I don’t think his problem is Gene so much as people, including himself, that grossly miscomprehended Trek. It’s not communism in Trek. The Federation has very little commerce but they also have replicators, so they don’t have much need for commerce. Meanwhile outside of the Federation commerce is apparently very big, there’s two full races that are commerce masters. Now as for the folks that studiously ignore the implications of replicators and Orions and Ferengi well that happens, but don’t blame the source, some people are just confused no matter what they watch.
“...folks that studiously ignore the implications of replicators...”
So where do they the parts and energy(especially the energy) for the replicators when the replicators break down?
(I know, I know The Hologram?)
“...folks that studiously ignore the implications of replicators...”
So where do they get the parts and energy(especially the energy) for the replicators when the replicators break down?
(I know, I know The Hologram?)
Many times in science fiction, it has been considered what would happen if there were essentially unlimited resources (fusion energy, direct transformation and manipulation of matter)and general wealth. No one would go hungry, and everyone would have a “baseline” to start with (maybe food, pocket money, a home of some sort, entertainment). So, THEN what do you do with your life? It has been mentioned on Star Trek many times that service was a calling, it was dangerous, and that it was certainly NOT going to make you “safe” or “wealthy”. Look at all the “redshirts” who died in the first series. They could be pretty comfortable at home - so, money won’t necessarily buy you true adventure. Note everyone graduates Starfleet Academy, and this WAS mentioned.
Obviously, we do not live in this kind of world right now, but we could someday. We definitely won’t get there under communism or even socialism.
Gene Roddenberry was a highly imperfect person, but he still had a hopeful and worthwhile vision.
Yeah, in that type of economy the thing that would be invented would be the replicator.
Yeah, in that type of economy the last thing that would be invented would be the replicator.