沙丘Dune電影解析：一萬年後，人類如何反抗帝國？香料爭霸戰的隱喻 | 沙蟲的神聖生態學 | 弗瑞曼人的阿拉伯哲學 | 沙丘帝國的生態哲學 | 跨物種結盟的反帝國鬥爭 | 超級歪電影院EP43

Summary

This video explores the intricate story of 'Dune,' highlighting the ecological and political themes interwoven in the narrative. It discusses the Atreides family's takeover of Arrakis, the struggle for control over the vital spice resource, and the protagonist Paul's journey with the Fremen. The video draws parallels between the spice in 'Dune' and oil in our world, examining the concept of 'hyperobjects' and their impact on society. It also delves into themes of ecological ignorance, cross-species alliances, and the cyclical nature of empire and resistance, ultimately emphasizing the importance of recognizing humanity's interconnectedness with nature.

Takeaways

• 🏺 The 'Dune' story is set 10,000 years in the future, focusing on the Atreides family's takeover of the desert planet Arrakis and the ensuing conflict with the Emperor's Legion and the Harkonnen family.
• 👑 The protagonist, Paul Atreides, and his mother Jessica survive an extermination attempt and join the Fremen, the native people of Arrakis, to begin a revenge story.
• 🌟 The spice of Arrakis is crucial for interstellar travel and represents a form of power, similar to how oil is a key resource in today's world.
• 🐉 Sandworms are the source of the spice, creating it from the excrement of their consumption of everything, including people and vehicles.
• 🌐 Spices and oil are considered 'hyperobjects' by eco-philosopher Timothy Morton, due to their unpredictable distribution and profound impact on global politics and ecology.
• 🗺️ The Harkonnen family's monopoly over the spice for 80 years made them wealthier than the Emperor, but also led to resistance from the Fremen.
• 🌊 The 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico illustrates the global and ecological impact of hyperobjects like oil, and the limitations of traditional object concepts.
• 🌿 'Dune' highlights the importance of ecological knowledge and the consequences of ignorance, as the Atreides family learns to adapt to the desert and its inhabitants.
• 🕊️ The story of 'Dune' reflects the historical philosophy of Ibn Khaldun, where nomadic communities develop a strong sense of equality and community, which can lead to the rise and fall of civilizations.
• 🌍 The novel 'Dune' serves as a warning of ecological crises and critiques the imperial economy and ecological ignorance, as seen in the petrochemical industry's impact on climate change.
• 🌌 The power dynamics in 'Dune' are not solely between human factions but also involve non-human entities like the sandworms, which play a central role in the ecological and political struggles.

Q & A

What is the main plot of the 'Dune' story?

The 'Dune' story revolves around the Atreides family, who are ordered by the emperor to take over the desert planet Arrakis from the Harkonnen family. After their takeover, the Atreides are betrayed and exterminated by the Emperor's forces and the Harkonnen family. The protagonist, Paul Atreides, and his mother Jessica survive and join the Fremen, the native people of Arrakis, to start a revenge story.

What is the significance of spice in the 'Dune' universe?

In 'Dune', spice is a key resource for interstellar travel, similar to oil in today's world. It is derived from sandworm secretions and is a potential product that must be found through exploration technology. Whoever controls the spice controls political power, making it a hyperobject that influences global energy politics and can bring about changes and disasters.

How does the concept of 'hyperobjects' relate to the spice in 'Dune'?

Hyperobjects, as described by eco-philosopher Timothy Morton, are entities that are distributed randomly and unpredictably, and cannot be easily positioned in time and space. Spice in 'Dune' is considered a hyperobject because its distribution is not uniform and its discovery can lead to significant changes and consequences, much like oil spills in our world.

What is the role of sandworms in the 'Dune' narrative?

Sandworms are the creatures responsible for producing spice in 'Dune'. They consume everything, including people and vehicles, and their excrement turns into spice. Sandworms are also a central force in the struggle for power on Arrakis, as controlling them can mean controlling the spice production.

