Lt. Commander Data (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
humandroid) wrote2020-09-25 05:04 pm
humandroid) wrote2020-09-25 05:04 pm
Entry tags:
PIPER 90 APP
APPLICATION
Player Name/Handle: Dani
Plurk Handle:![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
comatoseroses
Player Status: Current Player
Other characters: Steven Universe (gempathizing) | my plan is to swap Data out for Steven!
Invited by: n/a
Character Name: Data
Fandom: Star Trek: the Next Generation
Character Journal:humandroid
OU, AU, CRAU, Canon OC, or OC? OU
Canon point: post- 03x22, 'The Most Toys'
PB: just your classic brent spiner in Space Makeup
SETTING BACKGROUND
Space... the final frontier. And so on, and so forth. Star Trek is set in the far distant future of modern-day (well, the future of late 80s/early 90s) Earth: a time where humanity has graduated into a socialist utopia without poverty, war, prejudice, most illnesses, etc. First contact has been made with a great many extraterrestrial species, and Earth sits at the center of a Federation of allied planets dedicated to spreading diplomacy and peace throughout the galaxy, extending offers of membership to civilizations they establish contact with along the way. This purpose is primarily accomplished through ships in Starfleet: basically a naval setup with a heavy lean towards exploration and education, which also serves as a military system during times of existential threat. The Next Generation in particular is less campy space romp than the original series and more... nerdy scientific procedural, with a dash of space mystery and the occasional war-leaning plot.
HISTORY
PERSONALITY
Data's primary motivation can be summed up very simply: he's a sentient android whose greatest desire is to understand and emulate human nature. Through the actions he takes and the challenges he encounters, Data often comes around to reflecting on his experiences as they relate to that desire and to his future goals. He's incapable of human emotion, but strives to become more human nonetheless. He firmly believes that he can surpass the limits of his own programming, and that even if he can never achieve true humanity, the effort itself bears its own rewards. He explicitly chooses, every day, to believe that he is "more than a collection of circuits and sub-processors".
Data is a highly intelligent, highly logical, and highly capable being. He's consistently polite, gentle, and kind, with a recurring habit of placing himself in danger for the sake of others. As Picard put it, he's "learned the lessons of humanity well." As a bridge officer, researcher, source of textbook knowledge, and hand in matters both intellectual and heavy-lifting related, Lt. Commander Data is stellar in his performance. He possesses an insatiable curiosity about the ins and outs of human behavior: from emotional responses to turns of phrase to the simplest thought processes. Social cues tend to elude him, particularly sarcasm, joking statements, deception, and (as he'd put it) colloquialisms.
Socially, he's kind of a hot mess. While he's venturing to become more human, it's generally clear that he has a way to go yet. He has some skill in picking up on a person's current emotional state through varying cues (noticing when they are particularly quiet or behaving differently around him, for example). But perceptiveness comes coupled with his passionate curiosity about emotions/humanity, which normally means he'll ask a lot of probing questions rather than letting sleeping dogs lie. While he might try to help someone feel better or to reassure them- even by relating his experiences to their own- the crux of the matter is often that he can't genuinely understand how human emotions feel and work.
While canon makes a regular case for the presence of a form of emotion that Data isn't aware he possesses, often claiming he has no feelings whatsoever, they're either so subtle or so different from human expression that he still doesn't understand they may be more than his own programming. Interacting with people is ultimately one of his biggest fallacies.
For all his intelligence, Data also has a sort of innocence about him. As Tasha Yar put it in her holographic farewell messages, he often sees things with the wonder of a child. He's full of information- facts and statistics, historical records, logs and languages- but is regularly fascinated by some of the most minor human experiences.
He's voraciously curious and even at times... almost passionate in his quests for context or information, from both a scientific and personal perspective. His inquisitive approach to human nature has led him to make queries about everything from mental health to humor, often without realizing he may be overstepping bounds or broaching uncomfortable subject matter until he's directly informed. If there's an aspect of human nature to be explored-- from creativity to humor to games to turns of phrase to biological functions such as sneezing and yawning-- Data is fascinated by it and willing to explore it personally.
