CAPTAIN'S LOG:
A Joint RPG Newsletter of the Star Trek Universe
CAPTAIN'S LOG:
A Joint RPG
Newsletter of the Star Trek Universe
"Logic is a system
whereby one may go wrong with confidence.'"
~ Charles
Kettering
Issue 7: March 1999 - http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Hollow/3200/index.html - [email protected]
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Trek Tech: Holotechnology
Jeremy
Delaney, UFPI
Submitted by: Michael McCurdy, UFPI Consultant
Reprinted, with author's permission
Originally from CommBadge, the official webzine of UFPI
The creation of what we know as
the Holodeck, actually started out as a therapy tool to allow
severely disturbed individuals to live out their fantasies and
phobias in a monitored environment. Dr. Simone Van Gelder,
Director of Federation Special Holographic Research, created,
from her research, the Holodeck that we know.
The holodeck utilizes two main subsystems. The holographic
imagery subsystem, and matter conversion subsystem. The
imagery system creates the background environments, while the
matter conversion system creates the "props" from the
ships stored matter supplies.
The holodeck is capable of producing life like animated
recreations of fictional and real humans and other life
forms. They are animated using computer driven, pinpoint,
tractor beams. These recreations can be programmed to
exhibit exact profile data of the subject that they were created
to emulate. What this means is that with the exception of
actual memories, the holodeck is capable of reproducing the
individual perfectly, although for all intense purposes it is not
living.
There are two main types of images that are seen in a
holodeck. The first are holographic images. These
images are not real, although they are given a real appearance by
forcefields. Forcefields basically project a beam that
takes the form of the object so that an observer can touch it,
and it would feel real. These images are controlled through
the computer and directed through the users voice and actions.
These images, or items, cannot be removed from the holodeck
because they are just holographic simulations and removing them
would take them out of range of their projectors.
The other form of images is real. That is they are created
by the same system that provides for the crew's meal, the
Replicator system. Such items that are created this way
include meals in a holodeck, items such as glasses or containers
that hold substances, and any number of smaller objects that do
not require the use of the holoprojectors. These items can
be removed from the holodeck at any time during the program,
although the computer would no longer control them.
Although the actual holodeck remains the same size, the user can
create any size of holographic environment. The
holoprojectors actually beam the image into the eyes of the
occupants. When the person wants to explore their new
environment, the computer changes the image slightly to coincide
with the movements of the occupant. They can go anywhere in
their holoenvironment, and never be limited due to the size of
the holodeck because it constantly changes the scenes. One
can look behind them and see as far as the eye can see, as well
as looking ahead of them. To prevent people from actually
walking into walls, the computer uses mini forcefields and
tractor beams that provide push and pull. The individual
never gets any closer to the wall and the holo projectors provide
a scrolling environment to simulate moving.
When more than one person uses the holodeck at a time, they can be at two different places at the same time within the same program. This is achieved by the mini holoprojectors that beam the images into the eyes. Take for instance a recreation of the HMS Titanic. A person could be on the bridge, and another could be in the engine room at the same time. Although both individuals are in the same room, probably standing next to each other, the holo projectors are beaming separate images to them.
The holodeck employs a safety system that prevents serious injuries and death in the confines of the room. This is to make sure that when a person is rock-climbing El Capitan, if they fall, they will not be killed. This system, although very effective, will not prevent bruises, and sprains due to being jolted around in the simulation. The safeties are not fool proof. The systems that provide for them are not either. At times, the safeties on the holodeck can be damaged or rendered inoperable due to accidents. In these instances, injuries and death can occur in the holodeck, and any use should be terminated until the problem can be fixed.
During the historic mission of the USS Voyager, under the command of Captain Kathryn Janeway, several new leaps were made in holo-technology. The first Emergency Medical Holographic Program (EMH) was successfully tested on the Voyager, although the reports of it's performance were not available until the EMH Program was able to communicate with the Alpha Quadrant. The EMH, created and modeled after Dr. Zimmerman, had surpassed any expectations of it's creator by becoming a permanent Ships doctor and part of the crew. The original problem with this concept was that the EMH Program didn't have the storage space required to keep it running everyday for any amount of duration. This problem was solved when the program was allocated a significantly larger storage space. The EMH has a medical database of almost every Federation, and other aligned worlds, doctors to date and has this information on immediate access. The crew of the Voyager had also been able to create Holographic programs that were very similar to the EMH in that the programming could learn and use that information for future use. During an unprecedented operation on an unknown lifeform, the EMH program was able to disassemble a living being that had a terminal disease, and then reassemble it using holographic and transporter technology without the disease. Although this procedure is not recommended for everyday use, the procedures involved are being studied for implementation on a wide scale to treat various terminal diseases.