How does the 'Dune' story reflect the ecological crisis?

The 'Dune' story, written by Frank Herbert in 1965, serves as a warning about the ecological crisis. It highlights the consequences of exploiting resources like spice and oil, the impact of ecological ignorance by empires, and the importance of understanding and respecting the ecological systems, as represented by the Fremen's knowledge and the concept of 'sacred ecology'.

What is the concept of 'Asabiyyah' mentioned in the script, and how does it relate to the Fremen?

Asabiyyah is a concept believed by Arab philosopher Ibn Khaldun to be a sense of community consciousness that develops among nomadic groups living in extreme environments. In 'Dune', the Fremen, who live in the harsh conditions of Arrakis, embody this concept, living a life of equality and mutual help, which is key to their strength and unity.

How does the story of 'Dune' reflect the historical cycle of civilization as described by Ibn Khaldun?

According to Ibn Khaldun, civilization begins with a group of nomads with a strong sense of community who settle and build cities, eventually forming empires. However, as empires grow, they become corrupt and lose their original sense of community, making them vulnerable to overthrow by another group of nomads with a strong sense of community. This cycle is mirrored in 'Dune' with the rise and fall of the Atreides and the Fremen.

What is the significance of the sandworm ritual in 'Dune'?

The sandworm ritual in 'Dune' is a test of survival and acceptance into the Fremen community. It demonstrates respect for the sandworms and the Fremen's faith in them. Passing the ritual means truly becoming a member of the Fremen and signifies a deep connection with the sacred ecology of Arrakis.

How does the 'Dune' story critique the concept of empire and colonialism?

The 'Dune' story critiques empire and colonialism by showing the destructive consequences of resource exploitation and the disregard for local knowledge and ecology. It also highlights the corruption that comes with power and the cyclical nature of civilizations, where new empires can become as oppressive as the ones they overthrew.

What parallels can be drawn between the 'Dune' narrative and contemporary issues of capitalism and technology?

The 'Dune' narrative can be seen as a reflection of contemporary issues where a few tech capitalists control global wealth, leading to a form of 'technological feudalism'. It also raises questions about the future of capitalism and the potential for a decentralized, nomadic workforce, similar to the Fremen's way of life in 'Dune'.

How does the concept of 'symbiotic ecology' in 'Dune' relate to the idea of humans as a hybrid species?

In 'Dune', the concept of 'symbiotic ecology' is demonstrated through the multi-species alliances, such as between the Fremen and the sandworms. This idea is extended to humans themselves, who are portrayed as hybrids, composed of various species and elements from the natural world. This challenges the notion of humans as separate from nature and emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life.

Outlines

00:00

🏜️ The Political Intrigue and Ecology of 'Dune'

The first paragraph sets the stage for the story of 'Dune', which is set 10,000 years in the future. It discusses the Atreides family's assignment to govern the desert planet Arrakis, previously under the control of the Harkonnen family. The Atreides are betrayed and nearly wiped out by the Emperor's forces and the Harkonnens, with only Paul Atreides and his mother, Jessica, surviving. They join the Fremen, the native people of Arrakis, and begin a quest for revenge. The narrative delves into the importance of 'melange' or 'spice', a resource vital for interstellar travel and political power, drawing parallels between its significance and that of oil in our world. The Fremen, who have been resisting the Harkonnens' exploitation of the spice, become central to the story's themes of ecology and resistance. The paragraph also introduces the concept of 'hyperobjects', highlighting the unpredictable and far-reaching impact of resources like spice and oil, and their influence on global politics and local environments.

