Replicators

[MarkB]

Given what Kirk said about gems and such in “The Squire of Gothos”(?), I’d have to think that gold pressed latinum would be reconned into something akin to bitcoin, but taken to the nth degree, and not merely a refined material.

On the other hand, in "Arena" he bemoans the irony of being surrounded by a fortune in precious gems, which he'd gladly trade for a decent weapon. Star Trek tends to trade out consistency in favour of the needs of the current plot.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

On the other hand, in "Arena" he bemoans the irony of being surrounded by a fortune in precious gems, which he'd gladly trade for a decent weapon. Star Trek tends to trade out consistency in favour of the needs of the current plot.

True.

OTOH, he could simply be making a wry observation. Even though the Federation may be post-scarcity (at least, in terms of valuing mineral wealth) they still interact with cultures that are not.

So while diamonds an gold might not be valuable currency on Earth, Vulcan and other Federation planets, I’m sure a lot of Starfleet personnel are aware of the values OTHERS might place on them. Especially those cleared for landing missions.

 

[Thunderfoot]

On the other hand, in "Arena" he bemoans the irony of being surrounded by a fortune in precious gems, which he'd gladly trade for a decent weapon. Star Trek tends to trade out consistency in favour of the needs of the current plot.

Someone once asked Rod how fast warp 2 was, he offhandedly replied it was approximately the speed of plot.