CaptainChewbacca wrote:Ok, we're nerds, dorks, and geeks of all kinds. We know what makes scifi good and what makes it bad. So, why not try and create our own universe?
Good in theory.
What is a good tech level?
I'm not sure how to answer this question. I think the best level would be where the tech is at the very least consistent with itself, and has plausible effects. For instance, an anti-aging drug if available should cause social effects - there would be those who would take it, those who refuse (who knows why?), and those who would like to but can't. Also, what happens to mandatory retirement for those who are on an anti-agathic? You could be chronologically a 150 years old but still have the mental acuities of someone in his 30s. Should you be forcibly retired if the job has a mandatory age limit of, say, 60? What about age-old pensions? Do they still apply? If such a technology were to become available you have to think beyond their immediate implications and look at the effect holistically.
How many alien races are there?
Either very few WELL-DEVELOPED aliens, or none at all. Don't make the mistake of ST where every week is another arsehole alien with a funny nose or some other stupid latex disguise.
Even B5 had this problem, though they had the best alien race ever created for TV: the Vorlons. They also had the Narn, which also had their own personality and culture, and at least 2 different religions (!). I didn't like the Centauri or Minbari much, they seemed to be one-trick ponies (the Centauri seemed like Romans in Space, while the Minbari... well, they're just evil).
I think it would be more interesting to have disparate human societies, one or two alien societies with their own agendas and so on, and perhaps one ultrapowerful or stone-age level race who either trumps everyone (as in the former) or can't compete at all (the latter).
Also, I hate the whole aliens can breed with humans thing. That said, however, I think there would be adventurous individuals in any species who would still fool around with others, even if the purpose wasn't to crossbreed.
Is it a Trek-federation, or are there many human nations?
Both.
Seriously, why assume everything would be nicely homogenised in the future? Think of the Commonwealth: you have the big Capital world analagous to Britain (Earth, in this case), you have former colony worlds who have a degree of independence analagous to Australia and New Zealand (who in this case would be fairly distant from Earth), you have antagonistic worlds lead by arseholes analagous to Robert Mugabe and Zimbabwe (who in this case would also be fairly distant from Earth, but they might be bullies in the area/sector/whatever).
What is valuable?
On the frontier outposts: Anything, from mail or news broadcasts (I mean Interstellar news, as opposed to local news), to water and food. The mundane would be pretty important, while the flashy gizmos might be seen as frivolous or unnecessary.
On established colonies, or 'speciality' colonies like farm worlds: Hard to say, I'd imagine they would be striving for self-sufficiency. I think they would be more into export as well, in the case of farm worlds, or industrial worlds.
On Homeworlds, or Capital worlds: Basically everything.
How does FTL work?
RedImperator made the point that certain 'types' of FTL have greater opportunity for strategic chokepoints. The FTL used in "The Mote in God's Eye" fits this criteria. Essentially it works by connecting stars to each other, and only certain stars are connected (these stars tend to support life-like planets), leaving the worthless stars alone, as well as the emptiness between stars largely ignored.
Also think of the implications of FTL when you consider speed:
A fast FTL means that response time is quick, presumably real-time advice or transmissions can be observed, and that colony worlds will defer to capital or Homeworlds more often than not. Rebellion would be unlikely, as the marines can be sent in at a moment's notice. Wars are probably short, sharp and brutal (when aren't they brutal?), while disaster relief can get there quick and help out. Fast or super-fast FTL implies a strong central authority who can respond quicker and might not be tolerant of insurrection.
A slow FTL means that response time will be slow, or perhaps even non-existent. Transmissions could take weeks, months or years. Colony worlds by necessity will need to be self-sufficient, and will likely not care what Homeworld thinks of such and such policy, just so long as the next shipment of grain or whatever gets there. Rebellion would be likely if Homeworld pushes too hard on authority, as the marines and carriers/battleships/whatever can't arrive for awhile. Battles will still be short, sharp and brutal, but wars will likely take longer if for no other reason than because it takes awhile for the BG to get into strike range. Slow FTL implies more self-governance and independence, as the central authority has a delay in responding to threats.
Are mental powers for the taking?
I always liked the idea of psychics, if that is what you meant by 'mental powers'. I support the idea that they should be rare... but should they be powerful? Should they be 'showy' like Palpatine shooting lightning bolts from his fingertips, or should they be 'subtle' like Obi-wan doing the mind trick? My inclination is the latter.
Also, I liked how B5 dealt with it: by essentially making such powers alien, and uncommon, and also deliberately introduced into humanity via genetic tampering.
I have some of my own ideas, but I'd like to hear what other people think is good.
I've also got my own ideas, I've been working on a universe for years now. I think it shows.
