In “The Ultimate Computer”, the duotronic M-5 computer was deemed a failure which sent its creator Richard Daystrom into a nervous breakdown. Not only did Daystrom experience psychological distress (probably the most polite way to describe it), but was responsible for a machine that killed upwards of 53 people.

Why would a person responsible for the invention of a computer that unintentionally killed (unintentionally as in, not ordered to do so) get their name enshrined? Is there anything to explain why such a troubled person that ended up killing others in a quest to eliminate the risk of human death, would inspire anyone to name an organization after them?

  • hopesdead@startrek.websiteOP
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    5 days ago

    I didn’t notice this before but in Alpha canon Daystrom Institute was founded in 2256, before TOS. So this speech doesn’t make sense. The writer probably didn’t know that either.

    EDIT: I need to clarify that this information is from “Chose Your Pain”, so it came along after “The Ultimate Computer”.

    • data1701d (He/Him)@startrek.website
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      4 days ago

      It looks like this rulebook was released 2 months before the Discovery episode.

      Honestly, I think I’d personally consider the Disco naming a canon goof up - Daystrom was only 37 years old at that point. While he’d certainly done a lot in his career by then, it still feels weird to name such a major part of Starfleet after him when he’s still relatively young.

      I think my headcannon, and a reasonable retcon in my opinion, is that there was a predecessor organization to Daystrom, somewhat like how there was NACA before there was NASA. When Discovery mentions Daystrom, they should actually be mentioning the predecessor organization.

      • hopesdead@startrek.websiteOP
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        4 days ago

        Daystrom Institute is UFP, not Starfleet affiliated. Hence why those who work at Daystrom aren’t Starfleet.