In the script for the Star Trek: The Next Generation second season episode "Pen Pals", Thomas Mann was a German writer.
In 2365, Lieutenant Commander Data answered a call for help from Sarjenka of Benev Selec (Drema IV) and maintained communication with her for eight weeks. Her planet was undergoing extreme seismic disturbances that the USS Enterprise-D could potentially correct. A highly emotive discussion took place among the senior staff on whether or not to interfere by resolving the problems on the planet, with mixed views on the application of the Prime Directive. During the discussion, Dr. Katherine Pulaski cited a quote from Mann: "Human reason needs only to will more strongly than fate, and she is fate." In response, Data replied that Commander William T. Riker could cite Euripides to support his position. However, in the opinion of Data, this was all just philosophy, and Sarjenka was not a subject for philosophical debate. She was an individual.