Hologram
From Tongue Tied
| RACES | |
| Hologram | |
| |
| Type: | Computer Generated Image |
| Place of Origin | Earth |
| Appearances | All episodes of Red Dwarf, except Series VIII. |
| Members: | Arnold Rimmer, George Mcintyre, Nirvanah Crane, Katerina Bartikovsky, among others. |
| Actors | Chris Barrie, Robert McCulley, Jane Horrocks, Sophie Winkleman, among others. |
- Hologram
- (noun) a special type of picture in which the objects seem to be three-dimensional
Oxford English dictionary
- Hologram
- (noun) a special type of photograph or image made with a laser in which the objects shown look solid, as if they are real, rather than flat
Cambridge English dictionary
Holographic Resurrection
Holograms as used on Red Dwarf are computer simulations of humans, typically deceased. Their memories, personality, knowledge, and skills are copied from their organic brains and are stored on disk. From this a computer simulated hologram is created from them, composed entirely of light. A hologram has the same drives, emotions, and thoughts as a regular human, only can not touch or interact with the physical world (though they can interact with holographic objects and fellow holograms). Most holograms are resurrected forms of the mega-rich (see Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers) or important personnel inside the Space Corps (the most important deceased crew member of a star freighter like Red Dwarf is chosen to be resurrected). Due to the class division of holographic resurrection and general anxiety there are certain persecutions against holograms and disdain in living society, with holograms being known derogatorily as "deadies". This has led to "Death Rights Marches". Chanel 27 has a female holographic newsreader.
Concept of holographic projection aboard Red Dwarf.
The Holographic Projection Suite (HPS) is the central control for the hologram on Red Dwarf. It stores all the different components that make up a human hologram, as well as the computers for running the holographic program. This centre feeds a small unit that projects the light of holographic form.
This small unit is called a light bee. It flies around inside the confines of the projected form. In the novel Backwards it is shown that a light bee can be used to press switches if the hologram maneuvers in the right way. The novel Better Than Life had a hologram (Arnold Rimmer) remotely projected onto Starbug from Red Dwarf, and once the connection to Red Dwarf was broken, he rematerialized back on the mother ship.
Fundamental Breakthough
There was a fundamental breakthrough with holographic technology. Hard-light mode was discovered and developed by Legion. In hard-light mode, a hologram may interact with their surroundings as if they were alive. The drawback being that it uses a lot more power than soft-light.
Hard-light technology was introduced to Red Dwarf by Legion, in the episode of the same name.
Episodes including HPS and/or light bee
