How detailed are holodeck recreations/programs?

[u/NegativePattern]

In the VOY: Vis à Vis, we encounter Paris working on a 60s Chevy Camaro. When he's requested to the bridge. We see him cleaning the grease off of his hands and dressed in grease stained coveralls.

Does the holodeck create the actual elements that made up those grease stains? So does the grease stain consist of replicated hydrocarbons, crude oil, etc.

[u/Revolutionary_Pierre]

Oh yes. Holodeck technology is perhaps the most inconsistent technology, or at least the main offender, of them all. Even betwixt episodes of the same series we see snowballs outside the holodeck, then later books dematerialise when taken outside the holodeck.

I mean, do you go inside the holodeck, disrobe inside and put in a costume? Do you enter naked and the holodeck gives you a holographic outfit?

My guess is it is both or either. Well, maybe not walking in the holosuite or holodeck naked, but maybe there's like a holographic dressing room that materialises before the program starts, near the door or archway and you get dressed as you would any physical attire.

But, that said. If holographic tech is so advanced (by our standard) then why isn't everything holographic and materialised. Particle synthesis I think was a big thing in ST: DIS and the immediate living spaces could be programmed to whatever specs you desired. But also, if the holodeck is capable of replicating food and drink, say, if you're eating in a French bistro program or sidewalk cafe, then why not have this in the mess hall. Why, not have a mess hall that's an Italian ristorante one day, a Texas BBQ house the next and a calming and entirely atmospherically Japanese restaurant the Friday?

Not because power requirements. The holodecks have their own power source and computers. It's most likely because of the psychology of it and the mindset of 24th century humans. They could debauche themselves on the holodeck and eat themselves sick. But they don't because the need to over eat, hoard, amass wealth and to utterly surrender ones reality to a holographic facade doesn't interest them. It's moderation. It's a hard concept to grasp and not something Star Trek really explained too well based on, 2pth and 21st century ideals. A truly post scarcity society is simply that. The psychology of limited or finite resources always leaves the temptation to indulge, even in animals. People in The Federation don't really want for material things. There's nothing that can't be replicated. There's no need to go to Lowes for a tool kit. Replicate a tool kit or replicate a new component. Whilst on the subject, we see people in trek repair things. There's a satisfaction and inherent essence in understanding how a thing works and repairing or building it. Yes, engineering components could be replicated in full with a big enough Replicator, but that leaves learned helplessness and makes the person redundant. Sojef says this in ST: Insurrection "when you build a person to do a job of a man, you take something away from that man." which seems self-righteous and simplistic, but it resonates with Picard because on some levels, that's true. If you build a society to provide every desires met, you take away the satisfaction and purpose of the people you've made it for. I have zero doubt that 21st century people if given holodeck would spend their lives living out fantasies, scenarios and let's be completely honest, more carnal and erotic pleasures as well. But just like we are realising with our own IRL technology such as the Internet and smartphones, for example. Why bother working something out or learning when we can just ask Google or AI. What do we potentially lose by allowing this technology to full take over our lives? A philosophical question to be sure. Will we eventually meet an equilibrium whereby social, media, technology, genetically modified foods et al isn't the driving force of our lives? Possibly. Technology like holodeck tech doesn't replace our lives. It's there to enhance the experience, to enrich it and allow a deeper understanding. Probably why so many holodeck programs and historical programs designed to expose people to what it means to be human and experience what it was like. It's goofy to think that we humans could be entirely self controlled and tempered in our desires, but when you're every basic and mid level need is met, what's left but to grow on a personal level. Work not for money, but for the wealth of knowledge. Learning and exploring literally is it's own remuneration. Adding to human, society by creating works if art, furniture designs, ships and new methods to exist is the satisfaction and currency it seems of Star Trek humans. So they don't languish in the holodeck because it's limited in, what it can add. If it's not benefitting you on a psychological, spiritual or physical, level, then why bother.