05:01

🌙 The Cycle of Civilization and the Fremen's Asabiyyah

The second paragraph explores the deeper themes of civilization and community within 'Dune', drawing inspiration from the Arab philosopher Ibn Khaldun. It discusses how nomadic groups like the Fremen develop a strong sense of community and equality, known as Asabiyyah, which can lead to the establishment of cities and eventually empires. However, this development often results in the rise of classes and inequality, leading to the downfall of such civilizations. The paragraph also touches on the historical cycle of nomadic groups overthrowing established empires, as seen in the story of 'Dune' where Paul Atreides leads a revolution against the Harkonnens. The narrative criticizes the film adaptation for altering the Fremen's portrayal, transforming them into a passive group that requires a white savior, which contrasts with the original novel's emphasis on their agency and the influence of anti-colonial struggles of the time.

10:04

🌿 Sacred Ecology and the Autonomy of Nature

The third paragraph examines the concept of 'sacred ecology', where key species in an ecosystem are revered and respected, as seen in the Fremen's relationship with sandworms. It contrasts this with the exploitative approach of empires and discusses the author's experiences living with indigenous peoples, which inspired the ecological themes in 'Dune'. The paragraph also delves into contemporary issues, such as the potential shift towards 'technological feudalism' where wealth and resources are controlled by a few powerful families, and the idea of global capitalism as an empire without a clear center. It suggests that 'Dune' serves as a cautionary tale, prompting readers to consider how to survive and find possibilities for living amidst the ruins of capitalism, drawing parallels with real-world examples of ecological resilience and the potential for cross-species alliances to resist exploitative systems.

15:05

🧬 Symbiotic Ecology and the Hybrid Nature of Humanity

The final paragraph of the script discusses the idea of 'symbiotic ecology', highlighting the multi-species alliances that form the backbone of the story in 'Dune'. It emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between the Fremen and their environment, particularly the sandworms, which play a crucial role in their culture and survival. The paragraph also explores the concept of humans as hybrids, formed through cross-species encounters and symbiosis, drawing on the ideas of philosopher Donna Haraway. It suggests that the story of 'Dune' and the character of Paul Atreides, who embodies a hybrid of male and female abilities, challenges the traditional narrative of human evolution and encourages a reimagining of our interconnectedness with other species. The paragraph concludes by calling for a recognition of our symbiotic nature and the formation of alliances with various life forms to resist and dismantle the destructive forces of capitalism and empires.

Keywords

💡Dune

Dune refers to the science fiction novel by Frank Herbert, which is the basis of the video's narrative. The story is set 10,000 years in the future and revolves around the desert planet Arrakis, also known as Dune. It explores themes of politics, religion, and ecology, with a focus on the struggle for control over the planet's most valuable resource, the spice melange. The video uses Dune as a metaphor to discuss real-world issues such as environmental crises and the consequences of resource exploitation.

💡Atreides family

The Atreides family is one of the noble families in the Dune universe and plays a central role in the story. They are ordered by the emperor to take over the administration of Arrakis from the Harkonnen family. The family's tragic downfall and the survival of the protagonist, Paul Atreides, form the crux of the narrative. The video uses the Atreides' experience to illustrate the dangers of ecological ignorance and the importance of learning from indigenous knowledge, as represented by the Fremen and Dr. Kynes.

💡Spice Melange

Spice Melange, often referred to simply as 'spice,' is a valuable resource in the Dune universe that enables interstellar travel and enhances certain cognitive abilities. It is found only on Arrakis and is the primary reason for the political and military conflicts on the planet. The video likens spice to oil in our world, highlighting its role as a hyperobject that influences global politics and has profound ecological implications.

💡Fremen

The Fremen are the native people of Arrakis in the Dune series. They live in the harsh desert environment and have developed a deep understanding of their ecosystem, including the sandworms and the spice. The protagonist, Paul Atreides, and his mother, Jessica, join the Fremen, and their integration into Fremen society is key to Paul's transformation and his quest for revenge. The video emphasizes the Fremen's ecological knowledge and their role in the resistance against imperial exploitation.

