Thanks for this first companion essay, and for hosting this read along! I've been wanting to read Dune for a long time, and I've had the book on my bookshelf waiting to read it, and doing the reading with these companion essays has elevated the reading experience.
That's cool to see I also had Hawat's quote about understanding a process cannot happen by stopping it, but by flowing with it.
All my other saved quotes so far come from past the first reading section so I'll post those on the next companion essay 😀
Thank you for the essay! I’ve been enjoying reading the book for the first time.
I noted most of the quotes you described but at least one more struck: “Any road followed precisely to its end leads precisely nowhere.” Isn’t it precisely true?..
Yes of course I read the first assignment lol I actually got it in iBooks because it was the fastest. I live in a tiny town with a tiny library so the physical book will take a min
Loving the read along so far! First time I am reading Dune, thought I would struggle as I’ve seen the movie, but I am hooked!
I love the quote “Once men turned their thinking over to machines in the hope that this would set them free. But that only permitted other men with machines to enslave them.”. Definitely one that will influence my future use of AI
This is a great analysis. I definitely would love to read an unabridged version from you. On that note, are you aware of, “Dune and Philosophy Minds, Monads, and Muad'Dib” If not, check it out. I’d like to hear your opinions on it.
Thanks, Michael! If any publishers are stumbling on this, why yes, I would consider turning these companion essays into another “philosophy of Dune” book! And yeah, Michael, I have that one and another Dune and Philosophy book but haven't had a chance to read it. I'm trying to focus in on the sections and collect my own thoughts for each reading block and then I'll read and re-read some of the secondary stuff on Dune and write 1-3 follow up Dune and philosophy pieces for after the read-along. Once we have the full story in view we can look at more of the big picture themes.
There are so many editions it's hard to communicate which is which. There's a stubby version of this one took and they have different page numbers but the same cover 😵💫
Unfortunately, I'm in the midst of an involuntary brain storm. ADHD is wild 😅 hopefully I can come outta this soon but I'm planning out my Substack posts at breakneck speeds.
Same here. I think I listened to the audio book twice this year already and going through a third now. I listen when I drive but I'm also re-reading and aggressively annotating. Trying to cover all the bases so I don't look like a dummy in the companion essays.
Loved the concept of the human/Beast theme within the book. Kinda bummed I didn't immediately pick up on that when I first started reading.... Have to say though this read along is great! The bene Jesuit seem to be separating the wheat from the chaf, like you said breeding there Messiah figure
Yes! Been following your work for a bit now and decided to subscribe and jump in on the read along! This is the only scifi book I've read besides the ransom trilogy. I never realized how deep the philosical themes and undertones are in dune! To be honest I never realized how philosophy rich "fiction" books could be until I started reading and studying Dostoyevsky.
Well, I, too, must say I missed the animal vs human motif. I had initially thought the Gom Jabbar test was about rooting out androids (channeling Philip K. Dick), given the Bulteranian jihad, but that didn't really make sense because an android would be more impervious to pain than a human. The Harkonnens are identified as animals, but the relationship between the Atreides and Harkonnens is about to get much more complicated. Is that part of what the test is about? The reverend mother is very much aware of these complications.
I think the whole universe Herbert creates is fascinating: we have a hierarchical, feudal society set many millennia in the future, that seems patriarchal, but the Bene Gesserit throw a real kink in that patriarchy. Is that why the Bene Gesserit are derisively called witches?
And then, the idea of the One. Obviously, a very ancient idea, but I wonder if this is where "The Matrix" writers drew their inspiration?
Then you have the idea of Kwisatz Haderach, trying to unite the feminine and masculine. From what I understand, at the time Herbert wrote Dune, second-wave feminism was just getting started. I wonder if this longing to unite the feminine and masculine is a commentary on that movement? It's interesting that when the reverend mother is explaining the Kwasatz Haderach to Paul, her voice takes on a note of sadness at their having failed in the past to achieve this unity (p. 15)
On p. 30, the Reverend Mother refers to the "Bene Gesserit Totality." Is this the same thing as the Kwisatz Haderach?
There is a blurb on the back of this edition of the book from Arthur C. Clarke where he says the only thing comparable to Dune is The Lord Of The Rings, and even from my short exposure to Dune I would whole heartily agree.
