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| + | The '''Great Material Continuum''', sometimes just called the "Great Continuum", was a spiritual concept from [[Ferengi]] culture. |
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| − | In [[Ferengi]] culture the '''Great Material Continuum''' is a spiritual term used to describe the binding force of life and material in a universe with "millions of worlds, all with too much of one, and not enough of the other". Though not a strongly religious species, the Ferengi do harbor some spiritual beliefs embodied by the concept of the Continuum. |
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| + | Ferengi saw the universe as having "millions of worlds, all with too much of one, and not enough of the other", with the Great Continuum flowing through them all like a mighty river, from have to want and back again. As such, it was the force that bound the [[universe]] together. To get everything you desire in life, you had to have your ship navigate the Continuum with skill and grace. In practice, this meant that material taken from one area had to be replaced or paid for through another means, while avoiding obstacles and pitfalls. [[Rom]] noted that river could be very treacherous. |
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| − | Similar to the economic law of supply and demand, the Continuum is described metaphorically as a river. In this metaphor the current of the river flows from those who want to those who have. Truly a mercantile system, the amount of wealth and material in the continuum is finite; not everyone can accumulate indefinitely, material taken from one area must be replaced or paid for through another means. This in turn means that the successful interpretation to the wants and needs of others is essential to navigating the "Great River" of the Continuum. It also stresses the explicit materialistic life-view of the Ferengi: success in interpreting the needs and wants embodied by the Continuum is entirely based on the wealth and material accumulated, and not by more benevolent gestures of compassion or good will espoused by other species. |
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| + | The [[Nagus]] in particular was responsible for standing "at the bow of the Ferengi ship of state", navigating the waters of the Great Material Continuum, avoiding the shoals of [[bankruptcy]] and seeking the strong winds of prosperity. |
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| − | A skilled Ferengi, one who applies the [[Rules of Acquisition|Rules of Acquisition]] and profits by them, is said to be one who navigates this river successfully while avoiding the many obstacles and pitfalls inherent to such a life. If the Ferengi navigates the river successfully he accumulates wealth along the way, gathering it throughout the Continuum. This in turn leads to a profitable life, which is rewarded in the afterlife by access to the [[Divine Treasury]]; failure is punished by banishment to the [[Vault of Eternal Destitution]]. |
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| − | Ferengi |
+ | Ferengi children were taught about the Continuum when they still had their first set of ears. ({{DS9|Treachery, Faith and the Great River|The Dogs of War}}) |
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| − | :''The Ferengi seem to draw a distinction between selfishness and greed, indicating that the accumulation of wealth serves a greater good and is therefore not selfish. This is likely the role of the Great Material Continuum and may explain why such accumulation is rewarded in the [[Divine Treasury|afterlife]]. However, it may also be the case that selfishness itself is considered a moral virtue and for that reason the accumulation of wealth is rewarded in the afterlife. [[Nog]]'s reference to the Great Material Continuum as a field that "binds the galaxy together" is a possible reference to [[Wikipedia:Obi-Wan Kenobi|Obi-Wan Kenobi]]'s description of "[[Wikipedia:Force (Star Wars)|The Force]]" in the ''[[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]]'' films.'' |
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== External link == |
== External link == |
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| − | *{{ |
+ | * {{mbeta}} |
| + | [[de:Großes Materielles Kontinuum]] |
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[[Category:Religion]] |
[[Category:Religion]] |
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Revision as of 23:34, 13 August 2015
The Great Material Continuum, sometimes just called the "Great Continuum", was a spiritual concept from Ferengi culture.
Ferengi saw the universe as having "millions of worlds, all with too much of one, and not enough of the other", with the Great Continuum flowing through them all like a mighty river, from have to want and back again. As such, it was the force that bound the universe together. To get everything you desire in life, you had to have your ship navigate the Continuum with skill and grace. In practice, this meant that material taken from one area had to be replaced or paid for through another means, while avoiding obstacles and pitfalls. Rom noted that river could be very treacherous.
The Nagus in particular was responsible for standing "at the bow of the Ferengi ship of state", navigating the waters of the Great Material Continuum, avoiding the shoals of bankruptcy and seeking the strong winds of prosperity.
Ferengi children were taught about the Continuum when they still had their first set of ears. (DS9: "Treachery, Faith and the Great River", "The Dogs of War")
External link
- Great Material Continuum at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works