Would Data have made a good Ship's Captain?

[Vanyel]

I ask because in Redemption Part 2 he leaves the Captains chair to see if he could expose the Romulans. Wouldn't a good Captain have stayed at his post and told the opps officer or Science Officer to check it out. True he input everything by hand but the computer can take voice commands. Thinking further, he could have just told the computer what he wanted it to do and calculate. That way his XO wouldn't be so antsy to answer Picard and fall back.

He did show some growth in Gambit, but was it enough? He gave Worf a good dressing down, and acknowledged that as Captain, he may not be able to keep up the same friendships he had with the crew.

 

[Vanyel]

Not because he's dead, but because he just knows he knows more than his crew.

 

[spooky spice]

Yes and no, his analytical [logical] reasoning would have been a bonus, but his lack of emotion would probably be a hindrance..

 

[Keith1701]

Yes and no, his analytical [logical] reasoning would have been a bonus, but his lack of emotion would probably be a hindrance..

i MUST GO WITH yes OF COURSE.

 

[Gary7]

He would have made a good starship captain, but I'm not sure he'd be in the "top 10". He has the inherent discrimination problem to overcome (some humans just don't like the idea of being subservient to a mechanical manifestation of a person), plus he is still evolving his psychological understanding of humans. Psychology plays a big part in being a great captain. You have to read your crew and know how to work with their mental/emotional states to achieve objectives in the best way.

 

[matthunter]

He'd need a good First Officer who could explain emotional concerns from the crew to him, but not all the time. His tactical and organisational abilities aren't in question, and he'd make a good mediator due to impartiality. I'd say he would make a fair stab at it, although the benefit of further time learning to interact and understand humanoid foibles would improve his chances. The emotion chip would help as well.

But emotional distance from the crew isn't necessarily a problem - we've seen Vulcan captains. Sure, Vulcans have emotions but they often look down upon people who can't control them, so may not be any more in touch with the crew.

 

[TheGrandTrekMaster]

I thought Data made a fine captain in Gambit.

 

[Anji]

I thought Data would've made a good captain since I saw him befriend the little girl in "Pen Pals." The highest mark of a Starfleet Captain is compassion.

Data all the way!