Data is a strange mix of the advanced and the backwards. He's capable of many things both physically and mentally, but is lacking emotionally and socially. For all his ongoing knowledge of and experience with humanity, he still only seems to just be learning about the more subtle aspects of human behavior. He wishes to be human, understands that he likely never will be close to it or capable of feeling (as far as he's aware), and has made peace with the fact that the effort itself is worth making nonetheless. In many ways, he's seeking to understand himself through his pursuits as much as he seeks to understand others.
CANON POWERS
POWER SELECTION
Canon Superpowers
Data's abilities are generally directly tied into the fact that he's an android, and I don't think he's bringing in anything game-breaking, so I'd largely like to keep all of his powers intact. His physical strength/durability would be nerfed to the accepted game limits.
Honestly, if the mods have any particular concerns or suggestions for things that they would prefer to be nerfed/changed due to Stuff interference, I'm totally willing to work with that!
ABILITIES
SETTING/SUITABILITY
➤ How do you expect your character to respond to the setting? Even if they plan to rebel in the long term, will they be able to at least obey enough to not get shocked to death?
Data will definitely be able to cooperate enough not to get himself disassembled or shocked to death! There might be the occasional difficulty when orders/missions go directly against his moral and ethical subroutines, etc., but I don't think it would get to fatality levels.
➤ What do you hope to do with your character long-term?
Honestly, I'm not super big on detailed long-term planning. One thing for Data that I really do want to get into exploring is his particular brand of pre-existing emotion! As much as he claims to have no feelings, canon provides plenty of evidence that he kinda does. They just don't manifest or hit the same wavelengths as standardly-depicted human emotion tends to. And when humanity is your rubric for emotion and what you aspire to, I think that what's already there can get lost in the comparison. I'd love to see Data get to come to terms with that. When you do RP, you don't have to deal with cheap emotion chip plot devices, and I think that's nice.
➤ Does your character currently have skills that would allow them to adapt, survive, and do the heroic things being asked of them? If your character doesn't, do you think they'd have the capacity to learn quickly?
Data definitely has skills that will allow him to survive and adapt to the game setting and what it requires of him. TNG is a lot of science procedural problem-solving, but even it has its moments of action-adventure. He does tend to learn quickly when he needs to, though.
➤ If they're not used to cooperating with others, what makes you think they'll be able to adapt to cooperating with the group?
This shouldn't be a problem. Data isn't the most socially adept, but he's accustomed to cooperating with a group, both on field missions and at home base, so to speak. He should be able to manage fine.
➤ Will your character have long-term plans to rebel against Jorgmund? If so, how? Will they betray the other PCs and cooperate with Jorgmund? If so, how do you plan to handle the negative CR that might arise?
He'll probably work his way to planning to rebel in the long term, what with how Jorgmund tends to treat people and the whole shady vibe they have going. Exactly how he reaches that point depends on his experiences, though, because Data tends to take a lot of things at face value and in good faith, which would include Jorgmund's initial claims and mission statement. Figuring out face value deception and ill intent isn't his strong suit. Once he got around to rebellion, he'd probably angle more towards the technological: attempting to find ways to disable the shock collars, or attempting to put together some kind of communications array on Federation frequencies: just in case he's not as far from home as he's been told, or an allied vessel has somehow come along without being co-opted.
Long-term full and total cooperation with Jorgmund to the point of betraying the other PCs would require getting his programming or memory messed with. At this point, I just can't see him voluntarily getting to that zone. Though I'm not against playing with that on a temporary basis in the future, as well as handling the potential CR fallout from it. Data would at least be pretty chill about understanding Not Being Trusted after that, so it wouldn't put a huge dent in portraying him.
SAMPLES
Network Sample
[ The first image on screen is the back of a Jorgmund employee's jumpsuit as they finish adjusting the polygraph setup. Data, placid and stock still with his hands folded on the table in front of him, tracks their progress out of frame when they step back. His expression is one of polite yet detached curiosity. He seems to have had the basic premise of this interview explained to him already. And demonstrated at least once, judging by the rumpled appearance of his hair and his own new uniform.
The interviewer clears their throat before speaking: "Let's get started. Data, right?" ]
That is correct.
