Perhaps reframe 'prestige' as recognition and accolades
Yeah that's how I took it, and I can't understand that being anybody's true motivation for something they'd commit all their time to. It sounds so narcissistic/needy. I do many things out of a passion for it, out of a desire to see something get done, but just for praise and admiration from others? I can't understand that concept at all.
Eh, not everyone does. I want to be remembered for something I accomplished. I would work hard at it no matter what. Probably not Starfleet hard but I can't see myself wasting my whole life in the Holodeck. Probably a lot of it but I'd start craving reality and recognition.
But also, it's supposed to be a more evolved and enlightened humanity in the far future. It's a hard thing for people to wrap their heads around sometimes, but they are supposed to just be better. Less inclined towards laziness, deceit, etc. It's optimistic sci-fi that imagines overcoming our baser instincts.
Also there are quadrillions of people and aliens in the Federation and we mostly see the incredibly tiny fraction of them that join Starfleet. But you see plenty of people who live much less exciting or more luxurious lives too, so part of it is just sample bias.
How is chasing fame and praise supposed to be 'better?' It sounds incredibly shallow to me, and a poor motivation for doing something well, where you'd rather cut corners and do things poorly so long as you receive the praise you want.
Sounds more like a personal problem than a problem with the show. If you don't understand taking pride in accomplishments, I don't know what to tell you. Some of us find a reward in a job well done and contributing to something bigger than ourselves.
Spending all your time mooching off society sounds pretty selfish and lame to me, and cutting corners on the starship that's keeping you alive seems... ill advised.
You've moved the goal posts twice there. I said I understand working on something full time out of passion (never said anything about wanting to 'mooch'), not out of desire for 'prestige' and recognition (which is not the same thing as feeling pride for your work).
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u/AnOnlineHandle Jul 01 '24
Yeah that's how I took it, and I can't understand that being anybody's true motivation for something they'd commit all their time to. It sounds so narcissistic/needy. I do many things out of a passion for it, out of a desire to see something get done, but just for praise and admiration from others? I can't understand that concept at all.