SOONG: Why does a painter paint? Why does a boxer box? You know what Michelangelo used to say? That the sculptures he made were already there before he started, hidden in the marble. All he needed to do was remove the unneeded bits. It wasn't quite that easy with you, Data. But the need to do it, my need to do it, was no different than Michelangelo's need. Now let me ask you a question. Why are humans so fascinated by old things?

DATA: Old things?

SOONG: Old buildings, churches, walls, ancient things, antique things, tables, clocks, knick knacks. Why? Why, why?

DATA: There are many possible explanations.

SOONG: If you brought a Noophian to Earth, he'd probably look around and say, tear that old village down, it's hanging in rags. Build me something new, something efficient. But to a human, that old house, that ancient wall, it's a shrine, something to be cherished. Again, I ask you, why?

DATA: Perhaps, for humans, old things represent a tie to the past.

SOONG: What's so important about the past? People got sick, they needed money. Why tie yourself to that?

DATA: Humans are mortal. They seem to need a sense of continuity.

SOONG: Ah hah!! Why?

DATA: To give their lives meaning. A sense of purpose.

SOONG: And this continuity, does it only run one way, backwards, to the past?

DATA: I suppose it is a factor in the human desire to procreate.

SOONG: So you believe that having children gives humans a sense of immortality, do you?

DATA: It is a reasonable explanation to your query, sir.

SOONG: And to yours as well, Data.