Parker, thanks for being a very able guide to this fascinating world.
First time reading Dune for me and I’ve really enjoyed it!! Thank you for this essay! Given me lots to chew on and plenty to look more closely at as we continue to read.
Maybe I’m off, but I was wondering if Herbert was making commentary on wealth inequality? It seems he’s doing so a few times when he talks about the water situation on Dune. It struck me that in The Republic, Plato blows up Justice into a city so that he and his interlocutors can investigate it more easily - is Herbert doing that with wealth inequality in a way? If we dial in disparity to just one crucial resource, what do we see it does to people and to society.
Maybe I’m off - just something I caught!
Again, this is awesome and I’m loving Dune and super appreciate your work!!!
Clint, first off, you're the man! I really appreciate all of your thoughts. You're becoming my favorite subscriber. Secondly, you're definitely right, Herbert is holding a mirror up to society and saying "look, here! This. This is you with money, with oil, with water in some parts of the world. This is the human race with precious resources and this is how we use and distribute it." There is a bit of the noble savage motif going on as well. Fremen good, empire bad. And I can dig it honestly. It's got a kind of Robert E. Howard "barbarism good" vibe.
Thanks Parker!! You’re doing AWESOME work out here and I’m digging it!
I missed the Noble Savage bit - but definitely see it now.
He does it very well, when Dr Yueh highlights that the Fremen look at the estate of the Atrides’ and says they see “100 of us” in the date trees it’s such a good moment - putting the consequences of wealth and ostentation in such stark terms and yet it’s not eye roll inducing is really impressive. Great writing!
Also - thank you so much for making this essay so engaging and insightful without spoiling things for those of us reading for the first time! Seriously appreciate it!
Yes!! The date palms part is gold and you're right it's not ham-fisted. He's really a master. I'm really glad you're enjoying it, the more Dune fans the better. And if I can help more people like Dune maybe they'll like the novel I'm writing too 😅😅 but then again, maybe I shouldn't have people read the very best before coming out with my own
I’ve loved the stuff you’ve released from the Compendium and am super looking forward to your novel!
Also - wanted you to know - I’m taking diligent notes in my “Intellectual Notebook”, you’ve helped me develop my own notebook system and I’m really grateful!!
As for tapping into a collective consciousness or unconsciousness, do we see that in the instances where Paul exhibits knowledge of a subject but cannot recall when or where he learned it? How did he know how to adjust his stillsuit, fit his boots slip-fashion?
Re-read, the first and only time was maybe 15 years ago! I have been so many places since then, read so much philosophy, learned and experienced so much. It's a completely different and deeper experience. The surface level adventure story is obviously great on its own, but the layers to this are absolutely magisterial. I had these and the Foundations on my TBR for this year, and the read-along made the decision for me to dive on in.
I definitely picked up on the Platonic elements of wisdom above all else, and certainly the man over machine vibes. I also love the colonial/economic digressions about Arrakis. There's a poignant couple of lines on pp.100-101 (the "They have tried to take the life of my son!" chapter) about ending class distinctions (re: Fremen) and that respecting and working with them may be the key to everything; rather than "using" and holding them in contempt. Of course, the existing form of brutish colonialism and acquisitiveness are reflective of the base "appetite" more than wisdom. Again, many layers!
I'm lodging a request right now to do the other 5 books on here! I never got to them, though I have the set. Someone who did read them told me they are "too philosophical" which is uh, exactly what I want??? I understand you wouldn't want to typecast as The Dune Guy while building your substack group though.
Thanks for this first companion essay, and for hosting this read along! I've been wanting to read Dune for a long time, and I've had the book on my bookshelf waiting to read it, and doing the reading with these companion essays has elevated the reading experience.
That's cool to see I also had Hawat's quote about understanding a process cannot happen by stopping it, but by flowing with it.
All my other saved quotes so far come from past the first reading section so I'll post those on the next companion essay 😀
I'm pumped to see the rest of you favorites! Herbert so so good at both reinventing wise sayings and creating them himself
Thank you for the essay! I’ve been enjoying reading the book for the first time.
I noted most of the quotes you described but at least one more struck: “Any road followed precisely to its end leads precisely nowhere.” Isn’t it precisely true?..
