Why I'm boycotting Picardo's book

[Holodoc]

The worst thing to happen to the Doctor during season seven wasn't Human Error. It was when he started calling biological life forms 0-r-g-a-n*i*c*s

(it's been in our language filter since day one)

Picardo rolled the word off his tongue at the end of the Photons Be Free simulation in Author Author in such a way that it elicited a sting and a cringe. It carried the same connotation as the "N" word for Blacks. It was an atrocious act.

The word was first used in Revulsion, and the ending of that episode reaffirmed the Doctor's affinity and respect for life and the creatures he vowed to heal. This was at a time when the episodes were really good, and it was apparent that the creative team behind Voyager had their collective heads on straight.

Unlike the Biller Era, when so-called creative minds were mere burnouts who were just interested in getting their paychecks. They threw us anything with the attitude that we'd accept anything because we're fans. They had the confidence of a binding contract in their court, and it was just too late for anyone to fire them and find competent replacements. It was in this climate that such an inexcusable word became a part of the Doctor's vocabulary.

At the time, several posters on that Drek BBS expressed similar discomfort. You have to realize the cultural insensitivity TPTB carried, having bastardized and defaced several cultures to come up with Chakotay's mangled backstory.

One of the things we looked forward to with the relaunch of the Voyager line of paperbacks set for 2003 was that with competent authors, maybe they could undo some of the damage done last year on TV. Ahead of the pack with post-Voyager material was Robert Picardo. Here was a man who meticulously nurtured the Doctor for seven years, having input countless ideas which were incorporated into the character. His critiques of assorted flubbed episodes in later interviews mirrored the typically observant fan.

So folks, when I caught more exerpts from The Hologram's Handbook, and learned the Doctor would be using that notorious term for biological life form comparable to any number of racist words which were already built into this board's language filter, my heart truly sank. Picardo actually going Billersoft...

Right now I'm REALLY unhappy. I truly had my hopes up that he'd redeem the Doctor, bring him back into sync as that lovable yet arrogant AI, that he would have the decency not to take this road with a character, who five years ago made it clear where he stood among a crew of biological humanoids. (After Projections, the finale for Revulsion is one of my favorites where the Doctor is concerned)

This book just tears it all down and tears me apart with it.

I have a book I'm writing, and more than ever, I feel it's up to me to really give the EMH Legacy its due in Trek literature. I'm just mulling about how to end it right now, because I have to think in terms of presenting a tight story unto itself, while suggesting the chance to make a three book arc. I'm not a famous writer or celebrity, therefore I must have everything in place for submission. There is a known character in each book, the last one (if it gets to that) involving the Doctor. Someone's got to do HIM justice as well. It looks like no one else will.

[Christina]

Organic - formed from naturally occuring compounds, all of which contain or are derived from hydrocarbon radicals.

[Holodoc]

Yes. It is an adjective. Its proper usage. Nothing to do with its transformed version into a noun, a word perpetuated by murderous holograms.

Keep in mind another derogatory word: "Schwartzes" (apologies to any who are offended). Despised by Blacks, but the word is actually from direct translation of the word for "black" in German, which is "schwartze".

Adjective to noun, a slight spelling change from an innocuous word to accommodate new conjugation. Sound familiar?

The difference in mindset and social evolution between users however is almost 400 years. The writing on Voyager fell prey to primitive minds in charge by the end. Aye, there's the rub...

[Holodoc]

***Holodoc takes a long, three day walk to clear his neural pathways.

You can't really disown a hero, can you? They've earned that status because of what they've already done, and you can't really take away that status.

And you'd think by my age I'd know better than to place anyone so much higher on a pedestal than they belong. A man can be a genius and brilliant while an absolute ignoramus.

My expectations after seeing him put so much into his role, combined with such interviews of words by a man who just seemed to have the whole sellout perspective spot on -- it just didn't seem possible that he'd mess up and do such an injustice to a creation he helped bring to fruition.

I have to remember that rock star frontmen are rarely the ones in charge, and as perceptive Picardo the actor appeared to be, he never had a handle on the Doctor's soul entirely. There were editors during the first five years to keep the character's proverbial structural integrity intact and on track.

I'm still disappointed in what he did, and I still cannot bring myself to support the book. But I can't turn my back on what he's done for good.

