Abstract

The worlds of Dune forbid the creation of “thinking machines,” due to an ancient war, called the Butlerian Jihad, which was fought to keep humans from using such machines. The relationship between humanity and forbidden technology in Dune touches on two basic possibilities for the relationship of humans and technology: social construction of technology and technological determinism. Life on Arrakis and under the Imperium is filled with technologies that range from the very realistic to the fantastical. Societies in the Dune universe tend to value a variety of everyday and cutting‐edge technologies. Understanding the reasons why some technology is forbidden in Dune depends on understanding how Herbert views human beings. The cultures of the Dune universe place great cultural value on technology in its importance for everyday lives.