(10-22-2022, 11:41 PM)FaceInTheCrowd Wrote: I'm not talking about people marching with protest signs, but people voting in leaders who promise to build things they don't want on the planet somewhere else. It's just an extension of the way things work today. Try running for office on a platform that says you're going to site an oil refinery or landfill close to where the majority of the voters live and see what happens. Today we put things the majority of people don't want near them in sparsely populated rural places. In order for everyone from Star Trek's United Earth to be able to wax nostalgic about the 50 miles of parkland around their home towns, they'll need to go off world instead.
Let's not bring our government into this. That's like comparing bananas to paper.
I am not talking protest signs or groups of people walking around the Federation building chanting opposition to some cracking station that will be constructed somewhere in their Federation aligned solar system. However, the Federation, being an organization that supposedly holds dear such lofty core values as peace, equality, etc., I would think they would allow anyone to participate in a demonstration as proof that these core values exist. Everyone is equal.
Protest isn't just about voicing outrage over the perceived lethal dangers of a cracking station. A protest can, and should be able to be lodged for just about any reason, and certainly for injustice.
Let's say for example, that the Acme Metal Resource company, based on Alpha Omega 27, who is a Federation member, found an obscure planet in the middle of nowhere. They explore the planet, and determine it to be an extraordinary source of lithium crystals, gold, platinum, and hundreds of other valuable minerals. Right up their alley. They purchase the planet, name it Delta Vega, develop it, establish a fleet of ore ships, and even make it a self contained, automated station.
Proceed to the Federation, who, as the result of continuous reports from elected officials, finds their lithium supplies dwindling drastically with no immediate hope of replenishing. Do they already know of Alpha Omega 27, with extraordinary supplies and owned by Acme Metal? There's no doubt in my mind they do, and they purposely left it alone until the need arose. After all, the Federation believes in justice and equality. That is, until the shortage. Alpha Omega 27 is a Federation member, therefore the planet Delta Vega is available for the taking, provided the Federation can back up the theft. The Federation commandeers Alpha Omega 27 for its own use.
So, what about those owners of the company, who expounded much to develop the planet? Do they have a right to lodge a formal protest against the Federation? Absolutely. Will the Federation relent? No way. There might be a big deal made of the appeal which will reach the media so everyone knows what's going on. The Federation will stand upon its core values and proclaim that, if the planet is safe, Acme will get it back and a report will be published. The Federation makes a big show of using vast resources to do everything in its power to make sure Acme gets it. Well, surprise. While exploring the planet and taking samples, Starfleet (supposedly) finds a lethal bacteria with catastrophic effects. The Federation then releases the altered report, revealing the grave dangers of allowing a private company, or anyone for that matter, to obtain Delta Vega resources. Instead, the Federation will henceforth retain ownership of the planet, and will take over mining operations. They do offer a bonus. Those Acme people will have the golden opportunity of relocating to somewhere else, out of Federation territory.
It's a win-win situation. How could anyone even think otherwise? It's for the benefit of all. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. So much for equality and justice for all.
This is short and sweet and no doubt the whole incident would be a much more complex back and forth between the owners and the Federation. However, there is no doubt in my mind that this happens more often than not, and the Federation always wins.
The best way to frustrate a cyberbully is to ignore him.