They have machines that can literally create gold and anything that you can possibly desire, so there’s no other way you can live except in a utopian “socialist” society. Then again, Kirk was living in a penthouse with fancy furniture, a nice collection of firearms, antiques, etc., so if they’re all socialists, how does Kirk “afford” all this stuff? It would have to be redistributed to him.
“They have machines that can literally create gold and anything that you can possibly desire, so there’s no other way you can live except in a utopian “socialist” society. Then again, Kirk was living in a penthouse with fancy furniture, a nice collection of firearms, antiques, etc., so if they’re all socialists, how does Kirk “afford” all this stuff? It would have to be redistributed to him.”
I’ve recently been pondering how life will change with the advent of really good 3d printers, which will be about as close as a “replicator” as we can get.
Eventually “stuff” will become so cheap that only energy, raw materials, food, land, intellectual property and antiques/art (and fine, hand made, natural items) will have any value.
granted it has been years since I read it, but the novel of Star Trek the Motionless Picture made mention of Kirk having saved up a hefty amount of salary/credits in his savings account during the 5 year mission.