Pre-warp cultures, being technologically inferior to other alien species, are at risk of that species coming to their planet to enslave or destroy it, being able to just survive or being lucky enough to not arouse the interest of any other species or serving a major power that will let them keep their territory. That said, not all species are interested in roaming space or developing such technologies, and there are also some people who wish to form colonies with a less technological lifestyle but in both cases are forced to continue to do so for security reasons but what if they were to move into Borg space?
The Borg are interested in the technology and industrial facilities of the planets, but when they encounter a species they consider unworthy, they ignore it directly, which, although it is a nightmare for more developed planets, for more backward planets it could be a dream come true, since they would have a “Borg wall” around them that would protect them from any alien invasion, while the Borg themselves would not ask them for anything since they have nothing that could be of interest to them. What do you think?
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I like the idea that borg space is a haven for species that like to take their time developmentally. And they don’t even know it.
doesn’t seem like it
The Borg have been softly retconned a few times. While assimilating alien technology into the collective is a large part of what they do, they also view assimilating aliens into the collective as a service. Both as a way to further their own perfection, but to “invite” others in as well.
I maybe wrong, but the only example of the Borg rejecting a species were the Kazon, which were deemed unworthy according to 7.
Theres a fan theory that I think fits with what you’re saying that the Borg will wait or challenge a species to increase their technology (this is why the Borg never overwhelmed the federation despite transwarp tunnels). So if this theory is correct, and a planet decides to avoid raising their technology level (dark forest) then, I suppose they could avoid the Borg.
What do you think happens if your agrarian and idyllic low tech planet has a mineral they need?
The borg might crack the planet open and scoop out what they need. They are indifferent to things that are neither a resource nor a threat. Do you think humans cry if they destroy a few anthills while mining for copper?
Nope, it’s assimilation or extermination.
The borg are incapable of peaceful cooperation, any pre-warp civilization they encounter would undergo assimilation and resource extraction with any useful or unique technology incorporated into the borg collective.
If they can’t be assimilate them for some reason they will destroy them.
There are non Borg races in the Delta Quadrant.
Many of them survive by being too unimportant to assimilate and escape notice. Seven of Nine has mentioned assimilating some species would detract from their perfection. So they might choose not to assimilate a race if it is deemed to be a net negative for the collective.
The other way to survive is by being extremely resourceful and dodging the Borg. Like Arturus’ Race before the defeat of Species 8472.
We do see in Voyager that the Borg can be negotiated with and an alliance can be formed. Until the Borg decide they have no need of them anymore. After that happens it’s usually assimilation.
If Star Trek Armada is to be believed. The Borg are pretty easy to manipulate as well. There is one mission where the Borg and the Romulans formed an alliance to attack the Klingons. Admiral Sela was able to preemptively betray the Borg before the Borg could do so to the Romulans.
How safe you are from the Borg is fully based on how valuable you are to them. You might find yourself assimilated because 10,000 years ago aliens that the Borg are interested in visited your planet and it would be too inconvenient for the Borg to specifically kidnap every PhD in archeology who might have relevant information. Or the Borg might assimilate your culture because your anatomy makes you hardier in a specific environment the Borg want to go to.
If you are completely average and no aliens have ever visited your planet, then the Borg are a good shield for your primitive culture. Hopefully there aren’t any rare metals on your planet.
Ehhh the Borg aren’t that reliable so there’s always a chance you are going to end up in their crossfire eventually.
Maybe your planet is rich in a natural resource they need, maybe your biology is interesting enough to assimilate, maybe your planet is simply in the way of a Transwarp conduit and they blow it up for convenience Hitchhiker style.
It’s like being an ant colony in a backyard, yes you are protected from the Anteaters, but you are always at the whim of the home owners.
The borg aren’t just after tech. They want to assimilate you, and your biological and technological distinctiveness will be added to their own. A lack of tech won’t keep you safe if your bodies are useful.
The Borg may need drones and perhaps farm and cull low tech worlds.
“Your technological and biological distinctiveness will be added to our own”. The Borg will assimilate a primitive society if they have good genes.
This is like saying Humans are the allies of Rats because we domesticated and fed all the Cats.
Wouldn’t it be difficult for a pre-warp culture to move into Borg space, not having warp drives with which to move through space?
The bored almost certainly leave many cultures to ripen on the vine. They’re interested in improving themselves in their search for perfection. If you’re on a planet and you don’t have any resources they need and you haven’t made any intellectual advancements they consider to be worthwhile and you look promising enough to be not worth disturbing as drone fodder they’re probably kind of chill to just leave you to your own devices.
Not so much allies, more like farmers and they’re herd.