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Poll Would you trade your real life to live in the ST Universe?

^ You could go to the future and hang out with Bashir's father, his life pretty much sucks too.
 
Nah. A console would probably explode and vaporise half my face, Delta rays melt the other half, I'd be captured and sent to Internment Camp 371, assimilated by the Borg and hoovered up by Crystalline Entity. So no thanks.
 
Besides, who wants to memorize the difference between a reciprocal EPS flow conversion shunt, a bi-coaxial tetryon flux dispersion unit, and an antithetical graviton expulsion array?
 
Besides, who wants to memorize the difference between a reciprocal EPS flow conversion shunt, a bi-coaxial tetryon flux dispersion unit, and an antithetical graviton expulsion array?
You're assuming that the speaker really knows what he's talking about there! I'd just reply "It is unnecessary to bypass the murgatroyd so long as the blugertron field remains demi-integral."
 
To me thing is no matter what the setting, I'd still be me, suggesting my life would by and large pan out as it already has done. Despite the world's problems we in the west enjoy arguably the highest standard of living any humans ever have.

Most of us remain unsatisfied, so why would living in the star trek universe improve matters? People there are often portrayed as being just as unsatisfied as us, opting to spend time on the holodecks as an escape. Consider that point, people in this fantasy world of ours choose to escape it into fantasy worlds of their own.

So no, I'd prefer to make the most of the life I have because in all likelihood it would not e improved meaningfully and ST exists as an escape.
 
I would live in the Trek future, and leave today if I could. The real world, here and now, is owned and operated by greedy sociopaths and ignorant thugs, always has been and probably always will be. And despite the technical and societal advances that have occured over the centuries, we're still only one pandemic or economic collapse away from reverting back to the dark ages, some parts of the world are already there and others have never left them.
 
Not really. It's fun entertainment but as others have pointed out, the "reality" of the Star Trek utopia wouldn't really hold up.
A. For all the talk of a utopia where anyone can do what they want, it's pretty much established that Starfleet only takes a select few (and even Wesley has difficulty getting into the academy in spite of being a child genius who saved the Enterprise multiple times). If you are lucky enough to make it into Starfleet (especially on a starship), you can probably expect to be single for your entire career based upon the makeup of most crews. I guess the good news if if you work security, you can expect that career to be exceedingly short. I can't say too much about life outside of Starfleet, but based upon what is seen on-screen, be prepared to be a scientist, some variation of transport captain, or work for some aspect of the food service industry.
B. From Borg Drones to Slaves on Remus, while the Federation may be a nice place to live if you are on a core world, every other society seems pretty dangerous.
C. That dangerous outside galaxy regularly targets Earth and other core Federation worlds with usually only one ship (read Enterprise) within any defensible range.
D. Finally, reading between the lines--and given the sub-plot for most episodes--many, many Federation colonies are riddled with plagues, famine, and various insane warlords. Usually the cure for these things is found on only one other planet with a highly dubious government. Of course, if your colony is lucky enough to avoid these ever-present pitfalls, your planet will probably be traded to the neighboring (hostile) empire.
Yep, I think I'm good here.
 
I enjoy my life here. With one exception. I would like access to medical technology of the Star Trek universe.
 
For example, you label it a 'fantasy pipe-dream' which is your opinion. [Which seems to conflict with you assertion that you wish to make this world a better one: perhaps you should ask yourself "to what end?"] I find it sad that someone can look at Trek's social situation and label it a fantasy. I don't think an existence where freedom, liberty and science are so important should so easily be dismissed as fantasy.

1. It is a fantasy. By every definition of the words, it is fantasy and a dream. It's not my opinion. That's a fact, even if it's an unfortunate or undesirable one.

2. You are fundamentally incorrect about my desire to "help make the world a better place" being in conflict with my stand here. There is a HUGE difference in deriving meaning and purpose from the challenge and struggle associated with "making things better" than the stagnent, spoon-fed state of existing in a near-perfect world where such goals are unnecessary. I don't derive meaning from that kind of existence. But, unlike you, I don't "find it sad" that someone else wouldn't see it that way. Different strokes.