During the Voyager's mission another advance was made. Due to the events that occurred when the USS Voyager was sent back in time, a mini, portable, holographic projector was created for use with the EMH Program that would allow it free access to almost any environment with out the ship's own projectors. A 20th century businessman managed to get his hands on technology that out dated even the voyager, and he created the unit. During the course of the time line disturbance, the Voyager crew managed to keep the unit, and employ it in everyday use for the EMH. Before the unit was obtained, the EMH was confined in the sickbay, and the Holodeck where holo-projectors designed for it's use were in place.
Another advance in holo-technology is the ability to mount holographic projectors on the outer hull of the ship. This feature was designed as a security measure for a dreadnought class of Starship so that it could create "ghosts" or copies of itself to help fool the enemy. This feature, although very helpful, was not a feature that was used in everyday combat. The energy resources that were required to produce a high-resolution image of a ship that size, and also produce some energy mass for the sensors to read as a ship, taxed the ships energy reserves severely. For a starship that was at full power, and undamaged, this energy drain could be described as minute. Where the problem came in at was for a ship that was not at full power and had suffered some damage. The holograph system was designed for that purpose, to help provide distraction so that the injured ship could provide defense, offense, or be able to escape. The ships that used the system reported that when they had been damaged, their holo-projectors could not get the full power needed to supply a relatively convincing holographic star ship. Although production of the system for star ship use has been suspended, it is reported that ships in an emergency situation, and ones that are on the outer borders of Federation space, have used this technique to various degrees.
**Information from this article was taken in part from "Star Trek, The Next Generation Technical Manual", and "Star Trek, The Next Generation Officer's Manual", and my own personal dialog, as well as episodes from Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek:Deep Space Nine. Some of the facts were made from conclusions that I drew from the information at hand, and should not be considered canon. They are just one person's "logical" conclusions.**
Team Work: Star Trek PBEM
Website
Bloodmetal,
USS Drake
Greetings!
My handle's Bloodmetal. I'm the GM of my own play-by-email game -
The USS Drake. Currently, I have plans to make a special website
for all of us - players and GMs alike.
Over the past three or so years, the Star Trek play-by-email community has grown with new players joining in constantly. These people join not only for the love of Star Trek - but for the love of role-playing in general. I am surprised at the amount of players who aren't really avid Star Trek fans and yet join the PBEM games for the opportunities to roleplay. A lot of these people have discovered the joys of portraying characters in the Star Trek world, because of the stress on character and dramatic conflict over the limitations of dice-based fantasy world games that have limited their appeal over the net.
I confess, as a person who's not a bonafide "trekkie", I find the experience of interacting with other people in a Star Trek PBEM game to be both stimulating and enjoyable. It is truly a wonderful experience as people could both interact socially and in a dramatic situation. The games are flexible enough to manipulate to accommodate humor, drama, adventure and downright weird stuff.
However, I had noticed difficulties in achieving sensible and continuous play to the game. Much of the problems come from the confusion regarding knowledge of the fictional Star Trek Universe. Such as the pseudo-science behind warp speed, transporters and the like - to the knowledge of the worlds and races that inhabit the Federation. Tell me, how many of us know the average lifespan of a Vulcan? (270 years) Or the newer systems that have been installed onboard a Sovereign-class vessel? (Improved Bio-neural networks, Quantum torpedoes, Mark 70 computers) These are problems that should be addressed - but even if we get a lot of secondary sources - (ST encyclopedias and such) we find a lot of the information here either is incomprehensible or contradictory to canon sources (TV series and movies).
That is why I'm inviting all of you - players, GMs, trek fact freaks, casual fans and onlookers to help my ongoing mission to put up a website for us Star Trek roleplayers online.
The website will specialize as a general databank and guide for Star Trek roleplayers. It will serve as a guide and is NOT to be considered a be all and end-all rulebook for all of us. It will explore the possibilities that are possible in the Star Trek Universe: what has been set down canonically by the TV series and the succeeding movies; ideas explored in books and roleplaying games; and the experience of GMs and players in applying the knowledge they already have. All of these things will make us better players, better GMs and enable us to fully enjoy the gift of hope that Gene Roddenberry's ideas had given humanity in general.
Just how will we do this?
I recently mounted a mailing list for the people who are interested. From there, the participants could be asked to accomplish some tasks - such as help in writing or scrutinizing articles, discussing or debating certain key issues concerning Star Trek technology and even sharing experiences and insights that pop up during our readings. You really have no obligations in joining - but I do hope that you could contribute at least a hand in writing an article. The rewards lie upon the wealth of info that all of you could benefit to begin with. Even as casual observers, the email list has definite advantages.
