The Briar Patch is a podcast from Trek.fm that uses Star Trek as a springboard for the discussion of socioeconomics. Hosts Guinevere Liberty Nell and Patrick Devlin take you into the exploration of societies, political theory, economics, and more through a Star Trek lens.
http://trek.fm/the-briar-patch
episode 8: Survive Without Getting Paid
Borg Collectivism vs. Individualism.
Throughout Star Trek, the Borg—with a few breakaway exceptions—is presented as a single mind. As first seen on The Next Generation, they all do “what is best for the hive.” But is that the full story, or is there truly a Queen that controls the thoughts of the Collective, as shown in First Contact and Voyager?
In this episode of The Briar Patch, hosts Patrick Devlin and Guinevere Liberty Nell discuss the Borg and the differences between collectivism and individualism. They take a look at how a drone operates versus how the Queen operates, and discuss whether the Queen is part of the hive mind or is an individual who controls the hive.
Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Lenin was the Borg Queen (00:08:35)
Does the Queen Think for Herself? (00:12:30)
She Didn’t Have to Ask Permission (00:17:00)
Borg Origins (00:27:49)
Is the Central Plexus a Stand-in for the Internet (00:34:30)
Does this Slow Progress? (00:42:15)
Final Thoughts (01:01:21)
Closing (01:05:41)
Hosts
Patrick Devlin and Guinevere Liberty Nell
Production
Guinevere Liberty Nell (Editor) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)