It's always interesting how people who preach about liberty and freedom and "ideal social situations" as you have here so often forget that the fundamental building block of these concepts is the ability to respect and comprehend other values and perspectives that are not shared by you.

Peace and long life, my friend.
 
2. You are fundamentally incorrect about my desire to "help make the world a better place" being in conflict with my stand here. There is a HUGE difference in deriving meaning and purpose from the challenge and struggle associated with "making things better" than the stagnent, spoon-fed state of existing in a near-perfect world where such goals are unnecessary. I don't derive meaning from that kind of existence. But, unlike you, I don't "find it sad" that someone else wouldn't see it that way. Different strokes.

Who's to say they're stagnant? I see them as the inheritors of the world people like you, maybe, stove to create, but like you continuing to strive in a world your ancestors would think already ideal, they are on journeys we don't appreciate, lacking their perspective. Q feared we'd one day surpass his people; that wouldn't happen if the Federation weren't striving for more.
 
.I think there would still be bills, while we have heard a small number of people speak of no money, we hear fair more references to there being buying and selling in the Federation and on Earth. Both are canon and therefor both are true in some fashion, you can't discount one in favor of the other. I do think that believing that "most thing are free" doesn't explain what the real situation is in the future, not the whole story.To be fair, it is obviously a fantasy.But is the future depicted in Star Trek a "better world?" In terms of the civilian population outside of Starfleet we actually know very little. Sisko refers to Earth (but not the entire Federation) as a "paradise," but what does that mean to someone who isn't Ben Sisko?

There are people today we point at modern day Sweden and call it a paradise, other people view it as constrained and possessing a oppressive controlling society.

I remember a thread from a few years ago where the discussion when to what would happen to those who didn't embrace the pervailing societal normals of Earth, several posters stated that those people could simply go (or be sent) to a colony where their idea would be permitted.

Paradise accomplished via exclusion, conform or be cast out.

The future is depicted as a material comfortable one, but again we know little of the society.

Would you be willing to surrender your freedoms in exchange for a comfortable chair?And at the same time, "many many" people are, they're fully aware they are living a better life than their ancestors.

I'm having a tricky time trying to format this quote so forgive the mish-mash way I have done it:

1. I don't think there would be bills. Bills for what? With the energy crisis solved and no replicators I'm unsure what you could be billed for. I think money is largely gone but I suspect a currency exists perhaps for larger purchases [houses] and for dealing with items outwith the Federation.

2. The world is clearly better than the one we currently inhabit. I think it is clearly implied that Earth is the most tolerant, crime-free & peaceful it has ever been. No starvation, no hate...it is clearly a far better world.

3. Sweden is still nothing like the Federation. Neo-fascists for example would look at tolerance of racial differences as disgusting but it doesn't mean we have to take their views seriously. If someone finds the Federations ideals of peace & liberty repulsive it says more about them than those ideals.

4. I think it is an oxymoron to ask if I would give up freedoms for a comfy chair. The socialist utopia Trek portrays highlights no one is giving up any freedoms. Unless those freedoms are toxic. Your 'conform or leave' argument is odd also. It is literally a free society based on tolerance, rationality and freedom: the only people who would have to leave is those who wish to be homophobic/hateful/criminal etc. That is a fundamental basis of society, it's why we have prisons, no society can permit everyone to do as they wish: that would destroy society.

5. Just because many people are happy today doesn't validate this society. As we are typing many are dying of starvation, others are being slaughtered. It's super if someone is happy in our society today but the world we inhabit is an ignorant, selfish one in which millions suffer every day. Just because someone is happy right now, that doesn't validate this society especially in contrast to a society where no one is suffering.

1. It is a fantasy. By every definition of the words, it is fantasy and a dream. It's not my opinion. That's a fact, even if it's an unfortunate or undesirable one.

2. You are fundamentally incorrect about my desire to "help make the world a better place" being in conflict with my stand here. There is a HUGE difference in deriving meaning and purpose from the challenge and struggle associated with "making things better" than the stagnent, spoon-fed state of existing in a near-perfect world where such goals are unnecessary. I don't derive meaning from that kind of existence. But, unlike you, I don't "find it sad" that someone else wouldn't see it that way. Different strokes.

