system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[General Sci-Fi] What is the point of long, thin sections of space ships? Aren't they weak points?

An example of this would be the Nebulon-B Frigate from Star Wars, the Klingon D-7 Battlecruiser from Star Trek, or NAC ships from Full Thrust. Unless these ships primarily rely on shields, don't the thin parts of the ship pose a weakness for enemy fire to focus on?
gpt
If the internal structure is capable of supporting the forces placed upon it when maneuvering/accelerating and there are no bulky systems, then why build it bigger?  There's also no reason to armor the section less.  You'll still use the same X thickness of (technobabble) armor, so it should be able to withstand the same amount of fire.  The big benefit is that you're reducing the silhouette of the ship, making it harder to hit.