💡Sandworms

Sandworms are gigantic creatures native to Arrakis that produce the spice melange through their life cycle. They are central to the ecology of Dune and are revered by the Fremen. The video script describes sandworms as 'hyperobjects' and 'cultural key species,' highlighting their significance in the Fremen's sacred ecology and their role in the power dynamics of the Dune universe.

💡Hyperobjects

Hyperobjects is a term coined by eco-philosopher Timothy Morton to describe objects that are massively distributed in time and space relative to human existence. In the context of the video, spice and oil are considered hyperobjects because their distribution and impact are not easily comprehensible or manageable. The video uses this concept to discuss the unpredictable and far-reaching consequences of exploiting such resources.

💡Ecological Ignorance

Ecological ignorance refers to the lack of understanding or disregard for the ecological consequences of human actions. The video script mentions the ecological ignorance of the empire's rulers, who fail to recognize the importance of the Fremen's ecological knowledge and the delicate balance of the Arrakis ecosystem. This ignorance leads to disastrous outcomes and is a central theme in the critique of imperialistic exploitation.

💡Asabiyyah

Asabiyyah is a concept from Arab philosopher Ibn Khaldun, which refers to the strong sense of community and solidarity among a group, often living in harsh conditions. The Fremen of Dune embody this concept, and their communal strength is a key factor in their ability to resist imperial control. The video discusses how this sense of community can be both a source of strength and a potential weakness when it comes to maintaining ecological balance and resisting corruption.

💡Sacred Ecology

Sacred ecology is an approach that recognizes the spiritual and cultural significance of key species within an ecosystem. The Fremen's relationship with sandworms and their reverence for the spice are examples of sacred ecology in the Dune universe. The video contrasts this with the imperial approach to ecology, which seeks to exploit resources without regard for their ecological or cultural importance.

💡Technological Feudalism

Technological feudalism is a concept that suggests the current trend of capitalism is evolving into a system where a few tech capitalists control global wealth and resources. The video draws parallels between this concept and the feudalistic empire in Dune, where planetary control is concentrated in the hands of a few powerful families. This comparison is used to critique the potential future of capitalism and its impact on society and the environment.

💡Cross-Species Alliances

Cross-species alliances refer to the cooperative relationships between different species within an ecosystem. The video highlights the Fremen's alliance with sandworms and the multi-species symbiosis that characterizes the Dune ecosystem. It contrasts this with the destructive practices of capitalism and imperialism, suggesting that such alliances are a potential source of resistance and a path towards a more sustainable and equitable future.

Highlights

Dune's story is set 10,000 years in the future where the Atreides family is tasked with taking over Arrakis.

Arrakis, a desert planet, is rich in 'spice', a resource vital for interstellar travel and political power.

The Harkonnen family, previously in control of Arrakis, was wealthier than the Emperor and faced local resistance.

Spices in Dune are derived from sandworm secretions, drawing a parallel to oil's origin from prehistoric creatures.

Spices and oil are considered 'hyperobjects' by eco-philosopher Timothy Morton due to their unpredictable distribution.

The 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico exemplifies the global impact and local disaster of hyperobjects.

Hyperobjects like oil and spices can contaminate and become part of the human body, integrating us with the environment.

Frank Herbert's 'Dune', written in 1965, serves as a warning of ecological crises and inspired space colonization.

The story of Dune critiques the 'imperial economy' and ecological ignorance, as seen in the petrochemical industry's delay of green policies.

Dr. Kynes in Dune advocates for a self-sufficient ecological cycle system, contrasting with the empire's exploitation.

Joining the Fremen in Dune signifies developing a sense of equality and community, inspired by Arab philosopher Ibn Khaldun's concept of Asabiyyah.

Ibn Khaldun's historical philosophy suggests a cycle of civilization through community consciousness and the rise and fall of empires.

The Fremen's power in Dune is tied to the non-human character Sandworm, central to the struggle and ecological warfare.

