There's an aspect of replicators that I don't see people talk about. And it's actually a big part of things I don't like about the current era of Star Trek.
I mean, think about it. A replicator is such an incredibly gross over use of energy to recombine the molecules within a space to form a cup of tea. Then you don't have to worry about the byproduct, you just put the cup back in the replicator and the molecules are recombined back into breathable air. Don't have to worry about it. So much energy just for so much convenience. And the whole mentality behind that device is so emblematic of the disposability and wastefulness that peaks in the 80s. Environmental awareness and concerns about recycling didn't come into the general culture until later, and those concerns have grown into our current climate crisis and plastics plague. Why do we continue to see replicators when their concept is now socially outdated? I dunno, it's something fans are expecting to see?
If Star Trek is supposed to be "reflective of the times we live in" I feel like there's only vague lip service done to that idea in the show, but no real thought in how these ideas are woven into the concept of the Federation or the technology they use, or how the society is structured, or how people live their day to day lives.
When you imagine the Utopian Future of Star Trek™ do you picture working a blue collar job with enslaved droids on Mars or being Raffi living alone in a state of degrading mental health while calling Picard out for his privilege of owning a wealthy estate?
I think conceptually Star Trek needs to change if it's supposed to continue being what it claims to be.
This is why when people complain about Nu!Trek being too woke... I dunno what the fuck you're talking about.
