# Trekkies: is SDMB similar to the Borg "Hive Mind"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 25, 2003, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153 "2003-03-25T23:24:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153/21 "2003-03-26T11:49:20Z")
**Aesiron** would be dementia. **Panda** would be sexual arousal. **Kn\*ckers** would be lucid dreaming. **Tars** , **Carni** , and several others would be our base desires. I would be the spark of genius. (Did I spell that right, **Viva**?) Speaking of a hive mind, where is **Speaker for the Dead** or **Ender**? ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153/22 "2003-03-26T14:14:36Z")
> [@](#): > > _originally posted by blowero_ Hey, if my mind were linked to 7-of-9, then I’d know what she looks like naked! No, you wouldn’t. 😛 If you looked through Seven’s eyes at her own mirror image, you would see her beauty or nakedness as she would: _totally_ irrelevant. Now, if you could link to Chakotays mind as he would see Seven in the privacy of his own quarters, then you would be right. But I don’t think every drone in the Hive Mind would be able to see what everybody else sees; no brain would have enough capacity. Massive dizziness and nausea would ensue, and every Cube would crash into the nearest object. **NoClueBoy** , great! In your comparison, what Doper would be the annoying song you can’t get out of your head? ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153/23 "2003-03-26T14:20:06Z")
**NoClueBoy** ; What are you doing, casting a remake of _Herman’s Head_ from the Board? ---
**Author:** ![Kn\_ckers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/96bed5/32.png) [@Kn\_ckers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kn_ckers)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153/24 "2003-03-26T17:09:05Z")
So, what happens when a Doper gets separated from the collective? Does s/he get all wigged out and stuff? And when do I get my cool cybertronic implants? (Not THAT kind of implants!) ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153/25 "2003-03-26T17:31:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Maastricht \* > **NoClueBoy** , great! In your comparison, what Doper would be the annoying song you can’t get out of your head? Yo! I might not be the song itself, but I can certainly supply it. Now Playing: _Toccata and Fugue in D minor_ Next Up: _The 1812 Overture_ ---
**Author:** ![peepthis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9d8465/32.png) [@peepthis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peepthis)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153/26 "2003-03-26T17:45:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NoClueBoy \* > **An old Heinlein story, _Have Spacesuit, Will Travel_** **NoClueBoy** , when I read your first post I thought you were making a deliciously clever play on words, since the tv show “Have Gun, Will Travel” had as one of its writers **Gene Roddenberry** (yes, that Gene Roddenberry!). Too bad your follow-up post had to ruin it for me.😛 (lagniappe: the tv show was already airing a year before Heinlein’s story was published in 1958) ---
**Author:** ![Kn\_ckers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/96bed5/32.png) [@Kn\_ckers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kn_ckers)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153/27 "2003-03-26T18:28:54Z")
Oh, shit. Now the 1812 Overture really is in my head. Thanks a lot. I see your 1812 and raise you a William Tell Overture. ---
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153/28 "2003-03-26T18:48:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Maastricht \* > \*\*See? It works! My computer talks back to me! 🙂 Thanks for the answers so far. > > **Easyphil** , “the Matrix” is also an interesting comparision. But I always thought the scenario did not explain how two people, who were actually located in different slimy pods, could think they were all interacting in their familyhome in Pleasantville, Ill. I mean, would the creeps that ran the Matrix actually keep track of the crappy items virtually bought by familymember A, so they could place those same crappy item in a virtual box in the virtual bedroom in the virtual home in family member B? They would have to, if Matrix member A were to successfully ask member B, over at another pod: “Honey, where did we put our camping-trip-dishes?” > \*\* Their minds are all jacked into the Matrix, living the same dream day in and day out. What you’re describing is the easy part, just loading up a program with all the appropriate elements from an experience database. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153/29 "2003-03-26T19:18:15Z")
> [@](#): > > _originally posted by Easyphil_ Their minds are all jacked into the Matrix, living the same dream day in and day out. What you’re describing is the easy part, just loading up a program with all the appropriate elements from an experience database. I’m hijacking my own thread here, but who cares. My point is there cannot logically be a common experience database in the Matrix! ! Daddy, under the illusion of free will, has put the virtual camping gear up the virtual attic. The common database has to store that fact and upload it to Mommy. So she can get the virtual camping gear from the virtual attic at the start of the virtual summer holiday, instead of coming out of the barn with them. Mommy sees Daddy walking around the house and her own face in the mirror. Daddy sees vice versa. Now do they both have the same Matrix-programme? If it has to be adjusted to fit each person, the adjustments neccesary for each person would make up about 95% of the programme. And programmes would have to interact, as I described. Now, the programme for a Hive Mind would be pretty simple and would be actually a lot like the SDMB-programming. Some members come up with a question (“how are we going to blast this irritating Enterprise thingie, my fellow drones”) and about 20 drone experts pick up the thought and respond, all at the speed of light. (Now that speed-thing is a big difference with the SDMB, i’ll admit that) ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153/30 "2003-03-26T19:25:37Z")
