Then Enterprise attempted to explain why. I didn't buy it- it didn't click.
First people complained about the lack of explanation, then they refuse to accept the given explanation.
There's nothing to explain further because it was already done.
It's up to you to accept it or not.
How can the Universal Translator possibly work? It's just not possible--unless someone can explain it.
With the introduction of Vulcans in FC who likely learned English by observing Humanity before touching down on the planet, they probably contained a list of species they encountered and shared their database with Humans (which they did as shown in Enterprise).
Humans (or rather Hoshi) then likely developed sophisticated computer algorithms that analyze numerous different alien languages (at first it was from the Vulcan database) and probably finds some kind of commonalities between humanoid races... in case of other races that aren't humanoid, they probably used various animal sounds from different worlds.
Acquatics have a language which is predominantly nothing but whale-like sounds underwater... and they were able to decipher/translate this language.
If you're going to complain about the 'easiness' of deciphering alien language which 'in reality' should have nothing in common with what we know, then explain why Trek humanoid cultures have 'marriage' and other things that are oh so 'prevalent' in human society.
And the explanation that it's 'universal' is just plain old cop-out.
We are talking about ALIEN life form... something that is NOT like us.
This is just one of those things that one would have to 'accept' at face value.
Though, if you are dealing with a culture that already met other alien races, knows your own, and shared this information with you... some kind of a 'commonality' between them, or 'a pattern' might be located which can help you extrapolate the rest.
Besides, they have highly advanced technology to help them.
Sometimes a Starfleet officer will tap on their badge to speak to someone else or the computer.
At other times they'll just speak aloud and the badge knows to relay the message instantaneously no less-there should at least be a delay.
The first bit has nothing to explain. You tap a badge to open a comm channel. You can also use it to contact the computer (obviously) - though the second option was used seldom because of verbal interface.
As for the instant shuffling of communications to the other party... I personally agree that there should be at least a minor delay... unless they use relativistic effects to compensate (which is unlikely).
Secondary option would be that the computer is monitoring the situation and conversations at all times, and is able to 'predict' to whom the calls would be made.
In case of Tuvok contacting Kim on the bridge and the signal being instant (as we've seen)... it's possible that Tuvok pre-programmed the channel to be opened to Kim upon tapping the badge. Kim could have done the same upon replying.
If 24th century humans no longer use or need money, then how come they're constantly shown doing things--to earn money, including commit crime??
The jobs, the businesses, the bargaining- it makes no sense.
Who can explain this so it all makes sense and fits logically in science, the story line and canon?
In practically ALL of those instances, it was shown that the individuals who earn money, committed crimes, etc... were NOT part of the Federation, or preferred to lead a 'double life' of sorts.
It's possible that the majority of humans moved on, but few would retain the desire for material obsession and in most of those cases, they would leave the Federation because it doesn't offer money.
There was an argument that Sisko was obsessed about having a house on Bajor.
One thing to keep in mind that Sisko expressed a desire to move and live on Bajor, and as such was devoted to it as something of his goal in life.
Humans didn't stop from being driven by various things.
It's the obsessive compulsion of acquiring wealth and power that was mostly talked about which was eliminated.
Money was eliminated in the late 22nd century per Voyager (the new world economy took place then).
When SF officers were shown to use money of sorts, it was always with cultures that were NOT part of UFP (because they had to comply with local law - but in most cases, when ships needed something, it was done through resource exchange... never money or currency of any kind)...
Bolians and Risans were never explicitly mentioned to be Federation members which explains various monetary terms used when associated with those cultures.
Vash, was evidently an 'outcast' of sorts... and she was actually quite greedy as a person as evident per on-screen evidence.
She HAD to 'buy' her passage to Risa obviously.
But then again, do we know that she actually meant 'money' or 'currency' of any kind when she said it?
She could have traded resources and merely used an antiquated term to describe it.
Most humans/individuals who decided to cut away from the Federation were shown to be dealing with or lived in money based economies.
I don't see the problem really because as I already stated, it was 'contained' to isolated individuals or cultures that used currency/money but not the Federation as a whole.
