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Startrek was aways good on the continuity, but this point bothers me... one of the few fights that I believe was ok was Kirks brief fight with Sybok. he was obviously strong. 05 11 2006 by Dr_Sage
 
Startrek was aways good on the continuity, but this point bothers me... one of the few fights that I believe was ok was Kirks brief fight with Sybok. he was obviously strong. 05 11 2006 by Dr_Sage
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There was also a reference to Vulcan strength and speed in "Take Me Out To The Holodeck" (DS9)- Sisko mentions it in his recount of the wrestling match between him and the Vulcan captain. [[User:Roundeyesamurai|Roundeyesamurai]] 07:34, 12 June 2006 (UTC)
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== Vulcan Beards ==
   
 
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Revision as of 07:34, 12 June 2006


As my memory fails in some minutiae, the page needs more on Vulcan meditation principles (remember there was much thural explanation from Tuvok in several Voyager episodes, also regarding the nature of the Pohn'Farr memory seems to fail --- Valaraukar

Date of the Great Awakening

The Great Awakening can be narrowed down to a 700 year time period. I can give you the date of those 700 years, if you answer a little question.

When would you say this statment can apply to Mankind, "We've each learned to be delighted with what we are." Although we are much closer today, I do not think we are there. I think the proper moment would be when we are all united. Either earths' unity in 2151 or the Founding of the Federation in 2162.

The Great Awakening was dated to the 4th century in ENT's Vulcan Reformation arc. -- Josiah Rowe 09:15, 1 Jan 2005 (CET)

40 Eridani

It hasn't been canonically established that Vulcan is in the 40 Eridani system, has it? While it has been recently established to be approximately 16 light-years from Earth, and 40 Eridani is about that far away, I don't think such an assumption should be made yet. --Andrew 13:28 11-28-04

There is enough canon information that 40 Eridani A is the Vulcan sun. See the article page for its appearences. -- Kobi 11:54, 29 Oct 2004 (CEST)
I think that with the 16 LY ref from episode "Home" there is even more certainty about this data point being perfectly true than there was before. -- Captain Mike K. Bartel 12:27, 29 Oct 2004 (CEST)

Vulcans in Starfleet

It has been mentioned that Spock was the first vulcan in Starfleet. Now it seems that in fact that honour should go to T'pol. That said, T'Pol may not be considered the first Vulcan in Starfleet as there is a difference between Earth's Starfleet and the Federation's Starfleet.

It is an urban legend that Spock was the first Vulcan in Starfleet, it was never stated in the show. Moreso there was an entire ship crewed with Vulcans, the USS Intrepid. Also keep in mind that there is a difference between Starfleet and Starfleet (Earth) -- Kobi 20:20, 20 Nov 2004 (CET)

"The Vulcans had both contact with Cardassia Prime and Trill already in the late 21st century or the early 22nd century" anyone have a source on this? - <unsigned>

It is DS9 in reference to Tobin Dax. (Also, please sign, --~~~~, your messages) --Gvsualan 04:07, 24 Jan 2005 (CET)

This also needs citation, so I removed it as it sounds like speculation to explain Romulans. I've never seen a vulcan, with the Romulan V. -AJHalliwell 19:42, 13 Jul 2005 (UTC)

"A small minority of Vulcans have a small V-shaped ridge above the bridge of their nose, similar to Romulans (among whom this attribute is common). This may be a vestigial or atavistic characteristic from archaic generations of the Vulcan race. This facial feature is usually not viewed with any prejudice or suspicion."
The Vulcan diplomat in an episode of TNG had the ridges. Of course she turned out to be a Romulan double agent, but nobody questioned her forehead ridges at the time. Therefore, at least some Vulcans must have the ridges, or she would have immediately been identified as a Rom. (unsigned)
T'Pel doesn't seem to have any ridges. -- Cid Highwind 20:31, 13 Jul 2005 (UTC)
My Bad - faulty memory on my part. Now I remember she had her ridges restored after she returned to the Romulans. Apologies (155)

Vulkhansu

does the term "Vulkhansu" have a canon reference? i removed it from the article. -- Captain Mike K. Bartel 00:19, 27 Feb 2005 (GMT)

