My #1 son once pointed out that the only way to accomplish true encryption is to invent an entirely new language with a completely new alphabet. (I don’t know why I threw that in there.)
It would only be a matter of time to find the repetitions of the new language, then find it’s grammar and break the code. What one human mind can create another human mind can decipher. I suppose a truly Alien language would present problems at first, unless they communicate language beyond symbolic references.
Think about it. If they only speak in metaphors how did “Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra” ever become a thing? The phrase would only have meaning to people who had actually witnessed the event – which as I recall was only Darmok and Jalad. I suppose Darmok and Jalad could have drawn pictures to inform others of their heroic exploit. They’d have had to possess remarkable artistic skill and an equally remarkable lack modesty. How would anyone describe any unique event they witnessed except by drawing it like some caveman. Mighty hard to build a civilization that way.
Well, perhaps they used normal, descriptive grammar earlier in their history, DamnCat, and have undergone advanced, liberal evolution to speak only metaphorically in a such a magical fashion. Give ’em time! Soon, they won’t be able to do that either!
(I hated that episode also. And you’re right: most of The Next Generation series was stupid psychobabble (I chiefly blame Rick Berman). But I think the Original Series was just funny.)
Is it listed as “Get these M*****F****** snakes out of my M*****F****** House!”?
Isn’t there some way they could gas the house — like they tent houses and gas them for bugs?
Of course, do you want a house with dead, rotting snakes inside the walls?
“invested with snakes” ?
What’s the rate-of-return for that? 🙂
Jimmy beat me to it
DOH!
…
Fixed.
In my defense, the “f” and “v” are diagonally adjacent on the keyboard.
Yeah, John, I’m fast!
And Harvey, that’s true of most keys on the kehboard.
Nost, but mot all…
Vety vleber.
My #1 son once pointed out that the only way to accomplish true encryption is to invent an entirely new language with a completely new alphabet. (I don’t know why I threw that in there.)
It would only be a matter of time to find the repetitions of the new language, then find it’s grammar and break the code. What one human mind can create another human mind can decipher. I suppose a truly Alien language would present problems at first, unless they communicate language beyond symbolic references.
@Jimmy – that’s exactly why American Indians of various tribes and Basques (in non-European theaters) served as radio operators in WWII.
@9 – Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
http://en.memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Darmok_%28episode%29
qep’a’ cha’maH cha’DIch
@11 – I remember that episode – possibly* the stupidest Star Trek ever.
* I say “possibly” because I haven’t seen them all and among those I have seen the competition for the stupidest is fierce.
@13: Sacrilege!
Think about it. If they only speak in metaphors how did “Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra” ever become a thing? The phrase would only have meaning to people who had actually witnessed the event – which as I recall was only Darmok and Jalad. I suppose Darmok and Jalad could have drawn pictures to inform others of their heroic exploit. They’d have had to possess remarkable artistic skill and an equally remarkable lack modesty. How would anyone describe any unique event they witnessed except by drawing it like some caveman. Mighty hard to build a civilization that way.
Well, perhaps they used normal, descriptive grammar earlier in their history, DamnCat, and have undergone advanced, liberal evolution to speak only metaphorically in a such a magical fashion. Give ’em time! Soon, they won’t be able to do that either!
(I hated that episode also. And you’re right: most of The Next Generation series was stupid psychobabble (I chiefly blame Rick Berman). But I think the Original Series was just funny.)
Perhaps you are right Jimmy – maybe someday future generations will replace the phrase “utter failure” with “Obama as President”.
We can start now, DamnCat, as you have done!
“Obama and Clinton at Benghazi”
“Gingrich and Pelosi on couch”
“Kerry and Purple Hearts at Vietnam”
So who do we sue about the White House being infested with democrats?