I posted a reply in the DS9 forum about the use of currency in the Federation but some things I wrote about there have some relevance to Voyager too. It seems likeThe Federation has no currency or money system at all. It's sort of "replicate what you want and its yours" or so. But on the other hand, there seem to be some strive for latinum, gold or other valuable things here and there. Like when Chakotay encounter Paris on Voyager after arriving there for the first time: CHAKOTAY: But you? What did you betray us for? Freedom from prison? Latinum? What was your price this time? Why should Chakotay mention latinum if there was no need for such things? Another thing which have struck me while watching Voyager is how Voyager and particularily Neelix manage to buy foodstuff or precious metals on other planets. Now, what have Voyager to offer? Food from the Hydroponics Bay? Junk metal which they have collected from destroyed shuttles or from other planets? Or is Neelix constantly replicating counterfeit money from different planets which can be used as currency while trading. And what would happen if the other part don't accept some Leola roots, pieces of metal or the Federation's best literature? Let us see what happened when Voyager, in need of electronical components visited the planet Kurrus 3, home of the Ekorriii and were negoiating with their King Söör (pronounced as "sir") JANEWAY: We would really like to buy those electronic whatsoevertechnobabbling components for our warp engines. KING SÖÖR: Now what can you offer us in exchange? Do you have Hlaka nuts? JANEWAY: (to Neelix) What is Hlaka nuts? NEELIX: It's a big nut, the size of a head. The Ekorrii love them. Unfortunately, they grow on a planet in Kazon-Ogla space and I would suggest that we don't go there. JANEWAY: I'm sorry King Söör but we don't have Hlaka nuts. But we can offer you other foodstuff from our Hydroponic Bay, like leola roots, Wood throk, Seltin wood fungus, Phu.... KING SÖÖR: Unacceptable! We want Hlaka nuts! JANEWAY: Maybe your people would like to have some of the Federations best literature. I'm sure they would enjoy.......... KING SÖÖR: Nooooooo! We want Hlaka nuts! Bring us Hlaka nuts or we eat you instead! NEELIX: Captain, I would strongly suggest that we beam up immediately and take our chances with the Kazon-Ogla instead!
Any provisions they have that is not above the other culture's current technology level. Or, they can just replicate a big block of gold. Can't replicate latinum but you can replicate gold, some still consider that very valuable.
Everyone in that DS9 thread that’s dreaming of a barter system for Earth needs to visit the Delta Q. JirinPanthosa has the right idea. Problem solved.
Given how often Voyager has to put into dock for repairs they must have a TARDIS like vault for money.
Somehow, I can see a black-gloved Janeway say : 'when normal attempts at trading Neelix's Leola root stew fail, there's only one alternative...'
Most supplies. I bet lots of replicator is used in order to create stuff to trade for things that are hard to replicate. Granted if you want to take a darker look then you could say Janeway allows people to come use the holodeck if said aliens don't have holodecks to create anything from sexual experiences to just adventure stuff. "Voyager" could have been turned into a flying holo-brothel all this time and they simply never showed it on the show because it would be to much for the fans to handle. As for places that do have holodecks I wouldn't be surprised if they did what they did in that season 1 episode and basically offer people access to Alpha Quadrant art. I mean if a alien species came to earth right now who among us would be curious to check out their art and get a chance to learn more about them as a people? Jason
Plenty of energy expended to keep holdecks running, but it could be Voyager Currency of high value to other inhabitants of the DQ. It was for the Hirogen. Assuming they don’t just steal it, though. Voyager would be the Risa of the DQ. Great business model. But the impractical thing is, now you need a police force just for holodeck security, and letting beings of unknown character onto your ship, who could easily kill any redshirt. I can imagine shapeshifters becoming crew members or even senior staff, and, poof, you’ve lost the ship.
Well their is always a risk when you let anyone come aboard your ship. Starfleet though has a very trusting view on guests. Shapeshifters would be a issue but they would be a issue anytime but shapeshifters seeem actually be rare. I don't think we saw many of them in the DQ. Plus a holodeck I think could only have so many people in at a time so it would be few at a time. Granted it would be something I assume only rich and important people of these worlds have access to but that's sort of goes with the exploration. Starfleet is always making contact with leaders and not the common citizens of worlds. Jason
The Voyager could have demanded whatever it needed from inhabitants on the planet. When they didn't give in, Voyager could have just beamed what they needed off a planet or beamed a few people into space as an example of their power if the inhabitants didn't acquiesce.
There might be whole domains of research and knowledge that would be quite valuable. Perhaps they would not sell the EMH or medical equipment, but the entire database of medical knowledge, including treatments, might fetch a high, one-time price. Or they put Harry Kim in a kissing booth.
Another thing the ship could do is simply provide parts of the crew or teams as work teams to help a planet out. I mean that was what they were doing with that generational ship. The one were Kim got a STD. Sometimes just pitching in and helping will get you reward or solving a medical or technical problem. As long as you say away from giving out weapons and deadly chemicals like Bio metical gel I think it was called you could get rewarded just for being a good friend. Also seeds to human food or food from other AQ species. You might think aliens out their might love to eat ice cream or apples or pizza etc. Whatever kinds of food Voyager has to offer that aliens would see as exotic tastes. Jason
The crews could serve as a research and survey platform, they could do a few cargo runs between home planets and colonies, do ship repairs,... . Their knowledge of Borg instillations and movements might even earn a few coins.
Well they did transport a group of Enarans from a colony to their homeworld. But since their primary goal is to go home, they can't afford the luxury of stayin too long on the planets they visit.
Detailed star charts (in fact I think I remember them trying to barter with this), replicated goods and depending on the tech-level possibly stored power. Maybe even recrystallize some of their dilithium. Oh and possibly holodeck use. Frankly that kind of shows the problem of the advanced technology in the TNG era. Stick a 23rd century ship in the same situation and they'd have serious trading and resource problems (they'd actually need new dilithium crystals for starters).
Yeah, they could have, but they didn't. Unless this is one of the "I don't accept that there's any real idealism in Star Trek, it's really a hegemonic expansionist tyranny!" posts, it should just be blatantly clear they don't steal or murder and they make a big deal about it when somebody does steal. But it's also clear the only things they aren't allowed to trade is weapons and technology that the other side doesn't have access to yet.
I hate to be that person, but can the spelling of this thread's title be fixed please? My proofreading simply won't shut off.