". :: Parents life lesson there is value in redundancy ============================ :: Description That redundancy, a copy which does not add value while the original is around, can in fact be a good thing (because the original may break) is featured. As "redundancy" is often a byword for "waste", the observation is perhaps worth making. :: Parents life lesson there is weakness in conformism =============================== :: Description It is illustrated that groups in which all members conform to common ways of thinking and acting to a high degree, have some potential disadvantages that more diverse groups do not. Example: The terrible Borg were defeated after Captain Picard found their central off-switch in tng4x01 "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II". :: Parents group interaction thermophilic alien ================== :: Description Aliens that thrive in extreme heat. Example: The Tholians of tos3x09 "The Tholian Web" were a non-humanoid, thermophilic species. :: Parents inhospitable environment dwelling life form thinking about one's accomplishments in life ============================================ :: Description A character reflects upon what they have done (or failed to do) with their life. This is often at the core of a midlife crisis. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midlife_crisis :: Parents introspection thirst for knowledge vs. safety =============================== :: Description A character must choose whether satisfying a curiosity is worth taking some personal risk over. :: Parents life choice those who do not remember the past are condemned to relive it ============================================================= :: Description This time-tested piece of wisdom is demonstrated. :: Parents life lesson thoughtcrime ============ :: Description We imagine what the world would be like if certain ways of thinking could be detected and punished by the government. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoughtcrime :: Parents what if society were different tidally locked planet ===================== :: Description A planet one side of which always faces its parent star, like how the same side of the moon always faces the earth. Example: Captain Picard secretly met various Federation starship captains on the tidally locked planet Dytallix B in tng1x15 "Conspiracy". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_locking :: Parents what's out there time freezing machine ===================== :: Description There is a machine that can be used to freeze time itself. :: Parents fictional apparatus time loop ========= :: Description A repeated period of time that is typically re-experienced by those within it. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_loop :: Parents time travel, alternate laws of nature time machine ============ :: Description Featured is a hypothetical device in the form of a vehicle or of a portal connecting distant points in spacetime, either to an earlier time or to a later time, without the need for the time-traveling body to experience the intervening period in the usual sense. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_travel http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TimeMachine :: Parents time travel, fictional apparatus time portal =========== :: Description A doorway in time. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_portal :: Parents time travel, alternate laws of nature time speed up ============= :: Description Time moves faster for some. Example: The Scalosians had been subjected to radiation that made them speed up in time in tos3x13 "Wink of an Eye". The radiation had its negative effects also, rendering them sterile. :: Parents time travel, alternate laws of nature time travel =========== :: Description The concept of movement between past and future points in time. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_travel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_travel_in_fiction :: Parents travel time traveler secretly living among us ====================================== :: Description The notion that a time traveler is living secretly among normal people is featured. :: Parents time travel, crackpot theory time traveler's dilemma ======================= :: Description The following dilemma is illustrated: What should we do if some people find a way to affect the past? They could stop Hitler, yes, but what untold damage might they also do? References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheTimeTravellersDilemma https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grandfather_paradox :: Parents time travel, social ethical dilemma to kill or to spare =================== :: Description A character must choose whether to satisfy their own blood thirst, lust for vengeance, etc., on one hand, or to show mercy, compassion, etc., on the other. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma to publicly confront vs. to privately discuss ============================================= :: Description A character must decide, in a given social situation regarding some delicate matter and another person, which is the better course of action: to discuss things privately or to confront the other person openly. Example: Unlike Captain Maxwell, Captain Picard choose to bring up the matter of covert aggression informally with their Cardassian adversaries in tng4x12 "The Wounded". :: Parents personal practical dilemma to serve in haven vs. to reign in hell ====================================== :: Description A character is confronted with option of either serving an insignificant role in a pleasant society, or being part of the elite in a less savory place. Example: The homicidal android David-8 in Alien: Covenant (2017) offered the friendly android Weyland to join him and reign instead of continuing his life as a servant. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma to settle down vs. to keep on trekking ====================================== :: Description A character considers whether or not it is time to settle down at specific place instead of traveling around. :: Parents life choice to tell the truth vs. offering a comforting lie =============================================== :: Description A character must choose between telling a comforting white lie on one hand, and being honest on the other. :: Parents personal ethical dilemma too good to be true decision ============================ :: Description An opportunity that is advantageous but unlikely manifests and one must decide on how to act; it could be a ruse by an unknown adversary. :: Parents personal practical dilemma topic in medicine ================= :: Description Something from medical science is featured. :: Parents topic in science topic in science ================ :: Description The understanding of reality through use of the scientific method is featured. :: Parents modern science topic in technology =================== :: Description The application of scientific knowledge in building contraptions is featured. :: Parents modern science totalitarian dystopia ===================== :: Description We are shown a society in which totalitarian control is taken to an extreme and free will is all but non-existent. :: Parents dystopia totalitarianism =============== :: Description There is a society in which the ruling government has complete control over all aspects of life, i.e., including what people should read, think, say, and do in their "free time". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totalitarianism :: Parents social order tough decision ============== :: Description A character is faced with making a tough decision. :: Parents challenges in life tough love ========== :: Description A character, typically a parent or mentor, must choose in a given situation whether to be harsh with a another for their own good. :: Parents personal practical dilemma toxic waste management ====================== :: Description The social problem of what to do with toxic waste, for example radioactive garbage, is brought up. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxic_waste :: Parents waste management tractor beam ============ :: Description A contraption used to produce a beam of gravity to attract material objects at a distance but in a desired direction. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tractor_beam#Fiction :: Parents fictional apparatus tradition vs. safety ==================== :: Description A character must choose whether maintaining tradition is worth taking personal risks over. Example: The colonists on Moab IV had to choose between maintaining isolation and risking utter destruction or accepting help and endangering their precious traditions in tng5x13 "The Masterpiece Society". :: Parents life choice traditionalism ============== :: Description Someone emphasizes tradition and doing things "the good old way" as opposed to embracing new ways of going about it. :: Parents way of life traditionalist conservatism =========================== :: Description Someone espouses a return to traditional values, the need for moral order, and the like. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditionalist_conservatism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_conservatism :: Parents social order tragic love =========== :: Description Love that has come to a tragic impasse, for example because the object of the feeling has died prematurely. :: Parents romantic love transcendental alien ==================== :: Description There is a being whose capabilities are clearly beyond what we can fathom or describe by our science. Their feats often seem like magic and their actions may be either good or evil as judged by human standards. :: Parents superior life form transcendental numbers ====================== :: Description A number that is not a root of a non-zero polynomial equation with rational coefficients. Example: Spock explained that pi is a transcendental number in tos2x07 "Wolf in the Fold". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcendental_number :: Parents topic in science transcendental point of view ============================ :: Description We are shown what things might be like from the point of view of a being whose abilities are so far beyond us that they seem practically omnipotent, and who therefore is not limited by our own practical concerns. :: Parents views and customs transhumanism utopia ==================== :: Description Society is supposedly made perfect by the introduction of a new breed of human, i.e., version 2.0. Out with the old, in with the new. Example: Dr. Roger Korby had a dream in tos1x09 "What Are Little Girls Made Of?" that one day mortal human boys and girls will be mind-transfered into the bodies of immortal android boys and girls. :: Parents utopia transnational conflict over a claimed territory =============================================== :: Description Two or more sovereign factions fight over territory that they all claim as theirs. :: Parents war transnational conflict over a shared resource ============================================= :: Description Two or more sovereign factions fight over a resource that is not under the sole control of any one faction. :: Parents war transnational conflict over environmental concern ================================================= :: Description Two or more sovereign entities squabble over something related to the environment. For example, one nation's damming of a river may threaten a downstream nation's economy. :: Parents war transnational conflict over historical revisionism ================================================== :: Description Two factions argue over what happened in the past because different interpretations have political consequences or touch on national pride. :: Parents war transnational corporations in society ===================================== :: Description The potential problem of private interests in the form of transnational corporations that are so large and powerful that they can unduly influence the public sphere, is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multinational_corporation :: Parents contemporary social issue transnational institution for peace =================================== :: Description An institution reminiscent of the United Nations is featured. Example: Babylon 5 in the eponymous tv show is essentially a UN in space. :: Parents diplomacy transnational social issue ========================== :: Description A social issue that arise between two or more sovereign states, i.e., war and diplomacy, is featured. :: Parents society transsexualism ============== :: Description We are asked to what extent, if any, transsexualism ought to be tolerated in society and how people who identify with a different gender than they were assigned at birth, ought to be treated. Are sex-change operations to be permitted or even subsidized? Example: Captain Kirk and Janice Lester switched genders on account of switching bodies in tos3x24 "Turnabout Intruder". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transsexual :: Parents past and present moral controversy travel ====== :: Description Speculative means of traveling around in space and time are explored along with their consequences. These are themes about ocean voyages, space flights, and even travels in time. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_travel_in_fiction :: Parents science fiction and fantasy theme traversable wormhole ==================== :: Description A passage through space-time that would allow vast distances to be quickly traversed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wormhole :: Parents space travel, what's out there treason ======= :: Description A member of a faction decides to take up the cause of an enemy faction against their own. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treason :: Parents war treatment of prisoners ====================== :: Description We are asked how prisons ought to be organized. Day-care centre for adults, or hell-on-Earth? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisoners%27_rights :: Parents past and present moral controversy treatment of the criminally insane ================================== :: Description We are asked how the criminally insane ought to be treated. Just like any other prisoner, or with more compassion? :: Parents past and present moral controversy treatment of the down and out ============================= :: Description The way really poor people are treated by the rest of society is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty :: Parents contemporary social issue treatment of the mentally ill in society ======================================== :: Description The way society treats people with serious mental illnesses is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_disorder https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunatic :: Parents contemporary social issue treatment of war collaborators ============================== :: Description We are asked to ponder what one should do after the war with those of one's own people who choose to collaborate with the enemy for one reason or another. For example, if someone collaborated only because they would be killed otherwise, should they be punished? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collaborationism :: Parents past and present moral controversy true beauty comes from within ============================= :: Description The idea is posited that real beauty does not come from make-up and such mundane trappings, but is a thing of the soul. Example: Ruth, Magda and Eve found that they didn’t need the Venus drug to be beautiful because their beauty stemmed from increased self-confidence and not the drug in tos1x03 "Mudd's Women". :: Parents life lesson trust ===== :: Description A character exhibits a feeling of faith in the reliability of someone or, occasionally, something. This assumes that the character harbors a certain level of "acceptance", not necessarily "admiration" toward their object. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trust_(emotion) :: Parents pleasant emotion trust in a friend ================= :: Description A character supports a friend by showing unwavering trust in their honesty. :: Parents one-on-one interaction trust in a leader ================= :: Description A leader inspires trust in their team members. :: Parents group interaction trust in a potential foe ======================== :: Description A character must choose whether a potential foe is to be trusted. :: Parents personal practical dilemma trust in intentions vs. trust in judgement ========================================== :: Description A character must choose whether another’s judgement can be trusted even though their intentions are above reproach. :: Parents personal practical dilemma turn the other cheek ==================== :: Description A character endorses the ethic that we ought to refrain from retaliating when aggrieved. While this could be about physical attacks it is more often used in the context of insults. Example: The pacifist Dowd turned every cheek on his body in spite of insult and injury (then he ran out and wiped a species of 50 billions clean out existence) in tng3x03 "The Survivors". :: Parents way of life twin earth ========== :: Description A hypothetical planet that is a near duplicate of Earth. Example: Earth Two was discovered in tos1x11 "Miri" and found to be populated only by children. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_analog :: Parents speculative habitat, what's out there two heads are better than one ============================= :: Description The advantage of discussing ideas with others is illustrated. Example: Geordi conjured up Leah Brahms on the holodeck and it turned out that together they could do what neither could alone in tng3x06 "Booby Trap". :: Parents group interaction tyranny vs. freedom =================== :: Description A society in which a tyrant rules with absolute authority is contrasted with one that is organised around some flavour of liberal democratic principles. :: Parents social dichotomy ultra-rational alien ==================== :: Description Aliens that are logical to a fault, usually with a corresponding lack of emotional empathy. :: Parents mentally distinguished life form uncle and nephew ================ :: Description The relationship between an uncle and his nephew is featured. :: Parents familial relations uncle and niece =============== :: Description The relationship between an uncle and his niece is featured. :: Parents familial relations undersea tunnel =============== :: Description A tunnel which is partly or wholly constructed under a body of water is featured in a manner that makes it clear it is a future technological achievement. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undersea_tunnel :: Parents mastering space understanding by metaphor ========================= :: Description Communicating by metaphorical language is featured. :: Parents problem of language and meaning underwater city =============== :: Description A large settlement under water. It might be adapted for air-breathing people somehow, or it may be inhabited by water breathers. :: Parents speculative habitat, mastering space unemployment in society ======================= :: Description The social problem of people being unemployed against their desire is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unemployment :: Parents contemporary social issue unethical experimentation for scientific progress ================================================= :: Description We are made to ponder whether unethical practices can be justified if they are likely to further scientific progress. Would it, for example, be alright to risk the life of a convicted felon in order to test out a device that might bring us clean energy? :: Parents social ethical dilemma unethical human experimentation =============================== :: Description Medical experiments are carried out on people and we are asked question such as: Can the ends justify the means when someone tests medical procedures and drugs on patients without their informed consent? Is it right to use knowledge that was obtained through atrocities such as the Nazi experimentation in German concentration camps? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unethical_human_experimentation :: Parents medical ethics unethical psychological experimentation ======================================= :: Description It is discussed whether a psychological experiment can be considered ethical. Example: Dr. Tristan Adams used a device to break people’s minds and turn them into zombies in tos1x10 "Dagger of the Mind", all in the name of medical science. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unethical_human_experimentation :: Parents medical ethics universal translation device ============================ :: Description A device used to seamlessly translate speech between any languages. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_translator :: Parents fictional apparatus universe-in-a-box ================= :: Description The idea that there can be a whole other universe contained within a limited part of our own universe is expressed. The "box" part is figurative, the other universe may be a bubble or some other kind of positive volume shape. :: Parents speculative lands and worlds, what's out there university entrance exams ========================= :: Description An adolescent deals with the challenge of entrance exams that may determine their future career. Example: Wesley tried the Starfleet Academy entrance exam and failed in tng1x19 "Coming of Age". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_entrance_examination :: Parents growing up unknown parent ============== :: Description The classical "who is the father?" scenario, according to which there is a child and it is pondered who the real parent is, is featured. :: Parents family affairs unmanned spacecraft =================== :: Description A spaceship that can fly around in outer space without people on board is featured in a science fictional context. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unmanned_spacecraft :: Parents starship technology unplanned pregnancy =================== :: Description The many trials and tribulations a woman or a couple may face when the woman unexpectedly becomes pregnant are featured. Example: Worf was at a loss for words when K’Ehleyr showed up in tng4x07 "Reunion" and had with her the unexpected consequence of their impulse mating on the holodeck some years earlier. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unintended_pregnancy :: Parents parenting unpleasant emotion ================== :: Description A base human emotion that we typically do not enjoy having is featured. :: Parents human emotion unrequited love =============== :: Description A romantic love, or infatuation, in which the object of the ambition declines to reciprocate the emotions, i.e., they don’t love you back. Example: Geordi was devastated to find that the real Leah Brahms didn't much fancy him in tng4x16 "Galaxy's Child". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unrequited_love :: Parents romantic love untranslatable words ==================== :: Description The way that a word in one language may lack a direct counterpart in another, thus requiring long explanations to translate, is illustrated. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Untranslatability :: Parents problem of language and meaning utopia ====== :: Description Notions about how society could be made "perfect". Note that such notions are often scatterbrained and the objects of the themes turn out to be horrible dystopia. This is all captured in the word "utopia" which literally means "no place". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utopia :: Parents alternate society utopia on the back of android labor =================================== :: Description Society is perfect thanks to an army of androids that fullfill our every wish. Example: An army of obedient androids stood ready to bring utopia to the galaxy but were stopped by Captain Kirk and a well aimed logical paradox in tos2x12 "I, Mudd". :: Parents utopia utopia on the back of human clone labor ======================================= :: Description Society is great because we can make clones to deal with problematic issues. Example: In "Never Let Me Go (2005)" clones are created and raised for the purpose of organ harvesting, a program through which many medical ills have been conquered. :: Parents utopia utopia on the back of slave labor ================================= :: Description Society is perfect thanks to an army of slaves that just take care of every distasteful chore. :: Parents utopia values and ethics in society ============================ :: Description Abstract social values, such as "human rights" and forms of government are featured. :: Parents society vandalism ========= :: Description The subject of vandalism in society is explored. Example: The Troglytes of Ardana were none too happy with their status as lowly miners and used vandalism to voice their displeasure in tos3x19 "The Cloud Minders". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vandalism :: Parents contemporary social issue vanity ====== :: Description A character exhibits excessive admiration of their own appearance or achievements. Example: Mudd's women took the "Venus drug" in order to maintain youthful appearances in the eponymous episode tos1x03 "Mudd's Women". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanity :: Parents deadly sin vegetarianism ============= :: Description Someone abstains from eating meat and other animal products on moral grounds. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetarianism :: Parents way of life vendetta ======== :: Description The social ramifications of a bitter, destructive feud between two factions are explored. Example: Yuta of the vanquished clan Tralesta was genetically altered and spent 100 years tracking down members of the Lornak clan in a vendetta in tng3x09 "The Vengeance Factor". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feud :: Parents contemporary social issue victimization ============= :: Description The social ramifications of some people in a conflict (rightly or wrongly) exaggerating their own victimhood in order to inspire sympathy are explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victimisation :: Parents contemporary social issue video game addiction ==================== :: Description Someone exhibits an addiction to a video game. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_addiction :: Parents pathological state of mind video game addiction in society =============================== :: Description The social ramifications of people spending too much times playing video games, to the exclusion of work and other activities, is explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_addiction :: Parents contemporary social issue video manipulation in society ============================= :: Description The social consequences of our recently emerging ability to fake or manipulate video with such precision that it is hard to spot, is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_manipulation :: Parents contemporary social issue video phone =========== :: Description A phone system with a video link is featured in such a manner that it is made clear it is still a technology to be developed in the future. Example: Captain Kirk and his crew conferred in such a way in tos2x26 "Assignment: Earth". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teleconference :: Parents real gadget views and customs ================= :: Description The many different ways people from different cultures have of doing things and thinking about moral questions, etc are explored. :: Parents intercultural relations vigilance ========= :: Description A character exhibits a strong feeling of having to be alert to a significant event that is about to transpire and that they have some power to influence. This assumes a high level of "interest" in the character toward the event, but is to be distinguished from "anticipation" in so far as an action may be taken to change the course of events. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigilance_(psychology) :: Parents pleasant emotion vigilante justice ================= :: Description Extrajudicial punishment that is motivated by the nonexistence of law and order or dissatisfaction with justice is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontier_justice :: Parents contemporary social issue violence in society =================== :: Description The social implications of there being violent individuals around is discussed. :: Parents contemporary social issue virgin birth ============ :: Description A religious doctrine holding that someone, i.e., Christ, was conceived in the absence of sexual intercourse. Example: While it is unlikely that Troi was a virgin at the time, her intercourse-free pregnancy in tng2x01 "The Child" nevertheless fits the bill. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miraculous_births :: Parents organized religion virtual lover ============= :: Description There is a virtual personality with which someone corporeal has a love affair. :: Parents AI technology virtual reality choose your own adventure ========================================= :: Description A virtual reality simulated game with the partaker assuming the role of the protagonist and making choices that determine the main character's actions and the plot's outcome. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choose_Your_Own_Adventure :: Parents fictional apparatus virtual reality room ==================== :: Description A programmable room that can produce virtually any imaginable setting, including tangible physical objects, like virtual reality on steroids. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality :: Parents fictional apparatus virtual reality sex =================== :: Description A technology that allows users to engage in sexual relations with virtually reality simulated characters, or receive tactile sensations from remote participants. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality_sex :: Parents fictional apparatus virtual reality suit ==================== :: Description A wearable suit that makes it seem as if you were somewhere else, encompassing all the senses. Example: Geordi used a virtual reality suit to explore a wrecked spaceship in the inhospitable environment of a gas giant planet in tng7x03 "Interface". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality :: Parents fictional apparatus virus that grows into large creature ==================================== :: Description A virus that has to capacity to take on a macroscopic form visible to the naked eye. :: Parents parasitic life form vision beyond the visible spectrum ================================== :: Description Technology that can make the brain perceive and interpret electromagnetic waves (light) beyond what is normal, i.e., into the infrared or ultraviolet regions and possibly beyond. This is used to describe Geordi's iconic VISOR. :: Parents human enhancement vision quest ============ :: Description A Native American ritual used to establish contact with an ancestral spirit to ask for guidance during a difficult time. Example: The mystic Traveler posing as a space Native American mystic embarked Wesley on a vision quest to acquire arcane lore in tng7x20 "Journey's End". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vision_quest :: Parents superstition vivisection =========== :: Description It is discussed whether dissecting a living creature for the sake of advancing medical knowledge is justified. Example: Extradimensional aliens abducted Riker and severed his arm in tng6x05 "Schisms". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivisection :: Parents medical ethics voice duplicator ================ :: Description A device used to make your voice sound like that of another. Example: The android Ruk had a built in voice duplicator that let him impersonate Captain Kirk in tos1x09 "What Are Little Girls Made Of?" :: Parents fictional apparatus voice identification ==================== :: Description A device which can identify a speaker merely from a recording of their voice and to some extent understand what is being said. This was sci-fi in the 60s. This was pure sci-fi in the 60s but is by-and-by becoming more of a reality. Example: Gary Seven’s computer in tos2x26 "Assignment: Earth" recognized its owner’s voice. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speaker_recognition :: Parents real gadget volcanic cataclysm ================== :: Description Volcanic activity increases and civilization bites the dust. Pardon the pun. Example: Terratin civilization on Terra Ten was threatened by volcanic activity in tas1x11 "The Terratin Incident" so Captain Kirk moved them all to Verdanis. :: Parents force majeure existential risk voyeurism in society ==================== :: Description Voyeurism is the sexual interest in or practice of spying on people engaged in intimate behaviours, such as undressing, sexual activity, or other actions usually considered to be of a private nature. Discussed is the perceived social issue associated with the prevalence of this often criminal activity. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyeurism :: Parents contemporary social issue wacky dream interpretation ========================== :: Description Dreams are interpreted in a highly metaphorical or otherwise esoteric way. :: Parents superstition wanderlust ========== :: Description The urge some people have to travel the world and explore new places is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wanderlust :: Parents human need war === :: Description Sovereign factions, usually state-like entities but sometimes armed rebels etc., taking up arms against each other for one reason or another is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War :: Parents transnational social issue war crimes ========== :: Description An act that constitutes a serious violation of the laws of war that gives rise to individual criminal responsibility is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_crime :: Parents war war due to diplomatic miscalculation ==================================== :: Description Neither faction in a diplomatic negotiation really wants war but fluke and miscalculation threaten to pull them into a military confrontation anyway. :: Parents diplomacy war is petty ============ :: Description The outlandish idea is put forth that war is an immature and undignified way of resolving problems. :: Parents war war is sometimes justified ========================== :: Description The idea is put forth that the deliberate waging of war, horrible as it may be, may sometimes be justified. Example: Spock argued that war against Nazi Germany was warranted in the lead up to World War II in tos1x28 "The City on the Edge of Forever". :: Parents war war of mutual annihilation ========================== :: Description People wage war on each other and (often with the help of WMDs) wipe each other out in a mutual apocalypse. :: Parents man-made existential risk war of religion =============== :: Description A war primarily caused or justified by differences in religion is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_war :: Parents war war of succession ================= :: Description War (typically civil war) breaks out over who is to become the new leader after the old leader dies. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_succession :: Parents war war on civilians or civilians used for war ========================================== :: Description One party in a conflict claims that civilians were killed unjustly; the opposite party claims that the same civilians were illegally made part of the war effort, for example as human shield. Who is right and who is wrong? :: Parents social ethical dilemma war plunder =========== :: Description A faction with the upper hand in a military conflict decides to loot and remove some of their opponents' cultural artifacts and other valuables. This theme is often featured when the war is over and calls for the return of said plunder are made. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Looting#In_armed_conflict :: Parents war war propaganda ============== :: Description The use of propaganda in war, typically to dehumanize and demonize the enemy, is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda#Wartime :: Parents war wartime comfort women ===================== :: Description An occupying military force presses women to service as prostitutes for their soldiers' "comfort". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comfort_women https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wartime_sexual_violence :: Parents war crimes waste management ================ :: Description The societal problem of how to handle all sorts of unwanted byproducts of human activity is discussed. This means rubbish and garbage form everyday life as well as from industry. :: Parents contemporary social issue water planet to the core ======================== :: Description There is a planet that is almost 100% water through and through. :: Parents speculative habitat, what's out there way of life =========== :: Description The various ideas people may have about how they want to lead their lives. This sometimes includes ideas about how other people should lead their lives as well. :: Parents purpose in life we are valuable beyond what we can offer to others ================================================== :: Description We are shown that people have some intrinsic value beyond what that are useful for to others or society at large. :: Parents life lesson we need a balance between rationality and emotionality ====================================================== :: Description We are shown that people use a balance of rationality and emotionality in their normal functioning. :: Parents life lesson we need our darker side in moderation ===================================== :: Description The idea is posited that dark emotions such as anger, jealousy, and fear, which we usually detest, actually serve a meaningful purpose. Example: Captain Kirk was duplicated into one copy that had all his good qualities, one that had all the bad but neither of which was a very useful person in tos1x04 "The Enemy Within". :: Parents life lesson we're not so different after all ================================ :: Description We are shown that, when all is said and done, our similarities to each other by for outweigh the comparatively tiny differences. Example: Upon finding evidence of a common proto-humanoid ancestor species, Humans, Klingons, Romulans and even Ferengi come to see that they are not as different as they once thought in tng6x20 "The Chase". :: Parents views and customs werewolves ========== :: Description There is a human with a transmittable condition that makes them occasionally transform in to a vicious creature, typically a wolf, or a human-creature hybrid. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werewolf https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therianthropy :: Parents superstition, shapeshifter what electioneering is like =========================== :: Description We are shown what it might be like for someone involved in a political campaign. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_campaign :: Parents what life is like what if I aged backwards ======================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to age backwards. Example: The Enterprise was pulled into a negative universe where people started life with old bodies that became ever younger over time in tas2x06 "The Counter-Clock Incident". :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I aged rapidly ====================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to age significantly faster than what is normal. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RapidAging :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I became a simulation ============================= :: Description We imagine what it would be like if our consciousness was moved or copied from the world of flesh to run as a simulation in some computer-like device. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simulated_reality_in_fiction :: Parents what if my life were different what if I became accessory to a friend's crime ============================================== :: Description We imagine what it might be like to involuntarily be drawn into crime by a less than law-abiding friend. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I became extremely lucky ================================ :: Description We imagine what it would be like to be on a perpetual lucky streak, winning every game of chance one engaged in. :: Parents what if my life were different what if I could be young again ============================== :: Description An aged character experiences what it is like to be young again, i.e., finds the proverbial fountain of youth. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FountainOfYouth :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I could change into a gaseous state =========================================== :: Description It is imagined what it would be like to be able transform into a gaseous state at will. :: Parents what if I had an extraordinary ability what if I could control minds ============================= :: Description Someone uses their mind to control someone to do things against their will. :: Parents what if I had an extraordinary ability what if I could do anything I wanted without repercussions ========================================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like if no one stopped us or punished us for doing whatever we felt like doing. Example: The Children of Landru committed unspeakable acts of lawlessness at Festival, a designated period when Landru permitted anything, in tos1x22 "The Return of the Archons". :: Parents what if my life were different what if I could edit my lover ============================= :: Description We imagine what it would be like to be able to simply change aspects about our lover as easily as we change clothes. :: Parents what if my life were different what if I could fly =================== :: Description It is imagined what it would be like to fly under one's own power. :: Parents what if I had an extraordinary ability what if I could hear thoughts ============================= :: Description We imagine what it would be like to be able to hear other people’s thoughts. Example: Tam Elbrun was nearly driven mad by not being able to block out other people's thoughts in tng3x20 "Tin Man". :: Parents what if I had an extraordinary ability what if I could life in a fantasy world ======================================= :: Description We imagine what it would be like to live out our life in a fantasy world of our own choosing. Example: The Talosians used their powers of mind to conjure up a world of illusion for them to inhabit in tos0x01 "The Cage". :: Parents what if my life were different what if I could move faster in time than everyone else ====================================================== :: Description We imagine what awesome things we could achieve if we had the superpower of moving many times faster than everyone else. Example: Captain Kirk had his coffee spiked with a time speed up drug in tos3x13 "Wink of an Eye". :: Parents what if my life were different what if I could never go home ============================= :: Description We imagine what it would be like to be far away and never able to return to our home, perhaps because we’ve been exiled from our country. Example: Captain Kirk and his crew found themselves trapped inside the Delta Triangle with no realistic possibility of escape in tas 1x12 "The Time Trap". :: Parents what if my life were different what if I could read minds ========================== :: Description A character is able to telepathically read the minds of another people. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telepathy :: Parents what if I had an extraordinary ability what if I could see into the future =================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to catch glimpses of the future. :: Parents what if my life were different what if I could see into the past ================================= :: Description A character is able to see into the past. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I could shapeshift ========================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to have shape shifting powers. Example: Garth of Izar could change shape because he had learned the technique of cellular metamorphoses from the natives of Antos IV in tos3x16 "Whom Gods Destroy". :: Parents what if I had an extraordinary ability what if I could swim in the ocean like a fish ============================================= :: Description We imagine what it would be like to have fish-like swimming abilities, including the ability to stay under water indefinitely. Example: Captain Kirk and Spock became water breathers and froliced like fish in the oceans of the planet Argo in tas1x13 "The Ambergris Element". :: Parents what if I had an extraordinary ability what if I could travel around inside a human body ================================================= :: Description We imagine what it would be like to be tiny and move around inside a human body. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I couldn't trust the veracity of my senses ================================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like if the world our senses reported on became so peculiar that we had to question our own senses and even our sanity. Example: Sulu couldn't tell whether those were swirling knives out there in space while at the held or whether his eyes were tricking him in tos3x05 "And the Children Shall Lead". :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I discovered that I was a facsimile of someone else =========================================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to discover that we are, in fact, merely a copy of someone else who by virtue of prior existence can be considered more genuine. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I faced an incredible situation ======================================= :: Description A character faces such an unusual situation as no one would normally expect to face in their lifetime. Many of these themes involve magic or seemingly magical phenomena. :: Parents alternate life what if I found myself in a body of the opposite sex ==================================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like if our mind moved into a body of the opposite gender. Example: An old flame took revenge on Captain Kirk by using an alien device to swap bodies with him in tos3x24 "Turnabout Intruder". :: Parents what if I found myself in the body of another person what if I found myself in a high gravity environment ==================================================== :: Description A character experiences what it is like to be in an environment where gravity is a lot stronger than what they are used to. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I found myself in a land inhabited by only women ======================================================== :: Description A typically male character finds himself in a land inhabited exclusively by women. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazons https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/ pmwiki.php/Main/AmazonianBeauty?from=Main.HotAmazon :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I found myself in a savage mirror universe ================================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to suddenly move into a mirror image of our universe where the good people are instead wicked, the kind vicious, and so on. Example: After transporting back to the Enterprise, Captain Kirk and his team found themselves in a mirror universe where the normally good people were all jerks in tos2x10 "Mirror, Mirror". :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I found myself in the body of a child ============================================= :: Description We imagine what it would be like if our mind moved into a the body of a child. Example: A transporter malfunction turned Captain Picard and some of his crew back into children physically but not mentally in tng6x07 "Rascals". :: Parents what if I found myself in the body of another person what if I found myself in the body of an alien ============================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to suddenly find ourselves inhabiting the body of an alien of some sort. :: Parents what if I found myself in the body of another person what if I found myself in the body of another person ==================================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to suddenly find ourselves inhabiting the body another person. References: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FreakyFridayFlip :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I found out I was a different person than I thought I was ================================================================= :: Description It is revealed to someone that their background is very different from what they believed it was. Example: In ds93x05 "Second Skin", Kira was told that she is in fact a Cardassian spy who has been mentally conditioned to think herself Bajoran in order to make infiltration more believable. :: Parents what if my life were different what if I found out I was a simulation ====================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to suddenly discover that we are merely a simulated personality within some program in a computer, or the like. :: Parents what if my life were different what if I found out my lover was despicable =========================================== :: Description A character unexpectedly finds out something about their lover that is so despicable it makes continuing the relationship unthinkable. Example: In bbf1x07 "The War Prayer" (1994) Ivanova suddenly discovered that her lover was a white/human supremacist guilty of ethnically motivated violence and murder. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I got a limb stuck in rock in the middle of nowhere =========================================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to get stuck in rock (or suchlike) far away from assistance, perhaps while spelunking or mountaineering. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I grew in size ====================== :: Description A character experiences what it is like to grow in size to potentially enormous proportions. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I had X-ray vision ========================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to be able to see right through solid objects. :: Parents what if I had an extraordinary ability what if I had a life-changing stroke of good fortune ==================================================== :: Description Someone has a stroke of good luck so significant that it changes their life notably. For example when someone wins the lottery or inherits a fortune enough to be set for life. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I had a near-death experience ===================================== :: Description A character is on the brink of death and has peculiar experience as a consequence. