"The Quality of Life" could have been called "The Measure of A Man: Part Deux." In the original, we examine what sentient life is, and if that term can be applied to Data, who is really just a walking pile of servos and microchips. In the sequel, we are asked the same exact questions regarding another type of robot, the Exocomps. To get to the bottom of the question, Data literally walks up to Crusher and asks what the definition of life is. We've already been over this! But, the real question is can we take what we believe about Data and apply it to something that doesn't look or act exactly like a human?
The Exocomps work like this:
1. You have a long tube
2. You give the Exocomp something to fix inside the tube
3. Someone with a string attached to the Exocomp pretends to make it float into the tube
4. It uses its onboard replicator to make an appropriate tool for the situation
5. It fixes that shit
Now, there are two things that are really annoying about Exocomps. First, I watched this episode three darn times thinking that I must have missed why they are called "Exocomps," but I guess it's just a mystery. To me it sounds like a compound mashup word, like exoskeleton and computer put together. But it's not. Secondly, they look super fake when they are floating around. Also, if we have anti-gravity technology, why aren't we using it more often? They should never have to pick up anything off the floor in a future where things can float around. Also, Data should be able to fly. I would demand that upgrade if I were him.
Anyway, Data determines that the Exocomps are sentient when one exhibits behavior that looks like self-preservation. He attempts to duplicate this by sending an Exocomp into a mock suicide mission over and over, but every time he runs the experiment, the clock runs out and the Exocomp doesn't go running for its life. But eventually Data discovers that the Exocomp has actually outsmarted him, and is reversing the catalyst for the simulated explosion. It actually was saving itself, just not by running. Now let's think about this from the Exocomp's point of view. Thirty-four times it was sent to its death by Data. What kind of torture is this? Data, in an attempt to prove that the Exocomp should have rights, is most certainly violating its rights. Simulated danger or not, this is definitely torture. But mostly I question that if they are actually sentient, why do they make no attempt to communicate here?In the end, the mystery technology that Farallon is touting nearly destroys everyone. Data refuses to send the Exocomps to the rescue, and instead the Exocomps have to make a decision to sacrifice one of their own to save the others. Farallon says she's going to stop using the Exocomps like they are simple screwdrivers, and that she'll be back in a year or so when her technology is perfected. We'll see about that, Doctor.
"The Quality of Life" is only a Meh episode of Trek. Most of the themes explored have already been examined in a much better fashion in previous episodes. Furthermore, Data fails to make a compelling case that the Exocomps are a life form that requires human rights protections. According to the reasoning of their creator, the thing that most separates the Exocomps from Data is that Data was intentionally created to be a person, and the Exocomps were not. I don't know if that matters, but it's likely the reason that no one else was able to see the funny shaped little floating robots as alive. The biggest case against the Exocomps being considered people is one that Data makes himself. Viruses are alive, but since they are a lower life form we have no qualms about killing them individually or even eradicating them altogether. If the Exocomps are the viruses of the robot world, perhaps they pose a danger and should be deprogrammed. The ending is left a bit open. What ever becomes of the Exocomps? Are they sent to a nice retirement community?Published August 27, 2018
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