‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Retro Recap – ‘The Quality of Life’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

It is definitely safe to say, that mankind enjoys quite the standing on Planet Earth. In that, we are indeed the masters of this domain in many ways. For not only have we become the apex predator on the planet, to the point where the only real threat to humanity, is humanity… but we’ve managed to conquer this world and lay down sprawling cities for all of humankind. Plus, we’ve made incredible technological advances that have united our world like never before and we are so far along in our ability to create, that we might be on the cusp of creating artificial life and intelligence. A day that will put us at quite the crossroads for certain.
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Because when that day comes, we will be faced with quite the choice. In that, we can treat our new creations as equals or servants, and that decision will undoubtedly shape the future of humanity for better or worse and that does leave one to wonder, what it would take to ensure that the former of those options takes the lead. Since we all know deep down that our propensity to use and advance would make the latter an easier path. Despite the fact that it would genuinely put us in a negative and cold light. But thankfully, there are stories out there to explore how we can stay on that wholesome path… such as the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. For ‘The Quality of Life’ sees the crew of the Enterprise deal with this very conundrum when they drop by a supremely unique mining facility.

One that features technology that could revolutionize how the Federation gathers resources for generations to come and while Geordi is inspecting the facility, he is introduced to another incredible device… the Exocomp. A tiny little robot that is designed to quickly address any issues on the station, to the point where it can learn what tools to use and how to better serve the facility. Which makes this device seem to be nothing more than a ridiculously handy tool, one that could aid starships with emergency maintenance down the line. But a surprise twist, wherein the Exocomps take part in an act of self-preservation, leads Lieutenant Commander Data to believe that perhaps these supposed automatons are in fact, sentient and alive, and it later turns out he’s right.

Which means that when things go wrong on the station (since that’s how it do in the 24th Century), it is up to Data to play advocate for these new life forms when others are keen on sending them into danger to die and well… that leads to some powerful lessons for certain. Since Data’s desire to protect them and give them a choice, speaks volumes to the fact that if we do indeed create life somewhere down the line… we cannot just treat it as something that will enhance our lives through service. We instead need to treat these new beings as equals, not because we should fear their wrath, a la The Terminator, but because it is the right thing to do. For it is the fundamental expectation we have of our fellow man, so why wouldn’t we extend that to our technological children? So, they too can understand the wonder of the life they’ve been given and the freedoms they could enjoy.

Which is a delightful and hopeful and timely message to find in a story from some thirty years ago. Since we are truly on the cusp of creating something special. But all of that aside, what matters most, is that this story makes it clear that in order to stay on a positive path when A.I. arrives, we need what we often need in this world, thoughtful voices and champions for good. To ensure that logic and kindness prevails and while some might see such messages in a skeptical light, these lessons make sense. Because it always way too easy to take the wrong path and assert arrogance and the only way we grow as a species, is to abandon our sense of superiority and push to be better. And it is just wonderful to find a message of this caliber, buried within the framework of an intelligent and layered, one-off episode of TNG. Until next time. 

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