[ His cadence is gentle, and his body language doesn't shift at all as he speaks-- something that holds true throughout the interview. ]
[ "Okay. What is the one thing that you believe to be true that very few others do?" ]
[ Data is silent for a long moment. It isn't self-consciousness or hesitation as much as it is filtering through for an answer that qualifies. ]
It is possible there are multiple answers. I cannot be certain of how many beliefs I may hold that others would consider uncommon. The nature of free will and individuality is such that-
[ "Well, we just need you to pick one for the interview. Can you do that?" ]
Of course. I suppose the example with the greatest precedence is my belief that I am a person. An individual with rights to freedom and agency over my own existence. It is not a belief I have found to be widely shared or understood. Many have considered me as little more than... property. A curiosity.
[ "You don't say." His interviewer bears the long-suffering tone of someone who's busy considering this a waste of time, possibly because they also don't think more of him than they would a very fancy toaster. "What is your least favorite thing about humanity?" ]
[ This seems to strike Data as far more immediately interesting to turn over. He responds with a sort of enthusiasm that his first answer was lacking. ]
In some ways, that is a question I have often considered. Historically speaking, humanity's positive traits and achievements have often gone hand in hand with its negative qualities. The pursuit of love and friendship, countered by hatred and revenge. Creativity and passion, countered by a history of violence and prejudice. Wholly unique individual life forms, pitted against organizations and regimes that seek to press them all into complete conformity. I have found it is important to lend consideration to more than their triumphs. Flaws and shortcomings are an irremovable aspect of the human experience. To deny them is to deny humanity itself.
[ He pauses there. Tips his head to the side, briefly glances towards his folded hands in consideration. ]
I have been programmed with subroutines related to ethics and morality, which have in turn helped me to become aware of which aspects of humanity are perhaps the most harmful. Violence and cruelty are among the 'worst' qualities. If I follow through the hypothetical possibility of being incapable of objectivity, I suppose I would pick those. Like many theoretical discussions, however, I am certain the reality of the matter is much more complex.
[ "And do you think a leader should be feared or liked?" They sound so, so tired of this interview. All those words and for what? ]
[ For his part, Data seems equally intrigued by the final question. ]
There have been many debates across many cultures regarding the benefits and drawbacks of different leadership techniques. For example, in the Klingon Empire--
[ "Can I get the short answer to one question, please? I've got more new hires to process today. Feared or liked?" ]
[ Data looks almost a touch offended, almost sheepish, as he closes his mouth to recalculate. Going by the movement of his eyes, he briefly tracks the motion of someone hovering a hand over the shock controls to emphasize their point.
Rude. ]
Of the two options, "liked" is preferable. But I believe that neither option is particularly beneficial when a leader is not respected.
[ "Uh-huh. Well, thanks for your time, flying colors, we're looking forward to having you on the team-"
And the video cuts out there. ]
Prose Sample
TDM Thread
ADDITIONAL INFO
Nothing I can think of!
FINAL QUESTIONS
➤ Will your character suspect some kind of guiding intelligence has brought them to the game? Or will they think it was random or done by Jorgmund?
Data will only ever suspect that his being brought to the game setting was random chance or the work of Jorgmund (or, you know, some other Star Trek standard alien-interference or space mystery, bigger corporation/government, etc.). He's not into the guiding intelligence or force of fate scene. Everything has a scientific or practical explanation, even if his current means don't allow him to specifically figure out what those explanations are.
➤ If they think it was something other than Jorgmund, like God or some other force of fate, what character traits do they think of that intelligence as having? Is it cruel or kind? Capriciously punishing them or doing it for good reason?
If he came around to suspecting something along the lines of the Q, aka omnipotent alien beings with an intent behind their actions, he might default to assuming that it's been done more for the sake of detached curiosity, boredom, or to test the life forms brought into this world for whatever reason. Data might cede the possibility that the intentions were good and geared towards saving this planet, but he'd probably figure that altruism is statistically unlikely what with the shock collars and lack of agency and all.
