All,
I received this about the LUG, but it is funny so I thought I would pass it
on.(Hmmmmm...if we changed LUG to EOS...)
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�Captain Picard! Long range sensors pick up signs of an unknown life form.�
�Bring us into orbit, Mr. LaForge�
�Data, can you identify this life form?�
�It is a Borg-like collective, Sir. They are in constant mental contact with
each other and they share all their thoughts and emotions. They call
themselves Luggers.�
�Luddites, you mean, Mr. Data?�
�Incorrect, Sir, They are Luggers!�
�What are they doing? Can they de dangerous?�
�I am not sure, but they seem to babble, Sir!�
�Babble Mr. Data?�
�Yes Sir, they are communicating through a primitive technology about a
large number of unrelated topics, that seem to repeat every 8 months, 3
days, 6 hours and 13 seconds. They are a very closed society and do not
assimilate knowledge from other cultures. In fact they refuse to accept new
knowledge and seem to internally generate their own concepts which they
presumably value highly.�
�You mean Mr. Data that we are dealing with a non-learning culture?�
�Effectively, yes Sir. The repetitious nature of their conversation does
indicate an unwillingness to expand their knowledge and experience.�
�Can you identify a leader with whom we may discuss their situation? They
may be in danger when they encounter the Borg.�
�No Sir, the Borg will only assimilate a culture when they can add to their
own knowledge. This culture does not offer the Borg anything they might
need. There is no leader, either, Sir. Some individuals are more expressive
and express themselves more often, but they seem not to be valued any higher
than the others.�
�In fact a very democratic or even anarchical type of society. Can they
evolve?�
�Hardly Sir, they lack the necessary tools and infrastructure to become a
mature society. Nothing indicates they would prefer that.�
�Data, can you identify a pattern in their doings?�
�Difficult to say, Sir. On the one hand they talk at length about weapon
systems, indicating a violent nature, but on the other hand they indulge
themselves in obsolete topics, that have lost meaning in our age.�
�Example, Mr. Data?�
�At this very moment they communicate about a topic called �DOF�, that is
part of applied geometrical optics, which has no meaning to us anymore, as
we use photons as the base for our imaging systems, and we are in particle
and electron optics. There is no consensus however, as they lack a common
base of scientific knowledge and the structure of their debate is
reminiscent of a fairy tale: full of surprising twists, but without any
regard for facts. Based on my predictions, they will close the topic soon
and start it again in 11 months, 12 days, 9 hours and 15 seconds with an
error margin of 0.03 percent.�
�Well Mr. Data, will they survive?�
�Positive, Sir, They have effective cloaking devices and shielded themselves
from outside sources by some peculiar human habits�.
�Yes Mr. Data, I am familiar with these. So let us leave this sector. Mr.
LaForge, warp 6.�
�Red alert, red alert, the Luggers have infected our computer systems! We
cannot leave. Abandon ship!�
*
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