This is not posted in the TNG forum since I think the discussion may cover the entire Trek franchise. Of course, if it - the discussion - stays within the realm of TNG...the moderators should feel free to move it where appropriate.
So, to get on with the point of the thread:
When Picard and crew first meet Q, Picard is basically told how 'savage' Earth was and still is. Yet, Picard (almost pompously) claims that the 23rd century had risen above when humans 'wore costumes' such as old Earth/U.S. army uniforms during the cold war, or clothing from 1500s/1600s during human trafficking and even in late 21st century where the military was controlled by drugs (and referred to as 'rapid progress' even though things weren't so progressive).
Granted, out-of-universe, this was the start of a series and things were just being tried out. In-universe, it's interesting to see how much Picard forgot...or wasn't aware of (i.e. Khitomer conference incidents where it was possibly documented that members of the Enterprise crew voiced opinions similar to Yeoman Burke and Samno had some racist comments towards Klingons, and vice versa).
Too, Picard would become 'savage' in the film First Contact, wanting to kill the Borg rather than his usual reasoning before gunfire. And, he would fire on a crewman who would call to him for help, when - years before - the Enterprise-D crew saved Picard.
The Dominion War, and the brief Klingon War during the Dominion War, would make some humans 'savage' (i.e. "The Siege of AR-558") or change them in the long run, such as Nog. Not too mention, Captain Ransom and the crew of the Equinox in the Delta Quadrant.
I don't know how much Star Trek Online is canon (it should all be, since it's awesome) but in the 25 (?) century, the Federation is at war again with not only the Klingons, but the Gorn.
While I was usually annoyed with Q, it's interesting how in-universe, he now comes across as a being who possibly foresaw all of this: The fight to maintain the idea of 'utopia.' (Those who follow the sfdebris reviews actually touched upon the change of Picard in the films, and how actionPicard would have failed the test that seriesPicard would have scoffed at.
DS9 was all about questioning what utopia really is, especially in episodes such as "Homefront" and "Paradise Lost." And, just because things are fine and dandy on Earth (or friendly planets such as Vulcan or Andor) doesn't mean it's fine and dandy for everyone else....i.e. Maquis, settlements in the middle of war zones, Bajorans during Cardassian rule, areas like Nimbus III.
I guess my point is: Humans will still have a long way to go, even past the 24th century. Especially since the universe is bigger than just what humans are used to or expect it to be.
Thoughts? (Other than this was a lengthy post....lol)
So, to get on with the point of the thread:
When Picard and crew first meet Q, Picard is basically told how 'savage' Earth was and still is. Yet, Picard (almost pompously) claims that the 23rd century had risen above when humans 'wore costumes' such as old Earth/U.S. army uniforms during the cold war, or clothing from 1500s/1600s during human trafficking and even in late 21st century where the military was controlled by drugs (and referred to as 'rapid progress' even though things weren't so progressive).
Granted, out-of-universe, this was the start of a series and things were just being tried out. In-universe, it's interesting to see how much Picard forgot...or wasn't aware of (i.e. Khitomer conference incidents where it was possibly documented that members of the Enterprise crew voiced opinions similar to Yeoman Burke and Samno had some racist comments towards Klingons, and vice versa).
Too, Picard would become 'savage' in the film First Contact, wanting to kill the Borg rather than his usual reasoning before gunfire. And, he would fire on a crewman who would call to him for help, when - years before - the Enterprise-D crew saved Picard.
The Dominion War, and the brief Klingon War during the Dominion War, would make some humans 'savage' (i.e. "The Siege of AR-558") or change them in the long run, such as Nog. Not too mention, Captain Ransom and the crew of the Equinox in the Delta Quadrant.
I don't know how much Star Trek Online is canon (it should all be, since it's awesome) but in the 25 (?) century, the Federation is at war again with not only the Klingons, but the Gorn.
While I was usually annoyed with Q, it's interesting how in-universe, he now comes across as a being who possibly foresaw all of this: The fight to maintain the idea of 'utopia.' (Those who follow the sfdebris reviews actually touched upon the change of Picard in the films, and how actionPicard would have failed the test that seriesPicard would have scoffed at.
DS9 was all about questioning what utopia really is, especially in episodes such as "Homefront" and "Paradise Lost." And, just because things are fine and dandy on Earth (or friendly planets such as Vulcan or Andor) doesn't mean it's fine and dandy for everyone else....i.e. Maquis, settlements in the middle of war zones, Bajorans during Cardassian rule, areas like Nimbus III.
I guess my point is: Humans will still have a long way to go, even past the 24th century. Especially since the universe is bigger than just what humans are used to or expect it to be.
Thoughts? (Other than this was a lengthy post....lol)
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