The Fremen Terraforming "sub plot" is one of my favourite examples of how unbelievable the world of the Dune saga really is, specially with how it starts before the first book and is subtly influencing everything until the very end. Every single possible detail of the world is presented and by the end of the 6 books every plot thread either feeds into a larger one or ultimately comes together with everything else to culminate in the end of the saga. Truly, Frank Herbert was one of the best writers of the last century.
The Fremen or "Free Men" are basically humans in the real world trying to use tech to prevent climate change and by doing so they will eventually cause even faster by following charismatic leaders instead of thinking for themselves on an individual level. these novels were so much ahead of their time. It is incredible.
The very suffocated idea of wanting to start things and not considering how to limit them. In The Expanse series, the idea was taken one step further, even if all parties agree to limits, eventually, a new party will emerge that ignores all the rules that made it all work.
I'm obsessed with Dune now. I've watched the movie on Netflix like 10 times. I will definitely show my support and go see Dune 2 in theaters. I'm also thinking about ordering the books and that says a lot as I am 38 and have not read a book since High School. I can read well and I can comprehend it, I just have ADHD so I end up thinking about other things while I'm reading and then I don't retain it. It has to REALLY interest me for me to even have a chance.
Another excellent video focusing on a particular aspect of the Dune saga. One wonders could a balance have been achieved on Arrakis where the planet could have been shared between humans and the sandworms? Specific areas or zones would have had to be carved out between water rich and desert environments. Leto II did keep a large desert region around his keep for his own personal survival and he had weather modification satellites that attempted to maintain the desert area. However, even he was caught in a freak desert rainstorm that might have killed him.
the impacts of Pardot cannot be understated in the slightest; his groundwork leads directly to everything and who knows what would have happened if the assassin wasn't so moved
Thank you for the new video! I love the Pardot Kynes subplot in Dune, even though it's almost entirely told in exposition. It's like hearing someone recount a legend that brings new light to our understanding of the present day on Arrakis. He really did have the best intentions, and the Fremen went about their terraforming in the "right" way - gradually, with full knowledge of what they were doing at each step. It wasn't their fault that later political figures decided to transform the planet much more quickly and abruptly, and it wasn't their fault the rest of the Imperium had developed such a need for spice. It's also neat how the story makes ecology seem so subversive. Like Arrakis may be the plaything of powers from space right now, but eventually the patient Fremen will win, using "weapons" like grass and flowers.
I always found it ironic that in order to turn Arakkis into a green, water filled paradise, they would not only would destroy the spice melange, but would destroy the sandworms and change life in the entire universe as well
That's the reality, that's how I feel about our world today. A change has started in our world, some seeds were planted with the idea that certain plants would grow out of them, but the seeds bear unexpected fruits. I lived at the country level in the wind of change (the transition from communism to democracy), now I live it at a larger, global level. It's ironic, but these macro ironies of fate are very stinging for a poor soul and when you live them, you don't read them in a science fiction book.
The whole transforming Arrakis bothered me. The larval form, sand trout, were not harmed by water. It actually helped them multiply if i remember right. The more water they had, the more they would replicate, until there were enough to fully encase the water. So somewhere on that planet, there are vast underground reservoirs of water fully encased by sand trout. Just imagine, here on earth, if we had one organism that fully encased the oceans. Not only encase them, but dig holes into the crust and siphon the water from the surface to some underground chambers. The sand trout are even willing to fully encase a human to seal off their water. What would stop the ever present sand trout from just encasing/sucking the water out of the plants? It would make sense that the StillSuits were originally designed to protect humans not only from the environment/harsh weather, but also shield the bodies from the sand trout constantly trying to smother people. Only the training of the Bene Gesserit saved Leto II, being able to change his body to find symbiosis with the sand trout armor.
This is why you should stay true to the original work. Thank you, for continuing to expose new comers to the beauty of this story. Let’s push for new stories and not “enhance” the originals created by these geniuses.
The description of killing off the Sandworms by terraforming the planet reminded me of a scene in the Sci-Fi "Children of Dune" miniseries when Alia and Lady Jessica are in the throne room-like chamber and after stating she will be the one to control all Spice, Jessica tells Alia; "You will be the ruler of death" as the slow greening of Arrakis is already killing off the Sandworms
I think the theme of evolution is one of Herbert's most subtle in some ways. It takes all six books and thousands of years, but people's understanding evolves. The sandworm cycle, prescience, immortality, technology, and more are all understood differently by the end of the series than they were at the beginning.