Some of the stuff written for the site could also be published by the Captain's Log newsletter. The site itself will not in any way promote people's games and supports the Captain's Log ideas of neutrality on the matter. The people who wish to join the mailing list should also be a bit mature and open. This doesn't mean that I will rule out fun stuff for us to do... ;) It means that the contents and ideas of articles require cooler heads to analyze and scrutinize. For example, we may be discussing about the existence of Earth religions in the future or a comparative study of Vulcans to Jewish belief as a sort of guide to roleplaying them - and all that pales in comparison to possible discussions as to how aliens and humans could possibly (ahem...) procreate. Remember, there are always... possibilities...
Thanks - just email me at [email protected] if you're interested. I'll email you back and I'll put you in the middle of the action ASAP...
Subscribing Fleet News
Newsletter
Consulting Staff
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: If you are a subscribing member and did not get your RPG news included in this month's issue, please send us a brief summary of important events that you would like to see posted in the April issue by the regular deadline for article submissions. If anything major happens after that point you can contact us and we will try to add it to the newsletter as events happen. I look forward to getting news from more fleets for next month!
Amy Lindeman
Co-Editor in Chief
Captain's Log News
Echo Fleet: Echo Fleet recently welcomed 3-Dimensional Designers Lana McNeill and Leonardo Ceballos to Delta Shipyards, both of whom will assist in the design and creation of Trill/Federation Hybrid Technology. We also commissioned a new ship, under the command of Captain Joseph Koesterman, deemed the USS Eagle, Dutchman Class. This ship will be the Flagship for the Echo Fleet Borg Defense Force.
The Echo Fleet Web Design Team was also able to create an excellent 'rummy' page, until a more permanent one can be designed. The basics of this page can be viewed at http://deltafleet.cjb.net. Echo Fleet also began distributing copies of a Competency Test, to ensure that everybody in the fleet understands the rules and standards of play. It is our hope, that through the completion of these tests, the officers in Echo Fleet will be able to play the game more confidently and perhaps make the game more fun for all involved.
- Jeff Johnson, Echo Fleet Consultant
Gamma Fleet: Last month saw a few changes in Gamma Fleet. Fleet Admiral Bills, Commander in Chief of Gamma Fleet, left his ship the USS Excalibur - B. To take command of the newly commissioned Sovereign class USS Endeavour - D. Command of the Excalibur has been taken over by now Captain David Murphy, formally known as Lt. Cmdr. Murphy, CEO on the USS Falcon. We wish him all the best of luck in his new position. January also saw the start of hopefully the first of many joint missions with our sister fleet, Alpha Fleet. The USS Merlin, under the command of Vice Amiral Marcus Rawlens, joined forces with Alpha Fleet's USS Endeavour (different tot he new Gamma Fleet one). We hope that this will be the first of many joint missions with ships outside Gamma Fleet. If any Fleet or Ship is interested in a joint mission with Gamma Fleet, please contact me at the email address below. Hopefully in February Gamma Fleet will be seeing a large scale mission, in which all of the ships in Gamma Fleet unite together in a quest for glory......or maybe they just do a mission together. LOL. Anyway if it goes ahead then I am sure you will all hear about it next month. Finally, because I am Fleet rep. I get to put this in. My ship the USS Falcon has just reached having the highest crew compliment in the whole of Gamma Fleet (Way hey!). It is hard work for me, but hey it is worthwhile. Thank you.
- William Haywood, Gamma Fleet Consultant
Editor's Note: The above update was intended for February's issue, which never printed. Our extreme apologies to Mr. Haywood and others who did not get their news out in the timely manner that it should have been. The following addendum to this news report is from this month, keeping us up-to-date on Gamma Fleet's news. :-)
This month has seen a new officer step into a big chair. Captain Vanessa Gareth has taken command of the USS Valiant, a Prometheus class star ship. We all wish her the best of luck in her new position. Finally this month has seen the promotion of my character, Captain Atad, to the rank of Commodore. That's it till next month. Bye.
- William Haywood, Gamma Fleet Consultant
Tango Fleet: Greetings and salutations from Tango Fleet! What has happened in the past two months? Well, probably a lot, but I can't remember most of it! *laughs* Seriously, Tango Fleet has had a lot of changes coming into the end of February / beginnign of March this year. Sadly, in these past months the USS Avatar and USS Phoenix departed Tango Fleet to join a newly forming fleet called the Omega Sector, among those who left were Captain William Kyle, Captain Deidre MacTaggart, and Brigadier General William Roesch. We wish these valued officers, and continuing valued friends the best of luck in their further RPG adventures!
Along with this loss, however, Tango Fleet has continued to grow, moving to a new webserver with unlimited web space and additional e-mail addresses for our domain, many of our Command Council members now have @tangofleet e-mail addresses, to make things easier on my poor forgetful mind! The USS Odyssey, USS Artemis, and USS Protostar have also transferred into Tango Fleet recently from other RPG groups in which they were unhappy for various reasons. We've welcomed these new players to the game, and are happy to see that they have adjusted and fit into the game rather well!
