Ferengi are the Most Intelligent Race in Trek

[@davidhughes7547]

The ferengi were smart they tried to buy the baneblade

[@jhoughjr1]

BANEBLADE!!!!!!!!

[@jhoughjr1]

@TheMan WhoLaughs any nationalist has to support the nationhood of Israel really.

[@neganrex5693]

The Ferengi was smart. They didn't have slavery, war or death camps that socialist seem to be more fond of. One thing for sure is socialist would still be using a pot to piss in or killing the tree outdoors in the yard if it was not for capitalist that built the crapper we use today and many more other things that would not have been. Money drives the brain more than even fish protein.

[@kjk7611]

@@neganrex5693 Capitalists are killing the trees. And the waters & the air.

[@neganrex5693]

@@kjk7611 We have loggers here and they replant what they cut. It's just one more BS way for the left to destroy American jobs. Thanks to loggers you and dictator want to be AOC have a roof over your heads . Socialist are killing the country and turning Americans into welfare slaves. If you want totally owned than by all means stick to your path. Don't worry, the lumber yard loggers lesson to the eco freaks within reason. South America and China need to do their part. Their is your problem. Plus China ( socialist country ) puts out four times more bad stuff in the air than the US ( capitalist country ) that have a bigger economy. It's funny that so many people from socialist countries want to live in capitalist US. I think the driving factor is opportunity for all, not just the hand picked.

[@friskyjesus]

If you want to understand the Ferengi, look at the way Dax interacts with them. She understood the cunning, manipulative and strategic way of thinking they employ. Of all the characters who regularly interacted with them, Dax was the only one who routinely and willingly spent time with them. And unlike the rest, she never underestimated them.

[@momokochama1844]

to be fair, not everyone has multiple lifetimes to learn the does and don'ts with other people :) in a way Dax was a little bit like Guinan - the wise woman who had answers others didn't

[@zachzorn9930]

She probably has been a ferangi

[@GGrey1975]

@@zachzorn9930 If not, she knows well enough the 284th Rule of Acquisition (Beta-canon; "Deep down, everyone’s a Ferengi").

[@GGrey1975]

@@momokochama1844 Dax knows enough to (mis)quote the Rules of Acquisition & values the 74th ("Knowledge equals Profit") & 284th ("Deep down, everyone’s a Ferengi") when it comes to interacting with them. On the "misquoting" - it was perhaps Dax's attempt to play up the Ferengi ego to make them underestimate the form of Jadzia, as with the 85th ("Never let the competition know what you are thinking") & 202nd ("The justification for profit is profit," ref Rule 74) Rules if not bordering on the 79th ("Beware of the Vulcan need for knowledge").

[@CountryLifestyle2023]

I always enjoyed this aspect of Dax, and the Fregni Dax interactions.

[@ethanwall2443]

If I'm remembering things correctly ferengi females are the ones who teach ferengi children the rules of acquisition. So females are likely the ones who educate young ferengi So is it possible the reason nog didn't know to read is because of his absentee mother?

[@singletona082]

that... honestly makes a hell of a lot of sense. Up til the recent reforms ferrangi women were essentially puppetmasters that both moved a ton of capitol in the background and also whispered in the ears of those in apparent power.

[@boredpapertigers]

Dang, like orion women!

[@battlesheep2552]

That's why I think Ferengi sexism makes sense. A society cannot function without someone to raise the children, and you can't do that when you're a greedy sociopathic ideal Ferengi, so they ban females from earning profit so the females can still love and care for others. You can even justify the clothing taboo as a symbolic part of this, as it dehumanizes, or rather de-ferengifies them, because their society desperately needs them to not be Ferengi.

[@DMSProduktions]

@@singletona082 Capital.

[@GGrey1975]

Yes & no. While some are puppet-masters (like Ishka, Nog's Grandmother), most were never allowed to try (several of the Rules of Acquisition actually make it prohibitive for them). As the Family of Nog's Mother (remember, that females almost are never allowed an education, & are little more than property) had used Rom's Love/lust to milk every strip of Latinum he had in the extension to the mating contract, & as such had made it were Nog couldn't be sent to a Ferengi Academy (they tended to look down on free/public education). Some might say that the Ferengi culture mirrors some of that which is of older Arabic traditions - as purely a comparison.

[@danielm6049]

I think the reason the "stupid" ones are the ones interacting day to day with the Federation is because the "smart" ones succeeded at making enough money they didn't have to leave to look for other opportunities. Look at Rom, he's a bumbler, and naive, but when it comes to machines he's extremely clever, and they point this out pretty early on, O'Brien trying to pick the lock on Quark's bar comes to mind as both Odo and Sisko both tell him good luck. Also it was a Ferengi that who developed a shield system that the Federation thought wasn't possible. The real problem seems to be a lack of education, look at Nog, once he started going to school he really started to grow.

[@XSilver_WaterX]

Soooo subtle into 1st World countries self-insanity.

[@codyraugh6599]

I like that take. It also makes the ferangi the most "intellectually diverse" species in Trek. But i mean they are overall a impressively intelligent species. In a way I'd compare them to the Warhammer 40k Orks who despite being the single dumbest species in science fiction, but the Orks just seem to be instinctually capable of building comprable tech. The ferangi they all seem to be intelligent but somewhat uneducated, and they learn from observing and from practice, and studying what they take interest in.

[@jamesbizs]

You think they Ferengi can still make money, into dealing with Ferengi ? lol. Really?

[@LetsTakeWalk]

Nog became the first Ferengi Starfleet captain. Pretty good considering he couldn't read untill about 12 years old, I'd say.

[@Rembanspellsong]

@@LetsTakeWalk I think the reason he couldn't read was because Quark wanted him kept dependent on him, just like Rom was dependent on Quark. But Nog was smart enough to be able to wiggle out from under Quarks thumb and see that, just like his father, his intelligence type and personality were ill suited to ferengi society. So while he was a genius when it came to scrounging up what was needed, he put it to work for the federation that accepted him and his father rather than a society that had basically cast them out.

[@scatman786]

Well yeah, even a “bad” ferengi like Quark had some pretty impressive showings over the series. Quark not only helped broker peace between the Romulans and Cardassians but could convinced the Prophets that greed was not only good but necessary for the continued survival of corporeal beings. You don’t get to be a galactic financial super and profiteer from both side of wars.

