Science Officer's Log Entry II: "Emotional Security"
I must admit it was a relief to retire to my quarters after the recent events that occurred aboard the Enterprise. As fascinating as my study of humans continues to be, it must also be noted that it is quite exhausting. The past twenty-four hours offered several versatile examples of the illogical tendencies of humans. I shall record them here for further study and analysis.
Subject 1: Lieutenant Dave Bailey
Lieutenant Bailey proved himself to be a prime example of a human under pressure. His reactions to all outside stimuli were emotional in the extreme.
Exhibit A- The Lieutenant found it necessary to raise his voice in order to announce the current location of an object of (at that point) unknown origins. [His precise words were: "It's blocking the way!".] Furthermore, not only was his increased volume unnecessary, but the information he provided was already quite clear prior to the point he provided it. The fact that I had just given the order to steer around the then unknown object was a clear indication that it was, in fact, blocking the way. My order would have been otherwise unnecessary.
I informed the Lieutenant that his increased volume was not, in fact, necessary, then wasted no further time with his lack of logic and continued to relay the appropriate commands.
Exhibit A- The Lieutenant found it necessary to raise his voice in order to announce the current location of an object of (at that point) unknown origins. [His precise words were: "It's blocking the way!".] Furthermore, not only was his increased volume unnecessary, but the information he provided was already quite clear prior to the point he provided it. The fact that I had just given the order to steer around the then unknown object was a clear indication that it was, in fact, blocking the way. My order would have been otherwise unnecessary.
I informed the Lieutenant that his increased volume was not, in fact, necessary, then wasted no further time with his lack of logic and continued to relay the appropriate commands.
Somewhat interestingly, the situation did not cease at this point.
Exhibit B- Upon informing Mr. Bailey of his further responsibilities in regards to the cube, which the Lieutenant seemed to have a proper grasp of, the Lieutenant came back to the original point of his illogical reaction. It is fascinating to see the way humans continue to replay and re-explain their actions, attempting to make them appear rational by offering irrational explanations.
Mr. Bailey, upon repeating his orders, instead of resuming the appropriate tasks, proceeded to inform me: "Raising my voice back there doesn't mean I was scared or couldn't do my job. It means I happen to have a human thing called an adrenal gland."
I find this statement fascinating for several reasons, the first being there was no logical purpose behind it. The occurrence of the Lieutenant raising his voice was illogical, but quickly passed into irrelevance after the initial reaction. I fail to understand his intention in bringing it up again. In my study of the human race, it does occur to me that he did so for something called 'emotional security', a phrase offered by my second subject, who I will arrive at shortly.
Secondly, his statement does not fit the facts. Clearly, and most especially since he pointed out that his reaction was due to excess secretion of hormones from his adrenal gland, it is clear that the Lieutenant was in fact experiencing the human emotion 'fear', or another similar response. The adrenal medulla produces the hormone epinephrine as a response to the human emotions of 'stress', 'fear', or 'anger'. While I did suggest to the Lieutenant that he consider having it removed, as it seems most inconvenient, this would not be necessary if the Lieutenant and his species could simply train themselves to control the gland as Vulcanoids such as myself do. However, from what I have seen of mankind, this would seem to present a rather daunting task for them.
Subject 2: Captain James Tiberius Kirk
I have worked alongside the very human Captain for quite some time now, and while I find his human tendencies more tolerable than that of certain other subjects, he still continues to baffle me with strange habits and irrational responses and methods.
Exhibit A: Interestingly, the Captain asks for my appraisal of nearly every situation without fail. However, the most fascinating part of this process is that he does this only after he has made up his mind as to which course of action he will take. Today I finally inquired as to the purpose of such a method, and the Captain informed me that it was for something called 'emotional security'.
Exhibit A: Interestingly, the Captain asks for my appraisal of nearly every situation without fail. However, the most fascinating part of this process is that he does this only after he has made up his mind as to which course of action he will take. Today I finally inquired as to the purpose of such a method, and the Captain informed me that it was for something called 'emotional security'.
A fascinating concept, indeed. I find it somewhat difficult to grasp; however, it seems to allow for much of the behavior I observe on board. Mr. Bailey seemed to be continuously motivated by his search for this 'emotional security', thus there was indeed a purpose behind his continued references to his adrenal gland, albeit an illogical one. The Captain openly admitted he asks questions to which he already knows the answer, a tendency I note in many humans; a most irrational and wasteful practice. In fact, one of the most fascinating humans in history, Albert Einstein, defines this practice as insanity ["-doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."]
Exhibit B: The letters. The Captain handed me another letter today, again penned by Doctor McCoy. Since the letters are the Doctor's in origin, I will save further analysis of this exhibit for Subject 3.
My third and final subject cannot, of course, be anyone but the illustrious Doctor McCoy.