Finally, I am happy to say that Tango Fleet held our first Divisional Management election last month, voting from approximatley ten candidates nominated by our Command Council to serve as representatives to our fleets three divisions and departmental heads respectively. The people elected to these positions were: Becky Manes for Division One, John Gresham for Division Two, Cody Barnes for Division Three, and Steven Marriott for Department Manager. These four have already provided a LOT of help to the Management staff, and no doubt will continue to do so for the tenure of their six month terms
- Amy Lindeman, Tango Fleet Game Manager
UFO RPG: Deep Space 18, our first E-mail sim has started off great. The USS Destiny, USS Cambridge, USS Camelot, and USS Agressor, our AOL Chat room sim are all running strong. The USS Intrepid (Web Chat) is also going great. The USS Valiant-A (Chat) and the USS Saratoga-E (2nd E-mail Sim) are both beginning to get started.
- United Federation Organization
UFPI RPG: The UFPI gave official promotions over the rank of Captain to Commodore for three players. These new Commodores are all long time players within UFPI, Ronald Padavan, Dennis Faulkner, and Michael Cerone. Currently UFPI is undergoing the massive project of updating their web site for the new millennium to make it even more user friendly, the project is being overseen by Leadership Board Member Linda Parris. It is a membership wide effort.
A new type of cross dutystation posting is being done within the UFPI, we are attempting our first Conventions. They are for Medical personnel and Security personnel. Each convention will have guest speakers from various dutystations throughout UFPI and those attending will have a chance to present their own topic for the convention lectures. We hope this will bring more players throughout the UFPI together to exchange ideas and post together.
- Michael McCurdy, UFPI Consultant
The Spotlight: Echo Fleet
Craig Picach,
Co-Editor in Chief
As more and more newly created PBEM Role Playing Games come on-line across the world wide web it is inevitable that more and more of the Star Trek legacy be revealed in formally unheard of detail. One of these new fleets, still in the creation stages, is that of Echo Fleet (http://www2.crosswinds.net/edmonton/~deltafleet/). Here, a fleet has been created centered upon the defense of a core Federation world.
First named Delta Fleet, Echo Fleet was established in 2376 when the Federation and Trill Government agreed that Trill civilians were at risk because of the war with the Dominion and Cardassians. Echo Fleet's ships and technology are a result of Federation/Trill hybrid, and quite unique in design. This is a key example of new and seemingly unheard of ideas coming to the forefront of the imagination. The Echo Fleet homepage remains only 15% completed, with sign up forms allowing players from around the world to help assist in it's construction along side a standard explanation of the PBEM RPG.
As more and more players sign up to play in these Star Trek PBEM RPGs it is rewarding to see new RPGs in construction allowing both experienced and inexperienced learn the struggles and rewards of creating a Star Trek gaming system. One can only wonder and read about the exploits of Gene Roddenbery, Bob Justman, Matt Jeffries and the Star Trek team so long ago attempting to create the original series. Echo Fleet appears to be the same sort of beginning, and RPG ready to open up an entirely new aspect of the 23rd century.
Meet the Members: A Fresh
Perspective
Amy Lindeman,
Co-Editor in Chief
Since interviewing Admirals and Generals can get a little old after awhile, a friend of mine who just recently joined an RPG that I'm involved in kindly volunteered to give us a "fresh perspective" on the RPGing world... Here is how our conversation went:
<Amy> Hi Selak! Thanks for doing this interview for me, I guess we'll start by asking how you got involved in RPGs?
<Selak> ok my first experience in rpg was with a "in chat" rpg i wanted to try to learn more english since it is not my first language and thought this would be a fun way to do so, but the rpg i was in was not satisfactory so i tried email rpg
<Amy> That's interesting, I got involved in RPGs through chats also, although I started in e-mail RPGs. How did you find out about PBEMs?
<Selak> well i did a search with a websearch engine and saw the TF site and found it really good and professionnal looking so i applied
<Amy> So you are a member of the Tango Fleet RPG, correct? How long have you participated in Tango Fleet?
<Selak> yes, since the 6th of january 1999 (a bit before but can't remember when exactly)
<Amy> Wow, so just recently. Hopefully you're experience in PBems has been better than it was in sims?
<Selak> MUCH better, the in-chat rpg was more about battles and fighting and i wanted to do some character building, which i could do in a PBEM rpg
<Amy> That makes sense. You mentioned earlier that English wasn't your first language, do you find it easier to learn when you can read the posts at your own time instead of have to keep up with the flow of the battle chat? Also, I understand that Tango Fleet has a sort of language lab to help their multi-lingual members, have you participated with that at all?
<Selak> well it helps me mostly because i can learn vocabulary that i would not normally use in conversation, and i can also check the other players mistakes but i didn't participate in the multi-lingual lab.