[@LoreReloaded]

My dialogue could be better. I think quark was extremely intelligent.. he just didn’t show it

[@Cheesusful]

@@LoreReloaded but he did show it...

[@LoreReloaded]

…initially.. early seasons..

[@Cheesusful]

@@LoreReloaded I disagree

[@LoreReloaded]

@@Cheesusful I’m comfortable with us disagreeing

[@name-vi6fs]

I think Gene wanted to make capitalists appear foolish, so he portrayed them as fools initially, and then Berman evolved the characters over the course of DS9 due to their popularity.

[@jamesgarrison7397]

I think you are spot on!

[@name-vi6fs]

@@davejones9469 oh, I'm not a Berman fan at all. My parents taught me to dislike him when I was a kid. A broken clock is right twice a day.

[@cb-gz1vl]

Gene was a huge socialist.

[@name-vi6fs]

@@cb-gz1vl yes he was.

[@Qba86]

DS9 is the best Star Trek (IMHO) so far precisely thanks to the fact, that Berman was focused on VOY and didn't have time to interfere too much with DS9. The few times that he did (making Terry Farrell leave the show, limiting the Bashir-Garak story arc for fears of it being too 'homoerotic') was to the shows detriment.

[@depreseo]

The intelligence of the ferengi is summed up by the fact that despite Starfleet claiming to want to meet new species and exchange ideas with those coming through the wormhole from the gamma quadrent for 2 years it was the Ferengi who were able to assertain the existence of a pan gamma quadrent power called the Dominion, and the ferengi who opened initial negotiations through Dominion client states. Starfleet and the federation talks big when it comes to meeting new species... But the ferengi listen.

[@LoreReloaded]

Wish I had tho if that to include that

[@michaeljackson5938]

@@LoreReloaded Ferengi Loves Human Females 😊👍

[@BigTomInTheBasement]

@@michaeljackson5938 they seem to love any female that can rub their ears just right

[@walterlyzohub8112]

Well, that may explain their lobes. Trying to hear of any good opportunities. This was needed to be said, ok?

[@brodriguez11000]

Exchanging new ideas vs exchanging new money. One seems to be more profitable than the other.

[@doitschesfahrnsehen3651]

I'm not sure if I would call the Ferengi the most intelligent race but they definitely have the most street smarts. Something the Federation is lacking a lot. And after that total embarrassment that was "Rascals" the Ferengi would have deserved to take the Enterprise-D home with them to hang it up on the wall as a warning to others.

[@CrestOfArtorias]

A wise man can hear profit in the wind and the Ferengi certainly have good ears.

[@Corbomite_Meatballs]

I think you see something in the difference between pure "book learnin'" and being streetwise...a truly intelligent person will have both sources of knowledge/experience. Too much book gazing leads you to be susceptible to everything that isn't covered in a book/paper/though experiment and fit your thought bubbles. Too much street thinking leads you to not be able to truly innovate or do much forward-looking strategic thinking and leaves you open to not surviving over time.

[@Banchoking]

@Dave Jones, It could have been for a little known economic reason that effects us in real life. Labor is a resource like any other and for most of history businesses had to compete for workers. When women entered the workforce the number of workers nearly doubled and the value of labor tanked. That's why so many couples need both working to support themselves now, rather than raising a family on one source of income. It could be that the Ferengi understood this and wanted to maintain the cost of labor to avoid hindering their profits.

[@kenjett2434]

The trouble with the Feringi ark in Star Trek is like alot of small continuity issues within the writing over the years. But yes I agree LoreReloaded I believe the Feringi were far more intelligent than we were often lead to believe. Rom is a great example he mostly acted like an embisil yet his knowledge of engineering was equal or even better than O'Brians. Even Nogs ark was similar he didn't seem so smart at first but excelled in Starfleet quickly becoming the top tactical officer and in lore one of the top Captains to serve in Starfleet.

[@salzysisters5799]

Rom was basically the Ferengi equivalent of Lieutenant Barclay. Both were exceptionally intelligent but also goofy and with seemingly hindered self-confidence and social skills.

[@kenjett2434]

@@salzysisters5799 yeah that seemed to be a theme that writers of Star Trek often used.

[@seannemo8076]

@@salzysisters5799 I see them as completely different, each with their own issues. It has been pointed out that Barclay seems to exhibit the signs of Asperger’s; no one would question that he is highly intelligent, but he has difficulty with social cues and interaction. By comparison, Rom is portrayed as a kind of lovable idiot engineering Savant. He’s definitely _not_ intelligent, he just has an instinctual understanding of engineering, as well as being a fairly sociable person.

[@salzysisters5799]

@@seannemo8076 intelligence stems from many areas. Where you see a savant of engineering principle, I see a savant of artistic capability. And yet someone else may see a savant of culinary capability or perhaps mathematics or music. Aye, Rom was what we might consider an idiot. But we're also told that over and over by Quark.

[@salzysisters5799]

@@seannemo8076 And you know, that may play right into what we've been discussing. Rom wasn't playing his full hand, as what may be a cultural norm for the Ferengi. Making us believe he was something he was not. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@tonyhelms5904]

While almost every political entity in the Alpha and Beta quadrant are playing checkers, the Ferengi are playing chess. Control the money supply, transportation routes, food and raw material production, etc. On a multitude of levels, they are a major power behind the scene.

[@The1stImmortal]

Indeed, the Ferengi Alliance wasn't a lassaiz-faire or ancap government - it was a theocratic one. The Rules are the holy text, the FCA is the Church and the Nagus is the High Priest. They tamed rampant capitalism not with secular ideology and economic regulation, but with a strong religious orthodoxy. Clever approach really.

[@ancapftw9113]

Their afterlife is literally based on how good of a business man you were and how much money you had when you died. It was capitalism enforced by a state religion.

[@The1stImmortal]

​@@ancapftw9113 The religion was built around their dominant cultural systems, of course. Marriage predates Christianity (and probably organized religion generally) but is still deeply entwined in the Church. Many religions have an afterlife connected to their cultural norms - Valhalla is (roughly) an eternal victory feast for example. The religion coopted the capitalism.