Ecologist Fikret Berkes' concept of 'sacred ecology' is reflected in the Fremen's reverence for sandworms as cultural key species.

Dune contrasts with modern capitalism's 'technological feudalism' where a few families control global wealth and resources.

The novel and its adaptations explore the subjectivity and agency of the oppressed, challenging colonial narratives.

Dune presents a symbiotic ecology where humans, sandworms, and the environment form cross-species alliances.

Philosopher Donna Haraway's concept of 'sympoiesis' is exemplified in Dune, suggesting humans are symbiotic beings.

Transcripts

Today’s We're going to talk about

Dune story describes the world 10,000 years from now

The Atreides family on Caledan received the emperor's order

Responsible for taking over the desert planet Arrakis, originally ruled by the Harkennen family.

But after taking over

However, they were exterminated by the Emperor's Legion and the Hakenen Family.

The protagonist Paul and his mother Jessica survived

Joined the society of the Fremen, the native people of Arrakis.

Start a prince's revenge story

story begins

We saw the spice fight on Arrakis

Spices are a key resource for interstellar travel

Whoever controls it controls political power

The Hakenen family has monopolized local spice deposits for 80 years

Wealthier than the Emperor

But they often encountered resistance from the local Fremen.

Spices in "Dune" are like oil in today's world

Both spices and petroleum have one characteristic

They are all potential products

Spices derived from sandworm secretions

Sandworms Can Eat People, Trucks, Everything

The secreted excrement turns into spices

in other words

Spices are actually the bones eaten by sandworms

The same oil is also the skeleton of prehistoric creatures

The result of millions of years of high-pressure deformation underground

But spices and oil are both potential resources

It must be found through exploration technology

This makes spices and petroleum what eco-philosopher Timothy Morton calls “hyperobjects.”

Different from traditional natural objects

Forests and oceans are there to be seen, exploited, and used

The distribution of hyperobjects is random and unpredictable

Cannot be positioned in time and space

So every time a new oil field is discovered

Will bring about changes in global energy politics

It will also bring disaster to local residents

The 2010 oil spill occurred on a BP oil drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico.

CEO Tony Hayward said:

Compared to the vast Gulf of Mexico

Oil leakage is relatively small

Nature will absorb it on its own

This is the limit encountered when thinking about oil using traditional object concepts.

Because oil, as a super object, will not just stay in the Gulf of Mexico.

Hyperobjects can be scattered randomly

Contaminating humans and non-humans

Residents near Gulf of Mexico after oil spill

Visual lesions begin to occur

Like in Dune

Fremen's eyes turned blue after being exposed to the spiced air for too long.

The existence of super objects reminds us that humans cannot be outside the ecological environment

Just the opposite

Super objects can enter the human body and become part of the human body

Spices are more than just fuel for interstellar travel

Can also be used to expand sensory perception

After Paul inhaled spices in an accident

Begin to experience illusions, see the past and the future

same

Plastics made from petroleum are discarded into the ocean

Turns into plastic particles and is eaten by marine life

Seafood finally enters the human stomach again

We thought oil was out there

But oil is actually in our stomachs

We have long been integrated with super objects

So we can no longer talk about "the surrounding ecological environment"

Because we are the ecology

ironnically

Author Frank Herbert wrote "Dune" in 1965

To warn the world of the coming ecological crisis

But after the publication of "Dune"

But it triggered the imagination of American society about colonizing space.

NASA's moon landing plan

Part of it was inspired by "Dune"

Trying to find mineral deposits on the moon

Also during the same period

In the 1960s, Saudi Arabia began to exploit large quantities of oil.

At that time, climate scientists had already discovered that oil causes warming

But petrochemical companies, in order to make profits

Turn a blind eye to these reports

This "imperial economy" and "imperial ecological ignorance" are clearly revealed in "Dune"

During the first spice prospecting operation

The new Atreides don't know how the crew works in the desert

Didn’t know that spices are actually the excrement of sandworms?