<Amy> *smiles* That's something I never really think about. Is it confusing trying to figure out what people on your ship mean when they are spelling it wrong or using bad grammar, even though they're native English speakers?
<Selak> *laugh* yes sometimes it is but that is an incentive to make my posts withouth mistakes.
<Amy> I would imagine it would be... What is it about RPGing that has kept you interested? Anything more than just learning English?
<Selak> oh yes, i never imagined that it could be such fun to participate with other in writing posts and also it gave me the oppurtunity to talk with crewmembers in chat rooms. people i would normally never met otherwise
<Amy> Do you spend a lot of time speaking socially with people you met in the RPGs?
<Selak> yes a bit too much to my girlfriend's taste. But i guess i'm addicted to it now.
<Amy> One of the unfortunate side effects, I suppose. I guess it comes with the territory of being a Star Trek fan though. Have you always liked Star Trek?
<Selak> yes i used to watch TOS in french when i was young and ever since i've been a fan of all the series.
<Amy> A TOS fan, hmm? I myself prefer TNG and Deep Space Nine. What would you say is your favorite series?
<Selak> I'd have to say TNG and close after Voyager.
<Amy> Well, at least you converted to the new shows then. :-) What was your favorite episode and why?
<Selak> tough one. My favorite TNG is (hold on)
<Amy> *grabs onto the nearest bridge console and waits*
<Selak> tough one. My favorite TNG episode is "cause and effects" because it broke with the linear storytelling we are used to.
<Selak> My favorite voyager episode is "Tuvix" because it dealt with the nature of individuality
<Amy> A nonconformist, eh? My favorite kind of person! *smiles* Well, are there any unique "individual" thoughts you would like to leave our readers with?
<Selak> hmmm. only this: Do not be afraid to make you character flawed, it is so much more fun than with a regular goodie two shoe character.
<Selak> speaking from experience.
<Amy> *nods* Thank you very much for your time Selak, it's been interesting!
<Selak> i'll take that as a compliment! *laugh*
Gallactic Gossip: Insurrection
Review (at long last)!
Craig Picach, Co-Editor in Chief
For eleven years now through television shows, movies, books, comics and yes, RPGs, we have watched the Next Generation crew of the Enterprise-D (and later the E) boldly go where none have gone before. Star Trek Insurrection brings us once again to this popular voyage in style, with a further emphasis on characterization and some development. The story: the Federation Council has been misled by what is obviously a hostile race to begin a forced relocation program on a world that offers eternal life. The catch, an internal conspiracy, armed warships, a peaceful race, a beautiful world and a family blood feud which threatens to destroy an entire world.
Johnathan Franks directs, and I am happy to report does an excellent job. I have no idea why I got talked into this review, since I am a TOS movie fan in which the II,III, IV, and VI mission arc was my all time favorite but needless to say I did enjoy Star Trek Insurrection a lot Let’s face it, it’s the TNG crew we all love, a great richly in-twined story including a social commentary on forced relocations, the Federation Prime Directive and the all powerful Enterprise-E.. Perhaps it’s greatest strong point was that we finally got to see some character development. Yes, Riker and Troi do finally get together (I can just picture Amy Linderman, our co-editor, all in smiles at the theater) and for once I actually had new found respect for Captain Picard. Here he is strong, relentless, ready to face a challenge, not willing to surrender, rebellious and yes, he even goes for the girl! The crew actually worked as a close team (unlike FC) although I could have used more of every ones favorite female Doctor = ) The ground battles were outstanding, Worf uses a Photon Grenade Launcher (or something like that resembling a bazooka), the internal sections of the Enterprise-E were updated (and look outstanding!) and yes, we are even threaten to great special effects as the ship battles in a nebula. GEORDI EVEN JETTASONS THE WARP CORE!!!!! (About time man!) All of this made Insurrection a great movie although it does not however break the odd numbered curse by beating any of the even numbered movies (although to put this movie in the same category as TMP or my all time most hated Star Trek material, Generations).
The problem with the movie lies in that it, like First Contact and *shudder* Generations, is that it goes forward like a 1 hour 45 minute television show. Like all TNG episodes, they never have a real "climax" at the end (you know, Khan and Kirk facing off in the Mutara Nebula, Enterprise exploding, going up against all odds cloaked bird of prey). I’m sure may left the theaters thinking that either a) the movie wasn’t finished yet, or b) This movie was too short. They had a great set up, we were all in anticipation waiting for the Enterprise-E to show her stuff, and then, *gasp* it ended.. I was hoping some Dominion battlecrusiers would show up at the end or something (anything!). Same thing with First Contact, we all wanted to see the Enterprise-E go one on one with the Borg Cube or something.. The battle scene seemed kinda "just thrown in there" in the middle of the show, but didn’t really hurt the movie in the fact that this was a character development go. The bad guys in this one, unlike First Contact weren’t very dark, but I will give credit, very effective.
