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Author

Topic: Defining Canon

Wes
Over 20 years here? Holy cow.
Member # 212

posted

When is a source reliable? Does it have to be on the show? In an official print? What makes starship and technology information canon? Many of these things have been asked, but none so defined. What�s more accurate? The specs written up by the creator of the Starship? The ones printed in Star Trek books? Both? I'm hoping this subject will clear some things up about those small "nitpickable" discrepancies in the Star Trek technology universe.

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Wes Button
The United Federation Uplink

Registered: Aug 1999 | IP: Logged

Hobbes
Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat
Member # 138

posted

Welcome to the forums Wes. Basically anything seen or said on TV is canon. Technical manuals are semi-canon (at least in my opinion) even though they are official print. I personally believe what a tech manual prints unless it is contridicted on TV or movies.

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Inspected by #10
Federation Starship Datalink

Registered: May 1999 | IP: Logged

Aethelwer
Frank G
Member # 36

posted

Hobbes has it right. The shows/movies are the absolute canon. Stuff like the Encyclopedia is semi-canon - we assume the info in that book comes from the show, but if the show contradicts it, the show is considered to have the "correct" information.

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[This message has been edited by The Shadow (edited August 31, 1999).]

Registered: Mar 1999 | IP: Logged

Sol System
two dollar pistol
Member # 30

posted

On a related note, it's also assumed that semi-canon material is correct unless otherwise contradicted, since it was written, in most cases, by the people who get to make the decisions on this stuff later on.

Also, newer semi-canon generally overrides older, unless it's an obvious printing mistake or something.

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"Something I can't comprehend. Something so complex and couched in its equation. So dense that light cannot escape from."
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Soul Coughing

Registered: Mar 1999 | IP: Logged

Dax
Paradox
Member # 191

posted

What about when the show(s) contradicts itself? This has happened soooooooo many times. *sigh*

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"Forgive me if I don't share your euphoria!" (Weyoun to Dukat, DS9 'Tears of the Prophets')

Registered: Jul 1999 | IP: Logged

The First One
A lovely little thinker, but a bugger when he's pissed
Member # 35

posted

Then it goes on the SWDAO page. . . 8)

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Phase 1: Steal Underpants
Phase 2: ?
Phase 3: Profit!

Registered: Mar 1999 | IP: Logged

Elim Garak
Plain and simple
Member # 14

posted

As long as it's starships-related, it goes there...

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Elim Garak: "Oh, it's just Garak. Plain, simple Garak. Now, good day to you, Doctor. I'm so glad to have made such an... interesting new friend today." (DS9: "Past Prologue")

Registered: Mar 1999 | IP: Logged

The First One
A lovely little thinker, but a bugger when he's pissed
Member # 35

posted

Well, yes, I took that as given - after all, this being the Starships Forum, I aasumed we were discussing starship canonisation issues. . . 8)

Registered: Mar 1999 | IP: Logged

Elim Garak
Plain and simple
Member # 14

posted

Uhm... right.

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Elim Garak: "Oh, it's just Garak. Plain, simple Garak. Now, good day to you, Doctor. I'm so glad to have made such an... interesting new friend today." (DS9: "Past Prologue")

Registered: Mar 1999 | IP: Logged

Wes
Over 20 years here? Holy cow.
Member # 212

posted

so offically it goes:

1) TV / Movie
2) Official Print
3) Letters / Statements from Star Trek officalls
4) Spoken or generally agreed on

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Wes Button
The United Federation Uplink
[email protected]

Registered: Aug 1999 | IP: Logged

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