@hascat@startrek I always thought replicators worked like transporters, turning energy into various types of matter. That’s what makes them a key to post-scarcity — it appears the Federation has plenty of energy.
If I could bring just one of these things into existence for the world it would definitely be the replicator, though I am not sure we have nearly enough power to supply it. Energy can become matter but it takes a fuckton of it to make a tiny amount.
But if this is about personal usage then I’m going with the holodeck. I’m not really hurting for material things. But manufacture any experience I want? I’ll take that.
Holodecks, Replicators and Transporters share huge parts of their technology.
A holodeck is more or less just a clever combination of the other two, completed by lots of forcefields.
So I would take the Holodeck and reverse engineer the other two from that.
There are some super rare elements, structures and materials that cannot be replicated.
These unreplicatable ones become the most valuable. Likewise, the value of original or unique sentient-being created artifacts.
Conversely, the value of things that can be replicated is effectively reduced to the energy cost, give or take transportation costs for items that can only be replicated in large industrial replicators.
Energy cost becomes the key value. Not a problem generally, but in a constrained environment like a starship at maximum warp over long periods (e.g., Voyager’s first years in the Delta Quadrant), it can require rationing of replicator usage. (Holodeck had a separate and incompatible power source.)
The most widely known example of an element that can’t be replicated is latinum, which replaced gold as a measure of value. Gold is replicatable but latinum is not.
Other examples include dilithium crystals needed to regulate warp core reactions and benamite crystals needed for the quantum slipstream drive.
Some materials that cannot be replicated in the 23rd century can be otherwise created in the 24th century. The technology progresses through time in-universe.
I believe there was a post or file at the old place that listed all the canonically identified unreplicatable materials. It might be one to bring forward to c/DaystromInstitute. @khaosworks@startrek.website can you weigh in please?
A replicator would certainly come in handy, allowing me to create whatever food or drink I desire instantly. However, I think I would have to choose a holodeck. The ability to create entire worlds and experiences would provide endless entertainment and learning opportunities. Whether I wanted to explore new planets, practice my sword fighting skills, or simply relax in a beautiful beachside setting, a holodeck would give me the freedom to do so without ever leaving my home.
Holodeck, then charge exorbitant rates for use by others then fund figuring out how to make a replicator. But seriously they would both be really cool.