Someone who knows the lore, explain why a society with replicators would have farmers?  Are there things that the replicators can't make?  Original Star Trek, they carried their own food (unless the Tribbles ate it), so they still had to grow it, then.  But at some point, did the replicator put farmers out of business?

Also, since I'm on it, since there is no real currency, why don't people just stay home playing video games all day long?  I mean, self-actualization and "being all you can be" must only go so far.  I can't see many people becoming secretaries or janitors because of the fulfillment it provides.  I would imagine that about 99% of the human race would permanently be in the holodeck using the "pleasure" program. 

Also, why are there traders and pirates?  Can't you just make whatever you want?

I'm actually genuinely curious to get a serious answer.

Originally posted by cygnetsong

Someone who knows the lore, explain why a society with replicators would have farmers?  Are there things that the replicators can't make?  Original Star Trek, they carried their own food (unless the Tribbles ate it), so they still had to grow it, then.  But at some point, did the replicator put farmers out of business?

Also, since I'm on it, since there is no real currency, why don't people just stay home playing video games all day long?  I mean, self-actualization and "being all you can be" must only go so far.  I can't see many people becoming secretaries or janitors because of the fulfillment it provides.  I would imagine that about 99% of the human race would permanently be in the holodeck using the "pleasure" program. 

Also, why are there traders and pirates?  Can't you just make whatever you want?

I'm actually genuinely curious to get a serious answer.

(I apologize upfront for the length of the reply.  But it was fun to reflect on these issues while writing it)

Replicators need energy.  The more complex the item, the more energy required.   Energy, even the loads created by matter/anitmatter conversion, is still a finite resource.   It was shown in several Trek episodes that lack of energy would inhibit replicator usage, usually as a plot device, but Voyager used it as a primary issue.   Their need to radically conserve energy prohibited replicator usage except in emergancies, which is why Neelix ran a "real" kitchen.

So in many instances it would be more energy efficient to grow food than replicate it.

Star Trek has always been loopy on the whole "money" issue.   Roddenberry envisioned a future where money was not a driving force, but could never detail how such a society could work as a practical matter.   TOS had "credits" and at least as far as The Search for Spock, some form of currency existed (McCoy tried to charter a ship to Genesis).   (Odd that Kirk claimed they didn't use money in the future in Journey Home).   Even episodes of TNG suggested the Federation used currency, at least when interacting with other societies.   It may be possible for the Federation to function internally without currency, but there was still the need to trade with other nations who still use some form of hard currency.    After all, just how did Picard obtain all those artifacts in his collection or Riker pay for his debauchery on Risa?    Again, energy probably comes into play.    My guess is, depending on your "rank" or "position," you were alloted a certain amount of "personal" energy, which could then be used to replicate the native currency, or items to decorate your quarters.   Thus, energy becomes the de facto currency of the Federation. 

Your question about what keeps people motivated is another issues with "details" lacking from Trek.  Roddenberry's vision was a society where a fundemental staple was to encourage people to "be all you can be."   It was a given; Gene wasn't trying to provide a roadmap as to how we get there.  (If he could, I figure he'd be doing something other than creating TV shows.)

In the 24th century, we don't raise our kids with the television and Nintendo as babysitters.  We have found ways to engage their interest early in childhood.   School is not a chore, it is something looked forward to every day.  The desire to learn and improve oneself has become an instinctual drive, like hunger and sex.   People seek out and choose careers that fit their interests.  All basic necessities of health and comfort are provided, so one "works" to enhance themselves, not their bank account.  They look forward to going to the office every day.  Yes, I know, this is fantasy.  But it is a hopeful fantasy, which is all Roddenberry ever offered.

There were episodes that focused on the "slackers;" Barclay comes to mind.  It was "abnormal" to want to spend all your time on the holodeck and/or not seek total fulfillment in yourself.   That abnomality was usually cured in an hour.

It may be hard to imagine this from "our" perspective, but , remember - the humans of Star Trek have (for the most part) evolved beyond our petty desires.  I can't imagine why those knuckleheads in the 18th century wore powdered wigs.  The denizens of the 24th century are probably equally puzzled why we spend so much time playing video games.