I think the amount of lore behind Dune is huge. I tried to listen to this video while knitting and I couldn't do it. You really have to pay attention to follow along.
The Fremen have always been my favorite sand people! With all my due respect for the Tusken raiders of Tatooine. The Fremen are definitely more dangerous and mysterious!
Did the Fremen know of Spice addiction? That would also cause problems if they rid the world of worms. There’s sadly no way the worms would stay contained. Their Spice stock would become quite limited. I read later in Dune they would have an area for the worms so they wouldn’t go away entirely.
Actually, in the expanded universe of Dune, we see that the idea of terra-forming planets was a constant theme throughout the series. In the story of the Sisterhood, the Bene Gesserit's adapted the Arrakis terraforming on Wallach XI. In the story of the Bene Gesserit, they wanted to terraform Wallach XI, in order that they could use the Spice Agony to transform as many of the sisters into Reverend Mothers. In this way, the Bene Gesserit would be able to survive when the Honored Matris arrived. It seemed from the reading of the expanded universe of Dune that Terraforming was a minor subplot. It only gained practical exposer when in another book; the Fremen, escaped slavery and stole a space going vessel and folded space. Upon completing their journey, the Fremen, arrived on the planet Arrakis; the story of the Fremen's escape was also where we first start to understand that the Holtzman Effect was first postulated. But without actually specifying how the effect happened. Making the primary source of travel in the Dune Universe seem like magic. Of course, the Holtzman Effect didn't actually achieve its ultimate goal until the creation of the Spacing Guild.
Thank you again for more Dune content, Ms Nerd Cookies. The 10,000-foot view (3048 m) you illustrate for us is _very_ helpful to understand how Arrakis developed (and still is) a desert planet. The Fremen are handcuffed to Arrakis as a desert planet -- and don't realize it. Playing some "if history" here ... if Dune is terraformed, the Fremen _as_ Fremen will essentially disappear. No more spice, which is a large part of their lives even as that seems transparent to them. Oh yeah, BTW, if you terraform Dune, galactic trade, travel, and civilization will collapse. Kudos to Frank Herbert -- those unavoidable consequences (if Dune is terraformed successfully) flips the script completely as a reader finishes Dune and begins Dune Messiah [2] and Children of Dune [3]. [edit] TL;DR Your overview spotlights critical elements in the Dune universe. How the desert planet ecology is necessary for the worms to grow into the adult stage, how that ecology must exist for the spice to exist and continue to exist. Also, how galactic politics has unintentionally (?) come to rely on the spice as the one-and-only crutch they need for space travel. Such a stagnant society would IMV continue to keep things as they are, just to keep the spice flowing. How the Fremen, _after_ Pardot Kynes lights their fire by showing them that, yes, they can indeed make Dune a water-rich planet. The Fremen have focused themselves on the greening of Arrakis, while not seeing (or noticing?) that the terraforming of Arrakis will dissolve the Fremen into just another planetful of "water-fat" people. The very thing the Fremen have become in order to terraform the planet (Fremen culture, tenacity, and integrity) will disappear if indeed the planet is successfully terraformed. And, yeah, the Fremen would cease to be Fremen, meanwhile galactic civilization would turn into a dumpster on fire floating on a fast-moving river of sewage, heading for the waterfall with sharp rocks at the bottom.
Hey Nerd Cookies, loving your Dune videos, keep em rolling. Btw are you a fan of Planet of the Apes films? If so have you heard they're making a new Planet of the Apes movie, Kingdom of the POTA.
The Voice? U-Liet “removing himself” sounds like the Voice…or something like it… Of course , the Imperium’s dependency on Spice is a metaphor for our civilization’s dependence on fossilized hydrocarbons. Oil, coal, and natural gas.😮
I haven't read the book, so I'm hindered by the fact that you didn't describe how the sand trouts sequester water below ground; and how and when in their life cycle they produce spice. Did you address these elements of the story in another video?
"terraforming" Arrakis is one of the most important reasons Dune is science fiction, as a futurist view of science influencing climate and geography of a planet.