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I had a second chance at life ===================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like if we were given the chance to go back and relive our life from some earlier point but with our later memories and experiences intact. Example: Q granted Captain Picard the opportunity to relive his time as a Starfleet cadet in tng6x15 "Tapestry". :: Parents what if my life were different what if I had a second childhood ================================ :: Description We imagine what it would be like if we were given the chance to go back and relive our childhood. Example: Ro and Guinan, to their delight, got the chance to be children again in tng6x07 "Rascals". :: Parents what if my life were different what if I had a super love potion ================================= :: Description We imagine what it would be like to have a potion with which we could make anyone we desired love us. Example: Harry Mudd tempted Christine into using a super love potion on Spock in tas1x10 "Mudd's Passion". References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LovePotion :: Parents what if my life were different what if I had an evil hand ========================== :: Description A character is transplanted with a body part that seems to have an evil mind of its own. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/EvilHand :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I had an extraordinary ability ====================================== :: Description We imagine what it'd be like to have a superpower or some such ability. :: Parents what if my life were different what if I had magical powers ============================ :: Description We imagine what it would be like to have some sort of magical powers. Example: Riker was riding on his high horse upon having been granted Q powers in tng1x10 "Hide and Q". :: Parents what if I had an extraordinary ability what if I had memories of past lives ==================================== :: Description We imagine what it might be like to have comprehensive memories of past lives. :: Parents what if my life were different what if I had only one day to live ================================== :: Description A character is faced with the grim realization that they have only a short time left to live, perhaps just a day. References: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LastDayToLive :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I had psychic powers ============================ :: Description We imagine what it would be like to, for example, move objects or make others do our bidding with our thoughts. :: Parents what if I had an extraordinary ability what if I had super intelligence ================================ :: Description We imagine what it would be like to be extremely smart. Example: Barclay became so smart in tng4x19 "The Nth Degree" that he was able to teach holo-Einstein a thing or two about general relativity. :: Parents what if I had an extraordinary ability what if I had super regenerative powers ======================================= :: Description We imagine what it would be like if our body recovered from wounds, i.e. healed, with extraordinary rapidity. References: https://powerlisting.fandom.com/wiki/Regenerative_Healing_Factor :: Parents what if I had an extraordinary ability what if I had super speed ========================= :: Description It is imagined what it would be like to run faster than a speeding bullet. :: Parents what if I had an extraordinary ability what if I had super strength ============================ :: Description We imagine what it would be like to be extraordinarily strong. :: Parents what if I had an extraordinary ability what if I had the touch of death ================================ :: Description A character is able kill people with a mere touch. References: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TouchOfDeath :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I had to defuse a ticking time bomb =========================================== :: Description Someone is confronted with a deadly device that has to be defused carefully, and soon, lest it kill everyone around it. References: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TimeBomb :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I had to fight to the death =================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to be in a fight, typically one-on-one, that must end with one contestant dead. Example: Captain Kirk felt what it was like to be pitted against Spock in the mother of all fights to the death in tos2x05 "Amok Time". :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I had to go on a suicide mission ======================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to go on a suicide mission. Example: Spock piloted a shuttlecraft deep into the Giant Space Amoeba with no reasonable prospect of return in tos2x19 "The Immunity Syndrome". :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I had to mate with a stranger ===================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to have to sleep with a complete stranger. Example: To save their species the Scalosians had to mate with any strangers that happened to pass by in tos3x13 "Wink of an Eye". :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I had to operate on myself ================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to have to perform surgery or the like on ourself. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I had to rely on a madman ================================= :: Description We imagine what it would be like to have to rely on a mentally unstable person in some vital matter, for example to survive. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I had to spend eternity in limbo ======================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to spend an eternity in the nothingness of, say, Dante’s Limbo. Example: Lazarus-A saved two universes at the cost of trapping himself in a limbo between himself and Lazarus-B for all eternity in tos1x20 "The Alternative Factor". :: Parents what if my life were different what if I had to spend eternity trapped in futile violence ========================================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to spend an eternity fighting pointless fights without defeat or victory, much like Dante’s fifth circle of hell. Example: A cloud-like being that fed on negative emotions used its astounding powers to make Captain Kirk and his crew fight hand to hand with Klingons in perpetuity in tos3x11 "Day of the Dove". :: Parents what if my life were different what if I had true visions ========================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to catch more or less accurate visions of the past, the future or some remote place in the present. :: Parents what if my life were different what if I killed someone by accident ==================================== :: Description We are made to imagine what it would be like if we accidentally but directly caused someone else's death. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I lived an alternate life ================================= :: Description We imagine what it would be like to live a different life, but with the memories of our other life intact. Example: Captain Picard, under the influence of an alien probe, experienced what it would be like to live out his life as a modest villager on an alien planet in tng5x25 "The Inner Light". :: Parents what if my life were different what if I lived backwards in time but kept my present memories ============================================================== :: Description A character lives backwards in time, perhaps even all the way back to my birth, but keeps their present memories. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I met a Viking ====================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to meet a genuine Viking. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I met an historical figure ================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to meet some famous historical figure from the past. Example: Data had the pleasure of making Mark Twain’s aquintance in tng5x26 "Time's Arrow". :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I met my distance descendants ===================================== :: Description We are made to imagine what it may be like, usually through the magic of timetravel or cryogenics, to encounter a distant descendant. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I met my double ======================= :: Description We imagine what it would be like to meet a perfect double of ourself. Example: Captain Kirk was not very impressed with his android double in tos1x09 "What Are Little Girls Made Of?". :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I met the perfect mate ============================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to meet someone who is as tailor made to be our life partner. Example: Captain Kirk found his perfect mate in the android Rayna in tos3x21 "Requiem for Methuselah". :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I repeated a portion of my life over and over again =========================================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like if through some kind of time travel phenomenon we got to relive a portion of our life over repeatedly but with our memories from time to time intact. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GroundhogDayLoop :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I saw strange things no one else could see ================================================== :: Description A character sees strange things that nobody else can see. Example: In "It" (1990) children could see terrors that were invisible to adults that were looking right at them. Later as adults, the protagonists experienced the same thing again. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I shrank in size ======================== :: Description A character experiences what it is like to shrink in size to potentially minuscule proportions. Example: A group of scientist had been bombarded with spiroid epsilon waves which, naturally, made them start to shrink in size until they stood but a sixteenth of an inch tall in tas1x11 "The Terratin Incident". :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I suffered total amnesia and had to relearn everything ============================================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to loose all our memories and have tp start over from scratch. Example: The sentient space probe Nomad completely wiped Uhura's memory in tos2x08 "The Changeling", and she had to relearn everything from scratch. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I told the truth and nobody would believe me ==================================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like not to believed by anyone when we tell them truthfully about important events that have taken place. This is often featured from the perspective of a kid. Example: Nobody would believe Serova about detrimental effects of using warp drive, especially not Geordi, in tng7x09 "Force of Nature". :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I underwent a physical metamorphosis ============================================ :: Description A character undergoes a substantial personality change to the point of being an entirely new person. Example: Geordi gradually transformed into a non-sentient, bioluminiscent creature in tng4x18 "Identity Crisis". :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I underwent an apotheosis ================================= :: Description A character is raised to a god-like status. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apotheosis :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I was accused of a crime that I didn't commit ===================================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to be wrongfully accused of a crime. Example: Riker was cleared of killing Nel Apgar in a dramatic holo-hearing in tng3x14 "A Matter of Perspective". :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I was at the mercy of a mad doctor ========================================== :: Description A character is held captive by a mad man and is at their mercy. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I was brought back to life long after my death ====================================================== :: Description A character dies and is gone for a long enough time that their friends and family have moved on, but is then resurrected from the dead. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I was cast into a lawless dungeon and had to fight for survival ======================================================================= :: Description We imagine what it would be like to face this peculiar situation. