The Star Trek universe gives a glimpse into an optimistic future with incredible technologies and new ways for people to interact with machines. The holodeck is one such technological advancement that opens up an entire world of dangers and rewards. First introduced in The Next Generation, the holodeck, or Holographic Environment Simulator,  is a fairly new development installed on starship and space stations for the purpose of entertainment and research. It has the ability to create a three-dimensional fictional environment as well as computer generated creatures with limited artificial intelligence. The holodeck can be programed to simulate any type of media, original idea, or existing environment and people. The program can even be altered verbally while inside the simulation.

When it is first introduced, William T. Riker marvels at the holodeck’s accuracy to reality. The character Data says to Ricker that much of the holodeck experience is real. In the episode “Encounter at Farpoint” Data explains, “If the transporters can convert our bodies into an energy beam then back to the original pattern… these rocks and vegetation have much simpler patterns” (s. 1, ep. 1). Additionally, the holodeck, while limited to the confines of a room, adapts to where the user is standing so that it is possible to travel an entire simulated universe without running into the walls.

However, the amazing capabilities of the holodeck can lead to unhealthy habits. Holo-addiction results from an overdependence on the fantasy world created by holodecks and can require intense self-restraint and counselling to break out of. “Hollow Pursuits” centers around one officer’s struggle with holo-addition and how people can interact with this technology in a harmful way (s. 3, ep. 21). Throughout the episode Reginald Barclay demonstrates violent and possessive behavior while interacting with simulated characters. He had been attempting to use the holodeck technology to work on social skills by programming versions of his coworkers in different fantasy situations. In the safety of an easily controllable program, Barclay could release his pent-up anger at his superiors as well as play out romantic scenes with women he works with. When his coworkers found out, they expressed how violating it is to have their images used without their knowledge or permission. In another episode, “Booby Trap”, Geordi LaForge uses the holodeck to research and simulate mechanical situations aboard the Enterprise D (s. 3, ep. 6). He programmed one of the engineers of the Enterprise using personality files to make the computer-generated holo image to make it accurate to reality. When the engineer makes an unexpected trip to the Enterprise, she discovers the program and accuses LaForge of exploiting her.

Despite the possibility of violating a persons’ autonomy by recreating their image without consent, the holodeck is used primarily for recreational use. It’s purpose on starships and space stations is to break the monotony of living in a confined space for an extended period of time. The aforementioned program in “Encounter at Farpoint” was specifically designed to look like a woods on Earth so that people can briefly feel like they are back home. The holodeck can also simulate media such as fictional books and characters including Dick Tracy, Sherlock Holmes, and Murder on the Orient Express as seen in the episodes “The Big Goodbye”, “Elementary, Dear Data”, and “Emergence”, respectively  (s. 1, ep. 11; s. 2, ep. 3; s. 7, ep. 23). So, while holodeck technology can be used inappropriately, most people choose to use it for entertainment and a day off.