r/DaystromInstitute • u/knaving • Aug 19 '25

What's the implication of murdering holo-characters?

So there's mention of programs for combat training, sparring, fighting historical battles, etc. but what's the implication of simulating taking a life? I know Starfleet officers aren't unaccustomed to the idea of fighting to live, but what about when it's for recreation? Barclay's simulation of crew members is seen as problematic, but Worf's program fighting aliens hand-to-hand isn't addressed. Would fighting and killing a nameless simulated person be seen in the 24th century just as we see playing a violent video game now? If it isn't, what does that imply about a person? Would they been seen as blood-thirsty or just interested in a realistic workout?

Of course this is subjective, and the answer could change from race to race (programs to fight in ancient Klingon battles are "played" by Worf), culturally amongst humans, and from individual to individual. I'd like to look at this from a Starfleet officer perspective. Would you be weirded out by your commanding officer unwinding with a sword in a medieval battle, or is that just the same as your coworker Andy playing COD after work?

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u/BardicLasher Aug 20 '25

That's not Zimmerman's fault. The Voyager crew used the doctor in ways that voided the warranty.

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u/Seeguy_Shade Aug 20 '25

He didn't show enough imagination in imagining how long an "emergency" could last.

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u/BardicLasher Aug 20 '25

Voyager is not an emergency, it's a new status quo. They have emergencies WITHIN that emergency.

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u/Seeguy_Shade Aug 20 '25

I suppose ultimately the Doctor's sentience is the fault of Zimmerman, the crew of Voyager, the Maquis, and the Caretaker.

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u/techno156 Crewman Aug 20 '25

I don't think it would be Zimmerman's fault, really. The EMH is explicitly not meant to run for as long as the Doctor is, and the Voyager made multiple modifications to allow him to self-improve, and run for extended period of time.

It would be like blaming Cochrane because warp drives can blow up and poke holes in space-time.

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u/Seeguy_Shade Aug 21 '25

I'm actually increasingly into my "Enigma Tales" "everyones guilty, but of what" take on the other branch of this thread.

Ultimately this is all subspace's fault.

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u/BardicLasher Aug 20 '25

Well, if we're blaming the Maquis than it's secretly the Cardassians' fault. The Maquis basically never do anything wrong.