Star Trek also assumes a truly post-scarcity society in which capitalism plays, at most, a small part.
One of the problems we face in assessing human potential is that we pretty much only know of humans since the Neolithic, when authority and wealth became increasingly centralized. In the Star Trek universe, while authority remains hierarchical and highly centralized, economic inequality is somewhat diminished. These are different sets of social premises and the outcomes might vary.
Indeed, outcomes may vary. I remember growing up in West Berlin in the 1980s, surrounded by the GDR - a highly centralized and hierarchical society with diminished economic inequality. We frequently got time off school because the smog was so bad.
I’m very skeptical if a human society is possible which does not lead to over-exploitation of resources and recklessness towards discovered species on alien planets. I also doubt that the technology required for space travel could be developed in a sustainable manner in the first place.
I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of a Star Trek type society which was somehow able find a solution for this problem, but I fear it’s highly unlikely. Ultimately, we’re selfish apes. That’s why I find the Star Trek premise unrealistic.
@glorkon @USSBurritoTruck
Star Trek also assumes a truly post-scarcity society in which capitalism plays, at most, a small part.
One of the problems we face in assessing human potential is that we pretty much only know of humans since the Neolithic, when authority and wealth became increasingly centralized. In the Star Trek universe, while authority remains hierarchical and highly centralized, economic inequality is somewhat diminished. These are different sets of social premises and the outcomes might vary.
Indeed, outcomes may vary. I remember growing up in West Berlin in the 1980s, surrounded by the GDR - a highly centralized and hierarchical society with diminished economic inequality. We frequently got time off school because the smog was so bad.
I’m very skeptical if a human society is possible which does not lead to over-exploitation of resources and recklessness towards discovered species on alien planets. I also doubt that the technology required for space travel could be developed in a sustainable manner in the first place.
I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of a Star Trek type society which was somehow able find a solution for this problem, but I fear it’s highly unlikely. Ultimately, we’re selfish apes. That’s why I find the Star Trek premise unrealistic.