[@valerie93_]

Outstanding observation! I had never noticed this, but I can't unsee it now

[@Nunya_Bidness_53]

Literally "The Church of the Almighty Dollar" 😄🤑 Suck it, Joel Osteen.

[@ancapftw9113]

@@Nunya_Bidness_53 The Grand Exchequer blessed me with my own Starship and moon, and he can bless you too. Just send me 5 slips of gold pressed Latinum to prove your faith.

[@sh4d0wfl4re]

Honestly the ferengi have a extremely well regulated capitalist economy. Their codified laws of acquisition have done a remarkable job creating well enforced incentive structures while preventing the worst abuses from ever becoming systematic. As the fetengi themselves have said, they have never stooped to the barbarisms of human history. Can you even think of a ferengi trapped in a dead end job? If the job isn’t profitable enough they are encouraged to overthrow their bad boss, or at least trick the boss out of his profits and leave. American capitalism is outright inferior to ferengi capitalism

[@MandalorV7]

That last line 😆😆😆😛👏

[@Xo-3130]

Its because of their religion which is the basis for their society. Funny enough its actually believed that religion had a hand in how capitalism formed. The first places to adopt it the Netherlands and Britain were Protestant. The concept of the protestant work ethic was based on the fact that many Protestants either through their religion on a growing mindset cared less for the world they lived in and more for the world after death. You can see were this got out of hand.

[@vcore939]

Correct, as Karl Polanyi pointed out in The Great Transformation, it is wrong to think of a capitalist laissez-faire society as it being unregulated by definition. Ensuring the tenets of a free market are met requires a strong regulatory framework. "The road to the free market was opened and kept open by an enormous increase in continuous, centrally organized and controlled interventionism." (Polanyi, 1944)

[@jamesbizs]

They have as much capitalism as the CCP. Literally everything is owned by the grand nagus. No one has real property or wealth and no one can do what they want in any real way.

[@samsmith4242]

@@jamesbizs Wrong on so many levels. European colonial charter companies is a better fit for the Ferengi alliance government. The operate their government like it’s another company, so it best to view it as a conglomerate. One that’d actually be somewhat uncompetitive at times since monopolies are encouraged and they have a bribe culture on par with Angola, but it’s balanced by a companies goal is to make money and the whole nation is a company

[@homelessstone7674]

Oh my sweet lord, a Ferengi centric episode and TEX coming in with a quote...best damn video on all of youtube I tell you.

[@robertthompson2601]

Yes I am not the only one to notice that. I love all of TEX stuff.

[@ancapftw9113]

I thought that sounded like him.

[@worndown8280]

The best way to sum up the Ferengi is a very good quote from Baron von Montesquieu, "To succeed in the world we must look foolish but be wise." I am pretty sure thats one of the Rules of Acquisition that we havent seen yet.

[@salzysisters5799]

When thinking about the Ferengi not playing their hand, consider also how on two occasions Zek acted clueless about a situation at least twice. Once when he sent Quark to negotiate for tulaberry wine with the Dosi of the Gamma Quadrant. Zek pretended to not understand the implications of the deal until pressed hard by Quark. The second time is when Zek ourwitted Brunt aa Brunt tried to seize the throne. Initially he made it seem his mind was going. But when grilled, he was able to completely destroy Brunt. He may also have been pretending to be losing his touch in order to win Ishka's heart. Also we must look at the fact that Quark was able to thoroughly beat Bashir at tongo even though Bashir had an intellect capable of on the fly calculations of space travel down to the hour. Tongo is a game of deception and strategy based on that. (As far as I can tell, anyways)

[@singletona082]

Oh I absolutely believe Zek's mind was starting to slip. Kernal of truth making the best lie after all. However he wanted to leave on his own terms and, well, Ishka was a woman after his own heart so institute a few changes before handing the mess over to the next guy to have to clean up. Zek and Ishka are... honestly an oddly sweet couple.

[@your_favorite_commissar2008]

Is that Tex from the black pants legion on the Sun Tzu voiceover?

[@LoreReloaded]

Yup

[@your_favorite_commissar2008]

@@LoreReloaded hell yeah.

[@beast0382]

Tex is one of the few that could make a shopping list enjoyable to listen to. Just don't make him spill his coffee.

[@admiralrogers1157]

I was always under the impression that the Ferengi Alliance was more like a massive merchant guild. Each ferengi is an independent guild member who pretty much acts on their own will but who agrees to go along with the guild rules. The grand nagus is the head of the guild.

[@Qba86]

A bit like Hansa perhaps?

[@admiralrogers1157]

@@Qba86 sure

[@zednott]

Laissez-faire ( for those who are not economists) *Wikipedia* Laissez-faire is an economic system in which transactions between private groups of people are free or almost free from any form of economic interventionism such as regulation and subsidies. As a system of thought, laissez-faire rests on the axioms that the individual is the basic unit in society and has a natural right to freedom; that the physical order of nature is a harmonious and self-regulating system; and that corporations are creatures of the state and therefore the citizens must watch them closely due to their propensity to disrupt the Smithian spontaneous order.

[@Starman_Dx]

True intelligence is determined by how high the return of profit is on a culture's short term quarterly gains.

[@jasonritner9662]

The Ferengi, from a world building standpoint, is one of the greatest missed opportunities in all of Trek. They should be the equivalent to most of the other powers in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants but with a government along the lines of "AnCapistan" (the idealized and utopian Anarcho-Capitalist pseudostate). They could have put the moral values of the Federation's post scarcity society against the profit-motive of a true market economy. The Ferengi should be the most feared power because no other star power will truly know where they stand and where they will go/what they will do to maximize their profits. Instead we get the strawman capitalism we find in memes.

[@seannemo8076]

What do you expect from a show created and written by Socialists?

[@ProfessorTerrible]

In a more nuanced and interesting depiction, the Ferengi Alliance should've been a multi-species society, with the Ferengi themselves just the founding member. They have always been a counterpoint to 24th Century humans, representing the road not taken according to Roddenberry so it would be interesting to get into the Alliance and discover what a "capitalist federation" would look like.

[@brodriguez11000]

@@ProfessorTerrible : A Transporter in a capitalist society. Hmmm.

[@ancapftw9113]

@@brodriguez11000 paid for public transport. It would be treated like a car or a spaceship.

