This is also why the Humans are so badass in the Mass Effect universe. They weren’t influenced tech wise by the other Council races until they were already established as a galactic fighting force. We were the first race to come up with and implement aircraft carriers in space.
Another aspect of non-interference. It could turn out differently based on whether the people you aren’t interfering with know of your presence.
If they don’t, you aren’t having an effect on their civilization, but if they do, they’ll probably think you’re arrogant jackasses for not helping them.
Their advances still fell into line with the Reapers’ plan though, as the advancements that allowed them to make those carriers were influenced by the “Prothean” ruins left on Mars. 
Oh no doubt but I meant in relation to the rest of the Galactic fleets, specifically the Turians. Because we weren’t like discovered in our infancy we had the opportunity to branch out in ways the other races didn’t.
You know what I mean?
Agreed, they definitely did have the advantage of independent development, which in some ways gives humans a bit of an edge. I suppose I was adding a point, rather than disagreeing. 
It kinda seemed like this to me when watching Q on TNG. I never really saw him as a ‘bad guy’ but more like the rough parent who pushes you into the deep end of the pool saying sink or swim. He always saw the potential in humans and tried to bring it out through adversity. I think the best examples of this are actually in the first and last episodes of the series.
The other members of the Continuum kind of had their own version of the Prime Directive (although most of the time it was just the classic we are better than you so you don’t even register attitude). You never see any other member of the Continuum get involved with a ‘less advanced’ race except when it had to do with Q.
In my opinion no matter what non-interference policy a group of technologically advanced beings have in place, they will have an influence just by being there. Even If they do not share their technology, medicines or knowledge, the mere fact that the lesser advanced people know they exist will influence how those people develop from that point on.
It’s the difference between believing aliens are out there and meeting them in person. If that happened in our own society today, there would be chaos. Our imaginations, our science, our science fiction, our world’s religions, they would have to deal with the shift in our reality, for good or ill.
So the question I see being most important is, ‘Are we being responsible in our interactons with a less advanced race?’
Stargate is a great series to explore in the non interference arc.The whole show is a case study on how to frak up other worlds 
You mention the Tollan, who also sold out Earth in a bid to save their own hides when the fit hit the shan. Some responsible allies they turned out to be.
You also have the Tok’Ra who, although being allies with the SGC, can be so smug about sharing their tech when the mission doesn’t suit them that you just wnat to smack them. They’ll help you, but only if it helps them first.
You have Ori and the Goa’uld, who use their technology to subjugate and enslave other worlds to suit their own purposes.
Then you have the Asgard, who sought to protect humanity from Goa’uld with Protected Planets Treaty, in which planets falling under the treaty could not technologically advance to the point of being a threat/rival of the Goa’uld. This kept many planets, such as Cimmaria, from advancing beyond a pre-industrial/pre-enlightenment age. The people on those planets thought of the Asgard as benevolent Gods that protected them from the Gou’uld. The Asgard used these Viking god forms to keep track of the progress of the people under their protection. You could argue that if the Asgard had not interfered, the worlds in question may have been able to advance the way Earth did.
Although the Asgard were not perfect when in came to non-interference, they are the only race shown that seems to take note of a species potential instead of cutting them off technologically. They were responsible enough in their actions with Earth to know that the SGC were going to be out frakking up the galaxy anyway, and maybe they needed to step in and help them.
So DP’s nipples told me I got a shoutout in this podcast so I checked it out and uhh I joined the forum. So hey.
Welcome aboard, THQ!
And sorry about DP.
Seriously. We don’t know what to do about him.
You’re so mean to me. T_T
asshole =P
See what I mean?
Welcome!
I thought we were talking about your nipples, Sir.
Oh, that’s just the opening line…
New arc: Non-interference of DefaultProphet’s nipples.
I’m betting that he wants them interfered with. :groucho:
My favorite interviews are, in order:
[ol]
[li]Maurice LaMarche - The voice actor from Futurama.
[/li][li]The Blanks - A cappella group.
[/li][li]Audra’s first D&D adventure.
[/li][/ol]
And as for getting me through hard times? Well, two or three times a week I can go another five or ten minutes on the treadmill because of GWC. So thank you.
In that specific case, the idea would be for the developing country to skip the whole 19th century part of the industrial revolution. If hydroelectric power isn’t available, go straight to nuclear. No coal or gas.
Complicated topic…
Yes. Read an interesting story about that. More of a first contact type. Alien trader lands on moon by accident and meets the first human scientist astronaut. Earth is thrilled by the news that we’re not alone. Both alien and human are smart enough and peaceful enough (non military in this case) and figure out that through out history, the lesser race ends up subjugated. In order to give peace a chance, they decide to commit suicide by simulating an attack from the alien. Hoping this will unite humanity, force it to develop FTL travel and high tech weaponry so that when we meet the aliens again, we can be perceived has peers, and treated as equals. I think that short was written in the sixties.
As my opinion on the Prime Directive, I find it noble but not realistic. I feel the only way it could be applied is if we first discover an unlimited source of power. Because limited resources will always lead to conflicts. And eventually, if it comes to “them or us”, the Prime Directive will fly out the window… :rolleyes:
Oh, yeah, I forgot about that but I really enjoyed that interview. He was great!
The prime directive gives us a lot of juicy stories and great drama as characters are forced to make tough decisions and sacrifice themselves for their principles. It’s best to think of it only as drama, because I think it would be very unwieldy in practice.
The caveat “no Starfleet personnel may interfere with the NORMAL and HEALTHY development of alien life and culture” gives any captain enough room to meddle or fix things. Kirk did this at least once.
I always found the prime directive patronizing and racist. Imagine if we had a policy to prevent transfer of technology to {racial group here} because they are “not ready”. Even if you could enforce it (doubtful), what is your moral ground for holding back cell phones or the cure for cancer? Tough one.
General Order 1: The Prime Directive
As the right of each sentient being to live in accordance with its normal cultural evolution is considered sacred, no Starfleet personnel may interfere with the normal and healthy development of alien life and culture. Such interference includes introducing superior knowledge, strength, or technology to a world whose society is incapable of handling such advantages wisely. Starfleet personnel may not violate this Prime Directive, even to save their lives and/or their ships, unless they are acting to right an earlier violation or an accidental contamination of said culture. This directive takes precedence over any and all other considerations, and carries with it the highest moral obligation.[/QUOTE]
Wow. How does that feel, buddy?
Starfleet has an actual law that says Stay Away From Talos!!! …or die