Why doesn't the crew automatically switch the main view screen to interesting objects?

Question

This happens throughout all the series:

WORF: Captain... Klingon attack cruiser decloaking, bearing zero-one-zero mark three-two-seven.

PICARD: On screen.

.

PICARD: Report.

RIKER: There's an object of some kind closing in on our position.

PICARD: On screen.

.

KIRA: We have a Cardassian warship approaching. Fast.

SISKO: On screen.

.

TUVOK: I'm picking up a vessel.

JANEWAY: On screen.

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Even worse, here's an example from "Q Who" where Picard has to ask to zoom in:

WORF: We are being probed.

RIKER: What's the source of the probe?

WORF: A ship. It is on an intercept course.

PICARD: On screen.

PICARD: Magnify.

(Worf, you can't just zoom in right away?)

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What is on the view screen prior to the order to show the object of interest on the screen?

Why does no one in Star Fleet just instantly switch the screen, without being asked? And why ever give a super wide-angle shot?

I realize a likely answer is for dramatic effect, but as I just recently re-watched TNG this bugged me a bit and I'm wondering if there is actually an in-canon explanation.

Answer 1

Nothing. There is usually nothing on the bridge viewscreen until a leading officer requests or requires it. Lower ranking officers working on the bridge crew are already gathering information at their consoles. Technically they don't need to relay the information anywhere. Nor can they determine if it is relevant; that remains the domain of the leading bridge officer(s) to decide.

• As for why not, the bridge crew is like most intelligence gathering teams, in that they will only relay information needed and requested. In our modern military, officers would have to go to where the information is disseminated such as the Combat Information Center or Radio Central.

• In Star Trek, the bridge serves as the operations center where they can put the data up on the main screen and we keep the narrative flow of the story without the pesky walking and talking that would take place in a real military situation.

• The narrative patter of bridge conversation/orders is supposed to be the discussions real officers would have over whatever the anomaly is, made easy to digest for television viewers. The most important element of this interaction is the transition to the viewscreen is a narrative tool to indicate importance and relevance for the viewer.

• Whenever an anomaly is discovered, the crewman who discovers it is viewing it at their console or using their technology and getting the feedback on their personal system. It is on their person console they gather whatever information is available on the object/ship/threat. See: Science Console or Station

• He reports it, and if it is part of a system that can relay information graphically/visually, it is directed to the viewscreen indicating its importance to everyone involved. Information regarding said anomaly is also directed to other teams for analysis.

• If it's communication information, it is relayed to the main bridge sound system for all to hear. Old school radio transmissions or garbled distress calls are the usual candidates.