Why are there no robots or AI in the Dune Universe?

Even calculators and basic computers are banned. It's the reason why they had Mentats and guild Navigators: specialists to do the jobs computers would do in other Sci-Fi.

It's because of the Butlerian Jihad, which was basically a Spanish inquisition against machines deep in the pre-history of the Dune universe. It ended up producing the Orange Catholic Bible and the great house system.

[media=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YnAs4NpRd8]

This is a deep=nerd question but I don't care much.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

OogieBoogie · F

Well it's about a society not based on tech, but on religion, power connected to the substance "spice".

It's like Jupiter Ascending.

The tech is superceded by a powerful substance.
Same happens I universes that have magic, or natural uber environments.

It's part of what made Dune so unique to the SciFi genre in the era.

It wasn't this great democratic utopia open to serve everyone .... It was an elitist dystopia driven by politics loyalty and power.

It's an incredible insight into the human condition and the poison of our nature.

AI would kinda ruin the vibe of its dirty humanity.
No matter the way, we always fight and war for supremacy.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@OogieBoogie I wouldn't say its a dystopia. Not a utopia, clearly but its medieval feudalism in outer space. I completely agree with the rest of your post though.

Genius ideas about how to write a space fantasy novel. Also, see how shield stop lasers so swords and knives come back in.

OogieBoogie · F

@Burnley123

. but its medieval feudalism in outer space

... Ooh, nice analogy 👍😊

It's a very unique story... Like, set in a future beyond the average sci-fi futures.

And yeah... I loved how nothing was perfect, full of uncertainty.

Between it, and Blade Runner... They kinda hit on what I imagine a future for humanity to be like.

The 1% elite, while the rest struggle in ignorance, with very few rebels smart enough to buck the system.

I do love your description tho... It sums it up perfectly.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@OogieBoogie Elysium is even more realistic. An average movie but the take is convincing. Though IRL, Elysium will more likely be built on New Zealand or something.

Pray not Mad Max because that is the ultimate dystopia. I can see it as plausible though...

OogieBoogie · F

@Burnley123 yep. Although Elysium isn't a new concept, but it's a Favorite... Elitist city in the sky.

I'm sure if it happened, it'd happen on the moon or some such.

And yeah.... The more we move forward, the less likely I see utopia happening.

With all the tech and savvy today... We still starve, war, polute and the human race is biologically degrading.

I feel a crunch time for us is coming soon. 😔

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@OogieBoogie Its not a new concept indeed, though the movie was still better tha Chappie! I'm sad that Neil Blonkamp failed to fulfil his potential after district 9 because that was a rare example of superb story with excellent social political commentary.

I'm a disillusioned Marxist. I think that a dystopia of the kind you describe is the likeliest outcome for humanity and is set to arrive within a hundred years. Wealth inequality + climate change + automation further collapsing the political power of Labour.

Its not inevitable but it is likely on the current trajectory and I don't see the political forces needed to create enough change fast enough.

Also, you are right about humanity degrading itself ant the Bladerunner movies capture this perfectly. In the gap between the two movies there is further technological advancement but also further scocietal and ecological decline.

We are hunter gatherers with our base instincts channelled by the market for whay we want rather than what we need.

OogieBoogie · F

@Burnley123 I couldn't have summed it up better.

Once we fought the pristine brutality of the environment to survive.

No we brutally fight each other for our own little piece of pristine environment 🙄

God we are so fucked up!