Earth culture in the 24th century...?

[PhoenixIreland]

Dear god people, stop it with the communism comparasons

Lets leave aside the dozen diffrent definitions of it depending who you talk to, lets just take it in practice in the Soviet Union, does the breif flashes we've seen of the federation even remotly resemble that? NO!
So enough with the communism!

 

[Rabid Trekkie]

And of course with no threat of going bankrupt, everyone is free to follow their passions. Whereas today the next great American novelist may be so busy working three jobs s/he doesn't have time to write, in Trek that person can write till their heart's content and still have a roof over their head and food on the table.

I'm sold! Where do I sign up?

PS I'm not sold on the notion that communism, even in its theoretical state, is a good idea. Not by a long shot! I think it breeds helplessness, passivity and anomie. And that's not even talking about application.


The other side of Federation culture is that people are still productive despite there being a lack of currency. I don't think you can get this from communism. Because in the Federation there are probably mechanisms in place to dissuade being a couch potato. Perhaps psychological or educational development. Something is promoting "working for the greater good" besides mass hypnosis and manipulation. Further, you don't see people in the Fed riding on the coattails of the poor and skimming disaster relief. Oh, did I say that out loud?

From what I can tell of Trek, Rodenbarry's idea seems similar to Heinlein's in the book For Us, The Living. Both seem to say that the majority of people would rather do something with their lives rather than just become couch potatoes. For some people it would be just a hobby that happens to benefit others, or the want to leave a mark on society and in history, or even just to get away from family for eight hours a day and do something else.

 

[Rabid Trekkie]

And of course with no threat of going bankrupt, everyone is free to follow their passions. Whereas today the next great American novelist may be so busy working three jobs s/he doesn't have time to write, in Trek that person can write till their heart's content and still have a roof over their head and food on the table.

But that's the rub.. what does he write about? his experiences of watching his replicator make his dinner?

Or history or fantasy or whatever. If people only wrote about what they know, we wouldn't have Star Trek.

 

[exalted one]

Lets leave aside the dozen diffrent definitions of it depending who you talk to, lets just take it in practice in the Soviet Union, does the breif flashes we've seen of the federation even remotly resemble that? NO!
So enough with the communism!

Using Soviet Union as a measure of communism (or socialism) is faulty. Soviet Union was simply an extension of Tzarist Russia, only under the different rulers. Common people were still treated as muzhiki, only they were called "proletarians".
Also, whatever was in practice in the Eastern Europe, it was NEVER the communism. It used to be called "real socialism" (as compared to "ideal socialism" seen in Star Trek) and it was fundamentally the same thing as "national socialism" in Nazi Germany.

Please note: most people here seem to be confusing the economic system (capitalism / communism) and the social system (libertarianism / authoritarianism). Mind you, "communism" is not necessarily a synonym to "state-imposed dictatorship", and "capitalism" is not necessarily a synonym to "freedom". That's a cold-war thinking.

 

[Carpe Occasio]

The exact nature of the government of the Federation has never been made clear on screen. From the information available, the United Federation of Planets would appear to be a constitutional representative republic, similar to that of the United States, prior to the 1860s.

 

[bismarck_1892]

It amazes me that in all of the hours of Star Trek we've seen very little of Earth culture in the 24th century. Granted, Star Trek is "space" themed and oriented, but it would be interesting to learn more about the culture of our little blue planet in the Star Trek future. What's considered "cool"? What is the "modern" music like? What's on the local news every day? Are there still police, fire departments, local governments, etc. as they exist now? How is our culture influenced by other cultures in the galaxy (like, are there Klingon or Vulcan restaurants on Earth)?

That would take a lot of time, a lot of money, a singular vision, and a lot of courage. Trek rarely has a lot of time to produce an episode. Usually not a lot of money. Also, producers tend to come and go, leaving a hodge podge of philosopical and political idealogy in the series. Most importantly it would be nice if the show made a bold statement about the future in terms of its politics, economics, and other ideals. Unfortunately, the Trek writers would not be able to argee let alone have the courage to invite controversy. Recent Trek has not been about controversy. Even though controversy makes money, Trek is probably not the show that would invite it. It may easily backfire on an already somewhat fledgling franchise.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Earh was alway "behind" them on the road. Star Trek was about moving forward.

 

[FordSVT]

^True enough. It was enough to know that Earth was a virtual paradise, the seat of Federation government, and a place of peace that emerged after many years of terrible war. It was nice to get glimpses now and then but it's probably a good thing they've left things rather vague when it comes to the economy and government.

Space is the final frontier, not New Jersey.

 

[PhoenixIreland]

Lets leave aside the dozen diffrent definitions of it depending who you talk to, lets just take it in practice in the Soviet Union, does the breif flashes we've seen of the federation even remotly resemble that? NO!
So enough with the communism!

Using Soviet Union as a measure of communism (or socialism) is faulty. Soviet Union was simply an extension of Tzarist Russia, only under the different rulers. Common people were still treated as muzhiki, only they were called "proletarians".
Also, whatever was in practice in the Eastern Europe, it was NEVER the communism. It used to be called "real socialism" (as compared to "ideal socialism" seen in Star Trek) and it was fundamentally the same thing as "national socialism" in Nazi Germany.

Please note: most people here seem to be confusing the economic system (capitalism / communism) and the social system (libertarianism / authoritarianism). Mind you, "communism" is not necessarily a synonym to "state-imposed dictatorship", and "capitalism" is not necessarily a synonym to "freedom". That's a cold-war thinking.

Well in theory it's a classless (tick the box for 24th century earth since with replicators resources are universal), stateless (I always found this idea moronic and in any case it doens't apply to ST Earth) entity.

I'd imagine a desire to contribute to the community and get social capital and recognition for such contributions is the "incentive" to do stuff

 

[asdf1]

hi

 

[StolenThunder]

^ ? ^