The Apple story
The crew of the Enterprise visits a mysterious and deadly paradise planet which they discover is controlled by a machine called Vaal.
34 total · 2 choice · 11 major · 21 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| order vs. freedom | choice | order but stagnation under Vaal |
| the need for a challenge in life | choice | Kirk asserts that the feeders of Vaal have it too easy |
| AI risk to civilization | major | The Vaalians were provided for by their central computer benefactor, Vaal, but consequently did not advance their civilization and were entirely helpless in the face of change. |
| atrophied civilization | major | Vaalian :: Vaalians under control of Vaal |
| human vs. sentient machine | major | crew vs. Vaal |
| humankind controlling its own destiny | major | McCoy asserted that the Feeders of Vaal needed to have the freedom to choose what to do with Vaal. |
| machine regulated society | major | The Vaalians were provided for by their central computer benefactor, Vaal, but consequently did not advance their civilization. |
| noble savage utopia | major | Vaalian :: simple diet etc. leads to no aging |
| organized religion | major | The Vaalians worshiped the planet controlling machine Vaal as a god. |
| sentient computer | major | Vaal :: Vaal |