Human Civilian Occupations in Trekverse

[polyharmonic]

In Trek, we have encounter many "civilians". But upon further reflection, many of these menial occupations simply make no sense.

Servers on Ten-Forward:
Why would you need such people? I get that you need a dining area but couldn't people just bus their own food from replicators?. Or just have non-sentient robots do it! And in Trek, since no one seems to have to work to survive, why would anyone want such a menial job anyway?

Boothby the groundskeeper:
Really? I mean IRL this is a menial job that people do to survive. Aren't there robots or fully automated grounds keeping equipment that can do all this work?

Joseph Sisko, restaurateur
In the future where all food can be prepared to perfection with replicators at home, the idea of someone doing all the grunt work of running a restaurant seems out of place. Maybe he runs it as a hobby and sets his hours as he sees fit?

Robert Picard, viticulturist
I suppose one could say its just a hobby rather than a true occupation. But otherwise this "occupation" makes no sense. Would seem to be completely obsolete.

There must also be a lot of people who do all sorts of other grunt work, both for StarFleet and in civilian life. But why would they do it?

I am sure that I am missing a lot more examples of menial occupations that simply shouldn't exist in such a futuristic utopian Trekverse. Having said that, I can still imagine people being artists, athletes, scientists/engineers/physicians and so forth.

 

[DonIago]

I guess you're not familiar with the concept of doing things such as groundskeeping or running a restaurant simply because you enjoy doing them?

 

[CRM-114]

In Trek, we have encounter many "civilians". But upon further reflection, many of these menial occupations simply make no sense.

Servers on Ten-Forward:
Why would you need such people? I get that you need a dining area but couldn't people just bus their own food from replicators?. Or just have non-sentient robots do it! And in Trek, since no one seems to have to work to survive, why would anyone want such a menial job anyway?

Boothby the groundskeeper:
Really? I mean IRL this is a menial job that people do to survive. Aren't there robots or fully automated grounds keeping equipment that can do all this work?

Joseph Sisko, restaurateur
In the future where all food can be prepared to perfection with replicators at home, the idea of someone doing all the grunt work of running a restaurant seems out of place. Maybe he runs it as a hobby and sets his hours as he sees fit?

Robert Picard, viticulturist
I suppose one could say its just a hobby rather than a true occupation. But otherwise this "occupation" makes no sense. Would seem to be completely obsolete.

There must also be a lot of people who do all sorts of other grunt work, both for StarFleet and in civilian life. But why would they do it?

I am sure that I am missing a lot more examples of menial occupations that simply shouldn't exist in such a futuristic utopian Trekverse. Having said that, I can still imagine people being artists, athletes, scientists/engineers/physicians and so forth.

For that matter, why does the Federation have manned starships? The Romulans already proved the viability of drone ships, and Starfleet was known to use deep-space unmanned probes (e.g. Friendship One).

In all seriousness, if all one's basic needs can be met to the point where work becomes optional, you can do what you want. Humans thrive with a certain level of activity, and that activity doesn't have to be creative or innovative in nature to be beneficial. Plus, it may help keep people from becoming complacent in a society where all their needs are met.

 

[Tenacity]

but couldn't people just bus their own food

Part of going to a nice restaurant is having someone carry your food over to your table, lay the dishes out, and ask if you needed anything else. Later someone magically arrives to clear away the dishes and inquire if you wish desert.

A bar will pour your drink, place it in front of you on a little napkin, get you some salsa and chips.

Sure, you could drink in your room (crying and alone).

 

[Nerys Myk]

In Trek, we have encounter many "civilians". But upon further reflection, many of these menial occupations simply make no sense.

Servers on Ten-Forward:
Why would you need such people? I get that you need a dining area but couldn't people just bus their own food from replicators?. Or just have non-sentient robots do it! And in Trek, since no one seems to have to work to survive, why would anyone want such a menial job anyway?

Boothby the groundskeeper:
Really? I mean IRL this is a menial job that people do to survive. Aren't there robots or fully automated grounds keeping equipment that can do all this work?

Joseph Sisko, restaurateur
In the future where all food can be prepared to perfection with replicators at home, the idea of someone doing all the grunt work of running a restaurant seems out of place. Maybe he runs it as a hobby and sets his hours as he sees fit?

