Why did Data want to be Human?

The Borg Queen · October 7 2012, 12:55 PM

Surely trying to be Vulcan would have been more suitable for Data, right?

He can Logic with the best of them and doesn't have to concern himself with trying to understand emotions.

Trying to emulate a person is all well and good, but why a Human person specifically? Is it solely because Soong was a Human?

SonicRanger · October 7 2012, 01:14 PM

People seem to have a tendency to do as they perceive their creator wishes. Data probably figures that Soong wanted to create an artificial human because he made Data look like a human. Thus Data likely thinks that his goal in life should be becoming human.

The Borg Queen · October 7 2012, 01:18 PM

You may as well say that he made Data look like a Betazoid, or an El Aurian, or any of the dozens of other alien species that all look the same...

Sure Betazoids have dark eyes, but no Human has Yellow eyes, either...

Tora Ziyal · October 7 2012, 01:24 PM

Also, in Starfleet, most of his commanding officers, colleagues and friends -- therefore, his role models -- were human.

The Badger · October 7 2012, 01:24 PM

There would be no point in attempting to emulate a Vulcan. As you point out, he can use logic already. Aspiring to do something you can already do very well is pointless goal.

I do concur that he chose human because his creator was human.

Shazam! · October 7 2012, 01:28 PM

If Data's goal was to emulate a Vulcan all he needed to do was make some pointy ears and the character arc would be over in 5 minutes.

R. Star · October 7 2012, 03:36 PM

I would imagine it was programmed into him and was probably the biggest difference between Data and Lore besides the emotions.

sonak · October 7 2012, 04:36 PM

he wanted to take an evolutionary step in the wrong direction...

T'Preea · October 13 2012, 05:46 AM

Data's story is like that of Pinnochio. He wanted to be a real boy because it was something he wasn't. We all want to be something we're not because we think that life will be better that way. What Data didn't realize was that he was perfect the way he was. I think that if he had succeeded in his endeavor, it would have destroyed him as a person. I can't imagine him as a real human. I think it would be slightly awkward.

Genesis · October 13 2012, 05:56 AM

T'Preea wrote:

What Data didn't realize was that he was perfect the way he was.

Well, 'perfect' may be over-stating it, but it would've been awesome to see him realize he was equal--that being different did not in any way make him less. That would've been a powerful statement for all of us in the real world who are made to feel less for thinking and feeling differently too.

*sigh* Well, that's what's fanfiction is for, I suppose.

ETA: I agree Data as a real human would've been terrible. His differences were what made him so special and likable. Just too bad he never seemed to fully realize that.

Holdfast · October 14 2012, 11:01 PM

T'Preea wrote:

Data's story is like that of Pinnochio. He wanted to be a real boy because it was something he wasn't. We all want to be something we're not because we think that life will be better that way.

This.

Data's desire to be human represents the desire for a clear sense of personal & spiritual identity. It doesn't mean he thinks humans are better than androids (in fact, he acknowledges the reverse is true in many respects in his first conversation with Riker in EaF) but he still doesn't feel complete. So he strives to be human. He could have chosen anything, really; it's the journey that matters in terms of finding an identity he's comfortable with.

Tosk · October 15 2012, 03:12 AM

It's not unusual for a child to want to be like their parents. As many have said, Data's father was human, so...

"Zammis get four five?"

Mutai Sho-Rin · October 15 2012, 04:23 AM

Tosk wrote:

It's not unusual for a child to want to be like their parents. As many have said, Data's father was human, so...

"Zammis get four five?"

I LOVE the Enemy Mine quote. My favorite short story ever. It coincided with the birth of our older daughter in September, 1979.

gastrof · October 18 2012, 03:59 AM

The Borg Queen wrote:

Surely trying to be Vulcan would have been more suitable for Data, right?

He can Logic with the best of them and doesn't have to concern himself with trying to understand emotions.

Trying to emulate a person is all well and good, but why a Human person specifically? Is it solely because Soong was a Human?

Vulcan's have emotions, but supress them.

Data would have been asking for a WHOLE 'nother set of problems.