Physiology notes

Vulcan Strength ? : Does anyone think there should be a mention of Vulcan's being stronger than humans ? I noticed that wasn't in the article, but thought I'd ask before adding it, as it might be too trivial to mention, but it has always been a canonical fact of Vulcans. Especially on TOS- Spock's strength on whe he fight's Kirk, in This Side of Paradise, and Sarek's strength when he shoves a Tellarite halfway across a room with a little push in Journey to Babel for example. I'm sure there are some examples with Tuvok, but the only one that is coming to mind right off hand is his ability to hold on on the outside of the Maglift carriage in Rise. --Jadza 03:58, 24 May 2006 (UTC)

Vulcan strength is also evident in the Enterprise episode "Fusion", when a visiting Vulcan hurls Captain Archer across his quarters like a rag doll. -69.88.38.214 20:12, 11 June 2006 (UTC)

Vulcan Strenght: an incoscistency?

Since TOS the vulcan physical superioriry (specialy their amazing strenght) was completely canon. But everytime a vulcan fight this strenght seems to desapear... its frustrating. Some examples include:

  • Kirk´s fight with Spock (with the lirpas). There is one shot that focus on a strugle for the lirpa control (they both are trying to use the same weapon).
  • The ridiculous fight between B´elana and the vulcan ensign on his pon far (sorry I forgot his name).
  • Tuvok´s fight with Seven... I simple don´t get it: Tuvok had dozens of years of martial arts training AND his "superior physical capabilities"... is THAT the best he can do? If all borg are THAT strong - even with most of the implants remmoved - How can anyone fight them hand-to-hand as we saw in Voyager a couple of times? Just wondering...
  • In T´Pal case, she seems to be different... almost fragile in all her fights. The writers simple invented that she has "super sense of smell" and no superior strenght?

Startrek was aways good on the continuity, but this point bothers me... one of the few fights that I believe was ok was Kirks brief fight with Sybok. he was obviously strong. 05 11 2006 by Dr_Sage

There was also a reference to Vulcan strength and speed in "Take Me Out To The Holodeck" (DS9)- Sisko mentions it in his recount of the wrestling match between him and the Vulcan captain. Roundeyesamurai 07:34, 12 June 2006 (UTC)

Vulcan Beards

Vulcan Master

Vulcan with beard.

I removed...

It could be that Vulcans in the mirror universe have the capability to grow facial hair while Vulcans in the "prime" universe do not. However, it is more likely that the Vulcans of the mirror universe simply do not have the same qualms about outward appearance as the Vulcans in "our" universe, considering Tuvok was seen shaving in Year of Hell, Part II.
The photo in question also suggests that Vulcan males do not have vestigial nipples, as do the males of many other mammalian species such as Humans. It could be that Vulcan evolution has eliminated such vestigial organs that have no biological function in males.

(not directly next to each other) The "They may have facial hair but they may not" seems redundant. A Vulcan monk (see Unnamed Vulcans from Gravity ((EDIT: Or, see picture right))) had a beard, and Tuvok was shaving, seems saying they might not have had facial hair would be pointless. And maybe Leonard Nimoy had subtle tipples or they were covered by hair, or that picture is just low quality; because when Tuvok had a dream that he went to the bridge Naked in "Waking Moments", he seemed to have them. - AJHalliwell 01:26, 2 Sep 2005 (UTC)

A discussion on Vulcan body hair and nipples. Only on Memory Alpha. Anyways, how about we just say "Vulcans have the ability to grow facial hair, as evidenced by yada yada yada." As for the nipples... let's just imagine that topic never came up, shall we? ;) --From Andoria with Love 04:29, 2 Sep 2005 (UTC)

== Well, just for fun, I thought I'd add in my two slips of latinum's worth on the nipple thingy. This pagehas some good screencaps from Waking Moments... including a good shot of Tuvok's nipples. Scroll to the bottom of the page...

As for the facial hair issue, I think Sybock, and the Monk on Gravity answer the question. Vulcan's just don't tend to wear beards, I think, more for reasons of grooming- what logical function would a beard serve beyond cosmetic vanity is what I'd expect Tuvok to say --Jadza 03:58, 24 May 2006 (UTC)


As much as people may hate the movie, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier is considered canonical, and Sybok very clearly had a beard.

I'm wondering if some mention should be made in the physiology (anatomy portion, specifically the Vulcan Brain section) about the apparent ability of a Vulcan body to continue to function as a moderate level with no brain in it at all. Mention is made that the Vulcan brain has direct control of many autonomous body functions, but no mention is made about the fact that a vulcan can walk around without a brain at all.