The female Fremen om the thumbnail keep eating them sandworms. Just by looking at her, yoi can tell that she stole the entire tribe's water reserves. Thic*er than a bowl of Harkonnen soup. Double _Epicé'd_ up!
Do the books ever address the contradiction between worshipping the sand worm and wanting to terraform Arrakis into a planet which will not be habitable for sand worms?
The health & welfare + the economy of a galactic empire depended upon Arrakis remaining a de4sert planet. I'd say that would outwiegh the Fremen's desire for a more convenient lifestyle.
Sometimes the greater survival is that living off the surroundings you live in, that simply transforming it to other means. Though altering it to be in balance is a different story.
The Fremen Terraforming "sub plot" is one of my favourite examples of how unbelievable the world of the Dune saga really is, specially with how it starts before the first book and is subtly influencing everything until the very end.
Every single possible detail of the world is presented and by the end of the 6 books every plot thread either feeds into a larger one or ultimately comes together with everything else to culminate in the end of the saga.
Truly, Frank Herbert was one of the best writers of the last century.
Absolutely!
The Fremen or "Free Men" are basically humans in the real world trying to use tech to prevent climate change and by doing so they will eventually cause even faster by following charismatic leaders instead of thinking for themselves on an individual level. these novels were so much ahead of their time. It is incredible.
The very suffocated idea of wanting to start things and not considering how to limit them. In The Expanse series, the idea was taken one step further, even if all parties agree to limits, eventually, a new party will emerge that ignores all the rules that made it all work.
2:50
I'm obsessed with Dune now. I've watched the movie on Netflix like 10 times. I will definitely show my support and go see Dune 2 in theaters. I'm also thinking about ordering the books and that says a lot as I am 38 and have not read a book since High School. I can read well and I can comprehend it, I just have ADHD so I end up thinking about other things while I'm reading and then I don't retain it. It has to REALLY interest me for me to even have a chance.
My wife introduced me to Dune, I already love Warhammer 40k, so Dune sucked me in. Been watching the movie almost daily here lately
Dune isn't on Netflix tho.
Another excellent video focusing on a particular aspect of the Dune saga. One wonders could a balance have been achieved on Arrakis where the planet could have been shared between humans and the sandworms? Specific areas or zones would have had to be carved out between water rich and desert environments. Leto II did keep a large desert region around his keep for his own personal survival and he had weather modification satellites that attempted to maintain the desert area. However, even he was caught in a freak desert rainstorm that might have killed him.
the impacts of Pardot cannot be understated in the slightest; his groundwork leads directly to everything and who knows what would have happened if the assassin wasn't so moved
Thanks elaine. I heard dune part two finished filming last week .
Thank you for the new video! I love the Pardot Kynes subplot in Dune, even though it's almost entirely told in exposition. It's like hearing someone recount a legend that brings new light to our understanding of the present day on Arrakis. He really did have the best intentions, and the Fremen went about their terraforming in the "right" way - gradually, with full knowledge of what they were doing at each step. It wasn't their fault that later political figures decided to transform the planet much more quickly and abruptly, and it wasn't their fault the rest of the Imperium had developed such a need for spice.
It's also neat how the story makes ecology seem so subversive. Like Arrakis may be the plaything of powers from space right now, but eventually the patient Fremen will win, using "weapons" like grass and flowers.
I always found it ironic that in order to turn Arakkis into a green, water filled paradise, they would not only would destroy the spice melange, but would destroy the sandworms and change life in the entire universe as well
All Part of the Golden Path.
Well, there is a line from a Fremen charcter in the novels about 'retaining a desert for Shai-Hulud'
That's the reality, that's how I feel about our world today. A change has started in our world, some seeds were planted with the idea that certain plants would grow out of them, but the seeds bear unexpected fruits. I lived at the country level in the wind of change (the transition from communism to democracy), now I live it at a larger, global level. It's ironic, but these macro ironies of fate are very stinging for a poor soul and when you live them, you don't read them in a science fiction book.
