Interesting article here: http://startrek.com/article/a-look-at-money-in-star-trek-italian-style
Sad conclusion, though, that to pander to popular prejudice more recent script-writers have abandoned Gene Roddenberry's original rule that "in the Federation there is no money, period!";
Quote:
in an interview Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, the writers of the script, answered a question from a fan saying that in their reality: “there is money, or some sort of credit system.” That means that the new adventures will not abide to Gene Roddenberry’s rule? Actually, it means only that this time, instead of trying (to no avail) to apply it, the writers will accept honestly that Star Trek is made for viewers who live in a world dominated by economy, and where the concept of money is still much too grounded to be completely forgotten.
After all, the world described in the saga belongs to the future, but those who write it - and above all, those who watch it – it belongs to the present!
So their totally going to disregard Roddenberry's rule, talk about missing the point! The whole point of Star Trek is a vision of the future where we actually HAVE involved!
Interesting article, however regardless of the Kirk's quotes about 'earning his pay for the week' etc, I would stand by that it was figurative. People contribute according to their skills and their 'pay' is the off-shore time they get. The original series is definitely the best.
Love All The People
I Think that money in Star Trek is similar that we could exprience In a RBE .
The principle is that in the Federation Of Planets there is no money, and people are working to add something to society. (So far the same idea with ZM's RBE)
But in the series there were many other cultures who relied on money. (like the Ferenghi)
If one day humanity would start to institutionalise the RBE, there will be still many other smaller / bigger cultures/ countries who would refuse joining.
So the situation would be the same.
So I think even a RBE would use money to trade with other economic systems, the same way as the Federation did with other civilizations.
Live long and prosper!
"The Provisional Government is going to fall, and when governments fall people like me are the first ones shot." -- Quark (Star Trek - DS9)
You have a point there GM, but I think if we implemented a RBE effectively enough to the extent that some sort of 'payment' can be given, not necessarily money then that would work really well. Of course, as you mentioned there are loads of culture in star trek that seem to use money, like the Ferenghi who pride themselves on their selfish ways but they are an alien culture afterall where these traits are considered a good thing which isn't the case for humankind.
And we wouldn't need to trade money with other economic systems, we would trade actual resources without the money in between!
Peace and long life!
Love All The People
"And we wouldn't need to trade money with other economic systems, we would trade actual resources without the money in between!"
Yes, that sounds possible. Maybe this way the RBE system could 'infect' other money based systems. Resistance is futile!
"The Provisional Government is going to fall, and when governments fall people like me are the first ones shot." -- Quark (Star Trek - DS9)
Aww c'mon don't liken the RBE to the Borg! Not the most positive comparison, i'd rather not 'assimilate'! Rather compare it to the peaceful way of the Vulcans! Resistance is NOT futile! lol:P
Love All The People
At least the borg has an efficient economy and in recycling they are superb!
All right, I admit the vulcan comparison sounds more 'logical'.
"The Provisional Government is going to fall, and when governments fall people like me are the first ones shot." -- Quark (Star Trek - DS9)
grow up
stop watching star trek
If "growing up" means limiting the possibility of incoming information, than I choose not to "grow up".
By the way great scientists like Stephen Hawking and many other scientists at NASA like the show and were inspired by it.
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Smart entertainment can deliver more information to wider audience than pointles preaching or non constuctive (and even more boring...) criticism like for eg.. your comment.
Have a nice life and prosper!
"The Provisional Government is going to fall, and when governments fall people like me are the first ones shot." -- Quark (Star Trek - DS9)
I would argue that Gene Roddenberry did more for human rights and equality than Martin Luther King and maybe even Gandhi. Star Trek in all its variants under his supervision are still syndicated world wide and the not always subliminal message is essentially that of a Terran RBE which continues to influence. It certainly had an impact on me and the US for a while until the plug was pulled presumably because this message was at odds with commercial interests and where the power base really wanted to be.
I'd really like to understand Jacque Fresco's involvement in the movie industry, he cites this as an argument against PJ understanding the industry better as an advisor although I think this must be at least 40 years ago so not so relevant today. As far as I have been able to ascertain from a third party forum post potentially there is a link between Jacque and ST - "he did get to meet Buckminster Fuller, Albert Einstein, Gene Roddenberry and many others. Jacque Fresco in fact influenced the designs of Star Trek."
Gene cites the apocalyptic 3rd World War as the end of our current economic paradigm and the beginning of the technologically and scientific one with respect to the human condition as being the future - the RBE in other words.
I hope we'll be able to implement the RBE before something as cataclysmic as WW3 comes to pass.