[@worndown8280]

@@ProfessorTerrible imagine a federation colony on the fringe, "man we get shit from the Feds." "All we get is shipments of self sealing stembolts and replicator protein packs. I want some real goddamn animal protein and fresh veggies man." "Hey steve, call up the Negus, see if he wants a planet."

[@DouglasJohnson.]

Love the Ferengi. DS9 fulfilled the promise of their existence in the Star Trek universe. Quark, Rom, Nog, Brunt, "Moogie" and the Grand Nagus himself, are amongst some of my favorite characters in Trek.

[@mr220v]

I considered the Ferengi role models when I was a kid.

[@chickadeestevenson5440]

This video made me realize that the Frengi, with the expansions they get in DS9, are essentially Space-Venetians.

[@krzysztofratajski9218]

one quote : intelligent and wisdom are two different things they can be smart in one way and stupid in another

[@tetravega567]

"When you do things right, people wont be sure you've done anything at all." - Futurama's Galaxy Entity

[@antwan1357]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Ferengi bought warp drives from the Pakleds.

[@the-quintessenz]

The Ferengi are simply the invisible hand.

[@JacobMacabre]

After watching Deep Space Nine for the first time recently I can say the Ferengi are one of the most fascinating species in the Trek universe. Yes, they have a heavy emphasis on capitalism and profit but they also don't let their instincts (for violence, impetuous actions, etc) get in the way of that profit. They'll compromise in a way that does benefit both sides and they'll go to incredible lengths to secure those deals. I agree with most of what's said in the video and find them to be a REALLY powerful civilisation in the Alpha/ Beta quadrants. One thing that wasn't really touched on in the video is Ferengi evolution. Their society breeds masterful negotiators and 'rule lawyers'. They have, possibly for centuries or millennia, been rewarding shrewd business sense, strategic and long-term thinking/ planning and adaptability and thinking quickly in order to keep their profits coming in. They know when to commit to actions or when to talk and they know when to compromise or push for the advantage and they've been doing that to each other for who knows how long. They have a MASSIVE advantage when it comes to negotiation and 'deal making'. It's just fortunate that no species or civilsation in the Alpha/ Beta Quadrants have actively pissed them off. Imagine what happens when the full might of the Ferengi commerce, connections and military alliances are brought to bear on a single group? Imagine millions of Ferengi knocking down economic, cultural and occasionally military dominoes that lead to the collapse of a civilisation with barely a shot fired from a Ferengi phaser or ship. Scary stuff! :P

[@AsbestosMuffins]

on the other side of it, they're as a group very fragmented with everybody doing their own thing but if someone were stupid enough to declare war on them, they would probably all work very expediently to close the books on that venture

[@JacobMacabre]

@@AsbestosMuffins Exactly. It's like that thing you hear from fellow kids who have siblings: I can hit my sibling but YOU can't :P Ferengi society is deeply competitive but they don't want outside forces ruining the game they're playing against each other.

[@travcollier]

I think the Ferengi's success has less to do with centralized control than a carefully balanced system. The corruption even at the highest levels is real, but it doesn't get bad enough to undermine their political and economic order. Heck, it arguably helps it. The idea that the Ferengi on the fringes aren't the smartest tools in the shed... Yeah. Of course. They don't have to be "sent" though. The culture pushes Ferengi who don't have much out to engage in more risky endeavors... Long shot bets so to speak.

[@hollyshockhols]

I worked for Meijer, a major Store in Midwest USA. When our latest Store Director took over b4 I retired. I left on his desk the Ferengi "Rules of Acquisition"..A few days later, I met him...he shook my hand...laughed and said "Thanks, it makes sense!" lol

[@stuartwald2395]

The difference between early "Last Outpost" Ferenghi and those of most of DS9 is meta-mocked in Lower Decks by Mariner. The real weakness of the Ferenghi, even when they are technically smart and efficient, is that often they think only of short-term profits, of making the most on each deal without thinking of the value of long-term relationships (Zek and the fertilizer for Bajor in "Rules of Acquisition", Gaila in "Business as Usual" (about Hagath selling weapons on the cheap to the Bajoran resistance, and that "not being the Ferenghi way"). This is not universal, as other Ferenghi, at least in reference points by on-screen characters, seem to have the ability to deal in high-quality merchandise you can rely upon (Nog's cousin who deals in beverages in "Treachery, Faith and the Great River."

[@OllamhDrab]

Well, an interesting thing about Quark and his family is that they realize they need *relationships,* and you can't just fly-by-night-ripoff everything.

[@MrBottlecapBill]

While they do partake in short term opportunities I see nothing in trek to suggest that they don't think long term. The very existence of the Ferengi alliance and their oversight shown in this video proves it. They want stable long term business opportunities and profit to last forever.

[@singletona082]

Repeat customers are like latinum. Cherish them. Essentially had ferrangi actually FOLLOWED that rule of acquisition they would make the investment (aka actually selling good quality materials and thinking of the future) their customers will more likely come back for more instead of write the deal off as bum due to the goods being shoddy.

[@TheDawnofVanlife]

There are several indications in passing comments there are schools on Ferenginar. What Rom and Quark objected to wasn't education so much as a Federation education. Much like some of the Bajoran parents who were reluctant to put their children in a Federation school that taught the prophets were wormhole aliens. Quark mentions reading to Nog as a child and all indications were that kids basically did home education on Deep Space Nine as standard before the school was established. And even casually returned to it when there were no longer enough children to justify the school existing. Mrs. O'Brien started the school mostly to socialize the children (and to curb her own boredom), not in reaction to the lack of an educational system. Nog knew the rules of aquisition and about business, he just would not have been able to read a contract. I honestly wonder if Quark and Rom realized he couldn't read. Not because either of them were stupid, but because intelligence can often cover up a lack of literacy. There are a lot of people who can't read who get very skilled at covering that up. Nog often rejected all kinds of things Jake challenged him on that he thought were nonsense (from a Ferengi point of view), but in the one scene where he was learning how to read from Jake we see him pretty focused on it. We still don't know exactly what made Rom change his mind and bring Nog back to the Federation school and it could have been suddenly realizing a focused education in basic reading had been skipped along the way. Clearly Rom and Quark can read and I can't see them devaluing the skill to do so for things like business deals. Rom really wanted a kid and all indications are he wanted that kid to have every opportunity. He literally paid a woman for a short term marriage to have a child. I honestly think they just didn't realize Nog couldn't read because for all intents and purposes he was rather intelligent and picked things up so well.