Originally posted by cygnetsong

Someone who knows the lore, explain why a society with replicators would have farmers?  Are there things that the replicators can't make?  Original Star Trek, they carried their own food (unless the Tribbles ate it), so they still had to grow it, then.  But at some point, did the replicator put farmers out of business?

Also, since I'm on it, since there is no real currency, why don't people just stay home playing video games all day long?  I mean, self-actualization and "being all you can be" must only go so far.  I can't see many people becoming secretaries or janitors because of the fulfillment it provides.  I would imagine that about 99% of the human race would permanently be in the holodeck using the "pleasure" program. 

Also, why are there traders and pirates?  Can't you just make whatever you want?

I'm actually genuinely curious to get a serious answer.

Think of it like this replicators cost energy and are high tec and are probably only viable in areas with abundant excess energy to run them not even taking into consideration the base materials.

Secondly you will probably find that the fresh produce tastes just that little bit better a bit like how your moms apple pie is always better than a store bought one.

Gadareth

To add to Tman5's comment. Ferengi use gold pressed latinum as there currency as it is latimum is the only substance that can be replicated - I believe they gold press it as it is liquid so the gold give is a hard coating.

The lack of Federation currency did make me wonder about mission rewards and whether Cryptic has instituted a currency system because of MMO mechanics but I haven't yet found a suitable response.

 i dont remember where exactly i saw it but the money in sto is energy credits for replicator use.  whever you get rewarded you get xp to level you and your officers and some energy to be spent on weapons and other things.  also there was mention of a 2nd money related to mission rewards thats saved up for and spent on ships, not replicator energy but like rank points or something of that nature.

as far as the lore goes this seems to fit fine, it aint gold press latinum but we aint gonna be ferengi(unless you choose to be a starfleet ferengi in which case you swear off the money) anyway.

as far as piracy goes, they steal rape and pillage because they enjoy it.  they need no other reason to pirate then the sheer joy of the act of piracy itself!  at least any good pirate anyway.

I remember in an episode or 2  (dont remember if it was ToS or TNG) it was said that replicated food (and especially "synthohol") didnt taste.....right.

It had a fake or synthetic taste and texture.

Its like Replicated Food = Tortinos Pizza

Real Food = Authentic Chicago/New York Pizza

According to DS9 Synthehol doesn't have any of the effects of alcohol such as getting a person drunk, which is why some  people did not like it.

In many of the various series there where references to Federation Credits though it was never fully  explained  as to what exactly they where. In Voyager due to the need to ration energy the crew was paid in Replicator Rations which where frequently gambled away.

I really feel that idea of having no currency in Start Trek was a big mistake and the writers kind of painted themselves in a hole.  The Developers should really place STO in a alternate reality where there is currency.

Yes there are things that can't be replicated. The reason the Ferengi and others use Gold-Pressed Latinum as currency is Latinum can not be created by replicators and is extremely rare.

   There was currency in ST lore even among the Federation. Usually in the federation it was limited to internal usage among distant solar systems. These systems established currencies which were backed by some distinct resource which was valuable among the outer quadrants.  Usually the Federation Core systems didn't use currency persay but they did have allotments. Allotments which essentially were made large enough to allow any individual to achieve there goals. Obviously some goals were so large they needed to get paid by allotments beyond the normal by demonstrating worth. All in all I suspect the game will play off the fact the federation is in a time of war and resources are stretched thin. People will trade energy credits to achieve there goals. 

I think it was said that Starfleet doesnt use money, instead issuing credit. The Federation used credits as pay (credits were used for things usch as transportation, living cost, etc while in service). Individual planets (even those in the Federation) retained their own forms of currency/barter for trade purposes and what not.

Thing is it was explained in one of the episodes or movies that there was no reliance on currency as humanity (and the Federation) worked toward a common goal (exploration, learning and growth) pretty much suggesting that while money/currency of some form existed, it just wasnt as 'important' to them as it is to us today.