Star trek: Why don't they have smart phasers?

[Vesayen]

*enters geek mode*

I was just watching an episode of voyager and I considered the following:

People are jumping all around the bridge shooting each other as some klingons appeared shooting at them, they shoot back etc.

They are leaning over consoles and trying to peek and shoot, or just shoot without seeing.

Why don't they have smart phasers? They have advanced computers, why not program a phaser which you can speak and say "shoot any klingons within X feet" or whatever other specifications you need and then only need hold it around a corner, not exposing yourself?

Those stupid humans are not making the best use out of their technology.

[Zkribbler]

...er, because Star Trek was inspired by Wagon Train, and phasers are just futuristic six shooters?

[VetLegion]

Every now and then a someone takes over their ship. It would be too dangerous to have computer-controlled turrets in the hallways lest they shoot the trekkies?

[BeBMan]

They need to invent smart tasers first

[Kuciwalker]

Because it's a ****ing television show and the writers were never terribly into the technology/technobabble.

If you're wondering how he eats and breathes
And other science facts
Then repeat to yourself 'It's just a show,
I should really just relax.

[Kuciwalker]

Also, why the hell were you watching Voyager?

[Vesayen]

Originally posted by VetLegion
Every now and then a someone takes over their ship. It would be too dangerous to have computer-controlled turrets in the hallways lest they shoot the trekkies?

Yeah but they could also use the transporter to beam them into space, or the life support system to kill them.

Anyway I do not mean turrets. I mean speaking into their normal handheld phasers and then holding them around a corner so they shoot on their own.

[OzzyKP]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
Also, why the hell were you watching Voyager?

[VetLegion]

Originally posted by Vesayen


Yeah but they could also use the transporter to beam them into space, or the life support system to kill them.

Anyway I do not mean turrets. I mean speaking into their normal handheld phasers and then holding them around a corner so they shoot on their own.

If you put complex target acquisition software in phasers, you make it possible for people to shoot other people and claim that they never pulled the trigger, it was a software bug.

In order to prevent misuse and simplify things for federal judiciary, there is no targetting software in phasers.

[Wittlich]

Originally posted by VetLegion
If you put complex target acquisition software in phasers, you make it possible for people to shoot other people and claim that they never pulled the trigger, it was a software bug.

In order to prevent misuse and simplify things for federal judiciary, there is no targetting software in phasers.

Great answer VetLegion!

Of course, I am a life-long trekie/er.

[Lonestar]

The Federation are a bunch of dumbasses who make paper-mache warp engine containment structures, you expect them to be able to make decent weapons?

[Zkribbler]

Lonestar sounds like a Klingon.

[Lonestar]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
Lonestar sounds like a Klingon.

Klingons make paper mache warp engines too.

Also, no one in that universe has heard of "Yield" and "strike warfare" ("Mr. Worf close to 1,000 meters than fire! Weeeeeeee")

[Heraclitus]

I wonder who on poly is a Romulan then?

[Tuberski]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
Because it's a ****ing television show and the writers were never terribly into the technology/technobabble.

If you're wondering how he eats and breathes
And other science facts
Then repeat to yourself 'It's just a show,
I should really just relax.

I just watched the movie today.

ACK!