Player Name/Handle: Dani
Plurk Handle:
Player Status: Current Player
Other characters: Steven Universe (
gempathizing) | my plan is to swap Data out for Steven! Invited by: n/a
Character Name: Data
Fandom: Star Trek: the Next Generation
Character Journal:
humandroidOU, AU, CRAU, Canon OC, or OC? OU
Canon point: post- 03x22, 'The Most Toys'
PB: just your classic brent spiner in Space Makeup
SETTING BACKGROUND
Space... the final frontier. And so on, and so forth. Star Trek is set in the far distant future of modern-day (well, the future of late 80s/early 90s) Earth: a time where humanity has graduated into a socialist utopia without poverty, war, prejudice, most illnesses, etc. First contact has been made with a great many extraterrestrial species, and Earth sits at the center of a Federation of allied planets dedicated to spreading diplomacy and peace throughout the galaxy, extending offers of membership to civilizations they establish contact with along the way. This purpose is primarily accomplished through ships in Starfleet: basically a naval setup with a heavy lean towards exploration and education, which also serves as a military system during times of existential threat. The Next Generation in particular is less campy space romp than the original series and more... nerdy scientific procedural, with a dash of space mystery and the occasional war-leaning plot.
HISTORY
- Data is created by Dr. Noonien Soong in a human colony on the planet Omicron Theta. He lives among the colonists for a time alongside Dr. Soong, the doctor's wife, and his physically identical (emotionally unstable and dangerous) older "brother," Lore.
- Lore is dismantled when he proves too dangerous to rein in, but it's too late: he'd made contact with a dangerous crystalline entity that survived by draining the life from organic life forms, which pursues the colonists.
- The colonists are either entirely destroyed by or disappear while fleeing the creature. Data is shut down, his memories of his creator and life on the colony completely erased (though he still stores all the logs/journals/basic synaptic imprints of the human colonists), and left behind.
- Data is discovered and reactivated by Starfleet officers as they investigate the site of the former colony. He returns with them.
- He finds purpose in the desire to understand and emulate the trappings of humanity, despite his general emotional shortcomings. He commits to that purpose, and to the process of learning, growing, and changing: to believing that he is a person.
- He spends some years studying (and being studied by) humans, learning basic social navigation, having his functions tested, etc., before opting to enroll in Starfleet Academy, looking to give back to the people who had given him so much.
- After four years, he graduates with honors in exobiology and probability mechanics, and then enters into active duty. Data serves aboard numerous Starfleet vessels and missions over the years, eventually earning the rank of a fairly well-decorated Lieutenant Commander.
- He is assigned as second officer aboard the USS Enterprise-D, under the command of Captain Picard. The primary mission of the Enterprise is the standard Star Trek spiel: seek out new life and civilizations, go where no man has gone before, etc. They also do their share of standard escort duty, investigating mysterious signals, establishing diplomatic relations: whatever Starfleet tells them they need to be doing.
- The existence of his brother is eventually discovered, as well as Lore's role in the vanishing of the Omicron Theta colonists, but as of Data's canonpoint, not terribly much else about his past. Lore is, as of now, seemingly destroyed after the Enterprise's first encounter with him, so more answers seem to be in short supply.
- Data dabbles in many of the facets of humanity as they go, from art to music to comedy to establishing his first friendships in many years of living alongside people in Starfleet, even to exploring short-lived parenthood. He does in fact adapt, grow, and change with every new experience.
PERSONALITY
Data's primary motivation can be summed up very simply: he's a sentient android whose greatest desire is to understand and emulate human nature. Through the actions he takes and the challenges he encounters, Data often comes around to reflecting on his experiences as they relate to that desire and to his future goals. He's incapable of human emotion, but strives to become more human nonetheless. He firmly believes that he can surpass the limits of his own programming, and that even if he can never achieve true humanity, the effort itself bears its own rewards. He explicitly chooses, every day, to believe that he is "more than a collection of circuits and sub-processors".
Data is a highly intelligent, highly logical, and highly capable being. He's consistently polite, gentle, and kind, with a recurring habit of placing himself in danger for the sake of others. As Picard put it, he's "learned the lessons of humanity well." As a bridge officer, researcher, source of textbook knowledge, and hand in matters both intellectual and heavy-lifting related, Lt. Commander Data is stellar in his performance. He possesses an insatiable curiosity about the ins and outs of human behavior: from emotional responses to turns of phrase to the simplest thought processes. Social cues tend to elude him, particularly sarcasm, joking statements, deception, and (as he'd put it) colloquialisms.
