Meaning
What does Resistance is Futile mean?
Resistance is futile is an iconic line from the science fiction franchise, Star Trek.
The line is used by the Borg in the series, who assimilate various cultures into their own and warn the encountered species, that “resistance is futile”.
It has been adopted by many more than just the fans of the series, due to the imposing nature of the quote.
Origin
What's the origin of Resistance is Futile?
The phrase was prevalently used in the series Star Trek: The Next Generation, that ran between the years 1987 and 1994.
The actual origin goes further back in time. The Master, a renegade alien Time Lord in the Doctor Who universe, uses the phrase in season 14, episode 9, “The Deadly Assassin”, October 1976.
“Resistance is futile” would also appear in the 1996 movie of the franchise, titled Star Trek: First Contact.
The film used the expression as its tagline, featuring it on the theatrical posters.
Spread & Usage
How did Resistance is Futile spread?
“Resistance is futile” became a popular pop culture reference, being often uttered in various aspects of life, from gaming to arguments to music.
The crime series, Dexter aired an episode in 2007, with the title “Resistance is Futile”.
The clause has since been used in a variety of forms, most prevalently as titles of studio albums, as is seen with the bands Oh Hiroshima and Manic Street Preachers.
It also appears in the title of Ann Coulter’s 2018 book; Resistance is Futile: How The Trump-Hating Left Lost Its Collective Mind.
External resources
- Fandom – All The Tropes Wiki
- Shmoop – Resistance is futile.
“Resistance is futile” was used in the autobiography “Jesus Land.” So, your information is incorrect.
Didn’t know about the Dr Who use. I thought the origin was in Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy where the Vulgon repeated the phrase while carrying Author Dent and Ford Prefect to the airlock to dump into space. Star Trek’s more repeated use by the ominous Borg is obviously what made it iconic. Once my company was in the process of being bought by GE, to the dread of employees. Some one put up a poster of a Borg cube with the GE logo on it and the caption “Resistance is Futile” Classic.
Wrong… The VOGON says “Resistance is Useless”