Subject 3: Doctor Leonard McCoy
Exhibit B: The letters. The Captain handed me another letter today, again penned by Doctor McCoy. Since the letters are the Doctor's in origin, I will save further analysis of this exhibit for Subject 3.
My third and final subject cannot, of course, be anyone but the illustrious Doctor McCoy.
Subject 3: Doctor Leonard McCoy
The Doctor has continuously proved himself illogical and irrational at every turn. So much so that I find it difficult to place his behaviors into any kind of pattern.
Exhibit A: Doctor McCoy's continual irrational responses and emotional outbursts in every situation are the prime evidence behind this exhibit. He was particularly emotional today in his interactions with Captain Kirk in specific regards to the young Lieutenant Bailey.
Perhaps there is a 'sympathetic echo' of emotions that takes place when two humans experience similar reactions that causes exponential compounding of the original response. Not a particularly pleasant prospect.
Besides this theory, I do not have any particular understanding of his reactions in regards to the Lieutenant. I will continue to observe.
Exhibit B: I must offer more specific evidence to create a proper scientific analysis, and therefore I bring forth a second letter, which is also now included in this log for reference alongside the first.
There is not much to report from this letter. It follows much the same pattern of the first, and reads much in the same way the Doctor speaks, which is to say, irrationally. Even more so, in fact, as the Doctor seems to have imbibed a large quantity of alcohol before writing it.
He seems to be writing the letter out of what I believe could be interpreted as the human emotion of 'guilt', seeming to not be pleased with himself for his irrational outbursts at the Captain. It does seem to me that he would be a good deal 'happier', if he were to simply forego the emotions in the first place. Thus, he would not have to deal with the apparently unpleasant emotions resulting from his initially unpleasant emotions. In fact, it seems to me that all emotions, whether construed 'good' or 'bad', inevitably result in circumstances unpleasant for all parties involved.
Exhibit B: I must offer more specific evidence to create a proper scientific analysis, and therefore I bring forth a second letter, which is also now included in this log for reference alongside the first.
There is not much to report from this letter. It follows much the same pattern of the first, and reads much in the same way the Doctor speaks, which is to say, irrationally. Even more so, in fact, as the Doctor seems to have imbibed a large quantity of alcohol before writing it.
He seems to be writing the letter out of what I believe could be interpreted as the human emotion of 'guilt', seeming to not be pleased with himself for his irrational outbursts at the Captain. It does seem to me that he would be a good deal 'happier', if he were to simply forego the emotions in the first place. Thus, he would not have to deal with the apparently unpleasant emotions resulting from his initially unpleasant emotions. In fact, it seems to me that all emotions, whether construed 'good' or 'bad', inevitably result in circumstances unpleasant for all parties involved.
However, I must admit the Doctor does have a point in regards to Jim and his lack of particular aspects of his wardrobe. His shirt seems to go missing at the strangest times, and he goes through them quite quickly.
Perhaps that was why he was digging through the Doctor's drawers again today, and happened to find this letter. Naturally, there are better places for him to find a proper shirt, but sometimes he is quite impulsive and irrational. It would fit his behavior pattern to decide to search through McCoy's drawer for a shirt if he found it the nearest place convenient to him at that particular moment. It does follow a certain pattern of rather twisted logic.
Perhaps that was why he was digging through the Doctor's drawers again today, and happened to find this letter. Naturally, there are better places for him to find a proper shirt, but sometimes he is quite impulsive and irrational. It would fit his behavior pattern to decide to search through McCoy's drawer for a shirt if he found it the nearest place convenient to him at that particular moment. It does follow a certain pattern of rather twisted logic.
I must finish this entry by saying that there was no reason to Doctor McCoy to so blatantly insult me in his letter. I am including the following paragraph for reference; I have placed in bold all particular reference to my apparent 'humanity'.
"I think stress brings
out the human in you [*Reference 1], actually. I've
looked at your medical records, of course. Half-human, that explains
it[*Reference 2]. Or most
of it. I have to wonder just how much human you actually inherited - it
can't be that healthy to suppress your human side to a Vulcan degree, but I'll just
keep an eye on you. You actually seemed more human
today than usual [*Reference
3], though. Proud of your
parents [*Reference
4], and don't think I didn't see you almost smiling over the idea of learning poker [*Reference 5]. I might have to hold you to that. If nothing else
playing a game with you might tell me a bit more about what's behind that stone
face of yours, so I can get a better read on this whole matter of Vulcan
emotions [*Reference
6]."
*Reference 1: It is quite presumptuous of the Doctor to make this statement. Not only does he make reference to the 'human in me', but this theory is reliant upon the previous part of the statement, which references the human emotion 'stress'. In order for the second portion to contain any accuracy whatsoever, the initial portion must first hold true. As I have never experienced the emotion in question, I see no reason to even dignify the second part of the statement with an analysis.
