Freedom is irrelevant. Self-determination is irrelevant ... Death is irrelevant. You will comply.

But are they all bad?

The Borg were first featured in 'Q Who' when the omniscient Q presented the crew of the Enterprise with their most testing challenge to date. Q, the arrogant super-being, was up to his old tricks by interfering with the lives of the Enterprise regulars, this time transporting them across the Universe and to their first taste of the Borg.

Q was typically smug about Picard and the gang's chances of survival:
"Why? Why, to give you a taste of your future...a preview of things to come...The hall's been rented, the orchestra engaged...it's time to see if you can dance."

"You can't outrun them. You can't destroy them. If you damage them, the essence of what they are remains...they regenerate and keep coming. Eventually, you'll weaken. Your reserves will be gone. They are relentless."

Finally, Q saved the Enterprise from certain defeat, but Picard fully recognised that the threat from the Borg had not gone away:
"Q might have done the right thing for the wrong reason. Perhaps we needed a good kick in our complacency to get us ready for what's ahead."

So, the Borg are evil dudes. But what are the Borg, and what makes them tick?

More Borg: The Borg are Coming | | They Will Assimilate you ... | Resistance is Futile