this post was submitted on 17 Dec 2024
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[–] frezik@midwest.social 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Dune is a universe where computers are severely limited. The ability to synthesize organic chemicals may be limited by that alone.

IIRC, the Tleilaxu do figure out how to produce spice artificially in their Axlotl tanks, but those are another example of Dune getting weirder and more disturbing as it goes.

[–] qyron@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

But they do eventually manage, don't they?

[–] frezik@midwest.social 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Sorta. By then, the rules on thinking machines have been somewhat relaxed, but people still don't like being around computers. There are machines that can navigate FTL safely without relying on spice. The Bene Gesserit are still dependent on it, though, and they don't like how it binds them to either the Tleilaxu or surviving sandworms.

[–] qyron@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 day ago

Doesn't invalidate the point made: at some point, a previously irreplaceable resource was synthesized and mass produced.

I still have to find the time and motivation to read the entire Dune but if at some point they start mass producing the stuff that literally held them prisoners, as there is no going back once spice is first taken, they are literally a civilization of drug addicts, willingly.