That is cool enough I suppose. However, I am holding out for the day when there is some type of real replication technology. Basically, I see a day when web stores such as amazon.com are not connected to large physical warehouses but rather to data repositories that describe how stuff is made. Then when I order a book or a pair of boots or whatever, I can “print out” my purchase locally right away.

Take the boots as the example. Let's say that I am buying a pair of boots today and they come in black, tan or mossy oak camo. But I want them in a winter camo pattern. Under my idea, I select the basic boot that I am after and I can send them the custom art work cafe-press style. Then when I get them a half an hour later, they are made with my art work.

I always wondered about the whole holodeck thing.

In the episode where Riker made himself a virtual girl friend, she told him that she was as real as he needed her to be. I took that to mean that the writers were implying that a holodeck was rather better than an inflatable woman if still along the same idea.

However, in later stories, notably the ones with the Moriarty character, we find out that holodeck matter cannot exist outside the holodeck for very long. So presumably, it would not be wise to actually eat in the holodeck despite how good the food might taste. That and someone would have to mop up the holodeck after you went on a date.

Interesting. Goodbye physical control surfaces.

My geekiness requires responding to the holodeck comments.

The technology used in a holodeck in Star Trek uses multiple Star Trek technologies. Transporter, tractor, and replicator, to be specific. Everything else we can already do to one degree or another.

Food on a holodeck is made with the replicator tech, which is where most food in Star Trek comes from, so it will remain when leaving (not everything is a projection). Holodeck people are obviously not replicated. Objects reality are determined by the programmer, though usually people will bring real objects in as opposed to making them in the deck.

As for jizz and other....messes.. the transporter tech involved would presumably remove any such material for recycling into other products by the replicator tech. Upon leaving the deck, it would self clean in about a second, to superior standards than are seen anywhere in human history.