Ubuntu

Loneliness and Friendship

I-Borg - S5E23

This episode of ST explores a dilemma of what to do with an injured cybernetic being, part of a collective known as the Borg that threatens to assimilate other species. However, what I found more interesting is the dialogue that unfolded between this one Borg and various members of the crew on what it meant to be an individual, in contrast to being part of a collective. As the Borg becomes aware of himself as an individual, he exhibits curiosity and starts asking what it is to be human.

The injured Borg is taken aboard the Enterprise where Dr. Crusher works on healing his injuries and Geordi, the Chief Engineer repairs his damaged implants and creates a feeding device. As the Borg regains consciousness, he announces the famous Borg lines in their typical monotone mechanical voice, “We are Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.” As his individuality reasserts itself, he begins to exhibit curiosity. He starts in response to the power conduit for nutrients by saying, “Why do you do this? You are not Borg.” 

Geordi asks to take a closer look at Hugh’s eye implant (They named him "Hugh"). Hugh gives it to him, announcing, “When you are assimilated, you will have a similar device.”
Beverly responds, “Hugh, do you understand? We don’t want to be assimilated. “
Hugh, looking puzzled responds, “Why do you resist us?”
Beverly says, “Because we don’t want to live the way you do.”
Then Hugh still looking perplexed responds, “Here, it is quiet. There are no other voices. On a Borg ship, we live with the thoughts of the others in our minds, thousands of voices with us always.”
The doctor says, “I think what you’re saying is that you’re lonely.”

In another scene, Guinan, whose race has almost been destroyed by the Borg, goes to visit Hugh and has a conversation with him and explains, “Resistance is not futile.” She continues in an angry tone to say that there are very few of her kind left, scattered throughout the galaxy. Hugh responds, “What you are saying is that you are lonely. You have no others. You have no home. We are also lonely.” Guinan looks shocked at Hugh’s observation.

In the next scene, we find ourselves with Geordi and Hugh. Geordi is looking at Hugh’s prosthetic arm. Hugh asks why. Geordi says, “Because. You’re different than we are. Part of what we do is learn more about other species.” Hugh responds, “We assimilate species. Then we know everything about them. Is that not easier?” Geordi says, “Maybe it is. It’s just not what we do.” Again, Hugh asks why. At this point, Geordi launches into a rather heated explanation where he points out that Hugh speaks using the word “we” and that he (Hugh) doesn’t even know how to think of himself as a single individual. Geordi continues by pointing out that they (referring to humans) are separate individuals. “I am Geordi. I choose what I want to do with my life. I make decisions for myself. For me, losing that sense of individuality is almost worse than dying.” Hugh says, “When you sleep, there are no other voices in your mind.” Geordi says, “No.” Hugh says, “Are you ever lonely?” Geordi responds, “Sometimes. But that’s why we have friends.” Hugh says quizzically, “Friends.” Geordi says, “Sure. Someone you can talk to, who will be with you when you are lonely. Someone who makes you feel better…” Hugh says, “Like Geordi… and Hugh.”

The ‘message’ in loneliness

Hugh inspires us to reflect about two elements of our human condition: the experience of loneliness and the need for friendship and connection with others. It is contrasted with a distasteful version of being “assimilated” against our will, much like having to sacrifice your individuality to conform to family or societal codes. Sometimes, we need to be alone. Sometimes, we need to be with people. Autonomy and connection are two basic human needs (Sheldon, K. 2004).

When we are alone and we need to be with other people but are not, it is experienced as loneliness. Hugh discovers that the key to not being lonely is in friendship. Perhaps the message in loneliness is that we are being reminded to cultivate and maintain our friendships.

Ubuntu is a concept originating in Africa that reminds us that our vitality comes alive in the sharing of humanity in the presence of others. I am because you are. It is about something larger than ourselves, about belonging and participating in the human race.

Whether we are geeking out on technology or trivia, we may experience loneliness. This loneliness is a reminder, a message that we all have an innate need to belong to larger communities of people, of 'engaging' with others, whether it be other geek communities or all of humanity or both. Ubuntu is a unifying principle that nourishes us and our communities. You are valuable and will not be assimilated!

Engage!

One of the most robust indicators of high emotional well-being (EWB) is strong social network of family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, and community (Diener & Biswas-Diener, 2008). It is an outcome of Ubuntu. Where would you like to be involved more in the human race? When you do this, what happens to your loneliness? Want to be more involved? Make it so!

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Diener, E. & Biswas-Diener, R. (2008). Happiness: Unlocking the mysteries of psychological wealth. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing.

Sheldon, K. M. (2004). Optimal human being: an integrated multi-level perspective. Mahwah, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.