It may be another case where people grit their teeth about canonic-ness, but 'TOS: Spock's Brain' is sadly canonical, too, and it hardly seems fitting that a section regarding vulcan brains should manage to sneak past without any mention of an episode specifically titled after the most famous vulcan's brain.

== I always thought Spock's body was kept alive, and made mobile, by the device McCoy hooked him up to to keep him going until they could get his brain back. And that when he was walking around sans the brain, he was virtually a "radio controlled Spock". --Jadza 03:58, 24 May 2006 (UTC)

Vulcan Beards Revisited

Okay, I just finished watching STIII on Comcast On Demand (they're on sale and all available this month, Jan 2006), and noticed an inconsistency.

STV indicates that a supposedly pure-blooded Vulcan (Sybok, though his status as pure-blooded is in question, even by Roddenberry) is capable of growing a full Charlton Heston style beard, not even just a goatee.

However STIII shows young spock growing at an accellerated rate on the Genesis planet, going through puberty and his first Ponn Farr and growing all the way into Leonard Nimoy. The whole time this happens, he doesn't get a beard or even scruffy.

Of course, on the other hand, he also doesn't get really long-ass hair and nails, which would be expected by such a growth rate.

It could be conjectured that, since hair isn't alive, the Genesis effect wouldn't inspire its growth -- but then the newborn-and-grown Spock body should be completely bald, which it isn't.

Granted, the Genesis effect seems to be selective, since none of the other people on the Genesis planet during the growth stage get any older, 'more alive,' or more evolved, yet microbes on the surface of the torpedo shell (which somehow survived reentry) seem to have evolved into what appears to be sushi, and then something long, wormy, and hungry for Klingons. Presumably there would have been microbes on the transported individuals, as well -- filtering out all living organisms except the transportee would cause serious issues with the transportees digestive tracts and other internal organs that rely on symbiotic microorganisms, and besides, THe Trouble With Tribbles showed that anything on the transporter got transported along with the intended transportees, by accidentally transporting tribbles along with Kirk and Spock, so there should have been staphylococus and streptococus on David's skin evolving, plus who-knows-what weird crap grows on Vulcans and (especially) Klingons.

However, it seems odd that it would be selective enough to force Spock to have the same haircut and beard growth he had when he died in the previous installment.

(Yes, I know I'm being picky, but...)

So yeah, there's something goofy about the vulcan facial hair.


so...if i farted like seconds before i got transported, would ya smell it on the planet? lol just kidding, i think if tuvok shaves then they grow hair, thats all there is to it, i suppose you could say that the "black"(for lack of a better word,???african vulcanins???) vulcans might grow hair while the cacasoid vulcans dont, but then there sybok who.....screw it, its in the script and that good enough for me lol Its Time For The White! =/\=Talk=/\= 19:43, 21 March 2006 (UTC)

Something I don't understand

There seems to be an inconsistency between history and physiology regarding the suppression of emotions. Historically they just decided, culturally, that they'd start acting logically. That's why the Romulans split off, etc etc. However, it seems that Vulcans are not just culturally repressed, they're genetically repressed too, as is made mention in the section on the brain (so why aren't the Romulans?). Also, for example, if it was something purely cultural, it wouldn't explain why Spock would be any different to Tuvok regarding his emotions (unless it was owing to his human mother's upbringing). Well, is there any consistent answer? I don't think one can say the Vulcans evolved to be logical, because that would require some system of natural selection for logical vulcans while non-logical ones perished. But that seems unlikely, and it's not as if continual hordes of Vulcans, fustrated by the culture, run off to the Romulans. One way of framing my question would be, if you brought up a full-blooded Vulcan in human society from birth, would it still be logical/repressed? ... Well I just read the Wikipedia article, which seems to think the repression is all cultural, and there are lots of special rituals that Vulcans go through to prove their self-control. That means Vulcans are basically lying when they say they don't feel emotion, which is what the Wiki article says. But would Vulcans lie? Kirk says thing's like "You seem irritated, Mr. Spock?" (TOS "SpaceSeed") and Spock replies in disbelief, "Irritation?" As if he barely understands the question. Why doesn't he say, "Yes, of course I am, I just don't display my emotions since it's better to get on with job, as you know".