Robert Picard, viticulturist
I suppose one could say its just a hobby rather than a true occupation. But otherwise this "occupation" makes no sense. Would seem to be completely obsolete.

There must also be a lot of people who do all sorts of other grunt work, both for StarFleet and in civilian life. But why would they do it?

I am sure that I am missing a lot more examples of menial occupations that simply shouldn't exist in such a futuristic utopian Trekverse. Having said that, I can still imagine people being artists, athletes, scientists/engineers/physicians and so forth.

Trek doesn't really do robots.

 

[sojourner]

Some of those jobs fall into the creative realm (chef, gardener), others I could easily see becoming some kind of game. Even today we have people who play games that amount to nothing more than grinding repetitive tasks for points. (see most MMO's) Even exercise has been turned into a game with fitbit type devices.

I'm sure the most menial jobs (cleaning toilets and such) has been taken over by technology.

 

[1001001]

The civilian who worked in Ten Forward in Lower Decks seemed to be having a great time.

It did however, look like his clothing was some sort of punishment.

 

[at Quark's]

Also, there are some suggestions in 24th century Trek that (at least some) manually prepared foods are still superior to replicated foods. So, if that is true, I could see a market for "real" restaurants.

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

People need to connect. People need to create. People need to work. That simple.

 

[galad2003]

Servers on Ten-Forward: Chance to see the galaxy without signing up for Starfleet. He might not be qualified to join Star Fleet but this is his chance to help out. He might also be a spouse of a crew member.

Boothby the groundskeeper: I'm sure the grounds are huge, the grunt work is probably performed by robots but somehow has to oversee the robots and make the "creative" decisions. What flowers to plant where, etc. He is one guy who is doing what a whole crew of people in this century would need to do. Gardening can be quite fun and relaxing to some.

Joseph Sisko, restaurateur: I don't think replicated food is supposed to be as good as fresh cooked food. I assume he is a good cook. Besides, people go out to eat for reasons other than to get sustenance such as socialize. In a post resource scarcity society like the Federation restaurants like his are probably the chic thing to run and dine at.

Robert Picard, viticulturist - same as above. people will desire non-replicated wine and some people will enjoy growing and producing it.

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

I would also add that perhaps Boothby's real calling is shaping the careers of cadets. Gardening gives him an excuse to encounter them in a friendly, non-threatening setting where they would likely retreat to mull over life decisions anyway. By working on the plants, he has an excuse for being there and doesn't make them feel as though he's intruding on their private angsts.

 

[Kor]

My occupation as a civilian in the Trek universe would be Gentleman of Leisure.

Kor

 

[JRoss]

I always figured that the waiters and other more "menial" jobs are done in exchange for instruction. Earth and the core worlds are all post-scarcity, so there's probably a lot of weight given to artisanal pursuits. You want to be a chef? Sign up as a waiter in Sisko's and have old Joe give you lessons in exchange for helping out.

The way I see it, you have socialism/communism in the utopia-like core worlds, and everyone with a capitalist itch heads out to the frontier so they can satisfy their need to earn.

 

[Tenacity]

The civilian who worked in Ten Forward in Lower Decks seemed to be having a great time.

The patrons of Ten Forward are good tippers, this will always put a smile on a servers face.

My "head canon" is that Boothby is prior service Starfleet (there's no such thing as ex-Starfleet) who hit mandatory retirement age or received a medical discharge and took a job as a groundskeeper to stay connected and keep his hand in.

Plus the groundskeeper's salary supplements his retirement pay.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

I imagine people are expected to start their career in menial jobs and later on take more fulfilling jobs.

I disagree that a replicator would create foods 'to perfection'. Sure, it could create the right chemicals in the right proportions. Part of the joy of food is the little differences and fine touches added by individual cooks.

Also civilian servers on the Enterprise are being compensated by the opportunity to travel all over the galaxy.

As for Boothby, we don't know what perks he's getting for his service. Money isn't the only form of compensation. All the people saying if in the Trek universe they wouldn't work, wouldn't you get bored as heck and feel detached and disconnected from everyone else? Not to mention that not working is probably socially stigmatized.