[@christophercole8114]

The Ferengi Alliance is definitely not stupid. Initially I think the writers didn't know quite what to do with them, but even in their initial introduction and first few appearances they weren't exactly idiots. They could be highly organized and motivated, as well as opportunistic, and it takes a high level of intelligence to recognize when opportunity comes around and to act on it.

[@everyonethinksyoureadeathm5773]

I think it was said in an episode of DS9. That most Ferengi ships were in private hands and not controlled by the government. In another episode Quark even mentioned this as the station being boarded by the Klingons that most ships ran on nepotism and that those who co-signed on for one thing or another were personally responsible for their own safety. So any warship ferried by the Alliance were privately owned either by wealthier families, a time share of sorts or larger corporations to secure their supply routes. This would make it that more often Ferengi crews acted as marauders and scavengers.

[@MCNarret]

They arent pretending to be stupid, nor are they "stupid". They value acquisition of wealth, and preferably short-term gains, this means a long term investment of scientific education is not preferable. They know that they can just buy tech, and that money is the easiest thing to trade. This however means intelligence in anything other than wealth acquisition is frowned upon, which is stupid to us, but make no mistake, what they do, they do well.

[@elenadirectorofmiiss7942]

Theory - After losing to the Enterprise during the events of “The Last Outpost”, they heard about this philosopher that Riker and Portal mention and studied him. Sun Tzu and other major Federation philosophers became required reading along with the Rules of Acquisition.

[@miarke7496]

I do love that the ferengi as depicted are not laissez faire but actually have a regulated economy. We are so far departed from laissez faire we can't even make a spoof of it

[@Underworlddream]

I got the idea of the different in type of Ferengi we see such as the marauders and raiders from TNG, the assasins (DS9), and merchant was due to culture different that the Ferengi Alliance has. Like Ferengi that want to be assassin are viewed as crazy and Battle of Prexnak story seams to be a message to discourage Ferengi from being soldier. With mutiple Ferengi culture clashing, their probably would be things to try to discouraged certain cultural traits.

[@DerBeppone]

I'm pretty sure world economy could learn a thing or two from Ferengi business laws. While greed might be a pushing factor for their profits, the Ferengi also don't shy away from putting strict rules to channel same greed into pretty efficient and productive forms. We could even argue it is quite sustainable in of itself, because they do everything they can to keep the source of their profits going, instead of just pulling everything in their reach together and destroy it in that process. Sometimes written and controlled rules are superior to unwritten agreements of trust or honor.

[@shadowthoughts7959]

Good and Evil are subjective. Beneficial and Harmful are a spectrum of pros and cons. Pragmatism? Often cruel, but equally fair.

[@JoeSyxpack]

I always figured that the Ferengi, because how how their society is situated, probably had the best diplomats in the galaxy. The only reason we never saw them in Trek was that the Federation found the idea of paying for such services appalling.

[@Slavir_Nabru]

The Ferengi's politics game is possibly the best in the galaxy. Quark points out they haven't had interstellar wars, something almost unheard of in the region. They establish trade with the Dominion while the Dominion is still playing coy. They de-facto control the currency. Technologically they are on par with the three superpowers. Though I'd have liked to have them explicitly bank rolling the AQ powers during the Dominion war, similar to the US lend-lease in WW2.

[@singletona082]

That would have antagonized the Dominion too much. They were more like ww2 Swiss (for good or ill) That neutrality, though, meant they could get away with Shennanagins of their own that ended up being helpful.

[@Slavir_Nabru]

@@singletona082 I agree them staying neutral at first was savvy; but after the loss of the Dominion fleet at the wormhole and especially after the Romulans joined following the Dominions apparent assassination of a senator, the writing was on the wall for the Dominion and it would be better to nail their flag and get a cut of the spoils.

[@singletona082]

@@Slavir_Nabru Plus they can rightly point out that without their efforts in the form of Rom and Quark the federation would have had a far worse time since it WAS rom's idea to have self replicating mines at the wormhole, which bought the alpha quadrant time.

[@TndX]

I have always wondered about a federation starship with a Ferengi security officer... It would be the stuff of legends!

[@colleenmarin8907]

That latter bit conjures up parallels between Ferenginar and Switzerland

[@answerman9933]

There are two ways to get rich during a gold rush: 1. Get lucky finding gold 2. Sell supplies to those who are trying to get lucky finding gold.

[@STSGingie]

It's hard to take the Ferengi seriously as they were presented in TNG but by DS9 they were presented with so much diversity and nuance the depth of their culture was well represented. The many social issues that were brought to light and developed were one of my favorite aspects of them. In fact, Ishka is a perfect example of the cunning and intelligent Ferengi who gamed their own system and got her own son into the highest political position in the state!

[@HenshinFanatic]

All the better for her new position as the Shadow Nagus.

[@frankiedafish77]

Bonus point for throwing in a Tex quote.

[@artemismoonbow2475]

"All of our lives are a story. Make yours a good one." Here here to that.

[@kennethmelnychuk9737]

@02:14, with that type of shooting accuracy Worf would have made an exemplary stormtrooper 😆

[@vellysstardust1751]

LoreReloaded: "What is one to do?" *ad break not missing a beat* Commercial: "Learn about Crypto..."

[@LoreReloaded]

That was not by design :p

[@TheKyrix82]

As an experiment (basically proving how a 'good' apologist can twist a text to say whatever they want it to) I took the Rules of Acquisition and made them a text about Ferengi altruism...and it WORKED. Want an example? "Once you get their money, never give it back" is a rule that allows you to teach your customers the value of making good choices, rather than rash decisions. You see, if the option of a 'refund' exists, there will be the temptation to make an 'impulse buy', if you regret that decision, you can just walk it back with a refund. But if all 'sales' are final, each customer will think long and hard about every choice they make, and only make the decisions they can live with.