First time reader(of Dune) here! I am not usually into fiction but I fell in love with the Park Notes yt channel and well I ended up here! Haha
Haha yes! Have you started reading Dune yet?
Yes of course I read the first assignment lol I actually got it in iBooks because it was the fastest. I live in a tiny town with a tiny library so the physical book will take a min
Let's go!! From ParkNotes to Dune. The pipelines works 💪
Loving the read along so far! First time I am reading Dune, thought I would struggle as I’ve seen the movie, but I am hooked!
I love the quote “Once men turned their thinking over to machines in the hope that this would set them free. But that only permitted other men with machines to enslave them.”. Definitely one that will influence my future use of AI
This is a great analysis. I definitely would love to read an unabridged version from you. On that note, are you aware of, “Dune and Philosophy Minds, Monads, and Muad'Dib” If not, check it out. I’d like to hear your opinions on it.
Thanks, Michael! If any publishers are stumbling on this, why yes, I would consider turning these companion essays into another “philosophy of Dune” book! And yeah, Michael, I have that one and another Dune and Philosophy book but haven't had a chance to read it. I'm trying to focus in on the sections and collect my own thoughts for each reading block and then I'll read and re-read some of the secondary stuff on Dune and write 1-3 follow up Dune and philosophy pieces for after the read-along. Once we have the full story in view we can look at more of the big picture themes.
One of my favorite novels of all time, very much looking forward to these!
Same here! Really glad to have another Dune-head in here. Keep me honest!
Hey Parker. On an administrative note, what edition of Dune are you using for page numbers?
Hey Max, it's the orange cover Ace A5 size, there a picture of it in this announcement post: https://parknotes.substack.com/p/what-is-dune-really-about
There are so many editions it's hard to communicate which is which. There's a stubby version of this one took and they have different page numbers but the same cover 😵💫
And you’re up late.
Unfortunately, I'm in the midst of an involuntary brain storm. ADHD is wild 😅 hopefully I can come outta this soon but I'm planning out my Substack posts at breakneck speeds.
👍🤙😂
Thanks Parker. May pick that one up. Need another copy. Sometimes it’s nice to be able to annotate a hard copy.
However, I also actually enjoy listening to the audio book in Audible and read along in the iOS Kindle app.
Also picked up a 40th Anniversary edition last year.
I’ll load this pic in chat.
Same here. I think I listened to the audio book twice this year already and going through a third now. I listen when I drive but I'm also re-reading and aggressively annotating. Trying to cover all the bases so I don't look like a dummy in the companion essays.
Loved the concept of the human/Beast theme within the book. Kinda bummed I didn't immediately pick up on that when I first started reading.... Have to say though this read along is great! The bene Jesuit seem to be separating the wheat from the chaf, like you said breeding there Messiah figure
I'm pumped you're enjoying it so far! Is this your first time reading Dune?
Yes! Been following your work for a bit now and decided to subscribe and jump in on the read along! This is the only scifi book I've read besides the ransom trilogy. I never realized how deep the philosical themes and undertones are in dune! To be honest I never realized how philosophy rich "fiction" books could be until I started reading and studying Dostoyevsky.
I love that! I think fiction is the best way to pass along philosophy now
Well, I, too, must say I missed the animal vs human motif. I had initially thought the Gom Jabbar test was about rooting out androids (channeling Philip K. Dick), given the Bulteranian jihad, but that didn't really make sense because an android would be more impervious to pain than a human. The Harkonnens are identified as animals, but the relationship between the Atreides and Harkonnens is about to get much more complicated. Is that part of what the test is about? The reverend mother is very much aware of these complications.
I think the whole universe Herbert creates is fascinating: we have a hierarchical, feudal society set many millennia in the future, that seems patriarchal, but the Bene Gesserit throw a real kink in that patriarchy. Is that why the Bene Gesserit are derisively called witches?
And then, the idea of the One. Obviously, a very ancient idea, but I wonder if this is where "The Matrix" writers drew their inspiration?