In all, Star Trek Insurrection is a very fun voyage through the Star Trek universe and it beat Generations so I am not complaining! All in all, great work by Paramount. What lies ahead in the future? Truthfully, I would do anything to see Nicholas Meyer (director of Star Trek II and VI, writer in IV), Johnathan Frakes and DC Fontana do Star Trek XI, the ULTIMATE adventure, and I think Insurrection does a nice job of offering us some calm character interaction before (hopefully) the storm.
Neophite News: Succeeding in New
Situations
Nolan Slover, Tango Fleet
Admirals, Commodores, Captains, Commanders, Lieutenants, and Ensigns alike: Open your ears, for what's about to come is very informative and may help save a crew member who's ready to drop their character and give up...
From experience, I can say that I've been on both sides of the success coin...the receiving and the giving. In truth, both are sometimes hard to do: Giving isn't easy, especially if you're among the new and doubtful. Listening when you think you know it all isn't that easy either, because you'll allow yourself to maintain that you're trying as hard as you can...and still continuing to fail.
Currently in college, I'm taking a course called "Investment In Excellence." I feel that it fits perfectly, and it should honestly be taught much earlier in the scholastic lifespan, preferably around the 9th or 10th grade. Then, I could very well say, that the drop-out rate of local schools would decline almost instantaneously and the graduation rate would be higher than it has been in the last 6 years. I'm going to snatch excerpts from Lou Tice's book Though Patters For A Successful Career. It has a large amount of practical application, and it will assist you in the future.
Chapter 2: Success In New Situations Finding out about scotomas should give you a sense of relief; otherwise, you begin to think that you're not smart enough or don't have the aptitude. (A scotoma is when if your past conditioning doesn't match the situation you are in, you won't see that situation. It becomes a blind spot to you, and that's a scotoma.)
Remember, you are very bright, but sometimes the way you think interferes with your learning. Often you don't allow yourself to develop or take the right courses that would enable you to move on and get a job that's worthy of you. "Oh, I couldn't learn computers." Quit thinking that way right now! It might very well be that other people understand certain things more easily than other people understand because their conditioning matches the moment.
Once you break through your scotomas, great things happen. Very powerful generals and scientists miss the "F"s. Everyone has scotomas. (The "F"s were part of an in-class exercise, where a card with a sentence was given out. The card had three F's in evident words, but the word "of" was used 4 times, adding 4 more F's. In your mind, the F sounds like a V, doesn't it? So you have been conditioned to read OF as if it were OV.) You also will learn how to be a very careful listener. Somebody can talk you into not learning or not seeing just by the negative way they speak to you.
If you accept what they say in your mind, you can limit yourself and build scotomas to better ways. (Also, this was an in-class exercise, where again there was a card with the word FLY on it. The trick was that it was in white lettering on a black background.) Remember the FLY exercise and the way I tried to build scotomas in your mind by the way I was talking to you. If you're not careful, you think you're not smart at something. But, really, it's the way you've been conditioned. We've all been taught to read black lettering on white paper. So if our past conditioning doesn't match the situation, we don't see it. We don't see the word FLY written in white letters on white paper with black spacing. Many of you are not used to being in school settings. It's almost like the way you've been conditioned, and your experiences up to this point don't match the present situation. Don't conclude you're not bright and smart enough, because you are. Sometimes, the people we hang around with, even people in the educational setting, might make something more difficult than it should be.
It's very important to be a skeptical listener. Not a negative listener, just one who always asks, "Why?" Because if you listen to someone who says this is going to be hard and accept that truth, you conclude in your own mind, "Ooohhh, yes, I know now it will be hard." You've got to watch what we're going to call your self-talk—the conversation you have with yourself in your mind all the time. You build scotomas to your true ability not only with your own thoughts but also by listening to a friend or relative tell you the truth about yourself—you're not smart enough for school, you'll never do well in that class. Be a skeptical listener about the truth people give you. You can get a lot of outside negative influences from people who think they're only trying to keep you from getting hurt—"If I didn't care about you, I'd let you go make a fool of yourself." Poor advice from people who don't know how to grow. You must recognize that the answers are there and you can find them. Break your scotomas, and don't accept limiting thoughts about you from others. Then watch how you gain a greater appreciation of how bright and smart you are and how you can master the new subject.
Don't base your future on how you have done it in the past. Base it on the information you're learning here. Everyone is smart enough if the teacher is good enough. Don't be intimidated by your instructors. They're not trying to intimidate you, but your past conditioning is—gee, they're so smart! Their job is to help you understand the information and you've got to give them some support and some help. Where is the answer, where is the truth? You can get it. Just look for things you might be doing in your own mind to hold yourself back. As we go through this information, you will be able to open up your mind to learning. It's very important, because there is some key research from Stanford University that shows that we don't let ourselves want or dream about things we don't believe we can cause. We don't set goals for the kind of life, the kind of family, the kind of job that we don't believe we can personally cause. Even though you've got the potential, if you don't believe you can, you don't dream big enough; and right now you're not dreaming big enough. Not because you don't have it inside you, but because you don't have an appreciation for how smart you actually are.