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I was flung into an alternate reality ============================================= :: Description We imagine what it would be like to suddenly move into an entirely different kind of reality. Example: Worf suddenly found himself shifting between strangely different alternate realities in tng7x11 "Parallels". :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I was really beautiful ============================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to be truly beautiful. Those of us who already are must first imagine that they are not. Example: With the aid of a beauty-enhancing drug, three ordinary women became so stunningly pretty that they drove men wild in tos1x03 "Mudd's Women". :: Parents what if my life were different what if I was stuck inside a game ================================= :: Description Someone finds themself somehow literally stuck inside a game, like a video game. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/WinToExit :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I was stuck on a planet populated by horny people of the opposite sex ============================================================================= :: Description A character experiences that fantastical situation of being stuck on a planet populated by horny people of the opposite sex. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I was super rich ======================== :: Description What would a normal person do with virtually unlimited money? :: Parents what if my life were different what if I was tossed into the past ================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to suddenly move into the past. Example: Captain Kirk, Spock, and McCoy were tossed right back into the Great Depression of the 1930s in tos1x28 "The City on the Edge of Forever". :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I was trapped in a novel ================================ :: Description We imagine what it would be like to be inside the world painted by the story of a novel, with no way to escape it. Example: Captain Picard and some of his team were trapped in an eternal live enactment of a second rate 20th century novel in tng2x12 "The Royale". :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I was trapped in a void of nothingness ============================================== :: Description A character is trapped in a void. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I was unkillable ======================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to be more or less unkillable by ordinary means. :: Parents what if I had an extraordinary ability what if I was yanked out of my normal routine and sent on an important mission ============================================================================== :: Description A character is subjected to this fantastical scenario. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I went on a journey into the underworld =============================================== :: Description A character travels to Hell or some other mythological underworld. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I were a ghost ====================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to be a ghost. Example: After a freak accident Ro and Geordi were phase shifted in a way that, for all intents and purposes, made them ghosts in tng5x24 "The Next Phase". :: Parents what if my life were different what if I were a sovereign ruler ================================ :: Description We are made to imagine what it would be like to be a king, queen, or comparable ruler with absolute power over the subjects in some realm. :: Parents what if my life were different what if I were a specimen animal in a zoo ========================================= :: Description We imagine what it would be like if we were contained in an alien zoo and gawked at like we gawk at animals in an ordinary zoo. Example: The slug like Lactrans put some humans in the Lactra VII alien zoo in tas1x15 "The Eye of the Beholder". :: Parents what if my life were different what if I were being blackmailed ================================ :: Description We imagine what it would be like if someone held compromising information about us and made us do things with the threat of revealing that information to the wrong people. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackmail :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I were gradually turning into stone =========================================== :: Description A character experiences what it is like to transform into a petrified state. References: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TakenForGranite :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I were hunted for sport =============================== :: Description We imagine what it'd be like to be hunted for sport by some superiorly armed and sadistic adversary. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I were immortal ======================= :: Description We imagine what it would be like to never age or die. Example: Mr. Flynn of tos3x21 "Requiem for Methuselah", a.k.a. Methuselah, was born with that most coveted mixed blessing of all: immortality. :: Parents what if my life were different what if I were immune from disease ================================== :: Description A character never gets sick no matter what they do and is totally immune from disease. :: Parents what if I had an extraordinary ability what if I were in a coma-like state =================================== :: Description We imagine what it might be like to suffer from some condition such as "persistent vegetative state" or "minimally conscious state", without the ability to move but without being entirely brain dead. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimally_conscious_state https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persistent_vegetative_state :: Parents what if my life were different what if I were invisible ======================== :: Description A character experiences what it is like to be invisible. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I were stranded in outer space ====================================== :: Description A character is stranded in outer space. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I were stranded without food and water ============================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to be shipwrecked or otherwise stranded somewhere, with little or no food and water. Example: Captain Picard, Wesley, and the cantankerous mining shuttle captain Dirgo crash-landed without food and water on the desert moon Lambda Paz in tng4x09 "Final Mission". References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DesertedIsland :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I were the last of my family line ========================================= :: Description A character faces the possibly grim reality that they are the last living member in their family line. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I were the last person on Earth ======================================= :: Description A character (or small group of characters) experience what it is like to be the last person/people left in the world. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I were trapped in a nightmare ===================================== :: Description A character is trapped inside a nightmare. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I woke up in a strange place and didn't remember how I got there ======================================================================== :: Description We are mad to imagine what it might be like were we to suddenly wake up in a strange place with no recollection of the recent past. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if I woke up in the future =============================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to suddenly move into the future. Example: Riker woke up sixteen years in the future as captain of the Enterprise-D, or so it seemed, in tng4x08 "Future Imperfect". :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if a killer was after me ============================= :: Description A character experiences what it is like to know that someone is out to take their life. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if an aspect of my personality was slightly different ========================================================== :: Description We imagine what it'd be like to be a somewhat different person than we are, in terms of character. :: Parents human rights what if everybody and everything was frozen in time =================================================== :: Description A character experiences what it would be like if everybody and everything was frozen in time except for themself. References: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TimeStandsStill :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if everyone got pregnant ============================= :: Description We imagine what the world would be like if virtually every woman of childbearing age got pregnant at the same time. :: Parents what if society were different what if everyone lost control of their inhibitions ================================================== :: Description We imagine what the world would be like if everyone gave in to their immediate urges without self-restraint. Example: In tos1x06 "The Naked Time" everyone got intoxicated on polywater and did whatever they wanted. The Enterprise would have spiraled into the atmosphere of Psi 2000 were it not for the Captain Kirk’s willpower and Dr. McCoy’s ingenuity. :: Parents what if society were different what if everyone turned into zombies ==================================== :: Description We imagine what the world would be like if everyone in it (except us) turned into zombies. Example: Wesley dropped by the Enterprise-D for a visit in tng5x06 "The Game" only to find the crew had become a bunch of video game addicted zombies. :: Parents what if society were different what if everyone turned stupid ============================== :: Description We imagine what the world would be like if virtually everyone in it turned increadibly stupid. :: Parents what if society were different what if everyone vanished and I was all alone ============================================= :: Description We imagine what it would be like if everyone else in our world suddenly vanished. Example: Captain Kirk woke up aboard what appeared to be a completely empty Enterprise in tos3x17 "The Mark of Gideon". :: Parents what if my life were different what if men could get pregnant ============================== :: Description We are made to imagine what it would be like as a man to become pregnant. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if my enemy and my ally looked exactly alike and I had to choose between them ================================================================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like in this rather peculiar situation. Example: Incredibly, Spock faced exactly this situation when Garth of Izar transformed himself to look like Captain Kirk in tos3x16 "Whom Gods Destroy". :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if my life were different ============================== :: Description A character experiences what it would be like if their life were different in some interesting and significant aspect. Many of these themes involve magic or seemingly magical phenomena. :: Parents alternate life what if my lover suddenly couldn't remember me ============================================== :: Description A character suddenly finds that their lover has lost all memories of them. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if my partner became possessed by a malevolent entity ========================================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like if a loved one suddenly became possessed by a demon or some other malevolent entity and started doing evil demon things, like hitting us. Example: Keiko O'Brien's husband Miles became possessed by a malevolent, disembodied prisoner alien in tng5x15 "Power Play". :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if my partner switched gender ================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like if our partner (in the romantic sense) suddenly switched gender for some reason. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if my touch was deadly =========================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like if anyone we touched died. :: Parents what if I had an extraordinary ability what if our thoughts became reality =================================== :: Description We imagine what the world would be like if every person’s various thoughts just became real as soon as they imagined them. Example: The Enterprise crew experienced this sort of alternate reality on the Shore Leave amusement park planet in tos1x17 "Shore Leave", and again in tas1x09 "Once Upon a Planet". :: Parents what if society were different what if people around me started behaving strangely one by one ============================================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like if more or less everyone around us started to act in an unusual way for no obvious reason. Example: In ds91x18 "Dramatis Personae", people around Odo started to act out of character, acting clandestinely and inquiring about his loyalties. It turned out an alien transmission was turning them into two opposing factions. