Star Trek as "Prophetic"

[thewanderingjack]

Dytallix Mining Corporation

Yeah, but DMC )in my memory) was only vaguely referenced... we're not given operating dates... the big reference is to abandoned mines... and no actual mention is made as to it's connection to the Federation (are they a Human/Earth/Federation aligned planet company, or alien).

The Orpheum Mining Company on Luna seems a better example, but again, it's not clear on how the company works... we know it was built on capitalism and that Paxton is a conservative, "alt-right(?) nutjob," so he can easily be explained to operate it like that as much as possible.

@Herbert You seem to be saying that ironically. I have a few contentious to that.
First, what would be wrong with that? If any/all resources are available to anyone/everyone, why should people be forced to work? The Biblical Eden was like this, so that's how it would've been if not for sin (not saying I'm a believer or not, just drawing a parallel). It seems like a goal we should be aspiring to, not denigrating. In STU, despite the lack of the NEED to work (for resources) for most people, they are still shown to be active, productive members of society. They don't do it because they have to, but because they want to. Either because they love the work itself (all the specialists obviously) or because they want to contribute to society (lower level, "untrained" personnel).

In your example you're the one choosing to slack... you're assuming everyone else is like you. But even now, that level of slackerism isn't acceptable, not only because it doesn't contribute, but because we're deeply trained in "productivity." Even people who have no need to work (the rich) are seen negatively if they aren't doing "something" by society's standards (usually contributing to society in some way). Extended levels of absolute slackerness are considered to be symptomatic of a mental/social problem.
As someone with experience with complete slackers, being around them and being one (yes, I have achieved slacker nirvana every so often) I can attest that there's only so long you can be TOTALLY unproductive before internal or social pressure (shaming) drives you to action.

 

[Herbert]

@Herbert You seem to be saying that ironically. I have a few contentious to that.
First, what would be wrong with that? If any/all resources are available to anyone/everyone, why should people be forced to work? The Biblical Eden was like this, so that's how it would've been if not for sin (not saying I'm a believer or not, just drawing a parallel). It seems like a goal we should be aspiring to, not denigrating. In STU, despite the lack of the NEED to work (for resources) for most people, they are still shown to be active, productive members of society. They don't do it because they have to, but because they want to. Either because they love the work itself (all the specialists obviously) or because they want to contribute to society (lower level, "untrained" personnel).

In your example you're the one choosing to slack... you're assuming everyone else is like you. But even now, that level of slackerism isn't acceptable, not only because it doesn't contribute, but because we're deeply trained in "productivity." Even people who have no need to work (the rich) are seen negatively if they aren't doing "something" by society's standards (usually contributing to society in some way). Extended levels of absolute slackerness are considered to be symptomatic of a mental/social problem.
As someone with experience with complete slackers, being around them and being one (yes, I have achieved slacker nirvana every so often) I can attest that there's only so long you can be TOTALLY unproductive before internal or social pressure (shaming) drives you to action.

lol You took me far too seriously. My desire to become a professional slacker is a real one. I was not putting it down at all. Unfortunately, having a house and a family necessitates that I can't live that way. I am forced to be productive because I don't want to have to live in a refrigerator box behind Walmart.

However, your point about total lack of productive activity over a long period of time being bad is well taken. Maybe I could be a two week vacationing slacker.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

I was thinking specifically of the Dytallix Mining Corporation.

They mined worlds for the UFP, there was never any mention of them owning any. The Federation would need to mine metals and minerals from the construction of ships, goods, etc, as well as potential trade/export with other governments.

 

[thewanderingjack]

lol You took me far too seriously. My desire to become a professional slacker is a real one. I was not putting it down at all. Unfortunately, having a house and a family necessitates that I can't live that way. I am forced to be productive because I don't want to have to live in a refrigerator box behind Walmart.

However, your point about total lack of productive activity over a long period of time being bad is well taken. Maybe I could be a two week vacationing slacker.

oh I didn't (I figured you were joking etc, I'm not even emotionally invested haha... I get where you got that though, my language is often very strong), but I approached it that way because you now, people do make that argument (when it comes to socialism etc) so I wanted to address it.

Who get s a vacation anymore (and when they do, don't spend their time working on the stuff they didn't have time to do because of work)?

I have tried to find ways out of the "wage slave" system that don't end me up in a box (which I have lived in btw)... I've definitely made steps in that direction, and each one helps .