Would you serve under Data?

[Dropship]

In one episode Picard and Riker are temporarily absent and Picard has left Data in command of the Enterprise.
Worf seems a bit unhappy about this (perhaps he feels passed over, possibly because HE wanted to be in command) and mumbles something under his breath that is slightly critical of Data, so Data takes him into the ready room to reprimand him and Worf backs down.
I'm on Worf's side because to me "Mister" Data is nothing more than a computer on legs and rather than serve under it, i'd request a transfer to another ship.
Am I being over-sensitive or what?

 

[Shawnster]

I'm on Worf's side because to me "Mister" Data is nothing more than a computer on legs and rather than serve under it, i'd request a transfer to another ship.
Am I being over-sensitive or what?

Do you feel Data is sentient just as Picard, Riker, or Worf? Does Data deserve to have the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities that all people possess under Federation law? Is Data worthy of your respect as an individual?

 

[Starflight]

I'm on Worf's side because to me "Mister" Data is nothing more than a computer on legs and rather than serve under it, i'd request a transfer to another ship.

Depends on the writer, one or two writers were rarely interested in exploring the idea that Data is actually something more akin to a present-day LLM (eg "In Theory", arguably "Elementary Dear Data") but most just wrote him as basically a good-natured Vulcan.

In the episode you mention - and most episodes - we're meant to assume he is 100% sapient and is fully capable of command, so the intent is that Worf is completely in the wrong.

I've always wished they had left more ambiguity as to whether Data is actually conscious or just a offering a quasi-convincing simulation of it (albeit, confusingly, a less sophisticated one than holodeck characters, who nobody bothers to argue for the rights of), but for a late 80s sci-fi show, "likeable obviously-alive robot faces prejudice for being a robot" was a common, and decent enough, hook.

 

[DonIago]

In one episode Picard and Riker are temporarily absent and Picard has left Data in command of the Enterprise.
Worf seems a bit unhappy about this (perhaps he feels passed over, possibly because HE wanted to be in command) and mumbles something under his breath that is slightly critical of Data, so Data takes him into the ready room to reprimand him and Worf backs down.
I'm on Worf's side because to me "Mister" Data is nothing more than a computer on legs and rather than serve under it, i'd request a transfer to another ship.
Am I being over-sensitive or what?

You seem to be sidestepping why Data reprimands Worf, which is that, regardless of how Worf feels about serving under Data, it is always inappropriate to undermine the CO in the manner Worf did.

Now, if Worf had actual issues with serving under Data in principle then, as you said, the correct course would be to request a transfer.

 

[Richard S. Ta]

What a weird thread.

Data is clearly more than a computer on legs. If that’s the takeaway of the OP, I’d have to say that they have fundamentally misunderstood the character.

Bizarre.

 

[Saul]

i'd request a transfer to another ship.

Transfer denied, Mr. Hobson.

 

[Rowdy Roddy McDowall]

No, though there are others from assorted shows I would serve over, under, port or starboard.

 

[fireproof78]

What a weird thread.

Data is clearly more than a computer on legs. If that’s the takeaway of the OP, I’d have to say that they have fundamentally misunderstood the character.

Bizarre.

I don't even like Data and would serve under him.

Next question.

 

[Richard S. Ta]

Also, total Pulaski move to be referring to Data as ‘it’. Not cool. He has his preferred pronoun.

 

[D Man]

Yes I would, considering he’s by far the most competent person on the ship. I’d follow his lead anywhere, as long as none of the many dozens of well-documented dangerous outside influences take over his positronic brain and endanger the ship. But that has never happened so it’ll be fine.

 

[Set Harth]

holodeck characters, who nobody bothers to argue for the rights of

You mean nobody used to.

 

[SithHappens]

The Data as captain scenes on Redemption are great.

 

[korblborp]

I've always wished they had left more ambiguity as to whether Data is actually conscious or just a offering a quasi-convincing simulation of it (albeit, confusingly, a less sophisticated one than holodeck characters, who nobody bothers to argue for the rights of), but for a late 80s sci-fi show, "likeable obviously-alive robot faces prejudice for being a robot" was a common, and decent enough, hook.

clearly something soong did on purpse, for some reason. also, an aside: a lot of characters seem to key onto the fact that he's supposed to be trying to be human, before finding ot he's an android, despite being less human looking than some of the aliens...

Also, total Pulaski move to be referring to Data as ‘it’. Not cool. He has his preferred pronoun.

pulaski got better

 

[Dropship]

Do you feel Data is sentient just as Picard, Riker, or Worf? Does Data deserve to have the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities that all people possess under Federation law? Is Data worthy of your respect as an individual?

To me, Data is just a computer on legs, and i could never serve under him just as i could never serve under the Tin Man in Wizard of Oz..
Regarding computers in general, the two astronauts in Space Odyssey 2001 were happy to let Hal run the ship but later realised their mistake- "Open the pod bay doors Hal....Hal...?"
And as the Apollo 11 LEM descended to the moons surface under partial computer control, Armstrong had to take over manually-
WIKI-
"When Armstrong again looked outside, he saw that the computer's landing target was in a boulder-strewn area...so he took semi-automatic control...Armstrong found a clear patch of ground and maneuvered the spacecraft towards it".

 

[Dropship]

You seem to be sidestepping why Data reprimands Worf, which is that, regardless of how Worf feels about serving under Data, it is always inappropriate to undermine the CO in the manner Worf did.

In the episode (i forget its title) Worf is unhappy with some of the decisions "Commander" Data is making but holds his peace and never actually confronts Data.
Later, Data makes a decision that Worf does agree with, and Worf mutters under his breath "About time", at which Data takes him into the ready room to ask him if he's unhappy serving under him, but Worf assures him he's not unhappy.

 

[Richard S. Ta]

Okay, so… edgelording about Data of all things for a reaction… Time to check out of this one.

 

[Dropship]

Okay, so… edgelording about Data of all things for a reaction… Time to check out of this one.

My main beef is the way the crew regard Data as human.

 

[The Wormhole]

In one episode Picard and Riker are temporarily absent and Picard has left Data in command of the Enterprise.
Worf seems a bit unhappy about this (perhaps he feels passed over, possibly because HE wanted to be in command) and mumbles something under his breath that is slightly critical of Data, so Data takes him into the ready room to reprimand him and Worf backs down.
I'm on Worf's side because to me "Mister" Data is nothing more than a computer on legs and rather than serve under it, i'd request a transfer to another ship.
Am I being over-sensitive or what?

You have completely misunderstood that scene. Worf has no issues with Data or the fact Data was in command instead of him. Indeed, after Data reprimanded Worf, Worf recognized his behavior was unprofessional, and that Data deserved better, both as Worf's superior officer and friend.

 

[Dropship]

You have completely misunderstood that scene. Worf has no issues with Data or the fact Data was in command instead of him. Indeed, after Data reprimanded Worf, Worf recognized his behavior was unprofessional, and that Data deserved better, both as Worf's superior officer and friend.

That brings up an interesting follow-up question- could any of us want to be friends with a robot?..
(PS- I've had ladyfriends in the past who were robot-like)

 

[The Wormhole]

could any of us want to be friends with a robot?.

Yes