Physical controls, touchscreens, and fragile holograms

Older screen science fiction provides the preferred model for future warship controls: physical buttons and displays that can survive service conditions. The bridge imagined here combines features of an Imperial Star Destroyer and the original Enterprise, NCC-1701. Floating holographic interfaces are judged too delicate for dependable command use, even if they become technically possible. Jacob's later comment points out that modern maritime equipment already uses touchscreens, and the response raises maintenance and greasy-finger problems. Star Trek's LCARS is distinguished from a floating display because it still gives the operator a physical surface to touch. The objection therefore concerns reliability and usable controls, rather than the mere presence of digital screens.