[Peter_Pevensie]

Sounds like a balanced and wise approach...

[Seven of Nine]

I just have to say something.  It IS a bit troubling to hear.  I have always credited all the Star Trek shows with being beyond that kind of thing.  It's namecalling and I find the whole thing disappointing.  

I always found it refreshing that one could watch an episode and not see people being treated negatively, violence being used with the utmost of thought,  and discrimination being something that was an historical stain on mankind.  Civilization had advanced  beyond these things as the norm and the concept of right vs. wrong and it's consequences served as a great reminder  
in living today.  

[Holodoc]

The initial response from Picardo is that although first uses of the word "organic life forms" in Revulsion and Flesh & Blood were "pejorative," he isn't using it that way.

My position remains of course. You can't change a word's definition or intent on a whim. Language doesn't work that way. There is a universal connotation attached to the word; it's been established, and there's no turning back. In fact, since the word was created to be a slur, there's nothing to turn back to.

I've never put the passage which started this, so let me do it now. It's in the Foreword of the book, where the Doctor explains Jeff Yagher's involvement as illustrator:

...I should point out that these illustrations, though helpful, have certain shortcomings. They in no way do justice to my sympathetic eyes, thoughtful brow, and commanding jawline, although they seem to hint at the lithe grace of my impressive physique. The artist - who is, after all, only an organic - argued that a truer rendering of my rugged good looks might distract the viewer from the essential message of each illustration.  (I suspect his explanation may be an excuse for the limitations of his talent, but he's a pleasant enough fellow and, to be frank, my publisher has encouraged me to collaborate with an organic so as not to appear elitist.)

Oh yeah that's not a disparaging label        

[Christina]

I'm thinking of all the words in the English language which have been appropriated by minorities and had their original meaning completely warped out of all recognition.  Including Gay.

I don't want this one to go the same way. I'm a gardener, I use organ - ic gardening techniques. I refuse to be manipulated in this way.

Maybe it's time to resurrect my old 'Campaign for the Re-Introduction of English

[Holodoc]

Christina said:

I'm thinking of all the words in the English language which have been appropriated by minorities and had their original meaning completely warped out of all recognition.  Including Gay.

I don't want this one to go the same way. I'm a gardener, I use organ - ic gardening techniques. I refuse to be manipulated in this way.

Maybe it's time to resurrect my old 'Campaign for the Re-Introduction of English

"Gay" is a prime example, but the word "gaeity" still retains its original meaning.

"Organic being" is perfectly acceptable. "Organic" as an adjective is its true use. I have the following phrase up most of the time on my Yahoo Messenger:

"I am a photonic man, living in a carbon-based world"

I don't think I'd be inspired to put "I am a hologram stuck in a world run by o*r*g*anics"
[glow=yellow,2,300]CRINGE!!!![/glow]

It bugged me just to write that phrase  

[Kathryn_Janeway]

People.........calm down........just take it as it (i think) was meant to be ............ a hilarious look at what a hologram would be thinking if they were real.  I bought the book a read it.......and i found it to be hilarious!  Just my opinion on it though..........

[Holodoc]

Well, it has its moments. But when you talk about one of Trekdom's most meticulously developed characters, you don't mess up and carelessly project archaic sensibilities.

Also, I got the impression from reading parts of it that Picardo has absolutely no sense of what a program is or how one works. How the The Doctor works lies within the realm of believability where the tech aspect comes in, having a basis in actual computer science. For someone uninformed to exploit what they know nothing about is pure folly. He should have stuck with the character's nontangible hopes and dreams, with closer attention to the Doctor's patterns of behavior over the seven years (or first six, if you're a diehard). Discussion of function was entirely out of Picardo's realm.

I just hope none of it becomes canon.

(don't think this had been easy for me. It was hard enough to take this material. And, unlike the 24th century, there was a mass exodus from this board, simply because I voiced an opinion. The CARPE people showed far more tolerance and consideration than those whom I took in as friends. Only two left from the "usual gang" post here anymore besides myself, and don't think that doesn't hurt. The Dark Ages of our civilization have yet to reach their final stage, and I can only hope that the world reaches the 24th Century and the ideals we've come to embrace on Star Trek.

