Telepathy (Star Trek)

Telepathy is a common plot element in the "Star Trek" universe. Several recurring species, such as the Vulcans and Betazoids exhibit telepathic or empathic abilities, as do several guest aliens.

Types

Within the universe of Star Trek, a touch telepath is a being who can communicate directly with the mind of another being, but only if in physical contact. The Vulcan mind meld is a form of touch telepathy (although there is more to it than that).

Some telepaths can exchange thoughts only with others of their own species, some can send but not receive, and some can receive but not send. There are also combinations. Betazoids, for one example, can both send and receive thought with other Betazoids, alien telepaths and empaths, but with nonpsionic alien minds they can only receive.

In some Star Trek races, telepathy is present in all healthy individuals (those not born with congenital problems and not the victims of accidents or disease). In other species, such as Humans, telepathy appears very rarely and is relatively weak (Where No Man Has Gone Before). And certain species, notably the Ferengi, are never telepathic as the structure of their brains prevents it. Often such species cannot be read even by telepaths normally capable of reading alien minds. [Star Trek Encyclopedia, p. 152]

Overview

Telepathy makes possible some forms of interaction that would otherwise be impossible. The Medusans are an incorporeal race so ugly (or perhaps merely so alien) that the sight of them drives humans insane. [Star Trek Encyclopedia, p. 296] Interaction with them was very limited, until 2268, when Miranda Jones established a telepathic link with Ambassador Kollos, proving that it could be done.

Extraordinarily powerful telepathic species exist. They are rare, but are extremely formidable, as they can immerse other minds in a realty of their own fabrication, much like a holodeck, but where the telepath makes all the rules. The xenophobic Melkotians used their telepathic powers to punish aliens who encroached upon their space without permission (which, prior to 2268, they never extended).

Under rare circumstances, individuals can gain telepathic powers. In 2264, exposure to the galactic barrier altered Gary Mitchell, who developed telepathic powers. In 2266, Captain Kirk and the starship Enterprise took aboard a passenger, Charles Evans. Subsequent events revealed that Evans had been granted various psionic skills by the enigmatic Thasians, so that he might survive on their world.

Telepathic races such as the Betazoids usually develop a moral code (sometimes making it actual law) that precisely dictates under what circumstances the powers may be used. Telepathy, misused, can be the ultimate invasion of privacy, and for that reason, it is feared by some.

Some telepaths can send and receive feelings and emotions. Sometimes this is part of a telepathic skill, and sometimes it is their only skill. In the latter case, individuals are referred to as empaths. A notable empath is Deanna Troi, daughter of a Betazoid and a human; she inherited a limited form of her mother's telepathic power.

Background

Star Trek science consultant and writer André Bormanis, has revealed that telepathy within the Star Trek universe works via the "psionic field." According to Bormanis, a psionic field is the "medium" through which unspoken thoughts and feelings are communicated through space. [ [http://www.star-trek-voyager.net/btshtm/bts_bormanis_persistenceofvision.htm André Bormanis discusses telepathy in Star Trek] ] Some humanoids can tap into this field through a kind of sense organ located in the brain. The Betazoid paracortex is one example of this. In the same manner that human eyes can sense portions of the electromagnetic field, telepaths can sense portions of the psionic field.

The psionic field was mentioned in the "" episode "Persistence of Vision". It was described as a bioelectrical energy field with a psychoactive effect. Despite this attempt to integrate the phenomena into the structure of plausible real-world physics, there is for unexplained reasons "no technology to block telepathic transmissions" as other electromagnetic phenomena can be blocked, as stated in .

References