I didn’t know that traveling in the desert would attract sandworms.

Instead, one must learn from Imperial ecologist Kynes

Reliance on Dr Kynes highlights the ecological ignorance of the empire’s rulers

in the original novel

Dr. Kynes even clearly stated

Let Arrakis be restored to green space

Only 3% of green plants that can form carbon compounds need to be maintained

You can create a self-sufficient ecological cycle system

Just like today's petrochemical industry

Deliberately delaying green energy policies

The green space restoration plan in "Dune" was also blocked by the Spice Empire

The Atreides originally wanted to use the Fremen's ecological knowledge

But after being exterminated

Paul and Jessica were exiled to the desert

Accidentally joined the Fremen group

The first is to accept the challenge from the Fremen and fight until one party dies.

But joining a group does not mean becoming a true Fremen.

it's here

We see the key to becoming a Fremen

It is to develop a sense of equality with group members

at this point

Dune author Frank Herbert was actually inspired by the Arab philosopher Ibn Khaldun

Ibn Khaldun believed that nomads lived in extreme environments

Easily develop community consciousness Asabiyyah

Live a life of equality and mutual help

But there will always be a few people in the group who desire power and wealth.

These people will take advantage of group consciousness

Calling on people to leave nomadic life

settle in other areas

Build countries and cities

This is the origin of civilization

But after the city became prosperous,

will expand into an empire

Classes and inequality begin to emerge

In order to avoid being invaded by foreigners

The country must collect taxes and build an army

As a result, the people are in dire straits and resentment abounds.

The sense of community on which the founders relied has disappeared

At this time, another group of nomads with a sense of community can attack the city.

Overthrow the previous dynasty

So the Germanic barbarians attacked the Roman Empire

Mongols attack the Arab Empire

The entire history of human civilization repeats this cycle over and over again

In "Dune"

The male protagonist originally lived a settled life

Enjoy the prosperity of urban civilization

Serve as royal heir

Later, he left civilized society

Join the nomadic life of the Fremen

Just started to learn the sense of equal community Asabiyyah

Finally, we use this sense of community to call for revolution

Overthrow the corrupt Harkennen family

But when the Fremen came to power

They also began to be corrupted by urban life

Build a new empire

Lost the original sense of community equality

The story of "Dune" seems to embody Ibn Khaldun's historical philosophy

Human history is an eternal cycle of affirmation and denial of Asabiyyah

Paul’s slogan when calling for revolution

In the original work it was in Arabic

YA HYA CHOUHADA (Warriors live forever)

This was actually during the Algerian War of Independence

Slogans against France

This war took place three years before Dune was published

The original author Frank Herbert deliberately quoted this sentence

The Fremen in Dune were also deliberately set to be Arabs.

It was because of the many important anti-colonial struggles of that era that

All happened in Islamic countries

But in the movie version

The war led by Paul

But it molds the Islamic people into superstitious people

A jihadist organization without initiative

Just passively worship the white savior

This was criticized by many Arab film critics as a typical Hollywood method of vilifying Islam.

In this regard, "Dune" has the same story structure as "Avatar"

They were all foreign white oppressors who originally had colonial plans.

But after accidentally breaking into the local aboriginal society,

transformed by local culture

Lead the oppressed to resist the colonial regime

As if the oppressed cannot spontaneously resist

Obviously the Fremen themselves know how to ride sandworms

Why wait until Paul shows up?

Only then can he lead them to fight a holy war?

But the difference between "Dune" and "Avatar" is that

Exposes all colonial regimes when they spread superstition

Everyone will see through it

The heroine Chani saw through the sisterhood's plan from the very beginning.

Therefore, the subjectivity of the ruled is partially preserved

But in the imperial struggle of Dune

In fact, the key force is neither the Atreides nor the Fremen.

But the non-human character Sandworm

The power of the sandworm is the center of the struggle between all parties.