[Kitty_K]

I found the whole "organic life forms" thing to be quite distasteful myself. I applaud you in your decision to boycott Picardo's book, and should the opportunity arise (which it may), I'll be asking him about the issue myself.

I totally agree with you. Trek should be beyond these types of distinctions, and it's very disappointing that such a meticulously created character was ruined in this way. More disappointing is the fact that Picardo doesn't seem to see it.

[Pinky]

Maybe I understood the whole character of the Doc totally wrong, but my sight of it (and the book) is as follows:

So we have a photonic life form amongst "real" persons. Since I'm sure he sees "human" as a state of mind and not a state of having a body or not, I'm sure he considers he have reached that state.
We all know that the Doctor sees himself as a higher life form compared to the others. That's what Bob Picardo is referring to. Of course one could see it as racism. IMHO this is a silly thought. More that I mean to read between the lines that you blame Robert Picardo himself for that. Would 'carbonics' have been better? Don't think so. In all times minorities found words for the "races" (and I'm using this word only in lack of a better one) they had to live together with.
Since the Doctor in this book is even arrogant to the writer (Picardo), it's obviously how you should take this one. I appreciate the humour very much and never expected a serious political statement. Don't forget: Robert Picardo is an actor having fun in playing that character. You probably could expect not much knowledge about warp technology from Le Var Burton, too.

[Holodoc]

Simply put, the Doctor would not write about about putting up with "o's" as a whole, because it comprises thousands of races and millions of cultures and life forms, most of whom he has never met or seen before. He would not refer to this lump with a slur.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: There is a difference between thinking you're better than everyone else and expressing superiority over a particular group. Expressing superiority over everyone and everything made a certain way is absolutely racism. The Doctor would never go there. He's an ethical character and certainly not stupid enough to think he's seen it all. Add to that his respect and wondernment of life which is just part of what he's about. This book - and TPTB's sloppy S7 characterization - were a crime.

The Doctor's experience has been by interacting with a few types humanoids over the course of seven years. That hardly comprises all organic life, much less organic intelligent life. At best he means Federation humans, since he zeroes in on Earth culture and domesticity in much of the book, while he revels in the conveniences of not having to rely on creature comforts.

I'd have actually let this go if the premise was he was on Olarra - Iden's ship - during the Flesh & Blood period. The Doctor would be trying to convince himself he'd done the right thing, and composed the book. But since there's mention of meeting Captain Picard (whatever for? Why would the Doctor have any such desire or be in any circumstance where they would interact? The answers of course are that he wouldn't and they wouldn't. Attracting the TNG fans to buy the book is the only possible reason. Like when they mentioned "Captain Picard" in the Lifeline trailer ).

The other thing I've discovered since finally reading the book is that Picardo knows absolutely nothing about computers. When someone writes that a program expands just by running, you know that the writer didn't check the facts, and so many statements and observations and explanations are utterly absurd to even the most basic PC dabblers. He may be from the future, but how the Doctor functions is still based on what already exists. It's a shame Picardo didn't do that little smidgeon of research. Heck, in one hour I could teach him everything he needed to know.

The Doctor IS a technological creature, and the technology is just as important to understanding his behavior and guiding his soul than the aesthetics.

So we have a book which misrepresents a charming and highly ethical character, who maligns a generalized target based on chemistry, written by someone who was totally unqualified to do so.

And let me tell you something: It takes a real fan to say it. IMHO the worst fan is someone who nods "yes" to anything and everything a person does. There's something wrong with that, and in a way something dangerous about losing one's sense of judgement in the face of benign stimuli.

[Pinky]

I don't think I'm such a bad fan when I see Mr. Picardo as an actor and not a total personisation of a character he played. As I said and say it again: This is supposed to be a humorous book, NOT A POLITICAL MANIFESTO! If you don't like it, that's absolutely okay, but I don't think it's okay to put things in it that never were supposed to be in.
When you want to boycot the book, please do as you feel, but to turn this all into a political discussion I feel as an insult to Mr. Picardo. And I don't think any fan on this planet has the right to do, no matter how great that person considers himself as a fan. I think you owe an apology to Mr. Picardo. Now flame me if you like. Or try to think about my point. I thought about yours very long and couldn't see it.