Then you have the idea of Kwisatz Haderach, trying to unite the feminine and masculine. From what I understand, at the time Herbert wrote Dune, second-wave feminism was just getting started. I wonder if this longing to unite the feminine and masculine is a commentary on that movement? It's interesting that when the reverend mother is explaining the Kwasatz Haderach to Paul, her voice takes on a note of sadness at their having failed in the past to achieve this unity (p. 15)
On p. 30, the Reverend Mother refers to the "Bene Gesserit Totality." Is this the same thing as the Kwisatz Haderach?
There is a blurb on the back of this edition of the book from Arthur C. Clarke where he says the only thing comparable to Dune is The Lord Of The Rings, and even from my short exposure to Dune I would whole heartily agree.
Parker, thanks for being a very able guide to this fascinating world.
Hey Parker!
First time reading Dune for me and I’ve really enjoyed it!! Thank you for this essay! Given me lots to chew on and plenty to look more closely at as we continue to read.
Maybe I’m off, but I was wondering if Herbert was making commentary on wealth inequality? It seems he’s doing so a few times when he talks about the water situation on Dune. It struck me that in The Republic, Plato blows up Justice into a city so that he and his interlocutors can investigate it more easily - is Herbert doing that with wealth inequality in a way? If we dial in disparity to just one crucial resource, what do we see it does to people and to society.
Maybe I’m off - just something I caught!
Again, this is awesome and I’m loving Dune and super appreciate your work!!!
Clint, first off, you're the man! I really appreciate all of your thoughts. You're becoming my favorite subscriber. Secondly, you're definitely right, Herbert is holding a mirror up to society and saying "look, here! This. This is you with money, with oil, with water in some parts of the world. This is the human race with precious resources and this is how we use and distribute it." There is a bit of the noble savage motif going on as well. Fremen good, empire bad. And I can dig it honestly. It's got a kind of Robert E. Howard "barbarism good" vibe.
Thanks Parker!! You’re doing AWESOME work out here and I’m digging it!
I missed the Noble Savage bit - but definitely see it now.
He does it very well, when Dr Yueh highlights that the Fremen look at the estate of the Atrides’ and says they see “100 of us” in the date trees it’s such a good moment - putting the consequences of wealth and ostentation in such stark terms and yet it’s not eye roll inducing is really impressive. Great writing!
Also - thank you so much for making this essay so engaging and insightful without spoiling things for those of us reading for the first time! Seriously appreciate it!
Yes!! The date palms part is gold and you're right it's not ham-fisted. He's really a master. I'm really glad you're enjoying it, the more Dune fans the better. And if I can help more people like Dune maybe they'll like the novel I'm writing too 😅😅 but then again, maybe I shouldn't have people read the very best before coming out with my own
I’ve loved the stuff you’ve released from the Compendium and am super looking forward to your novel!
Also - wanted you to know - I’m taking diligent notes in my “Intellectual Notebook”, you’ve helped me develop my own notebook system and I’m really grateful!!
Man, that's so awesome! You're killing it 🫡🤝
I love the artwork you sprinkle into your essays.
As for tapping into a collective consciousness or unconsciousness, do we see that in the instances where Paul exhibits knowledge of a subject but cannot recall when or where he learned it? How did he know how to adjust his stillsuit, fit his boots slip-fashion?
“It…seemed the right way.”
Re-read, the first and only time was maybe 15 years ago! I have been so many places since then, read so much philosophy, learned and experienced so much. It's a completely different and deeper experience. The surface level adventure story is obviously great on its own, but the layers to this are absolutely magisterial. I had these and the Foundations on my TBR for this year, and the read-along made the decision for me to dive on in.
I definitely picked up on the Platonic elements of wisdom above all else, and certainly the man over machine vibes. I also love the colonial/economic digressions about Arrakis. There's a poignant couple of lines on pp.100-101 (the "They have tried to take the life of my son!" chapter) about ending class distinctions (re: Fremen) and that respecting and working with them may be the key to everything; rather than "using" and holding them in contempt. Of course, the existing form of brutish colonialism and acquisitiveness are reflective of the base "appetite" more than wisdom. Again, many layers!
I'm lodging a request right now to do the other 5 books on here! I never got to them, though I have the set. Someone who did read them told me they are "too philosophical" which is uh, exactly what I want??? I understand you wouldn't want to typecast as The Dune Guy while building your substack group though.