We only work in a hive fashion when it suits us: **Random Yahoo** : what are the three words that end in -gry? **SDMB** : Crush! Kill! Destroy! **Random Yahoo** : Hey, they don’t end in GGLLLLLAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!! ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153/31 "2003-03-26T20:07:15Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Maastricht_ > No, you wouldn’t. If you looked through Seven’s eyes at her own mirror image, you would see her beauty or nakedness as she would: totally irrelevant. Gee, way to destroy my fantasy.☹ > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Kn_ckers \* > I see your 1812 and raise you a William Tell Overture. The Lone Ranger part or the Daffy Duck part? ---
**Author:** ![Kn\_ckers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/96bed5/32.png) [@Kn\_ckers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kn_ckers)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153/32 "2003-03-26T20:52:17Z")
Well, the Lone Ranger part’s the one that always sticks in my head, but I’ve still got 1812, so I’m immune right now… My brain’s only big enough for one repetitive melody at a time. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153/33 "2003-03-26T21:14:59Z")
Just doing my duty by the Hive Mind. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bren\_Cameron\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@Bren\_Cameron\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bren_Cameron_1)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153/34 "2003-03-26T21:52:58Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Kn_ckers \* > \*\*So, what happens when a Doper gets separated from the collective? Does s/he get all wigged out and stuff? > \*\* Does the Pope shit in the woods? Does any of us endure the occasional board crash without tremors and hallucinations? ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153/35 "2003-03-26T21:54:29Z")
_Tocata and Fugue in D Minor_ is the best classical piece _EVER_ ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153/36 "2003-03-26T22:12:59Z")
Re the Hive Mind question, it’s an interesting hypothetical. I’ve sometimes idly speculated about a similar question, to wit, rating the collective intelligence of the board. Look at GQ: Some difficult question comes along, we get some random guesses from the peanut gallery, experts whittle it down, and before long we arrive at a consensus explanation. The single individual that could accomplish the same feat is extremely rare, yet we do it, collectively, many times a day. It’s definitely a fascinating phenomenon. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Kn_ckers \* > \*\*I see your 1812 and raise you a William Tell Overture. \*\* I see the Overture and raise you with “It’s a Small World After All.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153/37 "2003-03-26T23:56:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NoClueBoy \* > \*\ ***Aesiron** would be dementia. > > **Panda** would be sexual arousal. > > **Kn\*ckers** would be lucid dreaming. > > **Tars** , **Carni** , and several others would be our base desires. > > I would be the spark of genius. (Did I spell that right, **Viva**?) > > SNIP \*\* * * * Actually, yes. 😉 And I would be…? **viva** is controller–is she not? Brain and brain, what is brain? ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153/38 "2003-03-27T00:10:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by peepthis \* > \*\ ***NoClueBoy** , when I read your first post I thought you were making a deliciously clever play on words, since the tv show “Have Gun, Will Travel” had as one of its writers **Gene Roddenberry** (yes, that Gene Roddenberry!). Too bad your follow-up post had to ruin it for me.😛 > > (lagniappe: the tv show was already airing a year before Heinlein’s story was published in 1958) \*\* I wondered which was first. seemed to me that RAH had chosen said title after the book was finished and decided to pun it after a popular TV show. But, the GR info is cool. [Dalek voice (I know, wrong show and species)] ASSIMILATE! [/Dv(Ik,wsas)] ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153/39 "2003-03-27T02:04:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Aesiron \* > _Tocata and Fugue in D Minor_ is the best classical piece _EVER_ Only the best for my fellow drones! Of course, having started this mess, I now have _Night on Bald Mountain_ stuck in my head. I hope you lot don’t get nightmares. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153/40 "2003-03-27T06:39:53Z")
Oh, yeah… I forgot. If the Dopers represented personality traits, **NCB** would be obsessive compulsive disorder. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trekkies-is-sdmb-similar-to-the-borg-hive-mind/164153.md?page=3)