Data Lies? Again? (The Final Line of "The Most Toys")

[Kor]

I've said this before in other discussions... Despite the declarations that Data did not have emotion, he developed preferences in the areas of arts and music, he experienced something positive from friendship with Geordi and others as well as from the company of his cat Spot, and he had the ongoing aspiration -- indeed, a desire -- to be more human.

I think all this indicates that even without the emotion chip, somewhere, deep within his positronic matrix, there must have been some kind of rudimentary emotional response even if he didn't understand it as such on a "conscious" level. The emotion chip definitely made it more intense and discernible as a range of human emotions, though.

Data didn't give himself enough credit when it came to his artistic endeavors, his ability to come up with creative solutions to problems, or the fact that he felt something.
But Picard recognized it:

PICARD: The good doctor was kind enough to provide me with a recording of your concert. Your performance shows feeling.
DATA: As I have recently reminded others, sir, I have no feeling.
PICARD: It's hard to believe. Your playing is quite beautiful.
DATA: Strictly speaking, sir, it is not my playing. It is a precise imitation of the techniques of Jascha Heifetz and Trenka Bronken.
PICARD: Is there nothing of Data in what I'm hearing? You see, you chose the violinists. Heifetz and Bronken have radically different styles, different techniques, yet you combined them successfully.
DATA: I suppose I have learned to be creative, sir, when necessary.

Kor

 

[Mojochi]

Data could easily be concerned about what people might do, if they began to realize or even just suspect that he was more like Lore than he had seemed so far.

This has been my explanation for years. Data has a fair amount of experience in Starfleet taking steps to strip him of liberties whenever a new dynamic comes up, or some jackass gets a bug up his butt. More than anybody really. The revelation that his claimed inability to cause harm is not as absolute as had been believed could have untold amounts of blowback for him. It's a thing that is probably best to not put on the damn record. So Riker can take his & O'Brien's "observation" & stifle it.

And that's what the intent of Data's reply is meant to convey & serve. If It were Geordi firing at a murderous captor, no one would think twice. He could just have the luxury of offering the whole story, & no one would raise an eyebrow, but with this "no harm" thing hanging over Data & there now being some kind of anomalous turn of events revolving around it, that's all it might take for very unfortunate things to start being spoke about him again, & the next jagoff gets the idea that he can't be trusted to be as free as everybody else.

Screw that. We been down that road, & Data knows it.

 

[publiusr]

Data was…genuinely surprised that the disruptor had fired early..

He did look surprised when beamed over…whether from the rescue or weapon…who can say?

 

[BigJake]

This has been my explanation for years. Data has a fair amount of experience in Starfleet taking steps to strip him of liberties whenever a new dynamic comes up, or some jackass gets a bug up his butt. More than anybody really. The revelation that his claimed inability to cause harm is not as absolute as had been believed could have untold amounts of blowback for him. It's a thing that is probably best to not put on the damn record. So Riker can take his & O'Brien's "observation" & stifle it.

And that's what the intent of Data's reply is meant to convey & serve. If It were Geordi firing at a murderous captor, no one would think twice. He could just have the luxury of offering the whole story, & no one would raise an eyebrow, but with this "no harm" thing hanging over Data & there now being some kind of anomalous turn of events revolving around it, that's all it might take for very unfortunate things to start being spoke about him again, & the next jagoff gets the idea that he can't be trusted to be as free as everybody else.

Screw that. We been down that road, & Data knows it.

I think that's a really interesting take. And it feels right. It's more than just learning how to lie, it's also Data learning from experience and limiting risk. It's tragic and awful that he would have to do that... but it's also plainly necessary that he has to do it with an institution that willingly put his sentience on trial after two-plus decades of decorated service in Starfleet.

Entry #10901 in the annals of "Starfleet Ain't Really All That."

 

[fireproof78]

I've said this before in other discussions... Despite the declarations that Data did not have emotion, he developed preferences in the areas of arts and music, he experienced something positive from friendship with Geordi and others as well as from the company of his cat Spot, and he had the ongoing aspiration -- indeed, a desire -- to be more human.

I think all this indicates that even without the emotion chip, somewhere, deep within his positronic matrix, there must have been some kind of rudimentary emotional response even if he didn't understand it as such on a "conscious" level. The emotion chip definitely made it more intense and discernible as a range of human emotions, though.

Data didn't give himself enough credit when it came to his artistic endeavors, his ability to come up with creative solutions to problems, or the fact that he felt something.
But Picard recognized it:


Kor

I am not usually a big fan of Data or TNG in general but the Ensigns of Command definitely reflected an emotional side of Data not often touched upon. Data is clearly bothered by Picard's leaving during the performance.

 

[Mudd]

but that doesn't mean I want Data to be capable of murderous hate.

That's too bad, because he was - just as he was when Armus killed Yar.

A story's not "flawed" because you don't like it.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

That's too bad, because he was - just as he was when Armus killed Yar.

A story's not "flawed" because you don't like it.

From http://www.chakoteya.net/NextGen/122.htm:

DATA: Curious. (the phaser drops) You are capable of great sadism and cruelty. Interesting. No redeeming qualities.
ARMUS: So what do you think?
DATA: I think you should be destroyed.​

Good catch.