Data

[USS_Britain]

On another topic, we got talking about Data (specifically, his relationship with Spot). It caused me to ponder why an android would have a pet cat in the first place, since he is incapable of any real affection. I think it's the same reason he plays music and paints. He doesn't really enjoy these things, but he does them because they are things that people do. He thinks that the best way to become a person is by acting as much like one as possible. This is one of the things that makes Data fascinating to me.

Of course, feel free to jump in with any thoughts you have about Data.

 

[Yeoman Randi]

I think you are correct in that initially he paints, plays music and has a cat because he wants to explore humanity and he aspires to be human.

However, i think from pretty early on Data DOES have emotions even without the emotion chip. In the Season 2 episode "Pen Pals" he exhibits emotions by going against the Captain and the Prime Directive in making contact with Sarjenka. When he, holding her hand, brings her to the bridge to make his case for saving her, her people and her planet he is showing compassion.

I love Data and i love Brent Spiner as Data!

 

[RegFan]

Data does have emotions in TNG. He just doesn't think he has them. If he really had no emotions he would think he doesn't have any reason to do anything or even live or not live.

 

[JustKate]

I agree with MSIT ("my sister in Trek") Yeoman Randi - Data was almost from the beginning of the series capable of some sort of affection, though no doubt he defined it differently than a human would. We see examples of this all the time. The most notable one I can think of in early in the series is after Tasha dies.

 

[Yeoman Randi]

Data does have emotions in TNG. He just doesn't think he has them. If he really had no emotions he would think he doesn't have any reason to do anything or even live or not live.

^ EXACTLY! He thinks he doesn't have them, but he does. Perfectly said!

Kate, LOVE IT! MSIT!!!

 

[KimMH]

He's like Dorothy's Tinman - he ALREADY had a heart!

I thought about that a lot when it aired and it actually gave me a greater appreciation for Wiz of Oz - funny that!

 

[Alrik]

It caused me to ponder why an android would have a pet cat in the first place, since he is incapable of any real affection. I think it's the same reason he plays music and paints.

Because over time, his neuronet grows accustomed to them.



Seriously though, Randi and Kate are pretty much spot on.

 

[EnsignAmy]

Data does have emotions in TNG. He just doesn't think he has them. If he really had no emotions he would think he doesn't have any reason to do anything or even live or not live.

I agree 100%. You put this simply and wonderfully well.

 

[sbk1234]

We're all in agreement here. To further support this, in Brothers, when Data tells Soong that he can't mourn him, even Soong tells him he will.

 

[Admiral Shran]

On another topic, we got talking about Data (specifically, his relationship with Spot). It caused me to ponder why an android would have a pet cat in the first place, since he is incapable of any real affection. I think it's the same reason he plays music and paints. He doesn't really enjoy these things, but he does them because they are things that people do. He thinks that the best way to become a person is by acting as much like one as possible. This is one of the things that makes Data fascinating to me.

Of course, feel free to jump in with any thoughts you have about Data.

Any thoughts about Data? Okay, he shouldn't have been killed off.

Seriously though, the comparison to the Tinman from "The Wizard of Oz" is perfect. Data does have basic emotions from the start. He has just convinced himself that he doesn't because they're not what he thinks they should be.

As for the emotion chip, I think he needs it for truly complex emotional states, like humor and all it entails.

 

[NBG011]

Whenever I hear about Data and emotions I remember the dialog between him and 137 year old admiral McCoy:

"I don't see no points on your ears boy, but you sound just like a Vulcan!"
"No, sir. I am an android."
"Almost as bad..."

 

[DevilEyes]

I agree that he does have emotions, although not exactly in the same way as humanoids do.

Here are a couple of earlier threads about Data and emotions, with a lot of good posts on both sides of the argument:
http://trekbbs.com/showthread.php?p=3092609
http://trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=107988
my views on the matter: http://trekbbs.com/showpost.php?p=3575734&postcount=11
http://trekbbs.com/showpost.php?p=3604351&postcount=36