As much as I love Star Trek, and Deep Space Nine in particular, there are always some inconsistencies and other oddities that dont seem to make sense or add up, when youre and avid watcher. Now, Im not going to bore you with some random technical inconsistency here. NO, I want to take a look at a much larger problem in the inner-workings of the universe of Star Trek.
Of course there are other instances where this problem pokes its head, but as I said, Deep Space Nine is one of the primary offenders. Alright, youre probably wondering what the hell Im talking about, so Ill let you in on the secret. This inconsistency is: currency. Thats right, money.
As is frequently mentioned in all of Star Trek, the human race has finally been able to better itself. It has eliminated war, hunger, poverty, need, and currency (and the desire to acquire material goods in general). Instead, they all work to better themselves and the rest of mankind (and the universe as a whole).
So how then, I ask you, does the Federation do business with all the other races that still revolve around the acquisition of wealth? In Deep Space Nine, one of the primary characters on the station is Quark, a Ferengi (a species whose only reason for living is to get rich, any way they can). Theres no way they could do business on a daily basis using a simple barter system. At some point, you have to use some form of currency. Thats why it evolved in the first place. Barter works just fine until you really want to start investing or saving for the proverbial “rainy day.”
Now, I guess I really shouldnt get too much into this, lest my infidel knowledge get me humiliated when someone out there turns out to have a PhD in some form of economics.
My point is, there are a lot of inconsistencies that people probably wouldnt otherwise notice in the show. Then again, maybe Im just a freak that over analyzes everything and needs o have his head examined… erm, again…