[@alexkaen1701]

Every encounter the Federation had with the Ferengi on TNG, Enterprise, and to an extent Voyager, at least began with the Ferengi having the upper hand. I always saw this as evidence that the Ferengi were extremely capable, but themselves underestimated the Federation. This would be less and less of an issue by the end of Deep Space Nine, presumably after they've begun dealing with each other on a regular basis and the Ferengi really understood their rivals. It's like the opposite of the Borg, which starts off menacing but slowly weakens as it assimilates drones from the Alpha Quadrant.

[@MrNeroCat]

I agree... I remember one of the 1st season DS9 episodes... (not sure which or the title, sorry) Where the Grand Nagus fakes his death and at the end he tells his son: "You don't grab power.. you accumulate it.. quietly!"

[@abominationdesolation8322]

can't help but notice the 666 sitting on the sidebar throughout the video.

[@TheRayvolution]

I will wholly agree. I think The Ferengi Alliance’s true rival is the Orion Syndicate. Another elusive shadowy organization that operates autonomously from the major powers of the neighboring quadrants.

[@Sir_Loin_Of_Beef]

The Tex reading of Sun Tzu is noticed and appreciated. And for anyone who doesn't know who he is, I batchall you for a 45 minute explanation

[@sanguiniusonvacation1803]

I wanna say yes , but I also wanna refuse your Batchall. Pay your phone bill .

[@Sir_Loin_Of_Beef]

@@sanguiniusonvacation1803 you daaare refuse my batchall!?

[@aspetty]

There is a reason the scheming little gremlins are my favorite species on Trek

[@rayruckus4446]

The great material continuum is probably my favorite philosophy in all of science fiction. It makes the most sense and again it breathes the most peace Some planets have too much of 1 thing and not enough of another and 1 planet that has not enough or something will give there too much of something to a plant that has not enough of another to get some of what they have too much of your just such a good philosophy.

[@edwardpaty7420]

Remember Quark was smarter than a Vulcan Female,... Teaching her diplomacy using the rules of acquisition. Nog, outwitted Komeasha Maru computer simulation at Starfleet academy, causing the computer to have a mental breakdown. Dax and chief O'Brien, couldn't figure out how to mind the wormhole without Rom. The federation would have never retaken DS9 what's out Quark, Rom and Nog. The ferengi were free market capitalists, they knew the art of the deal, they were just better at business than the socialist federation, and they stayed out of interstellar wars better than anyone including the Vulcans. They may have engaged in little interstellar privateering, but they avoided war and getting drawn into other people's wars,... Except to make a profit.

[@Mukation]

Vulcans have been shown time and time again that they're extremly arrogant. Sure, they had historically, valid reasons for going down the path they did when it comes to their culture (supress emotions), but it's been time and time again proven that they are not following "logic", but dogma. They've been drilled how to respond to a bunch of scenarios and thus do that without thinking for themselves, since the only thing they've been told is that Vulcan high command is the bestest, smartest of them all etc and change has occoured extremly slowly. For instance, when Archer proved that Surak had been a telepath and that telepathy was not "wrong", they swiftly adopted that and in TOS/Discovery it's shown as if all Vulcans ALWAYS where active telepaths, eventhough a bunch of Vulcans where still alive during Archers era (100 years prior.... Vulcans have an "average" lifespan of 200 years, thus some probably become up to about 250 years old....) And they learned NOTHING of their arrogance from that. Sure Spock was able to use logic and controll of emotions to better himself, as did T`Pol, but vulcans as a whole species, culturally, they never learned. They denied any hint of proof up untill the very end and once shown overwhelming proof, they adopted that truth and carried on as if they had always known that truth.

[@HenshinFanatic]

@@Mukation well what did you expect from space elves? Them not being arrogant pricks?

[@n.d.m.515]

@@Mukation no, that is only proving how terribly the Vulcans were written from Enterprise on forward.

[@misterlau5246]

Agreed. Problem is in TNG the Ferengi where introduced as... Well... But although I haven't watched much DS9, Quark was my favourite character. I dug that episode, the Klingon ex wife. And the Vulcan girl, it's more profitable right now to use diplomacy, because long term war is too expensive.

[@robertscott7546]

Tex can read the nutritional value on a cereal box and it would still be interesting.

[@GGrey1975]

Though one thing I believe is a misconception of Ferengi business belief/philosophy/practice, and is that it's Capitalism. With another look at Rule 242 (Beta-canon "More is good, all is better") seems more in line with Mercantilism - as while you can try to accumulate all you can, there is a point that you could (theoretically) have it all (as in the cases of a rare resources like Latinum), because wealth/time are seen as limited resources. I'd go into it more, though I feel that that wouldn't be fitting Rule 74 ("Knowledge equals Profit") here - as this isn't a discussion on different economic philosophies/practices.

[@fredrikcarlstedt393]

Quark : one of the wisest beings in the Universe .

[@dionnahfreyer8164]

I looove the Ferengi! That are my fav.

[@rmeddy]

Yeah I agree with this for the most part until the rubber hits the road with the Dominion and you have a "root beer" moment.

[@elricthebald]

4:28 Every once in a while, declare peace. It confuses the hell out of your enemies. Rule of Acquisition #76

[@CrestOfArtorias]

I think it was back when Archer first had contact with the Ferengi that he was told by a "lesser" Ferengi as a counter Archers comment on capitalism, that "Humanity must have been bad at managing their businesses". Not to mention the Rules of Acquisition state clearly that things like contracts exists, meaning contract law exists, meaning a court system based around it exists, which infers judicial oversight over commerce. Which is NOT laissez faire capitalism, like at all.

[@icecold9511]

Who do you think invented contracts? Business men needed some way to ensure the other party holds up their end.

[@CrestOfArtorias]

@@icecold9511 I am aware, I am just pointing out that this implies regulation.

[@joz6683]

This answer is rather long so stay with me. In the st:tng episode called Ménage à Troi, the Ferengi transport both Counselor Deanna Troi and her mother, Lwaxana Troi, aboard their ship. They transport them even though the ship they are on has it's shelds up. Think about that for a second, if they can transport through shelds no ship is safe. If they can transport out of a ship then they should be able to transport into a ship. Therefore, they could in theory transport weapons in to the warp core or armory of any ship and destroy them. I would not be surprised if they could not acquire other weapons and system such as Cloaks, Quantum torpedoes or anything else that they may need. With this ability they would be a formidable enemy.

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

They have the tech to do so and the brains to know it would turn the entire galaxy against them. A rare combination.

