It’s my head-canon conspiracy theory that the true workings of the transporter are hidden/obfuscated, even from the technicians and engineers, to avoid the existential dread of facing the truth: you die, and then it clones you.

All these systems to make it appear as if it’s a single, consistent matter stream, to leave room for the possibility of a consistent consciousness or even soul. It all falls apart in light of William Riker. You can’t duplicate matter. The only feasible explanation is that they got his scan, and successfully materialized him, but the signal that would have disintegrated the original failed.

Tuvix died because people couldn’t accept how many times they had technically killed their colleagues, or commited suicide.

I can see the argument from a certain perspective of the language, outside of context.

But remember when this amendment was passed. Right after the Civil War.

So, they wanted an amendment to bar traitors from federal office. Then they put in a section saying Congress has to actually make laws enforcing that rule, or it does nothing. And then, they didn’t make any such laws?!

So, what, they went through all the work to make a constitutional amendment, and then it does nothing?

No, they clearly felt that the rule was clear enough as it was, and section 5 is there to allow Congress to make supporting laws built upon that to help enforce that rule. But that rule should have teeth on its own.

The in-universe answer re: drones would be that people want to explore. Sure, it’s dangerous, but it’s also exciting, fascinating, and fulfilling. That said, I feel like a responsible captain would make much more extensive use of probes than any of the shows.

Re: data streams, I don’t have a good in-universe explanation. I have a similar question of why they don’t have security cameras in all the hallways and public areas.

Also, using the transporter to go down to a planet always runs the risk of some storm or an orbital threat stranding your party. Why not use the shuttle as SOP? It gives your away team more resources, both for their mission and for an emergency.

Which explains why it was standard procedure for presidents to put their money in a blind trust. And why Trump didn’t.

Normandy. Launching attacks on fascists for 80 years.

Borg were scarier before the concept of the Queen.

As disappointing as it is to see it end, 5 seasons is a decent run, and I’d rather it end before they “jump the shark” or just fizzle out.

“Donald Trump is a scab.”

Trump would be a scab, but he’s never worked a day in his life.

Well that is scary.

Should Jon Stewart run for POTUS? No.

Would I vote for Jon Stewart if he ran for POTUS? Probably.

This says less about my faith in Jon’s ability to govern, and more about my lack of faith in current politicians to lead ethically.

I’d rather see Jon make the right decisions but make mistakes, than to see a seasoned politician make the wrong decisions and execute them competently.

I at least have faith Jon is smart enough and with a true compassion in his heart, that he’d be able to surround himself with real experts, listen open mindedly to their advice, and regularly make decisions with empathy.

All that said, he’s said repeatedly he doesn’t want that job, and I do not blame him.