War, IMHO, merely accelerates technological development. It doesn’t necessarily force it. For example, the Germans built the first really successful jet aircraft, but in peacetime, the British and Americans turned that into both warcraft and civilian transport. (The Soviets did too, although some will argue about what they invented v.s. what they stole.)
The StarTrek storyline seems to be that the Klingons bought or stole their technology, but the ability to innovate was still there either way. What’s needed is a technological level that allows “me” to learn what you did “last week”, so if you manage to get killed in some kind of blood feud, I won’t be nearly as hobbled as someone who has to invent it all over again.
le-roy over 10 years ago
No no no… it’s not a laser, it’s a PHASER.
NoSleepTil_BKLYN over 10 years ago
I’d like to know how a culture so obsessed with fighting & conflict (Klingons) can even develop space travel.
Yes, I know human technology comes mostly from war but most of our warrior cultures (Spartans, Samurai etc.) never progressed technologically.
paullp Premium Member over 10 years ago
This must be the accidental moment in history which ultimately led to peace and cooperation between the Klingons and the Federation.
And just because ancient human warrior cultures didn’t progress technologically, it doesn’t mean that an extraterrestrial culture couldn’t do better.
SMMAssociates over 10 years ago
War, IMHO, merely accelerates technological development. It doesn’t necessarily force it. For example, the Germans built the first really successful jet aircraft, but in peacetime, the British and Americans turned that into both warcraft and civilian transport. (The Soviets did too, although some will argue about what they invented v.s. what they stole.)
The StarTrek storyline seems to be that the Klingons bought or stole their technology, but the ability to innovate was still there either way. What’s needed is a technological level that allows “me” to learn what you did “last week”, so if you manage to get killed in some kind of blood feud, I won’t be nearly as hobbled as someone who has to invent it all over again.