It's always interesting how people who preach about liberty and freedom and "ideal social situations" as you have here so often forget that the fundamental building block of these concepts is the ability to respect and comprehend other values and perspectives that are not shared by you.

Peace and long life, my friend.

1. It is a fantasy in regards to it being a TV show. It is not an impossibility either. Simply writing off such a wonderful future as fantasy is, to me, an excuse not to pursue it.

2. You have a bizarrely negative view of Treks future. Nothing would be stagnant or 'spoon-fed' about that future, it would be the exact opposite. Creativity, potential of people...it would all be at the highest it has ever been in human history. Your views sound of the conservative mindset to me, where people need fear of death of starvation to be motivated to do anything. I find that absurd. It is simply a fact that we have lost brilliant minds because they starved to death, because they could not afford tuition fee's etc. Goals do NOT become 'unnecessary' because no money/fear is involved [that is a horribly bleak way of looking at humanity]: in a utopian future like Trek's, people would be liberated to pursue their dreams, goals & ambitions in a way they never have been allowed before. That is a hugely positive thing. I 'find it sad' because our money driven, selfish society seems to allow people to view an emancipated, free future as somehow negative.

3. There are many, many, many values held right now in 2016 that people view is fundamental that will be dead in a hundred years. I always preach about liberty but I am also rational. For example, TNG is set in the 24th century. That is 300 years in our future. If we were to travel back to 1700, what do you think those people would think of our society? They would be a product of their time and unable to comprehend [or agree with] many of the societal norms we have [and accept as standard] now.

Your initial anger at my post seemed to be because you felt insulted that I portrayed your view as a product of your time. Well, I stand by that. You feel Trek's Utopian vision is ridiculous...but you feel this way in 2016. Someone by 2116 might feel a bit different. Just as some fellow in 1700 would find our tolerance of homosexuality/landing on the moon/penecillin/equal treatment of women all 'fantasy, pipe-dream nonsense'.
 
Pretty much yeah, being poor, miserable and alone here and being miserable and alone but not poor there would be enough reason for me to move over there.
There is still probably plenty of crapsack stuff to get pissed about including lying and manipulative people, but there is one freedom it has that we now don't have: I don't have to stay on the same planet with these people.
Let them be as damn nasty and selfish as they want to be as they ruin things around them, I will just move to a different planet.

Sick of reality? Nothing a long visit to the holodeck won't cure, heck I could probably get more psychological counseling from a medical hologram than I currently can get from a real psychologist.
Unsure about my drawings and my style, I'll just ask the holographic art teacher for what I should focus on to improve.
Want to learn how to write better or perhaps how to make video games? Just turn on the holographic teachers.

So there are some nasty alien things around such as beings that can take over your mind, almost insane warriors who only dream of perpetual war, or a cyborg collective that goes around assimilating cultures in order to improve itself and achieve what is perceives to be a state of perfection..
Big deal. Here we have nation states and dictators that seek to screw one another while not giving a damn about regular people, and individuals who believe in everlasting paradise and glory if they kill as many non believers as possible.
Heck I'll take the assimilating cyborg collective over that, at least they are going for something that seems to be feasible, and they don't pretend they are better than others because such emotions are irrelevant.
 
What's with all the talk of coming back, and not staying permanently?

ST Future - Longer lifespan, all the leisure you want, focused on improving yourself as much as possible. There are of course some problems that arise, but overall nope....

Present - Full of selfish, petty, cruel people who treat others horribly. Gross economic inequality, quasi-authoritarian governments masquerading as "free", etc.
 
What's with all the talk of coming back, and not staying permanently?.

Personal choice and the larger, overall acknowledgement of it being a fictional universe and not really wanting to go into a hypothetical like that without much more of a point to the discussion.
 
Personal choice and the larger, overall acknowledgement of it being a fictional universe and not really wanting to go into a hypothetical like that without much more of a point to the discussion.
Whether it's fictional or not isn't the point
 
Well yes it is. You're asking something that can't happen, so why waste much effort on it?

Is there something specifically that you wanted to happen here that you're upset over not having happened?
 
Well yes it is. You're asking something that can't happen, so why waste much effort on it?

Is there something specifically that you wanted to happen here that you're upset over not having happened?
And attitudes like this is why the world is still so corrupt
 
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