It doesn't matter how you did in elementary school or junior high school or high school. So what if you failed before? By the time you're through with this seminar, you're going to have a great appreciation for how to use your mind, how to think, how to develop yourself. Then you're going to start setting goals for the kind of life you want for you and your family—to develop yourself fully as a human being. It's going to get better and better, year after year. "Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world." George Bernard Shaw
More information regarding the text mentioned can be found at http://www.pac-inst.com, which is the United States site for Lou Tice's Pacific Institute website. He can be e-mailed at [email protected]. I hope to include more information about this text in further submissions. It is unfortunate that I can not send some of the informative texts and materials included in the class. No copyright violation of this information is intended, and it is used purely for the educational value of our readers in context to the RPG games.
Star Trek Trivia
Stacey Lauer,
Trivia Guru and Photographer
FYI: Did you know that the
phrase "In like a lion, out like a lamb" does not refer
to the weather? Actually, it's based on an astronomical
phenomenon. At the beginning of March, the constellation
Leo (the lion) is at one point in the sky, and at the end of
March, Aries (the ram - ie the sheep) is at that point.
Just another useless bit of trivia from the Master. :)
March questions:
1. In the TNG episode "We'll Always Have Paris",
Michelle Phillips guest starred as Picard's former lover.
What famous 60s-70s band is she from?
2. The creature Megaptera novaeangliae saved Earth's tuckus
in STIV. What is a Megaptera novaeangliae?
3. The humuhumunukunukuapua'a (the state fish of Hawai'i)
appeared as a kind of MC in the children's computer system on the
Enterprise-D. What episode was he featured in?
4. Who used a right cross to subdue one of his female
patients? What was her 'ailment'?
5. Salome Jens was the ancient humanoid everyone wanted to
get their hands on in the TNG episode "The
Chase". She also plays a character whom everyone loves
to hate on DS9. Name the character.
6. In the DS9 episode "The Nagus", what was the
name of Zek's son and heir-apparent?
7. Ensign Samantha Wildman and her husband Kresgrenrik
(although he doesn't know it) have a daughter whose name is....?
8. What are the three things to know about being a captain
according to Captain Janeway in "Dark Frontier"?
9. What do Zak Kebron's parents do for a living?
10. After TOS went off the air, a new Trek series was
planned and then dropped last-minute. This series featured
a full-blooded Vulcan whose name was...?
Happy Trekking!
Answers for the January ten:
1. In "Tattoo", we learn a little about
Chakotay's past. What's his father's name? KOLOPAK
2. How many starships were lost at Wolf 359? LOTS. 39
SHIPS, AND OVER 11,000 LIVES.
3. The Vorta clone their diplomats. How many Weyouns
are we up to, as of the episode "Faith, Treachery, and the
Great River"? EIGHT
4. Who was the only regular TOS cast member who did not
lend their voices to their character in the Animated Series?
WALTER KOENIG, WHO PLAYED
CHEKOV. HOWEVER, HE DID WRITE A COUPLE EPISODES FOR THE
ANIMATED SERIES.
5. What was the name of the Federation President, and
how did Sisko
convince him that the Federation needed better security?
JARESH-INYO, AND SISKO SMUGGLED ODO INTO HIS OFFICE AND SCARED
THE CRAP OUT OF HIM.
6. In the event of a water landing, Data is designed
to do what? "IN THE EVENT OF A WATER LANDING, I HAVE BEEN
DESIGNED TO SERVE AS A FLOTATION DEVICE." WAS ANYONE ELSE
ROLLING DURING THIS LINE?
7. How many crewmembers did Calhoun bring with him from the
USS Grissom? (Extra Credit: What are their names?) THREE.
KATERINA MUELLER, ROMEO "HASH" TAKAHASHI, AND
LIEUTENANT BOYAJIAN.
8. What are the only 4 characters to cross over from TNG to
VOY? RIKER, Q, (ALTHOUGH PICARD AND DATA ARE MENTIONED.)
9. What berry started the Ferengi/Federation meetings
with the Dominion? TULA BERRIES, AS IN TULABERRY WINE.
10. What creature did Cyrano Jones use to get rid of the
tribbles? SHAME ON ME! I FORGOT! THREE CHEERS TO ANYONE WHO GETS
THIS CORRECT!