The whole transforming Arrakis bothered me. The larval form, sand trout, were not harmed by water. It actually helped them multiply if i remember right. The more water they had, the more they would replicate, until there were enough to fully encase the water. So somewhere on that planet, there are vast underground reservoirs of water fully encased by sand trout. Just imagine, here on earth, if we had one organism that fully encased the oceans. Not only encase them, but dig holes into the crust and siphon the water from the surface to some underground chambers. The sand trout are even willing to fully encase a human to seal off their water. What would stop the ever present sand trout from just encasing/sucking the water out of the plants? It would make sense that the StillSuits were originally designed to protect humans not only from the environment/harsh weather, but also shield the bodies from the sand trout constantly trying to smother people. Only the training of the Bene Gesserit saved Leto II, being able to change his body to find symbiosis with the sand trout armor.
Excellent breakdown, as always!!
This is why you should stay true to the original work. Thank you, for continuing to expose new comers to the beauty of this story. Let’s push for new stories and not “enhance” the originals created by these geniuses.
Magnificent visuals and Narration.
"...like a wild ass I went forth into the desert"
The description of killing off the Sandworms by terraforming the planet reminded me of a scene in the Sci-Fi "Children of Dune" miniseries when Alia and Lady Jessica are in the throne room-like chamber and after stating she will be the one to control all Spice, Jessica tells Alia; "You will be the ruler of death" as the slow greening of Arrakis is already killing off the Sandworms
I think Pardot should have gone with paraterraforming, that is make several dome cities for humans and leave the rest of dune for the worms
Kynes' actions were governed by his descendants will. He was related to Leto2, yes?
I think the theme of evolution is one of Herbert's most subtle in some ways.
It takes all six books and thousands of years, but people's understanding evolves.
The sandworm cycle, prescience, immortality, technology, and more are all understood differently by the end of the series than they were at the beginning.
As always greatness!!!!
Secret Fremen Cookies!! Excellent!!
As others have said, this is one of, if not the best subplots ever. I really wish it was something the movies hit on more.
I love Nerd Cookies voice. It really calms me down
I think the amount of lore behind Dune is huge. I tried to listen to this video while knitting and I couldn't do it. You really have to pay attention to follow along.
Excellent analysis! It sounds like there were “Too many cooks in the kitchen.” Each group following their own agenda led to their downfall.
I enjoy the Dune videos you make. Keep up the great work and take care!
Reaching their own version of Paradise would have destroyed their oppressors, in a way, but also would have changed/destroyed their cultural identity
7:58 . . . Sincere thanks for doing justice & honor to Max V.S as Herbert's *true* Dr. Liet Kynes on the big screen !
The Fremen have always been my favorite sand people! With all my due respect for the Tusken raiders of Tatooine. The Fremen are definitely more dangerous and mysterious!
Did the Fremen know of Spice addiction? That would also cause problems if they rid the world of worms. There’s sadly no way the worms would stay contained. Their Spice stock would become quite limited.
I read later in Dune they would have an area for the worms so they wouldn’t go away entirely.
I love your great, informative videos Elaine
Actually, in the expanded universe of Dune, we see that the idea of terra-forming planets was a constant theme throughout the series. In the story of the Sisterhood, the Bene Gesserit's adapted the Arrakis terraforming on Wallach XI. In the story of the Bene Gesserit, they wanted to terraform Wallach XI, in order that they could use the Spice Agony to transform as many of the sisters into Reverend Mothers. In this way, the Bene Gesserit would be able to survive when the Honored Matris arrived.
It seemed from the reading of the expanded universe of Dune that Terraforming was a minor subplot. It only gained practical exposer when in another book; the Fremen, escaped slavery and stole a space going vessel and folded space. Upon completing their journey, the Fremen, arrived on the planet Arrakis; the story of the Fremen's escape was also where we first start to understand that the Holtzman Effect was first postulated. But without actually specifying how the effect happened. Making the primary source of travel in the Dune Universe seem like magic.
Of course, the Holtzman Effect didn't actually achieve its ultimate goal until the creation of the Spacing Guild.
8:00 haha love how you showed the 1984 liet not the 2021 one.
Thank you again for more Dune content, Ms Nerd Cookies. The 10,000-foot view (3048 m) you illustrate for us is _very_ helpful to understand how Arrakis developed (and still is) a desert planet.
The Fremen are handcuffed to Arrakis as a desert planet -- and don't realize it. Playing some "if history" here ... if Dune is terraformed, the Fremen _as_ Fremen will essentially disappear. No more spice, which is a large part of their lives even as that seems transparent to them. Oh yeah, BTW, if you terraform Dune, galactic trade, travel, and civilization will collapse. Kudos to Frank Herbert -- those unavoidable consequences (if Dune is terraformed successfully) flips the script completely as a reader finishes Dune and begins Dune Messiah [2] and Children of Dune [3].