Instead, people are in a passive role

The Hakenen family is ordered by the sisterhood

Jessica’s descendants must be left behind

So trying to harness the power of sandworms

Let Paul and Jessica die "naturally"

Paul of House Atreides must pass the sandworm ritual

Only then can you truly become a member of the Fremen

Imperial ecologist Kynes summoned sandworms and enemy troops to their deaths.

Demonstrated the Fremen's sandworm faith before dying.

it's here

We see what ecologist Fikret Berkes calls "sacred ecology"

"Cultural key species" exist in many Aboriginal societies

To perform a key function in an ecosystem and thus be endowed with human or sacred qualities

For example, the Cree people in eastern Canada believe that

Animals know what humans are thinking

If the hunter shows sincerity and respect

Only animals are willing to dedicate themselves

So the success or failure of hunting does not depend on the hunter

It depends on whether the animal wants to hunt for you

Hunters who don’t believe in this set of ethics will eventually return empty-handed.

So a good hunter is not because he has superb skills

But because he understands the ethics of reciprocity

In the movie "Journey to Suzuya"

Makoto Shinkai made a sacred ecological interpretation of Japan’s 311 earthquake

The power of earthquakes comes from earthworms in the world of the dead

This earthworm, like the sandworm, has no individual will.

Just an expression of the impulse of natural forces

Nature has its own spirituality

The bridge between the sacred world and the human world is the dream

This explains why many Aboriginal societies place a high value on dreams

When an Anishinaabe elder in Canada was asked how he knew about herbal medicine

He said he saw a vision in his dream

Dreamed that a bear came and gave him a certain plant

Tell him how to prepare the herbs

Knowledge was not invented by humans themselves

Rather, spiritual animals are passed down to humans.

Minister, have you been leading us to the place where the door opens?

All the time

In the early days, this kind of sacred ecology was regarded as superstitious and backward.

Until the past 20 years

It was only discovered by scholars that it is a key species with ecological functions.

The author of Dune once lived with the Quileute people, the indigenous people of North America.

Teach him how to fish and identify different plants and fish

It was this knowledge that inspired him to write The Sacred Ecology of the Sandworm

In these examples

We all see that nature has autonomy independent of man

This sacred ecology contrasts precisely with the ecology of empire

No longer exploit desert spices as resources

Instead, use the divinity in nature to fight against the enslavement of the empire.

etc.

What exactly is an empire?

In "Dune"

Each planet's empire is ruled by a family

But why ten thousand years in the future?

Human society will return to the feudal system

Controlled by the emperor and family empire?

Economist Yanis Varoufakis predicts

Our current capitalism is beginning to turn into "technological feudalism"

Global wealth is controlled by a handful of tech capitalists

in the near future

The resources of human society will be controlled by a few families

Zuckerberg family, Bill Gates family, Musk family

Capitalism will turn into a battle for the market between several big clans

on the other hand

The empire depicted in "Dune" is a planet in outer space colonized by a few families.

Humanity has nowhere to escape

Philosophers Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri believe that

After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of the Internet

Global capitalism becomes an empire without an external

Unlike in the past, capitalism had an imperial center

There is also an external resistance to the empire

Today’s capitalism is completely decentralized

Not attached to any stable workplace

Taking cases online allows people to become workers at any time and place

Online payment allows people to become consumers at any time and place

Today’s workers are like nomads

Make money wherever there are short-term contracts

In "Dune"

Paul was forced from a feudal empire to a nomadic life

It's like the capitalists who control the resources suddenly become the working class

But this identity change happened to allow Paul to change his perspective.

See how the Empire's development and warfare can turn a planet into a ruin

How can a few who monopolize resources make the majority bear the consequences of ecological disasters?

Thus

The dunes become a cautionary tale

How do contemporary people survive in the ruins of capitalism?

find the possibility of living

How to find the oasis again in the dunes?

