Star Trek and the World today--A Comparison

Republican_Man · **Sun Apr 18, 2004 9:33 pm Star Trek and the World today--A Comparison**

Post your comparisons between World News today and Star Trek.
This is for a discussion about comparisions ONLY, if you may...Please, no specific issues debates.
Thanks.

Paul Marshall · **Mon Apr 19, 2004 8:27 pm**

Well, I would like to bring to the discussion the issue of "money" vs. "no money." First I would like to ask the question, who agrees with how Starfleet's government compared to how our own is ran? Personally, I agree with them. If we didn't use money or any kind of specific currency and just worked together to better the world there would be ALOT less violence and war. That's what it all really boils down to in our world toda:, war, violence, drugs, etc. is bred from money. Money is TRULY the root of all Evil!

T. Dean · **Tue Apr 20, 2004 11:09 pm**

^I agree. Society is determined by the materialistic situation of its people. The people of Star Fleet seem to have no real want for materialistic things thus they have more time and focus to imrove themselves. They have true pride in their species, a universal comradery with their fellow humans rather the overly-competitive dog eat dog mentality that the majoruty of people seems to have today.

Republican_Man · **Wed Apr 21, 2004 4:39 pm**

It's too much like Socialism in my opinion (it probably IS!)

Paul Marshall · **Wed Apr 21, 2004 4:43 pm**

Yeah, Star Trek society is a very socialistic society. They concentrate their minds the things and people around them instead of on themselves and what they can gain (materialisticly) and sell.

Republican_Man · **Wed Apr 21, 2004 5:23 pm**

What's the point if there's no competition? So you can imrpove yourself--but there is no excitement, no point, in my opinion, without it...Plus, I know MANY people who would prefer to sit down and relax rather than work, and if we were like ST, that's all that would happen in many cases...

Puck · The Texan Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Posts: 5596

Exactly, RM has it right on ......this is how socialism is flawed and why Capitalism is best. Without competition, there is no progress.

Paul Marshall · **Wed Apr 21, 2004 6:34 pm**

Why does anyone feel the need to compete?!?!? It's just to try and prove that you're better than someone else which creates differences among the peoples of the Earth. What we need is unity.

Puck · The Texan Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Posts: 5596

Competiton means people compete to do something better than someone else, this means people come up with better ideas, and better ways of doing things, this all equals more progress.

Paul Marshall · **Wed Apr 21, 2004 6:39 pm**

Puck · The Texan Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Posts: 5596

I agree, with unity, but competiton is good and natural and without it progress comes slower.

Theresa · **Wed Apr 21, 2004 6:43 pm**

Paul Marshall · **Wed Apr 21, 2004 6:56 pm**

Well ... the peoples of the Federation strive for what's beyond the here and now. They seek out other forms of intelligent life to share the knowledge that they have acquired. If the Federation were like the Ferengi (knowledge and ideas are bought and sold (greedily)) then making profit would get in the way of making friends ... well ... making profit would come before making friends rather. What I'm trying to say is, I totally agree with how the Federation runs things. They embrace life and strive for knowledge, not power.

Theresa · **Wed Apr 21, 2004 7:03 pm**

The Federation is out to better itself. As it should be. I'm not saying don't share what you find, but ambition, the desire to make ourselves better, and our communities is what keeps us going. Without ambition, we stagnate. Things that stagnate, die.

Kate Janeway · **Wed Apr 21, 2004 8:08 pm**

Paul Marshall · **Wed Apr 21, 2004 8:10 pm**

^Jean-Luc Picard himself said that currency was not used in the Federation (from the movie First Contact).

Kate Janeway · **Wed Apr 21, 2004 8:13 pm**

^Then I guess I'll take your word for it; my parents won't let me watch any of the Star Trek movies.

Paul Marshall · **Wed Apr 21, 2004 8:14 pm**

^LOL, why not?

Lt. Commander Warwick · **Wed Apr 21, 2004 9:24 pm**

Kate Janeway:
I myself would like to know why your parents will not let you watch any of the Star Trek movies?

Republican_Man · **Wed Apr 21, 2004 9:33 pm**

Paul Marshall · **Wed Apr 21, 2004 9:35 pm**

^Kirk was BEFORE Picard.

Republican_Man · **Wed Apr 21, 2004 9:40 pm**

I know...but they still didn't have currency (I OWN Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (Original series) on DVD)

Theresa · **Thu Apr 22, 2004 9:44 am**

Bars of gold pressed latinum aren't just coveted by the Ferengi,

Remember Riker dealing w/ Quark, and Quark owing him a certain amount of gpl? Just because they don't use currency as we know it, they still use it. Or else there would be no traders, etc...

jbering69 · Lieutenant Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Posts: 137 Location: Canada

There is a difference between communism and socialism. Socialism is society actually giving a damn about their welfare of other human beings, ie. universal health care. There is nothing wrong with socialism, nor controlled capitalism, they can function well together. Pure capitalism is repulsive and would eventually consume itself as wealth begins to be pooled into the minority, upper echelons of society while the vast majority suffered in poverty.....can you say bloody revolution? Yes, competition and risk - taking is important and must be fostered but always tempered by humanity.

Republican_Man · **Thu Apr 22, 2004 6:31 pm**