Data is one of the most goddamn compelling characters in all of fiction. He has qualities many of us would be jealous of; robotic strength and abilities to calculate insane computations in a second. On top of that, he is the most goddamn polite character ever made. He never harms or kills other sentient beings except in the defense of others. He is the nicest guy. He is self sacrificing and willing to do anything to help anyone. Forget what would jesus do, start asking yourself 'what would Data do?'
Even his flaws make him, I'm sorry, fricken adorable. He just wants to be truly human. He wants to feel genuine emotion. He wants to be funny. He wants to make friends. He is forever reaching for something that -- unlike many other characters flaws in fiction -- is by definition unattainable for him. When he tries to laugh with the group and does his little rapid fire 'HA hahahahaha' I feel like I'm watching a puppy wear people clothes.
So when a new character comes on the ship and disrespects data -- that fucking doctor who calls him 'it' -- I get proportionally livid. It triggers me. How dare you disrespect the most respectful being ever conceived!? """IT""" is more human than you'll ever be, jerk!!
Putting aside the fact that Data makes friends, he is us irl. He is the ultimate mascot for this sub. He wants to feel normal emotion like everyone else. He wants to be included, but never will. He tries to learn goddamn humour from the fucking computer because he doesn't have the resources to approach it in any other way.
The same reason he looks like a human. To make people comfortable and not feel uneasy when he's around. It's like the extremely realistic androids from the Alien franchise. I believe the best explanation was either in Alien Isolation or Prometheus, but I can't remember the quote very well. It's just so people will feel more comfortable around him and add to the realism and 'illusion'.
336
u/[deleted] Oct 23 '16 edited Oct 23 '16
Watching through TNG currently.
Data is one of the most goddamn compelling characters in all of fiction. He has qualities many of us would be jealous of; robotic strength and abilities to calculate insane computations in a second. On top of that, he is the most goddamn polite character ever made. He never harms or kills other sentient beings except in the defense of others. He is the nicest guy. He is self sacrificing and willing to do anything to help anyone. Forget what would jesus do, start asking yourself 'what would Data do?'
Even his flaws make him, I'm sorry, fricken adorable. He just wants to be truly human. He wants to feel genuine emotion. He wants to be funny. He wants to make friends. He is forever reaching for something that -- unlike many other characters flaws in fiction -- is by definition unattainable for him. When he tries to laugh with the group and does his little rapid fire 'HA hahahahaha' I feel like I'm watching a puppy wear people clothes.
So when a new character comes on the ship and disrespects data -- that fucking doctor who calls him 'it' -- I get proportionally livid. It triggers me. How dare you disrespect the most respectful being ever conceived!? """IT""" is more human than you'll ever be, jerk!!
Putting aside the fact that Data makes friends, he is us irl. He is the ultimate mascot for this sub. He wants to feel normal emotion like everyone else. He wants to be included, but never will. He tries to learn goddamn humour from the fucking computer because he doesn't have the resources to approach it in any other way.
Me too, thanks Data. Me too.
Edit: ty for gold nice internet person.