*Reference 2: While it is almost impressive that the Doctor included an actual fact in this statement, as half of my genetic makeup did, unquestionably, come from a human, I fail to see what he means by the phrase "that explains it". I am uncertain as to what, precisely, my human half is explaining. He makes no mention of specific behaviors nor traits that he might be connecting with this statement. As with all of the Doctor's attempts at any form of scientific method, this statement is vague, lacking in logical form and purpose, and therefore utterly useless.
*Reference 3: This statement begins by stating that my behavior was 'human' today, which, while I might protest the very idea, I see no need to, as the Doctor once again presents no evidence to this effect, simply repeating his prior statement with new wording. Therefore this statement is easily rejected as simple slander; since there is no evidence to contest, the claim needs no contesting in order to be dismissed.
The second problem with this statement is the fact that not only does it state that my behavior was human today, but by stating that my behavior was more human today than usual, the Doctor created the implication that the behavior is common, and has occurred before. Again, no evidence to this effect is produced, nor is any specific reaction or instance cited.
*Reference 4: Perhaps Doctor McCoy created this idea by transferring his own emotions into my words of fact. My first statement in this regard was simply: "I regret not having learned more about this Balok. In some ways he was reminiscent of my father." A statement of fact. I would find it fascinating to do a comparison of a creature similar in mannerisms to my father, which does not insinuate any emotional attachment to the matter.
*Reference 3: This statement begins by stating that my behavior was 'human' today, which, while I might protest the very idea, I see no need to, as the Doctor once again presents no evidence to this effect, simply repeating his prior statement with new wording. Therefore this statement is easily rejected as simple slander; since there is no evidence to contest, the claim needs no contesting in order to be dismissed.
The second problem with this statement is the fact that not only does it state that my behavior was human today, but by stating that my behavior was more human today than usual, the Doctor created the implication that the behavior is common, and has occurred before. Again, no evidence to this effect is produced, nor is any specific reaction or instance cited.
*Reference 4: Perhaps Doctor McCoy created this idea by transferring his own emotions into my words of fact. My first statement in this regard was simply: "I regret not having learned more about this Balok. In some ways he was reminiscent of my father." A statement of fact. I would find it fascinating to do a comparison of a creature similar in mannerisms to my father, which does not insinuate any emotional attachment to the matter.
Unless, of course, you are Doctor McCoy; in which case, this translates as: "I am an emotionally rampant humanoid with many strong feelings on the matter."
My second statement followed thus: "[My mother] considered herself a very fortunate Earth woman." Again, a statement of pure fact. She did consider herself such, and I have simply factually reported upon her emotions in regards to the matter, which makes no implication of the existence of any emotions within myself in regards to the situation.
Unless, of course, you are Doctor McCoy; in which case, the translation becomes: "My mother had many strong emotions about my father, which are in fact my emotions as well because we are connected together in a convoluted symbiotic cycle of emotion."
*Reference 5: I find it sufficient to simply say that I did not smile, nor did I have any intention of creating such a strange convolution of my features. The only thing that might be added here is the fact that "almost" is a word that certainly offers evidence of neither action nor situation, and is incredibly vague and unscientific in its origins. Referring to something that might have occurred, but in fact did not, leaves one with mere speculation and random disconnected theories with no basis in fact. Anything can "almost" occur. In fact, several times today, Doctor McCoy "almost" reacted as a rational human being. However, the point remains that he did not.
*Reference 6: (*see oxymoron)
My second statement followed thus: "[My mother] considered herself a very fortunate Earth woman." Again, a statement of pure fact. She did consider herself such, and I have simply factually reported upon her emotions in regards to the matter, which makes no implication of the existence of any emotions within myself in regards to the situation.
Unless, of course, you are Doctor McCoy; in which case, the translation becomes: "My mother had many strong emotions about my father, which are in fact my emotions as well because we are connected together in a convoluted symbiotic cycle of emotion."
*Reference 5: I find it sufficient to simply say that I did not smile, nor did I have any intention of creating such a strange convolution of my features. The only thing that might be added here is the fact that "almost" is a word that certainly offers evidence of neither action nor situation, and is incredibly vague and unscientific in its origins. Referring to something that might have occurred, but in fact did not, leaves one with mere speculation and random disconnected theories with no basis in fact. Anything can "almost" occur. In fact, several times today, Doctor McCoy "almost" reacted as a rational human being. However, the point remains that he did not.
*Reference 6: (*see oxymoron)
It can clearly be seen that the Doctor is fully a man of emotion, and not science.
However, I am curious to learn more about this game called 'poker'. The Doctor makes reference to the fact that it apparently relies on an unreadable face. I find it strange that such a game is popular within human culture.
Perhaps I shall ask Jim about it. Doctor McCoy strikes me as neither an accurate nor reliable information source.
Spock out.
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