Classifieds Column
Captain's Log
Editing Staff
ITO NEWS ALERTS: Often times rumors will escalate to a status where they will pit different role playing organizations against each other because of one fundamental lie that was started by an unknown prankster. In an effort to prevent this kind of thing from happening, we have established ITO (an acronym for "In The Open") as a way of getting these things out in the open so that everyone is aware of potential disturbances, and can thereby prevent anything from every coming of it. If you know somebody who has been disruptive to your RPG group, or perhaps an anonymous person who has been spamming your ship, things like that, please e-mail these reports to [email protected] and we will be happy to post such reports to the ITO alert sent to all subscribers of our newsletter! All that we ask is that you please do not abuse this service as a way of getting back at people you don't like. Also, please note that the contents of this column are purely submissions we recieve from concerned readers, and in no way represents Captain's Log taking a side on any inter-fleet disagreements. To become a part of this ITO alert chain, simply subscribe to our newsletter at http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Hollow/3200/subscribe.html.
GRAMMAR EDITOR WANTED: As Captain's Log is growing (or perhaps it's just my list of things to do *smiles*), I find myself increasingly unable to handle the editing load alone, even with Craig's help. An efficient grammar editor who is good with punctuation and spelling, and is willing to devote approximately 3 - 5 hours a month to editing Captain's Log articles would be a GREAT addition to the newsletter staff! For more information, please contact Amy Lindeman at [email protected] or [email protected].
CONSULTANTS NEEDED: Dear readers, in order for us to better service you, we need consultants from our subscribing RPG groups that can supply information and news on your RPG group to be added to the upcoming issues of Captain's Log! If you think you would be interested in this position, or know somebody else who would be, please talk to your fleet commanders about it and if they agree, check out the Captain's Log Staff page to see if the consulting position for YOUR fleet is open, and if it is, email us at [email protected] and let us know what you would like to do!!
SUBSCRIBE YOUR RPG: In our effort to include as much of the Trek RPGing community as possible, Captain's Log is continuing to accept subscriptions for Trek RPG Groups that are interested in being listed as Subscribing members of this newsletter! We are no longer accepting charter members, however, anyone who wishes to subscribe their RPG group is ALWAYS welcome to do so! Just email us at [email protected] or see our webpage at: http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Hollow/3200/fleets.html for more information!
WRITERS NEEDED: As always, anyone interested in writing a column for Captain's Log, submitting a piece of fan fiction, or even submitting an article describing something that you would like to share with your fellow Trek/RPG community, we would LOVE to hear from you! Drop us a line at [email protected] and let us know!!! Deadline for all submissions to be placed in the upcoming issue is the 20th of the month.
HELP WANTED: 3-Dimensional Designers whom can competently design Starfleet/Trill Starships, Weapons and other paraphenalia. Contact [email protected] or [email protected]
HELP WANTED: HTML or PERL or JAVA designer who can competently design large webpages. Be able to type at 45 wpm minimum (for less time on the web). Contact [email protected] or [email protected]
PLACE YOUR ADD HERE: Is there something you're dying to share with the rest of our readers? Submit your classified add to [email protected] and we will add it to this column in next month's issue, as long as it follows all of the submission guidelines listed at http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Hollow/3200/rules.html
USS Avenger: "Infiltration" Part
II
Sean Berg,
Fiction Editor
BIOGRAPHY:
Sarrell, Ensign
Position: Conn/helm officer
Age:
29
Born:
Stardate 21891 (2345)
Birthplace:
Southern province, Vulcan
Parents:
Suvak and T’san
Physical
attributes:
Species:
Vulcan Sex: Female Height: 5’8”
Mass: 54 kg Hair: Black Eyes:
Brown
Initially educated at Vulcan Science Academy, Sarrell elected to discontinue her incomplete education and join Starfleet Academy at age 25. Graduated first in her class, with honors. Trained in advanced piloting techniques as well as possessing a scientific background. USS Avenger is first assignment as a Starfleet Officer.
Malcom, Lieutenant Senior-grade
Edward
Position:
Science officer; head astrophysicist, in charge of Stellar
Cartography
Age:
26
Born:
December 19, 2347
Birthplace:
Darwin, Australia, Earth
Parents: Kevin
and Christine Malcom
Physical
attributes:
Species:
Human Sex: Male Race: Native Australian
(aboriginal)
Height: 6’1”
Mass: 83.2 kg Hair: black Eyes:
brown
Attended Oxford University, attaining degrees in astrophysics and stellar cartography. Attended Starfleet Academy, graduating with several more degrees in advanced and applied sciences. Assigned aboard USS Enterprise as an astrophysicist, transferred to USS Avenger following loss of USS Enterprise. Married to Lily Malcom, has two children. (Due to new regulations, the USS Avenger carries no civilian passengers, thus, his family is not onboard.)
STORY:
The adventures of the USS Avenger will continue next month with the final part of Infiltration. Until then, keep on Trekking, and remember, any fan fiction you wish to have published in this newsletter can be sent to us at either [email protected] or [email protected]!
Thanks,
The Editors
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