Date: Tue, 4 Apr 95 09:27:41 CDT
From: hopkins-AT-twinearth.wustl.edu (Patrick Hopkins)
Subject: Re: human body transformation


Alan writes:
>>>Star Trek's transporter...
>>>If we consider a simple mechanism, say a yoyo, and we map it by a 
computer at X and reconstruct it at Y, then destroy X, it's clear that 
something is lost, eliminated. But why would this be any different for a 
transporter?
>>> I'd say that there 
is a connection between the transporter and the Auschwitz gas chambers, 
which also operated with the notion of a clean elimination, effacement.

Star Trek writers have never taken their own transporter technology seriously.
They act as if the *ding an sich* is just being moved around really, really 
fast.  But the physical and phenomenal *identity* of any thing is in its 
structure, so it doesn't really matter if the Y at the end of the transport
has the same molecules as X--if the molecules it does have are all in roughly
then same place as X's then Y=X.  Of course, what ST has largely overlooked is
that this technology would virtually eliminate death.  All you have to do is
have your transporter pattern updated every few days and if you die on an 
Away Mission, you'll simply be reconstituted back on the ship, sans post-
update memories.  (there was the one ST:TNG episode where Riker got copied by
the transporter, which would clearly be implicated)

As for the gas chamber connection, I find it unconvincing.  The immediate 
function of the gas chamber was to disrupt physical structure beyond which
structure could be repaired.  Transporters are able to restore structure
and, except for the possibility of accidents or sabotage, therefore have
no necessary association with "elimination."

Patrick


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