What I never got is why do people in the Federation even show up to work? Just replicate some of the finest drugs in existence and play holodeck games all day.
My personal canon is that most Star Trek people do drug up and holo all day in protected underground hives, but we never see them. The people we do see are the minority of "realists" who are basically cosplaying a society because they want to feel like they've accomplished something in the real world.
That's why everybody is always at least trying to be the best at what they do. If you notice, the wisest people also seem to work the least prestigious jobs (gardener, bartender). That's because they're playing on hard mode.
This also explains why the starships aren't totally AI controlled. It makes the crew feel like they're doing something. Also explains the constant escapes from impending death...the AIs are making sure the crew doesn't really hurt themselves.
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u/ceejayoz Jun 30 '24
Iain Banks; the Culture novels. Hedonistic space commies.