This was actually my essay title last week, at Oxford University, no less. I was heartened when the tutor asked us if we watched Star Trek…but alas, the essay was on ethnic minorities. This is the sort of answer I wanted to submit. Please excuse this… My real essay was 2090 words, and sensible…
Disclaimer: All the Star Trek stuff belongs to Paramount and various other people, the essay title belongs to my tutor!
What is assimilation and does it have a spatial dimension?
Assimilation
is the process by which the Borg collective physically, biologically and
cybernetically transform their victims so that they become part of the hive
mind. The Borg Queen was assimilated from Earth during the twentieth century,
and revived from death by the Borg, just after she was killed at the start of
Reign of Fire. Assimilation is vital as any Borg which gains independence ends
up with the name Hugh.
Assimilation has a number of important spatial dimensions. The subspace
corridors created by transwarp conduits are a vital spatial dimension, as
without this faster than warp travel, the Borg would have great difficulty
pursuing their potential victims, returning to their extensive territory in the
Delta Quadrant, and evading Starfleet, particularly Jean-Luc Picard, who is invincible,
due to supporting Huddersfield Town FC. Voyager would also not have made it
home, and we may have been stuck with another few series.
Another important spatial dimension is fluidic space, home of species 8472,
without whom we would never have had our minds messed with by the concept of a
species with five sexes, and without such plot the male population would never
have been allowed Seven of Nine. This plot device also enabled us to get rid of
Kes, who bugged me because of her silly ears, and therefore this spatial
dimension is of the greatest consequence.
"We are Borg. You will be assimilated. We will add your biological and
technological distinctiveness to our own. Resistance is futile..."