The answer is astoundingly simple: Anyone who says "I never lie", is probably the most frequent and ardent liar you'll ever encounter.
We know that the Vulcan society conceals quite a bit about themselves, including physiological and psychological information. Recall, for example, the Voyager episodes where The Doctor states that there is virtually no information in Starfleet medical database regarding pon farr- and, as The Doctor astutely notes, it is quite illogical for the Vulcans to conceal medical information about their species, and ignore a basic biological function of reproduction. The fact that Dr. McCoy made similar statements in TOS, and Phlox (a non-Starfleet physician who worked in close proximity with Vulcans often in his career) had no knowledge of pon farr, confirm that this discrepancy is intentional, not accidental (i.e. an oversight in Voyager's database or The Doctor's program).
The Vulcans are a demonstration of a paradox: Their quest for logic is, itself, an illogical exercise. In the quest for perfect logic and an absense of emotion- Kolinahr- they engage in a wide variety of absurdly illogical and emotionally-driven activities, for example:
1) The denial, suppression, and concealment of basic biological, physiological, and psychological needs, conditions, and processes;
2) The indulgence in (and need for) chanting, rituals, quasi-religious practices, and so forth, for the purposes of re-affirming the quest for logic- and all of which, the Vulcans hold in disdain when performed by other races;
3) Demonstration of behaviors which serve a non-logical purpose.
For example, veganism is widely practiced among Vulcans- however, Vulcans appear to have evolved to be as omnivorous as humans (they have the ability to metabolize animal products, they have omnivorous teeth which closely resemble human teeth, etc.). I think if one were to delve deeper, one would find that Vulcans supplement their diet in some way in order to gain the nutritional qualities of eating animal products (much in the same way human vegans are recommended to take multivitamins to make up for the nurtients their diets lack).
For another example, the notion that "Vulcans do not touch food with their hands" is also illogical- a logical individual would realize that there is negligible risk of contamination with simple handwashing. It isn't logical to, for instance, chop vegetables solely through the use of utensils. Although it may be accomplished, it take significantly more time and energy to do so, with no practical benefit. A logical being wouldn't expend greater effort without being able to justify the expenditure.
In sum, it is fair to say that the Vulcans are *religious* about their quest to eliminate emotion and perfect their logic- in much the same way that communists are religious about their desire to eliminate religion and "equitably distribute" resources. And as any purely logical person would attest, religious (and quasi-religious) motives are not logical. They are emotional. Roundeyesamurai 10:04, 11 May 2006 (UTC)

T'Pol's Age

What is the canon reference to T'Pol age of "65 Earth years" as stated in the article? Roundeyesamurai 09:37, 11 May 2006 (UTC)

I'm not aware of a specific reference to T'Pol's age. I calculated 65 yrs based on the DOB of 2088 referenced in the T'Pol citation (based on "Zero Hour") and on the "Bounty" date reference (2153). Hope this computes (also, I noted this as a comment, which I understood to allow some element of non-canonical speculation - is this a correct assumption? I wasn't exactly sure of how to post the comment, since it is a mixture of speculation and derived information). Also - hope you don't mind, but I would like to change the wording back to "accelerated" from "early-onset", since accelerated conveys both the fact that her pon farr started "early" chronologically and was "sped up" biologically. BTW - I enjoyed the post above regarding Vulcan logic, and I think that you are on to something. It is interesting that such complexities of Vulcan logic would not be so apparent with just TOS canon - many of the later characters seem to reveal the most discrepancies with the idea of pure logic. It is also worth noting how many of the Vulcan characters are afflicted by "medical" conditions that thwart their individual efforts at emotional control (such a Tuvok and T'Pol) - it seems like their bodies/minds are essentially locked in an adversarial relationship with their conscious drive to suppress emotion. This is not unlike the physical symptoms that can arise in a human who is unconsciously repressing traumatic emotions and memories. In a way, many of the Vulcans we see are suffering from a post-traumatic stress disorder (though the trauma simply seems to be living with their own emotional turmoil). --Jim 13:17, 11 May 2006 (UTC)
In "Zero Hour", T'Pol stated she would "only be 66 years old" on her next birthday, meaning she was 65 at the time (February 2154). The number 66 was chosen as an homage to the year 1966, when Star Trek: The Original Series first aired. --From Andoria with Love 02:10, 12 May 2006 (UTC)