The Ferengi appeared as aliens in several Star Trek iterations. They were the ultimate business people who frequently quoted from their 286 rules of acquisition. I’ve heard they were originally planned as the villains for Star Trek: The Next Generation, but came across as more silly than intimidating.
In my favorite interaction, one Frengi asks, “What if this becomes a war?” The other replies, “Rule 34.”
The first responds “Ahhh, war is good for business. But, but, what if it doesn’t lead to war?” The response is “Rule 35.”
“Ahhh, peace is good for business.”
Today there are real Ferengi; not as exotic looking, but every bit as greedy:
- People pretending to be employees with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are knocking on doors, wearing white lab coats, telling residents that they’re testing for COVID-19. Then they rob them.
- A former White House advisor asked if people staying home to avoid the virus is worth the economic consequences.
- Senators dumped stocks after being briefed on the coronavirus, but before that information was released to the general population.
- All kinds of scammers are selling phony medications or religious talismans.
Oh, wait. Rule 14. “Anything stolen is pure profit.”
sfnowak 