Star Trek, Socialism in Space.
I wonder who the Paymaster on the Enterprise is?
that’s the real issue. JJ Abrams is not a Marxist, he just wants to entertain. All the old series were about Marxism.
Something they addressed quite a bit in TNG — with the technology in that age, particularly the replicators and holodecks, with the cheap energy to power all of them, economics as you and I would understand it are not really valid any longer. Potentially, that might be closer to accurate than not.
Exactly. Original series good. TNG Preachy politically correct communism...
...I wonder who the Paymaster on the Enterprise is?...
Who needs money or a paymaster when there are replicators?
♬ ♫ ♪ The Priceline Negotiator ♪ ♫ ♬
Given that we have automated payroll systems now, I think their computer can handle it no matter what system they have.
“Star Trek: Voyager” had energy rationing for a while due to shortages. I could imagine the ship tracking time worked, and having similar tracking of replicator use, holodeck time and other privileges. Skip enough shifts, it automatically blocks you from the holodeck or getting more than basic rations.