LeVar Burton tweets denial of Star Trek socialism; Fans gleefully discuss

Posted at 8:44 pm on July 3, 2013 by soopermexican

LeVar Burton waded into dangerous waters as he made a claim against the socialism of the lucrative Star Trek franchise. Fans of the show are always ready for an geek debate, and even the actor who portrayed Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation must be careful when throwing down the gauntlet!

A Twitter debate quickly ensued:

@levarburton @MyWorldImagery Sorry. LeVar, they are both a meritocracy and socialist. U never see anyone paying 4 food or medical care…
— NotANinja (@ladykayaker) July 4, 2013

@levarburton @MyWorldImagery I think Gene Roddenberry liked Ayn Rand too much to be a Socialist.
— Chase D. Troutner (@Captain_Strongo) July 4, 2013

@levarburton @MyWorldImagery Nobody starves in the Federation but if you want to be on a starship u'd better be damn good at your job.
— NotANinja (@ladykayaker) July 4, 2013

Getting into the weeds now … where lesser geeks fear to tread:

https://twitter.com/Eshto/status/352580531201908737

@Eshto @levarburton @MyWorldImagery But keep in mind in Federation they freely interconvert energy and matter, so its hard 2 have shortage.
— NotANinja (@ladykayaker) July 4, 2013

Sounds like the perfect topic for a panel discussion at the next Star Trek convention.