star trek - Does Starfleet accept cadets based on quotas?

In Star Trek: The Next Generation, Wesley Crusher is shown to be a genius. In addition to this, he had a great deal of Starfleet experience, as he was a sort of intern on the flagship of the Federation. All this should make him an ideal Starfleet cadet candidate, yet when it was time for him to apply, it was treated as though it was likely Wesley would fail the acceptance exams.

Contrast this to Nog in Deep Space 9. He's not shown to have an exceptional intellect or physical capability. Commander Sisko recommends him, but surely Wesley had Picard's recommendation as well. And yet Nog has no problem passing the acceptance exams (setting aside Quark's interference), and ends up a cadet.

Did the exams become easier between the two candidates' applications? Did Starfleet give Nog preferential treatment as one of, if not the, first Ferengi applicants to Starfleet Academy? If so, is it Federation policy to make it easier for applicants from non-member worlds to get in to Starfleet Academy?

Answer

Look at the example of Spock, who was always portrayed as being one of the first if not the first Vulcan in Starfleet. Or Worf, the first Klingon.

Emphasis seems to have been placed on those distinctions, indicating that diversity was valued.

Or, maybe it was all of the times that Wesley put the Federations flagship in direct peril that made his admission less than certain.

Comments

harry potter - Did Dolores Umbridge Have Any Association with Voldemort (or Death Eaters) before His Return?

I noticed that Dolores Umbridge was born during the first Wizarding War, so it's very likely she wasn't a Death Eater then (but she is pretty evil -- who knows?). After that Voldemort was not around in a way that could affect many people, and most wouldn't know he was planning to rise again. During that time, and up through Voldemort's return (in Goblet of Fire ), did Umbridge have any connection with the Death Eaters or with Voldemort? Was she doing what she did on her own, or was it because of an association with Voldemort or his allies? Answer Dolores Umbridge was definitely not a good person. However, as Sirius points out, "the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters". Remember that he also says that he doesn't believe Umbridge to be a Death Eater, but that she's evil enough (or something like that). I think there are two strong reasons to believe that: Umbridge was proud to do everything according to the law, except when she trie...

What is the etymology of Doctor Who?

I recently decided to watch Doctor Who, and started viewing the 2005 version. I have the first two episodes from the first season, and I can't help but wonder what is the etymology of the name "Doctor Who"? And why does the protagonist call himself "the Doctor" (or is it "the doctor")? Answer In the very first episode of Doctor Who (way back in 1963), the Doctor has a granddaughter going by the name "Susan Foreman", and the junkyard where the TARDIS is has the sign "I.M. Foreman". Barbara, who becomes one of the Doctor's companions, calls him "Doctor Foreman" (probably assuming that is his name given his relationship to Susan), and Ian (another early companion) does the same in the second episode, to which the Doctor says: Eh? Doctor who? What's he talking about? "Foreman" is most likely selected as a convenient surname for Susan to use because it happened to be on display near where the TARDIS landed....

story identification - Animation: floating island, flying pests

At least 20 years ago I watched a short animated film which stuck in my mind. The whole thing was wordless, possibly European, and I'm pretty sure I didn't imagine it... It featured a flying island which was inhabited by some creatures who (in my memory) reminded me of the Moomins. The island was frequently bothered by large winged animals who swooped around, although I don't think they did any actual damage. At the end one of the moomin creatures suddenly gets a weird feeling, feels forced to climb to the top of the island and then plunges down a shaft right through the centre - only to emerge at the bottom as one of the flyers. Answer Skywhales from 1983. The story begins with a man warning the tribe of approaching skywhales. The drummers then warn everybody of the hunt as everyone get prepared to set "sail". Except one man is found in his home sleeping as the noise wake him up. He then gets ready and is about to take his weapon as he hesitates then decides ...

star wars - Why don't rebels take Stormtroopers' armor?

Admittedly, the armor of the stormtroopers is not the best, but it's better than nothing. Why don't the rebels strip the armor from dead stormtroopers to use with their best soldiers? I'd really like to understand why they don't do this.

Blog

Search This Blog