"Let's see... I have to learn how to feel emotions, but then not let myself show them to anyone, and at the same time remain as stoic, efficient and artificial as ever."

T'Preea · October 21 2012, 03:52 AM

Genesis wrote:

T'Preea wrote:

What Data didn't realize was that he was perfect the way he was.

Well, 'perfect' may be over-stating it, but it would've been awesome to see him realize he was equal--that being different did not in any way make him less. That would've been a powerful statement for all of us in the real world who are made to feel less for thinking and feeling differently too.

*sigh* Well, that's what's fanfiction is for, I suppose.

ETA: I agree Data as a real human would've been terrible. His differences were what made him so special and likable. Just too bad he never seemed to fully realize that.

What I meant by that statement was simply that there is nothing wrong with him the way he is. He's unique, and that's what makes him special.

October 7 2012, 12:55 PM	#1
The Borg Queen Rear Admiral Location: Does it matter?	Why did Data want to be Human? Surely trying to be Vulcan would have been more suitable for Data, right? He can Logic with the best of them and doesn't have to concern himself with trying to understand emotions. Trying to emulate a person is all well and good, but why a Human person specifically? Is it solely because Soong was a Human? __________________ .

October 7 2012, 01:14 PM	#2
SonicRanger Rear Admiral Location: Sheffield, England	Re: Why did Data want to be Human? People seem to have a tendency to do as they perceive their creator wishes. Data probably figures that Soong wanted to create an artificial human because he made Data look like a human. Thus Data likely thinks that his goal in life should be becoming human. __________________ "STAR TREK is... Action - Adventure - Science Fiction." -- Gene Roddenberry, 1964, top of the first page of his original pitch and outline for Star Trek

October 7 2012, 01:18 PM	#3
The Borg Queen Rear Admiral Location: Does it matter?	Re: Why did Data want to be Human? You may as well say that he made Data look like a Betazoid, or an El Aurian, or any of the dozens of other alien species that all look the same... Sure Betazoids have dark eyes, but no Human has Yellow eyes, either... __________________ .

October 7 2012, 01:24 PM	#4
Tora Ziyal Rear Admiral Location: Baltimore, MD, USA	Re: Why did Data want to be Human? Also, in Starfleet, most of his commanding officers, colleagues and friends -- therefore, his role models -- were human.

October 7 2012, 01:24 PM	#5
The Badger Fleet Captain Location: Im in ur Tardis, violating ur canon.	Re: Why did Data want to be Human? There would be no point in attempting to emulate a Vulcan. As you point out, he can use logic already. Aspiring to do something you can already do very well is pointless goal. I do concur that he chose human because his creator was human.

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October 7 2012, 01:28 PM	#6
Shazam! Rear Admiral	Re: Why did Data want to be Human? If Data's goal was to emulate a Vulcan all he needed to do was make some pointy ears and the character arc would be over in 5 minutes.

October 7 2012, 03:36 PM	#7
R. Star Commodore Location: Terra 3	Re: Why did Data want to be Human? I would imagine it was programmed into him and was probably the biggest difference between Data and Lore besides the emotions. __________________ "I was never a Star Trek fan." J.J. Abrams

October 7 2012, 04:36 PM	#8
sonak Rear Admiral Location: in a figment of a mediocre mind's imagination	Re: Why did Data want to be Human? he wanted to take an evolutionary step in the wrong direction...

October 13 2012, 05:46 AM	#9
T'Preea Commander Location: Stimulating Data's Synaptic Pathways.	Re: Why did Data want to be Human? Data's story is like that of Pinnochio. He wanted to be a real boy because it was something he wasn't. We all want to be something we're not because we think that life will be better that way. What Data didn't realize was that he was perfect the way he was. I think that if he had succeeded in his endeavor, it would have destroyed him as a person. I can't imagine him as a real human. I think it would be slightly awkward. __________________ Who said sexy had to be human?

October 15 2012, 03:12 AM	#12
Tosk Rear Admiral Location: On the run.	Re: Why did Data want to be Human? It's not unusual for a child to want to be like their parents. As many have said, Data's father was human, so... "Zammis get four five?"