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if people around me started disappearing one by one ======================================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like if people around us just started to mysteriously disappear one after the other. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if people around me started falling into comas one by one ============================================================== :: Description We imagine what it'd be like to see people around us fall into comas one after the other. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if people around me started falling mysteriously ill one by one ==================================================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like if people around us one by one contracted mysterious ailments. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if people connected to me started dying one by one ======================================================= :: Description We imagine what it would be like if our friends and/or other people in our general vicinity started falling dead one after the other. This usually occurs under mysterious circumstances and murder might be suspected. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if perpetrators were sentenced by their victims ==================================================== :: Description We are brought to imagine a legal system wherein the perpetrator of a crime has his punishment decided by the victims of said crime (or the next of kin in case of murder). :: Parents what if society were different what if society consisted of only children ========================================== :: Description We imagine what the world would be like if there were only children around. Example: Captain Kirk and his team found a planet on which all the adults had died from a mysterious disease while the children stayed children for hundreds of years in tos1x11 "Miri". :: Parents what if society were different what if society imposed a maximum age ===================================== :: Description We imagine a society in which people may not live beyond a certain age. They may for example be killed or exiled once they reach a specific age. :: Parents what if society were different what if society split into more than one distinct race ====================================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like if there were at least two variants of humans who were genetically different to the point of constituting different races. They might not necessarily recognize each other as equally human. :: Parents what if society were different what if society were different ============================== :: Description We imagine a society that is different from what we normally experience in some interesting respect. :: Parents alternate society what if someone I cared about returned from the dead ==================================================== :: Description We imagine what it would be like to have a long gone loved one who we thought was dead suddenly returned to us. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if someone I knew returned from the dead ============================================= :: Description A character believes someone they know is dead and gone, but after some time that person comes back. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if the Nazis had won ========================= :: Description We imagine what the world would be like if the Nazis had prevailed in World War II and come to world dominance. Example: The possible consequences of a Nazi victory in World War II were explored in tos1x28 "The City on the Edge of Forever". :: Parents what if society were different what if the Roman Empire never fell =================================== :: Description We imagine what the world would be like if the Roman Empire had not declined from its peak but simply gone on to become globally dominant into modern times. Example: Our protagonists came across a planet which was virtually a parallel of Earth up until the 20th century, except that the Roman Empire had somehow survived in tos2x14 "Bread and Circuses". :: Parents what if society were different what if the devil was merely misunderstood ========================================== :: Description We imagine what the world would be like if the much despised Devil of Christian mythology was real yet not, in fact, evil but merely misunderstood. Example: The Devil was revealed to be a well-intending but misunderstood alien in tas1x08 "The Magicks of Megas-Tu". :: Parents what if society were different what if the world was continually rearranging itself around me ============================================================== :: Description We imagine what it'd be like to find the world suddenly changing inconsistently around us. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if there was a huge robotic war ==================================== :: Description We imagine what society would be like if it was in disarray because of a worldwide war between autonomous robots. :: Parents what if society were different what if there were people with out of control psychokinetic powers ================================================================== :: Description We imagine what the world and society would be like if there were some individuals around that had immense supernatural powers but were not entirely able to control them. :: Parents what if society were different what if two people were combined into one person ================================================ :: Description We are made to imagine the hypothetical scenario that two people are somehow combine into one, typically receiving physical and mental traits from both progenitors and having the memories of both. :: Parents what if I faced an incredible situation what if we all lost our memories ================================ :: Description We imagine what the world would be like if everyone suddenly lost all their memories. Example: The entire crew on the Enterprise suddenly lost their memories in tng5x14 "Conundrum", which led to much befuddled and amusing awkwardness. :: Parents what if society were different what is beauty ============== :: Description The question of what "beauty" really is is discussed. Why do we call some things "beautiful"? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauty :: Parents aesthetics what is good and evil ===================== :: Description The very nature of what is morally good and bad is discussed. :: Parents ethics what is justice =============== :: Description The vary nature of what is just and what is unjust is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice :: Parents ethics what is life ============ :: Description The slippery definition of what constitutes "life" is discussed. Nature has a way of befuddling biologists whenever they think they may have pinned it down, and sci-fi can of course speedily go beyond nature into the purely hypothetical. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life :: Parents metaphysics what is natural =============== :: Description The subtle question of what it means for something to be "natural" contra "unnatural" is discussed. For example: since most people die before reaching 90, is it unnatural to live longer than that? What about 100? 500? :: Parents metaphysics what is perfection ================== :: Description The question of what "perfection" really is, is discussed. Is there such a thing as true perfection? Example: The sentient space probe Nomadof tos2x08 "The Changeling" set out to eradicate all imperfections in the universe, but Captain Kirk demonstrated to it that it was itself imperfect. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfection :: Parents aesthetics what is ugly might still be good ================================ :: Description The age old observation that things which are ugly on the surface can yet be good and beautiful on the inside is featured. Example: The Medusans turned out to be rather nice chaps in spite of being so ugly that a mere glance of them would drive you insane in tos3x07 "Is There in Truth No Beauty?". :: Parents life lesson what it is like in a low gravity environment ============================================ :: Description We are shown what it is like for a person in a low gravity environment, as compared with Earth, such as on the surface of the Moon or on that of Mars. :: Parents what life is like what it is like in a medical emergency room =========================================== :: Description We are shown what it might be like in a busy emergency room or similar medical facility, for example a field hospital in a war zone. :: Parents what life is like what it is like in a zero gravity environment ============================================= :: Description We are shown what it is like for a person inside a zero gravity environment, such as on a space station or in a free-falling vehicle, where our bodies appear to float in the air. :: Parents what life is like what it is like in showbiz ========================== :: Description We are shown what life in the entertainment industry might be like. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Show_business :: Parents what life is like what it is like on a battlefield ================================ :: Description The experiences a ground soldier may face on a field of battle are featured. :: Parents what life is like what it is like to be a loser ============================= :: Description There is a stereotypical loser-like character with attributes like a dead-end job, no useful education, poor social relations etc. We are made to reflect on what that must be like. :: Parents what life is like what it is like to be different =============================== :: Description The experiences of someone who is significantly different from everyone else in their surrounding is featured. Someone might for example be an outcast because of their skin color. :: Parents group interaction what it is like to be homeless ============================== :: Description We are made to ponder what life is like for a poor downtrodden man or woman living on the streets. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homelessness :: Parents what life is like what it is like to be impoverished ================================== :: Description The general life and travails of someone who is completely impoverished is illustrated. Typically they are homeless and must live hand-to-mouth on the street doing odd-jobs or begging. :: Parents what life is like what it is like to be in a cult =============================== :: Description We are shown what it is like to get sucked into cult-like groups and their activities. :: Parents what life is like what it is like to bid in an auction ==================================== :: Description We are shown what it is like to take part in an auction. :: Parents what life is like what it is like to live through a military occupation ===================================================== :: Description A character experiences what life is like for a normal civilian living through a military occupation of their home land. :: Parents what life is like what it is like to work as a prostitute ======================================= :: Description The personal experiences of someone who sells sexual favors are portrayed or explained. