Strange Letter # 10--A Letter to an Alien Race

Dear Borg,

You guys were my favorite Star Trek villains for a short, but sweet while there. The concept behind you was a novel idea no matter what those Wholigans across the pod may claim bout those lame-o Cybermen. Other trek aliens could be dismissed as allegory for various cultures--the Klingons are feudal Japanese warriors, the Romulans are totalitarian Chinese, and the Cardassians are Nazis--but you are truly unique and scary.

Oh, sure there are those who say you represent communist perfection or the encroachment of technology. By the time you really started doing your thing in the summer of 1990, no one was thinking about communists any longer. Many on the political left began embracing some “friendly” Marxist principles shortly after the bits and pieces of the Berlin Wall were sold off as souvenirs by some enterprising--no pun intended, there--capitalist. I am no Luddite, so utilizing technology is not a scary concept as far as I am concern, either.

What is scary bout you is the loss of individualism you promise and the force of nature way in which you rob your victims of it. The Trek writers managed to create a truly terrifying villain in you. Becoming part of a hive mind by beig conquered by arace of relentless insects? Chilling. At least it was until Voyager came along. Voyager screwed up everything--and not just by introducing 36 of DD, but by letting Brannon Braga and Rick Berman write twelve episodes a season. But that is bitter rant for another time.

The point is, I miss you guys the way you were back in ‘The Best of Both Worlds.” I know, dramatically speaking, your formidability had to have a short shelf life. How may times could you be defeated attempting to assimilate humanity before new appearances would be greeted with a yawn? Two, as it turned out. I have pretty much blocked out your other appearances for the sake of my own enjoyment. No offense intended, guys, ut you have seen your better days.

Sic transit gloria mudi. It was fun while it lasted, though, was it not?

Keep going boldly,
Jamie