6.2 United States of Borg


How does globalization shape identity?

"I wrote this in response to what I saw as I traveled around the world as a Semester at Sea student. In country after country, I saw the globalization process taking place. The Americanization of the world. Traditional cultures are dying out as the world is homogenized into one common culture, a McDonald's culture. It reminded me of the way the Borg operate in Star Trek, and so I wrote this comparison. As is probably obvious, I have very mixed feelings about the process of globalization."

Kevyn Jacobs


Note:  The Borg are a fictional race of cyborgs in the Star Trek universe. They are characterized by relentless pursuit of targets for assimilation, adaptability, and the ability to continue functioning properly despite seemingly devastating blows. They have become a powerful symbol in popular culture for any force against which "resistance is futile".
  The Borg One-minute version  

The poem on the following page was written by Kevyn Jacobs in response to what he saw as he traveled the world as part of his University studies. Consider the author's message as he compares the homogenized lifestyle of The Borg in the television series Star Trek to the powerful effects of the dominate United States culture on the rest of the world.