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution :: Parents what life is like what it is like to work as tech support ======================================= :: Description A character is employed to tend to the machines that other people are using; this persons' experiences with their work are featured. Typically, the idea is that the users are ignorant, impatient, and arrogant. :: Parents what life is like what it is like to work in hotel and restaurant =============================================== :: Description This employment is described. :: Parents what life is like what life is like ================= :: Description An aspect of life may be like for an individual of some interesting category of individuals (for example poor black people in America) broadly or in some particular situation (for example in high school). :: Parents the human condition what life is like in the military ================================= :: Description The general living conditions and experiences of a normal grunt in some part of the military is demonstrated. :: Parents what life is like what life is like in the police force ===================================== :: Description We are shown a reasonably realistic vision of what everyday life may be like for someone who works in some department of law enforcement. :: Parents what life is like what men want ============= :: Description The question of what men want out of life or out of prospective mates is discussed. Example: Scotty, for example, wanted a cabaret dancing girl in tos2x07 "Wolf in the Fold". :: Parents male stereotype what women want =============== :: Description What women in contemporary society tend to want out of life is discussed, typically with emphasis on things that men would be less concerned with. :: Parents female stereotype what's out there ================ :: Description What we may (or may not) find out there in the deepest depths of space: dark matter nebulas, quasars, wormholes and an entire parallel antimatter universe, perhaps? :: Parents novel sci-fi concept when in Rome ============ :: Description The notion that when you are abroad it is best to adopt the customs of those around you, is featured. Example: Captain Kirk urged Scotty to refrain from applauding loudly in appreciation of a seductive belly dance at an Argelian cafe, directing the drunken engineer to blink the table light according to Argelian custom in tos2x07 "Wolf in the Fold". :: Parents cross cultural understanding where to make one's home ======================== :: Description A character wrestles with the rather basic life decision of where to settle down and live out at least a good portion of their life. :: Parents life choice white-collar crime in society ============================= :: Description The ramifications of financially motivated, nonviolent crime committed by business and government professionals are explored. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-collar_crime :: Parents contemporary social issue who is the aggressor ==================== :: Description We are shown that in armed conflict, it is often not at all clear who deserves to be labeled the aggressor in the larger view of things. :: Parents views and customs why good people do bad things ============================= :: Description The philosophical question of what can cause an otherwise good person to commit a crime is discussed. :: Parents human nature witch hunt ========== :: Description The religious practice, mostly Christian, of hunting down people that are believed to fraternize with the devil. Example: Captain Kirk was confined and nearly charged with witchcraft in tos3x23 "All Our Yesterdays". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch-hunt :: Parents organized religion withdrawal from society ======================= :: Description A character isolates themself from their family, friends, and or community. :: Parents state of mind woman in charge =============== :: Description The outlandish notion that a woman can be the leader of a group is featured. :: Parents the battle of the sexes woman making the first move =========================== :: Description The outrageous notion that a woman might make the first move on a man to initiate a conventional heterosexual romantic affair is floated. :: Parents the battle of the sexes woman's right to sleep with whomsoever she pleases ================================================== :: Description The liberal idea that women have an innate right to choose freely with whom they care to sleep (or not) is featured. :: Parents the battle of the sexes womanizing ========== :: Description A man engages in numerous casual love affairs with different women. Example: Thadiun Okona flirted with every skirt in sight in tng2x04 "The Outrageous Okona". :: Parents romantic relationship women's rights ============== :: Description We are made to ponder what rules need to be made in order for women to feel they have the same rights and opportunities as men in society. Example: The alien woman Kamala was born and raised for no other purpose than to be the perfect mate to an important foreign dignitary in tng5x21 "The Perfect Mate", but don’t women have more than that to offer human (or alien) kind? References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_rights :: Parents human rights women's suffrage ================ :: Description The right of women to vote in elections is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_suffrage :: Parents past and present moral controversy work-life balance ================= :: Description A character has to decide how they want to weight the amount of time they spend on work against the amount of time they spend on other pursuits in life. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work%E2%80%93life_balance :: Parents life choice workaholism =========== :: Description The more or less pathological condition of a person who can't tear themself away from their work is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workaholic :: Parents pathological state of mind worker exploitation =================== :: Description The director of some facility treats their employees in a way that is considered unfair, which can happen if the employees for one reason or another are not free and able to quit and find employment elsewhere. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exploitation_of_labour :: Parents exploitation of sentient beings workers replaced by machines ============================ :: Description We are asked to what extent we should fear and, perhaps, oppose the replacement of workers by machines. The day when this definition is written by a computer may not be far off. Example: McCoy moaned about the M-5 multitronic unit (a computer) taking everyone’s jobs in tos2x24 "The Ultimate Computer". :: Parents past and present moral controversy workers' rights =============== :: Description It is discussed what kind of rights we feel that lowly workers ought to have. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_rights :: Parents human rights working parents =============== :: Description The many trials and tribulations involved in rearing a child while both parents work full-time jobs is featured. Example: Worf found it difficult to care for his son Alexander and make it to meetings on time in tng5x10 "New Ground". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_parent :: Parents parenting working together in spite of disagreement ========================================= :: Description People who disagree and dislike each other must seek to work together in spite of their differences. :: Parents group interaction working together under stress ============================= :: Description People must try to work amicably and efficiently together under heavy stress. :: Parents group interaction workplace disgruntlement ======================== :: Description A character is angry or dissatisfied with their work to the extent that it begins to interfere with the normal operation of the workplace. :: Parents group interaction workplace relations =================== :: Description People form friendships and other interpersonal relationships in the workplace. :: Parents group interaction workplace rivalry ================= :: Description Two or more people squabbling over common workplace issues such as pecking order and promotion, are featured. :: Parents group interaction world eating machine ==================== :: Description An enormous machine that gobbles up entire planets for fuel. Example: An autonomous but not sentient machine nicknamed "The Planet Eater" from another galaxy came and gobbled up some planets and a Federation starship in tos2x06 "The Doomsday Machine". :: Parents mastering space world with déjà vu ================== :: Description A world where the naïve interpretation of the experience of déjà vu is the correct one. Example: Senior officers experienced déjà vu because the ship was stuck in a time loop in tng5x18 "Cause and Effect". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A9j%C3%A0_vu :: Parents alternate laws of nature world with telepathy ==================== :: Description A world where telepathy constitutes a part of the ordinary operation of natural laws. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telepathy :: Parents alternate laws of nature worldwide locust plague ======================= :: Description A plague of locust, or other crop eating species of insect, sweeps the globe and civilization collapses. :: Parents force majeure existential risk worm-like being =============== :: Description A sentient being patterned on worms. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worm :: Parents earth-life inspired life form wrath ===== :: Description A character is overcome with inordinate and uncontrolled feelings of hatred and anger. In practice, this is used for hot-blooded fighting when it is featured as part of the story. Because fighting is common, the bar for calling it a "wrath" theme is quite high. Example: Worf flew into a violent rage in the aftermath of the murder of his on-again, off-again mate K'Ehleyr in tng4x07 "Reunion". References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anger :: Parents deadly sin wrestling with one's conscience =============================== :: Description A character questions the propriety of an intended action and decides to go with their own instincts about what is morally right and wrong. Example: Captain Picard and his crew finally rejected the fake orders they had received to kill defenceless aliens in tng5x14 "Conundrum", because the orders went against good conscience. :: Parents introspection xenocide vs. foregoing personal gain ==================================== :: Description Someone must choose whether or not to kill an entire sentient species to acquire wealth. Outlandish as this may sound, mankind has a long history of engaging in intellectual sophistry for the sake of personal gain; remember the North American slave trade. Example: The miners on Janus VI were faced with that eternal human ethical dilemma: to give up a lucrative source of wealth or kill off a race of intelligent beings, in tos1x26 "The Devil in the Dark". :: Parents personal ethical dilemma xenophobia in society ===================== :: Description The issue of a large portion of society having hostile and fearful attitudes toward strangers is discussed. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophobia :: Parents prejudice in society xenophobic isolationist alien ============================= :: Description An alien race that chooses to remain apart from the affairs of other aliens, perhaps out of fear of strangers. Example: The Paxans went to elaborate lengths to hide their home world in tng4x14 "Clues". :: Parents culturally distinguished life form yarn-like being =============== :: Description A being made from yarn or other spun thread. :: Parents miscellaneous life form you can't beat the odds in the long run ======================================= :: Description The folksy observation (that has very clear scientific justification) that in matters of chance with known odds you can't consistently outperform the odds, is featured. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambler%27s_fallacy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_limit_theorem :: Parents life lesson you can't force someone to love you =================================== :: Description The time tested wisdom that, no matter how much you want it, you can’t force someone to love you. Example: Amanda used her Q powers to make Riker act as if he loved her in tng6x06 "True Q" but it wasn’t genuine love. :: Parents life lesson you have to take chances to get ahead ===================================== :: Description A character takes great risks in order to gain an advantage in life. Example: Q offered Picard a second chance at life in which Picard choose to play everything safe in tng6x15 "Tapestry"; he ended up as the most dreary kind of person imaginable, a scientist, and speedily repented. :: Parents life lesson young and old romance ===================== :: Description A younger person and an older person embark on a romantic relationship together, with all the troubles and tribulations that may entail. :: Parents romantic relationship young girl infatuation ====================== :: Description A young girl is infatuated with someone in a stereotypically young-girl kind of way. :: Parents infatuation young lovers ============ :: Description The mutual passion of two besotted young lovers is featured. :: Parents romantic relationship young vs. old ============= :: Description A stereotypically aged (often cynical) character is contrasted with a stereotypically younger (often more blue-eyed and enthusiastic) character. :: Parents one-on-one interaction youthful indiscretion ===================== :: Description A juvenile does stupid or criminal things as juveniles so often do before they learn better. :: Parents growing up zoo making alien race ===================== :: Description An alien race that maintains a zoo of other alien races’ members. Example: The Lactrans kept a zoo of strange aliens gathered from across the galaxy in tas1x15 "The Eye of the Beholder". :: Parents culturally distinguished life form