I have to strongly disagree with your comment about it being "largely useless against humans".
In 1 PBW game, I used a "Communications Mimic" against an Empire to declair War on his Partner. They then fought a devistating War, never knowing that I started the entire War.
The result. The lossing Empire surrendered to me, and I easily polished off what remained of the 2nd.
It was all I could do, not to brag to both of them.