Socially, he's kind of a hot mess. While he's venturing to become more human, it's generally clear that he has a way to go yet. He has some skill in picking up on a person's current emotional state through varying cues (noticing when they are particularly quiet or behaving differently around him, for example). But perceptiveness comes coupled with his passionate curiosity about emotions/humanity, which normally means he'll ask a lot of probing questions rather than letting sleeping dogs lie. While he might try to help someone feel better or to reassure them- even by relating his experiences to their own- the crux of the matter is often that he can't genuinely understand how human emotions feel and work.
While canon makes a regular case for the presence of a form of emotion that Data isn't aware he possesses, often claiming he has no feelings whatsoever, they're either so subtle or so different from human expression that he still doesn't understand they may be more than his own programming. Interacting with people is ultimately one of his biggest fallacies.
For all his intelligence, Data also has a sort of innocence about him. As Tasha Yar put it in her holographic farewell messages, he often sees things with the wonder of a child. He's full of information- facts and statistics, historical records, logs and languages- but is regularly fascinated by some of the most minor human experiences.
He's voraciously curious and even at times... almost passionate in his quests for context or information, from both a scientific and personal perspective. His inquisitive approach to human nature has led him to make queries about everything from mental health to humor, often without realizing he may be overstepping bounds or broaching uncomfortable subject matter until he's directly informed. If there's an aspect of human nature to be explored-- from creativity to humor to games to turns of phrase to biological functions such as sneezing and yawning-- Data is fascinated by it and willing to explore it personally.
Data is a strange mix of the advanced and the backwards. He's capable of many things both physically and mentally, but is lacking emotionally and socially. For all his ongoing knowledge of and experience with humanity, he still only seems to just be learning about the more subtle aspects of human behavior. He wishes to be human, understands that he likely never will be close to it or capable of feeling (as far as he's aware), and has made peace with the fact that the effort itself is worth making nonetheless. In many ways, he's seeking to understand himself through his pursuits as much as he seeks to understand others.
CANON POWERS
- Data's physical strength and endurance is generally far greater than that of a human. He's capable of lifting incredibly heavy things with ease (from humans, a la "Encounter at Farpoint," to solid iron anvils, a la "Time's Arrow," and beyond), and has proven to be much more difficult to physically damage than humans. There are some perks to being primarily constructed with metal, and it just turns out that beating everyone on board in arm wrestling and calmly enduring a Klingon headbutt are two of them.
He doesn't require food or sleep to function adequately, and is immune to: alcoholic intoxication, diseases, telepathic/empathic abilities (probably because he isn't human: it's hard to read the emotions of someone who can't feel, or the thoughts of someone whose brain is actually a processing computer), the eventually fatal impact of aging, and radiation that would be fatal or harmful to humans. His respiratory system is designed for temperature regulation, and he is able to survive in an oxygen-free vacuum for a time, though the specific length of time is unspecified.
He's shown to have some level of physical superhuman speed, mostly when it comes to relatively minor things like hand motions. He can't run super fast, but he sure can put computer chips back into slots extremely quickly like a pro.
That said, Data is still able to be physically damaged or destroyed by traditional means with enough force behind them. He is also especially susceptible to damage by plasma/electronic shock. It can render him nonfunctional for a while, and if it causes significant damage, could potentially even render him beyond repair (depending on the damage and the skills of whoever tries to repair him). Data can be disassembled: his limbs and head detach, and his torso splits into two segments. If he's disassembled, he's not operational. He even has a switch which can be used to shut him down instantly (though he tries to be discreet about its existence and location on his person). His internal system is made up of some very delicate, very specific technology, which can be much more easily messed up than repaired.
And for all that he's immune to biological illnesses and radiation, he was directly impacted by the mysterious virus in the second episode of the series due to having a functioning circulatory system, so it's safe to say there's still plenty out there that he simply doesn't know he's susceptible to.
Plus, if he tries to go swimming, he'll sink like a rock. He has no buoyancy. Sad. - Mentally, Data's capable of incredibly fast processing in any situation where his ability to operate isn't impeded. His fingers have the ability to match his mental speed, meaning he can input commands and data at a console very quickly if he needs to. He remembers every fact that he's exposed to and every experience he has (discounting events where he's tampered with or controlled by other forces) with perfect clarity, and is even capable of imitating the voice of anyone that he's heard speak. Academically, he's more or less a walking encyclopedia.
