Verified by 
Key points
- In Star Trek, The Borg is a collective machine that assimilates all else.
- Neurodivergent people are often pressured to conform to neurotypical social norms and mask.
- Sometimes neurotypical social norms don't match neurodivergent brains.
- Unmasking and celebrating neurodiversity are acts of resistance.
If you aren't familiar with Star Trek, The Borg is a collection of creatures living within a giant machine that, when introduced, does nothing but take over other starships and 'assimilate' any passengers into itself. The Borg will say resistance is futile, you will be assimilated. That is until one creature tells a single injured Borg that resistance is not always futile, that because of resistance her species was scattered all over the universe and not assimilated into the Borg. He brings that message to the rest of The Borg.
I think The Borg can be a metaphor for many things. There are infinite situations where people have been pressured to conform and change themselves. To some extent, we all do. Yet, for neurodivergent people, the pull to blend in when one feels different can be immense, leading a person to mask or hide aspects of the self.
Masking is not always bad. Many choose to camouflage their neurodivergent traits in particular situations for a variety of reasons. For example, someone who is most comfortable while stimming by twirling their hair but chooses not to in a job interview.
Yet, when it is done often or in a forced way, it can damage a person to make them ask where the division is between themselves and the mask. A study of 342 autistic adults found that masking was associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety as well as lower levels of self-esteem and sense of authenticity (Evans, 2023).
But in a world where difference is not always readily embraced, freely exhibiting what might feel most comfortable for some neurodivergent people, such as not making eye contact, discussing a special interest in depth, fidgeting, or being very direct, can be misunderstood. Tragically, this misunderstanding can lead to isolation and discrimination.
At times, a neurodivergent person may face the choice of joining the collective through adaptation of neurotypical social norms, or risking social rejection.
The conundrum of The Borg.
At times, as a neurodivergent person, I've moved toward the current of The Borg, reading books about social etiquette, and mimicking how I saw others behave. Yet, the cost was clear. My efforts to connect led only to more disconnect. I wasn't myself. I felt merely a shadow.
Resisting The Borg has meant radical acceptance of myself. At times, this has meant educating others about my differences. Yet, resistance has allowed me to blossom.
As a psychotherapist, I respect my clients' choices regarding masking. Yet, for those who choose to unmask, the mental health benefits are clear. Unmasking does not have to equate to loneliness. Celebrating diversity, including neurodiversity, not only benefits the divergent but everyone. Possibilities for new relationships and innovation are revealed.
Everyone deserves a chance at authenticity.
Resistance is not futile.
References
Behr, I. (Writer). Landau, L. (Director) (1992, December 21st). Star Trek: Next Generation, I, Borg. (Season 6, Episode 11) Berman and Piller (Executive Producers). Star Trek. Paramount Domestic Television.
Evans, J. A., Krumrei-Mancuso, E. J., & Rouse, S. V. (2023). What You Are Hiding Could Be Hurting You: Autistic Masking in Relation to Mental Health, Interpersonal Trauma, Authenticity, and Self-Esteem. Autism in Adulthood.
