Define “post-scarcity”. You can’t replicate everything (without programmable matter, anyways…), and some raw materials are needed to build the replicators. And latinum is a rare commodity, though I don’t know why it’s so value beyond its scarcity. Greed will always be there as long as some things remain scarce yet required for a functioning society.
Latinum is only valuable outside of the Federation, where societies are not post-scarcity.
Now, before you argue that there are no material conditions demanding scarcity in (some of) them, I’ll add that artificial scarcity is scarcity nonetheless.
In societies outside the Federation, where they don’t have replicators, things have value due to being able to use them for other purposes. Latinum has never been shown to be used for any other purpose except to trade. Its not clear why a useless material is considered valuable, except for the fact that its rare.
Yes, but beyond its scarcity, what other purpose does it have? Lots of things are rare and can’t be replicated, but their value comes from the need to use them for some purpose such the ability to build other things that you wouldn’t be able to build otherwise. Latinum has never been shown as anything more than a currency with nothing behind it to give it value.
You missed a big advantage of gold: it’s so dense you can verify that a piece of gold is real just by weighing it, because very few materials are even close to the density of gold. For most of human history, it was impossible to substitute another material for gold, and even now, the materials that are denser than gold are radioactive and/or more expensive than gold.
Gold is used in a variety of applications. You’re likely holding a device filled with gold right now. Even before the computer revolution, is was still used in medical applications. There are tons of uses for gold that don’t involve currency.
Yes it does have applications nowadays but when gold was used as a monetary store we didn’t have electronics. Gold was mainly used because it is shiny, easily workable, rare, and never corroded.
It was shiny, easily workable, and didn’t turn your skin green. As a jewelry metal, it was much more valuable than as a currency. It had uses other than just money…
In a post scarcity society, greed becomes irrelevant.
If you can’t create artificial demand in a utopian society, what kind of Ferangi are you?
This man doesn’t have the lobes for business.
Define “post-scarcity”. You can’t replicate everything (without programmable matter, anyways…), and some raw materials are needed to build the replicators. And latinum is a rare commodity, though I don’t know why it’s so value beyond its scarcity. Greed will always be there as long as some things remain scarce yet required for a functioning society.
Latinum is only valuable outside of the Federation, where societies are not post-scarcity.
Now, before you argue that there are no material conditions demanding scarcity in (some of) them, I’ll add that artificial scarcity is scarcity nonetheless.
In societies outside the Federation, where they don’t have replicators, things have value due to being able to use them for other purposes. Latinum has never been shown to be used for any other purpose except to trade. Its not clear why a useless material is considered valuable, except for the fact that its rare.
Says a huh-man that uses paper to trade…
That paper is at least backed by the GDP of my country.
Latinum is valuable because it can’t be replicated.
Yes, but beyond its scarcity, what other purpose does it have? Lots of things are rare and can’t be replicated, but their value comes from the need to use them for some purpose such the ability to build other things that you wouldn’t be able to build otherwise. Latinum has never been shown as anything more than a currency with nothing behind it to give it value.
What value does gold have other than it doesn’t rust and it looks pretty?
It’s the same thing essentially. Latinum looks pretty and can’t be replicated therefore it’s a good currency.
You missed a big advantage of gold: it’s so dense you can verify that a piece of gold is real just by weighing it, because very few materials are even close to the density of gold. For most of human history, it was impossible to substitute another material for gold, and even now, the materials that are denser than gold are radioactive and/or more expensive than gold.
Gold is used in a variety of applications. You’re likely holding a device filled with gold right now. Even before the computer revolution, is was still used in medical applications. There are tons of uses for gold that don’t involve currency.
Yes it does have applications nowadays but when gold was used as a monetary store we didn’t have electronics. Gold was mainly used because it is shiny, easily workable, rare, and never corroded.
It was shiny, easily workable, and didn’t turn your skin green. As a jewelry metal, it was much more valuable than as a currency. It had uses other than just money…
The microgram of gold in my phone pales in comparison to the gold used in jewellery or hoarded.
Yes, but again even by your own admission, it has uses other than just currency.
Post-scarcity societies are good for business. Rule of Acquisition #74.
Rule #74 is Knowledge equals profit. Are you reading some pirated copy of the rules?Don’t give Hu-Mons the actual Rules of Acquisition. Rule of Acquisition #23.
Oh Grand Nagus you are so smart!
I see this is actually the Grand Nagus’ account. I’m sorry Grand Nagus. My apologies.
Irrelevant, but it still exists.
When everyone has unlimited access to stuff, one person wanting more does not deprive others of anything so it does not matter if it exists.
IE: In a post scarcity society, greed becomes irrelevant.
but it still exists - even in Star Trek
You’re arguing against a straw man. They never said it ceases to exist, only that it’s irrelevant.