The Tao of Data

He had a Child’s Wisdom.

PICARD: 

Au revoir, Natasha. 

The gathering is concluded. 

(Everyone but Picard and Data leave, sniffing a bit) 

DATA: 

Sir, The Purpose of This Gathering confuses me. 

PICARD: 

Oh? How so? 

DATA: 

My Thoughts are not 

for Tasha, but for myself. 

I keep thinking how empty it will feel 

without her presence. 

Did I miss The Point? 

PICARD: 

No, you didn't, Data. 

You got it.

PICARD: 

Commander Data, at your convenience, 

I would like to talk to you in my Ready room. 

Counsellor?

[Corridor]

PICARD: 

I insist we do whatever we can to discourage 

the perception of this new android as A Child. 

It is not A Child. 

It is an invention, albeit 

an extraordinary one. 

TROI: 

Why should Biology rather than Technology 

determine whether it is A Child? 

Data has created an offspring. 

A new life out of his own being. 

To me, that suggests a child. 

If he wishes to call Lal his child, 

then who are we to argue? 

PICARD: 

Well, if he must, but I fail to understand 

how a five foot android with heuristic learning 

systems and the strength of ten men 

can be called 'A Child'. 

TROI: 

You've never been a parent.

[Ready room]

PICARD: 

What you have done will have serious ramifications. 

I am truly dismayed that you told no one of what you were doing. 

DATA: 

I am sorry, Captain. 

I did not anticipate your objections. 

Do you wish me to deactivate Lal? 

PICARD: 

It's a life, Data. 

It can't be activated and deactivated simply. 

This is a most stupendous undertaking. 

Have you any idea what will happen 

when Starfleet learns about this? 

DATA: 

I have followed all of Starfleet regulations 

to the best of my ability. 

I expected they would be pleased. 

PICARD: 

Well, you have taken on quite a responsibility, Data. 

DATA: 

To prepare, I have scanned all available 

literature on parenting. 

There seems to be much confusion on this issue. 

One traditional doctrine insists, 

'Spare The Rod and Spoil The Child', 

suggesting a punitive approach. 

While another more liberal attitude 

would allow the child enormous freedom. 

PICARD: 

Data -

DATA: 

And what Klingons do to their children - 

PICARD: 

Data! I'm not talking about parenting. 

I am talking about the extraordinary consequences 

of creating a New Life. 

DATA: 

Does that not describe becoming a parent, sir? 

PICARD: 

Data, you are seeking to achieve what 

only your own creator has been able to achieve. 

To make another functioning, sentient, android. 

To make another Data. 

DATA: 

That is why I must attempt this, sir. 

I have observed that in most species, 

there is a primal instinct 

to perpetuate themselves. 

Until now, I have been the last of my kind. 

If I were to be damaged or destroyed, 

I would be lost forever. 

But if I am successful with the creation of Lal, 

my continuance is assured. 

I understand the risk, sir. 

And I am prepared to 

accept the responsibility.

“Everything has its own Inner Nature - unlike other forms of Life, however, people are easily led away from What’s Right For Them, because people have ‘Brain’.

And ‘Brain’ can be fooled - Inner Nature, when relied-upon, CANNOT be fooled.

But many people do not look at it and do not listen to it, and consequently do not understand themselves very much.

Having little understanding of themselves, 

they have little respect for themselves — 

and are therefore easily influenced by Others.”

- The Tao of Pooh.

[Ten Forward]

LAFORGE:

So, do you want to talk about it? 

DATA: 

Are you referring to the foreknowledge of my death? 

LAFORGE: 

Yeah. 

DATA: 

I have no particular desire to discuss the matter. 

....Do you need to talk about it? 

LAFORGE: 

Yeah. 

DATA: 

Why? 

LAFORGE: 

Data, this has got to bother you a little. 

DATA: 

On the contrary -- 

I find it rather comforting. 

LAFORGE: 

Comforting? 

DATA: 

I have often wondered about my own mortality 

as I have seen others around me age. 

Until now it has been theoretically possible 

that I would live an unlimited period of time. 

And although some might find this attractive, 

to me it only reinforces the fact that I am artificial. 

LAFORGE: 

I never knew how tough 

this must be for you. 

DATA: 

Tough? As in difficult? 

LAFORGE: 

Knowing that you would 

outlive all your friends. 

DATA: 

I expected to make new friends. 

LAFORGE: 

True. 

DATA: 

And then to outlive them as well. 

LAFORGE: 

Now that you know that you might not? 

DATA: 

It provides a sense of completion to my future. 

In a way, I am not that different from anyone else. 

I can now look forward to Death. 

LAFORGE: 

I never thought of it that way. 

DATA: 

One might also conclude that it brings me 

one step closer to being human : 

I am mortal. 

PICARD [OC]: 

Picard to Bridge officers. 

We're approaching the Devidia system. 

Report to your stations. 

LAFORGE: 

I'll see you later. 

Let's get together for a game of chess or something, okay? 

(Data leaves) 

[Corridor]

TROI: 

I heard about Data. 

RIKER: 

Yeah. 

TROI: 

It's having an unusually traumatic effect on everyone. 

RIKER: 

Yeah. 

TROI: 

If you don't want to talk about it, it's okay. 

RIKER: 

I'm fine. I'm just --

TROI: 

Angry. 

RIKER: 

I'm not angry. Yeah, I'm angry. 

Why should I be angry? 

TROI: 

Maybe because it reminds us 

of our own mortality. 

RIKER: 

I just don't want to believe it. 

TROI: 

Have you ever heard Data define 'friendship'? 

RIKER: 

No. 

TROI: 

How did he put it? 

•Does The Voice•

‘As I experience certain sensory input patterns, my mental pathways become accustomed to them. 

The inputs eventually are anticipated and even missed when absent.’

RIKER: 

So what's The Point?

TROI: 

He's used to us, and we're used to him. 

It's like finding out someone you love 

has a terminal illness and -

(The turbolift arrives, the doors open and - ) 

RIKER: 

Data. 

DATA: 

Counsellor. Commander.

[Turbolift]

DATA: 

Would either of you mind if I made a personal inquiry? 

TROI: 

Personal inquiry? 

No, go right ahead. 

DATA: 

I am perceiving an apparent change 

in the way others behave toward me. 

For example, people abruptly end conversations 

when I appear, just as you did when 

the turbolift doors opened. 

Is that an accurate observation? 

RIKER: 

Not at all. 

TROI: (same time) 

Yes. 

RIKER: 

....Yes. 

TROI: 

You're right, Data. 

And it's not a very nice thing to do. 

RIKER: 

It's just - that our mental pathways have become

 accustomed to your sensory input patterns. 

DATA: 

I understand. 

I am also fond of you, Commander. 

And you as well, Counsellor.

DATA: 

Sir, I need temporary lodging. 

BELLBOY: 

Looks like the missus booted you out in the middle of the night. 

DATA: 

I understand the source of your misperception. 

However, this is not sleepware and I do not have a missus. 

BELLBOY: 

Well. 

DATA: 

I am a Frenchman.