[edit] TL;DR
Your overview spotlights critical elements in the Dune universe. How the desert planet ecology is necessary for the worms to grow into the adult stage, how that ecology must exist for the spice to exist and continue to exist. Also, how galactic politics has unintentionally (?) come to rely on the spice as the one-and-only crutch they need for space travel. Such a stagnant society would IMV continue to keep things as they are, just to keep the spice flowing. How the Fremen, _after_ Pardot Kynes lights their fire by showing them that, yes, they can indeed make Dune a water-rich planet. The Fremen have focused themselves on the greening of Arrakis, while not seeing (or noticing?) that the terraforming of Arrakis will dissolve the Fremen into just another planetful of "water-fat" people. The very thing the Fremen have become in order to terraform the planet (Fremen culture, tenacity, and integrity) will disappear if indeed the planet is successfully terraformed. And, yeah, the Fremen would cease to be Fremen, meanwhile galactic civilization would turn into a dumpster on fire floating on a fast-moving river of sewage, heading for the waterfall with sharp rocks at the bottom.
Happy N Y Nerd Cookies
New Cookie video? Instant like.
Yay nerd cookies today.
Hey Nerd Cookies, loving your Dune videos, keep em rolling. Btw are you a fan of Planet of the Apes films? If so have you heard they're making a new Planet of the Apes movie, Kingdom of the POTA.
The Voice? U-Liet “removing himself” sounds like the Voice…or something like it…
Of course , the Imperium’s dependency on Spice is a metaphor for our civilization’s dependence on fossilized hydrocarbons. Oil, coal, and natural gas.😮
I haven't read the book, so I'm hindered by the fact that you didn't describe how the sand trouts sequester water below ground; and how and when in their life cycle they produce spice. Did you address these elements of the story in another video?
Yes I cover this in my video "Life Cycle of the Sandworm"
Well need more dune lore, Love the work :)))))))))
Please do a video about the Honored Matres ir the facedancers! Love your videos btw
Yes, I am concerned. Thank you for the useful information❤
Transforming Arrakis transforms the universe. Kralizec awaits.
So Ghanima was a Kyne?? That's the connection, correct?
"terraforming" Arrakis is one of the most important reasons Dune is science fiction, as a futurist view of science influencing climate and geography of a planet.
Be careful what you wish for ( my thoughts)
The consequences of believing we can get rid of fossil fuels and rely only on “green sources”. Herbert was a visionary.
3% is a fair biomass setting for a desert planet Fa .
Lynch's dune ended with a rain storm. Rain would have killed the worms
If we postponed action until we fully understood the ripple effects we'd never get anything done.
Can you do a video on how gholas are made
Great suggestion! I have one planned for Axlotl tanks 😁
The female Fremen om the thumbnail keep eating them sandworms. Just by looking at her, yoi can tell that she stole the entire tribe's water reserves.
Thic*er than a bowl of Harkonnen soup. Double _Epicé'd_ up!
9:27 !!
Where did they get predator fish from? It's a desert planet. lol. Random thought. Prost Elaine.
I found another video. Thanks.
For a second I thought she was wearing platemail armor
Do the books ever address the contradiction between worshipping the sand worm and wanting to terraform Arrakis into a planet which will not be habitable for sand worms?
"Desert power"-Duke Leto
The health & welfare + the economy of a galactic empire depended upon Arrakis remaining a de4sert planet. I'd say that would outwiegh the Fremen's desire for a more convenient lifestyle.
Just imagine the body odor.
1st viewer 🤓
But not the last ! 👍
🍪 🔥
If it ant broke don't fix it
I like your content a lot but you need to give me some breathing time when you switch your recordings.
Awesome! FilmComicsExplained did a crazy deep video on the Bene Gesserit a couple days ago. Just giving a fellow nerd a shout-out.
Interesting, I’ll check it out, thanks.
Taken directly from the Dune Encyclopedia. Love it.
Sometimes the greater survival is that living off the surroundings you live in, that simply transforming it to other means. Though altering it to be in balance is a different story.