 

[jamestyler]

Best job I ever had was behind a bar. For all I've done and all I'm capable of - if I didn't need to worry about paying the rent, and I didn't want to work for Starfleet (which in fairness, is a pretty boring job for the most part) I'd merrily jump behind a bar and have myself a good time.

A lot of the thoughts are a bit silly. The Sisko's and Pircards in particular - you have a skill you enjoy, you get joy out of it.... why wouldn't you do it? Sisko in particular seems to really love his job.

 

[polyharmonic]

All the people saying if in the Trek universe they wouldn't work, wouldn't you get bored as heck and feel detached and disconnected from everyone else?

Just because people wouldn't work doesn't mean that lay in bed all day doing nothing. It's just that they would do fun and recreational things and do them when they feel like it. Most people would probably just sleep, eat and play in the Holodeck all day long.

Take restaurateuring.

It's a lot of hard grunt work. It is completely implausible that Joe Sisko does this day in and day out his whole life. At some point, he'll be tired of it and as he doesn't need to do it to make a living, he's going to say screw this working for free.

(Although I suppose maybe he opens his restaurant once a week or only a few months a year I guess as a hobby.)

 

[JirinPanthosa]

If I won the lottery, I'd still work, I'd just work when I feel like it in jobs that won't necessarily make me money.

Nothing but recreation all day would become extremely boring really fast. Recreation is a stress release, if you have no stress, it'd just feel empty and pointless. People who start their own businesses or create art don't do so because somebody is forcing them, they love creating, they want to make a mark on the world.

Let's also get over the notion that money is the only form of currency. Abolish money, it increases the value of other forms of currency. Other forms, such as social respect and political influence. Running a successful business, rising to a high position, providing a valuable service, that's how you get the kinds of currency that aren't printed on paper.

 

[F. King Daniel]

I'm pretty sure people have complained in TNG, DS9 and Voyager that replicated food is inferior to the real deal.

 

[Idran]

Just because people wouldn't work doesn't mean that lay in bed all day doing nothing. It's just that they would do fun and recreational things and do them when they feel like it. Most people would probably just sleep, eat and play in the Holodeck all day long.

Take restaurateuring.

It's a lot of hard grunt work. It is completely implausible that Joe Sisko does this day in and day out his whole life. At some point, he'll be tired of it and as he doesn't need to do it to make a living, he's going to say screw this working for free.

(Although I suppose maybe he opens his restaurant once a week or only a few months a year I guess as a hobby.)

Studies into the rare mincome implementations in real life have shown that for the vast majority of people, when someone doesn't have to work, they still choose to. It's just that when freed of the burden of having to work to survive, they tend to be happier because they're better able to choose an occupation they truly enjoy doing since they no longer have the pressure of having to choose between an extended unemployment period that could threaten their survival and taking literally any job at all. In practice, what you say "most people" would do really doesn't happen; the only segments of the population it seemed to happen for to any significant degree, people choosing not to work at all and just taking the mincome option, were pregnant women and teenagers. Even in an entirely post-scarcity society like 24th century Earth, I don't see this changing.

Increasing automation reduces the demand for a workforce, meaning that fewer man-hours are necessary to keep society going. It's really not the implausible thing you suggest that the number of people choosing to work rather than needing to work would be enough to maintain society. To quote Bertrand Russell's "In Praise of Idleness":

“Let us take an illustration. Suppose that, at a given moment, a certain number of people are engaged in the manufacture of pins. They make as many pins as the world needs, working (say) eight hours a day. Someone makes an invention by which the same number of men can make twice as many pins: pins are already so cheap that hardly any more will be bought at a lower price. In a sensible world, everybody concerned in the manufacturing of pins would take to working four hours instead of eight, and everything else would go on as before. But in the actual world this would be thought demoralizing. The men still work eight hours, there are too many pins, some employers go bankrupt, and half the men previously concerned in making pins are thrown out of work. There is, in the end, just as much leisure as on the other plan, but half the men are totally idle while half are still overworked. In this way, it is insured that the unavoidable leisure shall cause misery all round instead of being a universal source of happiness. Can anything more insane be imagined?”