Data how does he proccess loss

[Jochk]

I was walking with my brother and we were talking about TNG and having just watched the episode were the crew thinks Picard is dead but is really spying on another ship (I don't remember the name sorry) when data here's that Picard is dead he just brushes it off what do you all think of how data is programed to deal with loss??

[Snaploud]

Jochk wrote:

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I was walking with my brother and we were talking about TNG and having just watched the episode were the crew thinks Picard is dead but is really spying on another ship (I don't remember the name sorry) when data here's that Picard is dead he just brushes it off what do you all think of how data is programed to deal with loss??

He is probably able to avoid dealing with the loss until he has free time (compartmentalizing the information for later).

[Jochk]

But do you think it's just a removal of a variable from the equation of his life program wise

[Alrik]

I think this exchange from Legacy spells it out pretty well.

ISHARA
But you don't have feelings, do
you?

DATA
Not as such. However, perhaps
even among humans, friendship is
sometimes less an emotional
response, and more a sense of
familiarity.

ISHARA
(understanding)
You can become used to someone.

DATA
Exactly. As I experience certain
sensory input patterns, my mental
pathways become accustomed to
them. The inputs eventually are
anticipated. And even "missed"
when absent. When something once
expected is no longer there.

As far as Data 'brushing it off' in regards to Picard, I believe he was simply setting it aside until they got to the bottom of things. Data has show a 'duty first' tendency in the past. Take Redemption part II when he is in command of the Sutherland. Only when he succeeds in outing the Romulans does he then order the phasers to be taken off line and the radiaton clean up to begin. He fully understood what the priorities were.

[Admiral Buzzkill]

Data processes emotions the same way that everyone else does. He just doesn't know it.

More interesting than the exchange quoted above from "Legacy" is the last two scenes of that episode - the conversation with Riker, and standing alone in the corridor - for all that Data doesn't say.

[Jochk]

Thanks that makes sense but it's still interesting

[Gil T.Azell]

He just processes it differently
Like in the final scene of
"Skin of Evil"
Lt. Cmdr. Data: Sir - the purpose of this gathering... confuses me.
Capt. Picard: Oh? How so?
Lt. Cmdr. Data: My thoughts are not for Tasha, but for myself. I keep thinking how empty it will be without her presence. Did I miss the point?
Capt. Picard: No, you didn't, Data. You got it.

[Jochk]

that's a good point but do you think he misses them