Anthropologist Anna Tsing discovered

After the atomic bomb destroyed Hiroshima, Japan in 1945

A new life emerged from the ruins

Matsutake

The United States allowed legal deforestation after World War II

Logging companies destroy forest diversity on a massive scale

Plan to replicate high-priced tree species fails

But after the logging companies left

Something magical happened

Matsutake mushrooms start growing on abandoned land in Oregon

Matsutake-loving Japanese invest millions

Spent decades researching how to artificially cultivate matsutake mushrooms

Still can't find the answer

Why after the ecological disaster of capitalism

But the matsutake mushrooms grew again and again

Scientists discovered

This is because of the growth of matsutake mushrooms

Relying on multi-species symbiotic relationships

Matsutake mushrooms need to live on pine trees

Pine trees need mycorrhizal fungi to supply each other with nutrients

The pine tree must be passed down to the next generation

and need to attract birds to assist in sowing

This whole set of cross-species relationships

evolved together over the past tens of millions of years

But capitalism cannot see multi-species symbiosis

Just want quick financial returns

As a result, it was impossible to cultivate matsutake mushrooms.

Matsutake thus presents a set of possibilities for resisting the Empire

Resisting the logic of capital with cross-species alliances

Just like in the movie "I Am Legend"

The protagonist and his ally German Shepherd Sam

Fight zombies together in the apocalypse

Save human civilization from destruction

And in "Avatar"

The war against mining companies is about to fail miserably

Various species on the planet Avatar join the fray

Join forces to fight against the invasion of the capital empire

And in "Dune"

The Fremen and the surrounding ecological environment are a kind of cross-species alliance.

Sandworms are the main frontline force leading the anti-imperial war

Fremen will adjust their movement patterns to avoid disturbing the sandworms.

And the Marian ritual relies on the fluid secreted by tiny sandworms

When humans consume sandworm fluids

Will evolve into a new person

New sensory abilities emerge

Sandworms, spices, water of life, humans

This multi-species alliance

What makes Dune different from other eco-apocalyptic movies

The ecological apocalypse in "Mad Max"

It’s a fight for water resources

There is no subjectivity in other species

Ecological apocalypse in "Blade Runner"

It means giving way to artificial humans.

Questioning the reality of nature

But "Dune" doesn't just emphasize diverse alliances between species

It also implies that humans themselves are a mixture of multiple sources.

Paul's very existence is a hybrid

Paul is a male but has acquired abilities that are exclusive to women in the sorority.

And drank the water of life that only women can drink

In God Emperor of Dune, the sequel to Episode IV of Dune

The son born to Paul and Chani will even become one with the sandworm.

become a new hybrid creature

This takes us from "sacred ecology" to "symbiotic ecology"

Philosopher Donna Haraway pointed out

The structure of human life itself is a symbiotic system (sympoiesis) left by cross-species encounters.

Instead of human ancestors adapting to the environment and evolving step by step on their own, they built themselves

For example, human mitochondria

In fact, it is ancient aerobic bacteria that live in cells and form a mutually beneficial symbiosis.

were not excluded during the evolution process

Instead, they stay in the cell and evolve together.

Or maybe human lungs are actually homologous to fish fat?

But people have forgotten that they are part of the fish

Human DNA also contains the codes of many foreign viruses (accounting for 8%)

Just like Paul in "Dune", he is a diverse hybrid existence

Human beings have evolved to this day through cross-species encounters, infection, and coexistence.

So humans are actually more like symbionts assembled by a group of species.

Mixed with various bacteria and viruses from ancient times

No matter how many ruins capitalism has brought to human history

The power of cross-species alliances will continue to emerge

Matsutake and pine trees

Sandworms and Fremen

And the multi-species symbiotic evolution in humans

They all open up space for our imagination.

Realize that you are a cross-species being

Learn how to coexist and form alliances with various life forms

Before capitalism turns our planet into rubble

Dismantle empires with cross-species alliances