![]() On the other hand, by taking the argument as far as it does, the story threatens to collapse under its own moral conviction. I'm of two minds on "The Quality of Life." On the one hand, it is in principle a pure example of the "seek out new life" mantra of the Star Trek ethos, and it is surely an episode whose underlying issues are fodder for much discussion and debate about the nature of life (artificial or otherwise) and our responsibilities to it. ![]() But does being a somewhat more advanced robotic intelligence make them alive? The exocomps are learning machines rather than simple tools. I think ultimately what this episode is talking about is not simply life, but intelligence. As the episode notes, if you boil down the criteria of what living things generally do - exist, consume, attempt to survive, multiply - you could make the case that fire is "alive." But perhaps there must be something beyond that - a spark that transcends the qualifying definitions. Just what exactly is "alive"? Data has a conversation with Crusher that asks this very question, and the discussion ends probably the only way it can - inconclusively. He slowly comes to the conclusion that the exocomps may be alive. ![]() Farallon has in her employ some advanced robotic tools she created, called "exocomps." When one of them inexplicably malfunctions, Data takes it back to the Enterprise for further diagnostic. Farallon (Ellen Bry) to decide whether her technological methods can be deployed in more widespread use in the Federation. The Enterprise observes an experimental mining operation overseen by the ambitious Dr. Star Trek: The Next Generation "The Quality of Life" ![]()
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