[@icecold9511]

Um, what makes you think they can transport through shields? Shields aren't up 24/7/365

[@cyberfux]

But where is the profit in that?

[@FinisiusMaximus]

I think the Ferengi are simply eccentric. They have a culture created around pursuit of material wealth. All can be possessed. I think that Nog couldn't read because Rom wasn't in a position to climb the "ladder" and needed him to work instead. Quark wouldn't go for it because that would give Nog an opportunity to get out on his own.

[@ElderNewt]

Ferengi for all their downsides.. had many upsides to the point they're a very underrated species.. HELL we saw their civilization change during DS9.. like BIG changes

[@singletona082]

The best part is that change might have been motivated by outside factors, but it was all internal. The federation didn't directly shove or push anything. At absolute worst you could argue the federation's influences on the future power players in that social upheavel directed how things would go, but even then. THe Ferrangi's house was tended to by their own. And I love that. No mighty savior federation. No revelations that the romulans or some other power were puppetmastering. This was all them.

[@cyberfux]

@@singletona082 Basically the ferengi did the capitalist thing: They took the best of what was freely offered to them and made it their own. Remember when little barkeep Quark had to be a klingon head of house in front of the high council and verbally bitchslapped them into submission with accounting reports? I think i never laughed that much in all of Trek!

[@gbalfour9618]

Ferengi we see in TNG are more privateers (like real privateers we see is earth history). The Ferengi we see in DS9 are more government officials and high level CEO types; and is probably why one big reason Odo and Quark have such a contention relationship, Quark is getting stolen goods from other Ferengi and other pirate types. Quark, even before his mother starts a relationship with the Grand Nagus, the Grand Nagus comes to him specifically on 2 very different occasions; the head of your government doesn't come to you specifically if you were a nobody. It's very likely they have an apprenticeship economy/work style. We learn in DS9 that Quark worked as a transport operator on a Ferengi ship when he was first out in the universe. And I bet that's where he learns a lot of what he knows. During that time gets the money he then uses to build the bar, does well enough to be noticed. All the other powers (Romulan, Klingon, Federation, Cardassian, Orion, etc) all look the other way with the pirates as they can make deals to get tech from other powers that the Ferengi privateers steal from. As for Nog not reading it could be some form of learning issue, he could have the Ferengi version of dyslexicia. Gold pressed Latinum is a currency like how gold is a currency. When making deals with other federation people credits are used (Trouble with Tribbles), but when dealing with other governments or non federation people they use gold pressed latinum.

[@qasimmir7117]

I’ve always thought this. Their technical talents, excellent judgment of character in order to negotiate. I also hated how sanctimonious and arrogant the Federation and every single human acted towards the Ferengi.

[@TonyP9279]

I like the Ferengi! They are comical but I think there are various groups, like corporations, that have different business strategies. Some try to balance ethics and profit while others will always put profit over ethics.

[@thelordofcringe]

Imagine my hype when I suddenly hear that whisky soaked voice.

[@byronbroadley3000]

I guess I'm not the only one that thought that was Tex of the BPL

[@nikolausbautista8925]

I'd trust a Ferengi before I'd trust the Federation's charter members. The Rules of Acquisition are very practical!

[@andljoy]

The Firangi play the galaxy like a fiddle.

[@CasMullac]

The space Swiss. We'll stay neutral, we'll play both sides, we'll take care of your currency and to attack us would be a drawn out economic death sentence.

[@valerie93_]

Pls do more ferengi stuff, Lore. I always appreciate your hot takes! :)

[@ryanventer9221]

That sounded like Lorerunner narrating the Sun Tzu quote.

[@LoreReloaded]

Black pants legion

[@jordanjoestar-turniptruck]

"I hate Ferengi." --Keevan But whether their intelligence is that much higher than the other species, they are by far the most unique and complex. They have real advantages and real challenges in their society to balance against the other cultures in the universe, and learning to understand the other side is what makes DS9 so great.

[@bryancampbell9622]

The Ferengi are the swiss of the galaxy.

[@CinnamonKnightEntertainment]

I want to start with, lore dude, you do a great job of putting up a well thought Idea that invites a discussion, which deep down I always feel is you intention, even feeding the wiki trolls with the cynical "while they are looking up their answers" kind of comments. Love it, trolls suck, moving on..... So, just going off of theory..... I think the Ferengi that the enterprise and early federation were encountering were not sent by any particular leader. I think their system pushes less successful, but brave, ferengi into the fringes.... specifically to either the ferengi navy or into piracy. Like Rom many of these ferengi still have skills, but not necessarily business sense. Although as quark puts forward even he spent time as a ships cook I believe?(although don't ferengi mostly eat live food?) it seems both a good way to get some starting capital but experience in a system less cuttroat to a ferengi, even if they are literally being cutthroats attacking outside people. This leads to these groups still being able to plan out attacks aganist other groups, but as they always seem to do well in the beginning they are often defeated...... often because they seem to underestimate their opponents when they are winning. Quark, and the later more common ferengi seem to have had their navy completely forgotten by the writers of deep space 9, no offense but they just didn't WANT to use the ferengi in that fashion. these ferengi mostly worked within the rules of ferengi society, or are already established after their tour of duty. They obviously have more experience and live the life of the deal. Most often the corruption is called into order because of several things, their willingness to always cheat anyone, and their flagrant favoritism shown in the shows. The grand nagus was willing to let another person die just to try and prove his relative was ready to be the next grand negus. The ferengi are a brilliant creation that aged very well, especially went compared next to the borg, but the wonderful market place theories that they espouse when used to manipulate others is also in the same place where quark convinces a fair trader how to be a criminal for the thrill(quark disassembling an unexploded torpedo if I remember correctly) Remember quark is trying to have sex with the vulcan when he explains the "price of war". The ferengi are quite corrupt, bribes, nepotism, unfair dealings.... its part of their charm. I never remember the show saying they are the worst of "let it be" capitalism, just capitalism as a whole, I could be wrong, I havnt watched the show in a bit. If that line was used it was probably in the first few seasons of TNG, lets just say those first few seasons were before things got stable. As to their education, children wernt taught to read because that skill, and others, would be learned when they got into their first trade, yes trades, not universities.... its not the worst way to do things. This seems to be supported by the rarity of ferengi scientists, barring one in TNG that gets murdered for his star corona shielding thingy mabob..... and he talks how the ferengi scientists are thought of as a joke, leading many to believe they bought much of their tech from others, an idea I don't have a hard time believing. Also While I think gold press latinum was something created later in the series, I'm not sure the ferengi were the creators of the non replicatable latinum that is pressed into "worthless gold" I would agree that it is a strong possibility as they are at least one of the groups who would be desperate for a universal material with a value once again with a rarity that would back that value, but they arnt the only culture like that. The Lion in the room, yes lion, not elephant, pink or otherwise. The ferengi arn't exactly what they have been more modernly hyped up to be. Those individuals who like combat in any fashion are reguarded as freaks, look at the magnificant ferengi. They are generally cowards towards phisical conflicts, they value their lives more than any cause(unless its the best or only way to get money). While I think the Maqui or whatever they were called were also off their rockers, the ferengi would have failed if their world was conqured like the bajorans. show quarks pretty speech compared to complete domination and you can see the flaws in their system. Maybe its my upbringing in a nation where treason against the crown, defiantly declared in a very open way that leads me to see the cracks in their system, but a system like they have requires others around to do much of the actual work for them to exsist let alone succeed, their profits are almost exclusivly based around the exploitation of the other races and crime. Next great hunting cat, yeah everyone alwyas points towards the ferengi not being as "barbaric" as humans, Firstly they deffinatly have wage slaves even amongst their own society, it might not be chattel slavery but slavery covers far more than just the heirs of the triangle trade. Not even counting the magestic dissapearance of their navy in DS9 they never had enough naval power to be a big threat to most races, is a sad excuse to claim a lack of power helped them avoid intersteller war, if they thought they could get enough money in a huge war, they would, but they are at least smart enough to know they are cowards when it comes to phisical confrontations for the most part. All of that being said, the ferengi arnt dumb, they are corrupt manipulators. They have their place in the system of national balances that make up the alpha and lesser beta quadrants.