POWER SELECTION
Canon Superpowers
Data's abilities are generally directly tied into the fact that he's an android, and I don't think he's bringing in anything game-breaking, so I'd largely like to keep all of his powers intact. His physical strength/durability would be nerfed to the accepted game limits.
Honestly, if the mods have any particular concerns or suggestions for things that they would prefer to be nerfed/changed due to Stuff interference, I'm totally willing to work with that!
ABILITIES
- Very scientifically-inclined and practiced. Curiosity and research are his jam.
- Surprisingly... actually does tend to do very well with children.
- Fluent in multiple Federation-standard languages (never specifically listed out, but at the very least Earth-based languages and Klingon)
- Skilled in playing violin and acoustic guitar. Working on his show tunes.
- A technically-proficient painter and stage actor. Essentially, if there's a creative outlet to explore, he's interested in exploring it, even though he himself is not necessarily 'creative.'
- Weirdly big Sherlock Holmes enthusiast.
SETTING/SUITABILITY
➤ How do you expect your character to respond to the setting? Even if they plan to rebel in the long term, will they be able to at least obey enough to not get shocked to death?
Data will definitely be able to cooperate enough not to get himself disassembled or shocked to death! There might be the occasional difficulty when orders/missions go directly against his moral and ethical subroutines, etc., but I don't think it would get to fatality levels.
➤ What do you hope to do with your character long-term?
Honestly, I'm not super big on detailed long-term planning. One thing for Data that I really do want to get into exploring is his particular brand of pre-existing emotion! As much as he claims to have no feelings, canon provides plenty of evidence that he kinda does. They just don't manifest or hit the same wavelengths as standardly-depicted human emotion tends to. And when humanity is your rubric for emotion and what you aspire to, I think that what's already there can get lost in the comparison. I'd love to see Data get to come to terms with that. When you do RP, you don't have to deal with cheap emotion chip plot devices, and I think that's nice.
➤ Does your character currently have skills that would allow them to adapt, survive, and do the heroic things being asked of them? If your character doesn't, do you think they'd have the capacity to learn quickly?
Data definitely has skills that will allow him to survive and adapt to the game setting and what it requires of him. TNG is a lot of science procedural problem-solving, but even it has its moments of action-adventure. He does tend to learn quickly when he needs to, though.
➤ If they're not used to cooperating with others, what makes you think they'll be able to adapt to cooperating with the group?
This shouldn't be a problem. Data isn't the most socially adept, but he's accustomed to cooperating with a group, both on field missions and at home base, so to speak. He should be able to manage fine.
➤ Will your character have long-term plans to rebel against Jorgmund? If so, how? Will they betray the other PCs and cooperate with Jorgmund? If so, how do you plan to handle the negative CR that might arise?
He'll probably work his way to planning to rebel in the long term, what with how Jorgmund tends to treat people and the whole shady vibe they have going. Exactly how he reaches that point depends on his experiences, though, because Data tends to take a lot of things at face value and in good faith, which would include Jorgmund's initial claims and mission statement. Figuring out face value deception and ill intent isn't his strong suit. Once he got around to rebellion, he'd probably angle more towards the technological: attempting to find ways to disable the shock collars, or attempting to put together some kind of communications array on Federation frequencies: just in case he's not as far from home as he's been told, or an allied vessel has somehow come along without being co-opted.
Long-term full and total cooperation with Jorgmund to the point of betraying the other PCs would require getting his programming or memory messed with. At this point, I just can't see him voluntarily getting to that zone. Though I'm not against playing with that on a temporary basis in the future, as well as handling the potential CR fallout from it. Data would at least be pretty chill about understanding Not Being Trusted after that, so it wouldn't put a huge dent in portraying him.
SAMPLES
Network Sample
[ The first image on screen is the back of a Jorgmund employee's jumpsuit as they finish adjusting the polygraph setup. Data, placid and stock still with his hands folded on the table in front of him, tracks their progress out of frame when they step back. His expression is one of polite yet detached curiosity. He seems to have had the basic premise of this interview explained to him already. And demonstrated at least once, judging by the rumpled appearance of his hair and his own new uniform.
