This is discussion archived from a time before the current discussion method was installed.
- Replicator food in Star Trek: The Next Generation is implied to be completely simulated, made out of a universal nutrient compound (or, in many cases, a compound tailor made for the intended recipient). This paste is then blended with artificial flavors and texturizers to simulate the desired dish. Hence, an ice cream sundae has the same nutritional content as a cup of hot Earl Gray or a tossed chef's salad. By the time of Deep Space Nine, revolutionary groups were actively trying to liberate the people of the Federation from their dependencies on synthetics, foods being on top of the list.
- Compare this to Star Trek: The Original Series in which foodstuffs of all kinds were kept in supply so that an automated kitchen could quickly compose and deliver any of several dozen preset meals. Less cool than the replicator above, but the meals one received were pretty much what they appeared to be.
Big T: Except that it cannot produce anything living. Or alcoholic (without modification). And at least some crewmembers have stated that replicator food doesn't taste the same.
Completely not true (at least, in The Next Generation and after); replicators reconstruct the original food at a molecular level. A replicated pizza is pretty much the same as a "real" pizza.
Daibhid C: In theory, although Picard still says they don't get the caviar right. (The Technical Manual notes this ... and then wonders how he'd do in a blind taste-test.) It's not clear (that I recall) whether the replicators can't produce real alcohol (as opposed to synthahol) or simply don't (because this is a starship, and people need to keep a clear head).
Medinoc: Took that part out:
- Note that in the book Soylent Green is based on, Harry Harrison's Make Room! Make Room!, Soylent Steaks are made of — of all things — soy and lentils, but apparently that just wasn't Anvilicious enough for the theater-going American of 1973. Or maybe they didn't think they would like the book's gigantic anticlimax.
Twin Bird: Do we need a Real Life section, much less one that's just a long list of soy products?