[@lyght3043]

They're one of the best races in the show.

[@frocurl]

Happy Veterans day! So yeah the Ferengi are my favorite race especially DS9! I love these guys man! Thanks for the videos LORE!

[@Confucios1118]

I like to think there’s some Rules of Acquisition they follow that go along the lines that I go by. Play dumb, and never let your enemies know how smart you are. Intelligent people are a threat.

[@berryb745]

The ferengi are just like everyone else, they had a way of life staying in their little pocket and as time went on they adapted to becoming bigger part of the galactic community. The ferengi in TNG where more pirates and privateers rather than the norm, remember the richest had major corporations like Slugo cola, and ventures. They bought and stole Al of their technology, by the end of ds9 zek knew they had to change or they would be left in the dust. Isn’t that they are smarter or dumber but was driven by gains and profit and revenge in everything they did. Also when quark was bashing sisko about humans and them, what he didn’t mention was the ferengi did that also just to other people just not their own.

[@rewtdawg9852]

You didn't mention the time that Quark explained how to barter peace between conflict to a Vulcan, thereby coming up with a better solution to the problem.

[@DeadRobit29]

I recognize that voice! That was the leader of the Black Pants Legion! Good ole Tex!

[@Gitimus01]

I am of the opinion that the Ferengi operate like a chess board. As you said, the slightly less intelligent (The Pawns) go first, those who operate businesses or organisation's (like Quark) are higher pieces. It makes sense that if an idiot can manipulate a race or capture a ship, the others can swoop in and really profit. Quarks cousin Gela(Geila?) Springs to mind.

[@mattdemo6387]

The Ferengi rules of acquisition Number 34: " war is good for business" 😎👌🏽

[@arcticfox3243]

Awesome job lore. Loving your videos.

[@velnz5475]

Id like to hear your take on the Children of Tama... we only get a few glimpses of them but from the surface they seem like an extremely complicated intelligent society.

[@ViroVV]

On the idea of a moronic vanguard, there seems to be a logical reason. Profit is key. Basically all Ferengi go out into the universe to make their profit in the galaxy. As Ferengi become more profitable they would naturally set themselves up, either on Ferenginar or their own "private moons". Rarely leaving their "vaults" Sending out lackeys to do "grunt" work like completing trade transfers. So that means the ones you encounter out in the fringes would mostly be the less successful and thus less intelligent Ferengi trying to find their get rich quick scheme but have yet to do it, or are working for someone considerably smarter/more profitable.

[@Kameth]

I feel it's very early show weirdness with Rom not wanting Nog to be taught how to read. While it's fair that he might be concerned that it'll be time spent away from earning, it's a free education, which would open the door to more profitable work.

[@ceterfo]

I don't even need to watch this I already know I agree with you the rules of acquisition and the improved rules of acquisition are both extreme sets of guidelines that should not be fully adhered to by anyone. There is an immense amount of pragmatism in their actions " who would buy a book called the guidelines to acquisition."

[@justinhammer3196]

Sorry for a double post but my real theory on Ferengi is this. The Ferengi Alliance is a front for the Orions. After the Syndicate was defeated (which occurs in various Trek lores) I think they found a race that was greedy and mercantile but not too bright and they sent advisors to help them along all the while using the Alliance's trade contacts to rebuild. It explains how such a corrupt government could function and how a seemingly idiot race could be successful in commerce. The heavy lifting is done for them by others in the shadows. And those shadowy figures are tinged green. It might also explain why in Discovery the Orions are back and Ferengi aren't mentioned. Once the other powers more or less collapsed there was no need for the cover operation any longer.

[@MRbossman1982]

Yeah buddy new video On a Thursday! More Star Trek I Just started playing Star Trek on line on my PS4 its low key kinda fun I can’t lie!

[@thelegend_doggo1062]

There’s one problem with this. The episode where Picard became a kid was never real, it was only a shared nightmare of many trek fans

[@LoreReloaded]

Gasp!

[@КирилоХацько]

i like this channel exactly because of contraversal thought. Not always agreed with you (for example current shows) but having a place for conversation - is awesome. truth is born in argument

[@richfox1142]

They can't really be bad since they give you a explicit list of rules of conduct in how they operate. The rules are clearly defined so it's your choice to engage so it's on you at that point, it's not like you weren't warned.