The interviewer clears their throat before speaking: "Let's get started. Data, right?" ]
That is correct.
[ His cadence is gentle, and his body language doesn't shift at all as he speaks-- something that holds true throughout the interview. ]
[ "Okay. What is the one thing that you believe to be true that very few others do?" ]
[ Data is silent for a long moment. It isn't self-consciousness or hesitation as much as it is filtering through for an answer that qualifies. ]
It is possible there are multiple answers. I cannot be certain of how many beliefs I may hold that others would consider uncommon. The nature of free will and individuality is such that-
[ "Well, we just need you to pick one for the interview. Can you do that?" ]
Of course. I suppose the example with the greatest precedence is my belief that I am a person. An individual with rights to freedom and agency over my own existence. It is not a belief I have found to be widely shared or understood. Many have considered me as little more than... property. A curiosity.
[ "You don't say." His interviewer bears the long-suffering tone of someone who's busy considering this a waste of time, possibly because they also don't think more of him than they would a very fancy toaster. "What is your least favorite thing about humanity?" ]
[ This seems to strike Data as far more immediately interesting to turn over. He responds with a sort of enthusiasm that his first answer was lacking. ]
In some ways, that is a question I have often considered. Historically speaking, humanity's positive traits and achievements have often gone hand in hand with its negative qualities. The pursuit of love and friendship, countered by hatred and revenge. Creativity and passion, countered by a history of violence and prejudice. Wholly unique individual life forms, pitted against organizations and regimes that seek to press them all into complete conformity. I have found it is important to lend consideration to more than their triumphs. Flaws and shortcomings are an irremovable aspect of the human experience. To deny them is to deny humanity itself.
[ He pauses there. Tips his head to the side, briefly glances towards his folded hands in consideration. ]
I have been programmed with subroutines related to ethics and morality, which have in turn helped me to become aware of which aspects of humanity are perhaps the most harmful. Violence and cruelty are among the 'worst' qualities. If I follow through the hypothetical possibility of being incapable of objectivity, I suppose I would pick those. Like many theoretical discussions, however, I am certain the reality of the matter is much more complex.
[ "And do you think a leader should be feared or liked?" They sound so, so tired of this interview. All those words and for what? ]
[ For his part, Data seems equally intrigued by the final question. ]
There have been many debates across many cultures regarding the benefits and drawbacks of different leadership techniques. For example, in the Klingon Empire--
[ "Can I get the short answer to one question, please? I've got more new hires to process today. Feared or liked?" ]
[ Data looks almost a touch offended, almost sheepish, as he closes his mouth to recalculate. Going by the movement of his eyes, he briefly tracks the motion of someone hovering a hand over the shock controls to emphasize their point.
Rude. ]
Of the two options, "liked" is preferable. But I believe that neither option is particularly beneficial when a leader is not respected.
[ "Uh-huh. Well, thanks for your time, flying colors, we're looking forward to having you on the team-"
And the video cuts out there. ]
Prose Sample
TDM Thread
ADDITIONAL INFO
Nothing I can think of!
FINAL QUESTIONS
➤ Will your character suspect some kind of guiding intelligence has brought them to the game? Or will they think it was random or done by Jorgmund?
Data will only ever suspect that his being brought to the game setting was random chance or the work of Jorgmund (or, you know, some other Star Trek standard alien-interference or space mystery, bigger corporation/government, etc.). He's not into the guiding intelligence or force of fate scene. Everything has a scientific or practical explanation, even if his current means don't allow him to specifically figure out what those explanations are.
➤ If they think it was something other than Jorgmund, like God or some other force of fate, what character traits do they think of that intelligence as having? Is it cruel or kind? Capriciously punishing them or doing it for good reason?
If he came around to suspecting something along the lines of the Q, aka omnipotent alien beings with an intent behind their actions, he might default to assuming that it's been done more for the sake of detached curiosity, boredom, or to test the life forms brought into this world for whatever reason. Data might cede the possibility that the intentions were good and geared towards saving this planet, but he'd probably figure that altruism is statistically unlikely what with the shock collars and lack of agency and all.