|
Heighliner
Technology is a key aspect of the fictional setting of the '' Dune series'' of science fiction novels written by Frank Herbert, and derivative works. Herbert's concepts and inventions have been analyzed and deconstructed in at least one book, ''The Science of Dune'' (2008). Herbert's originating 1965 novel ''Dune'' is popularly considered one of the greatest science fiction novels of all time,Touponce, William F. (1988), ''Frank Herbert'', Boston, Massachusetts: Twayne Publishers imprint, G. K. Hall & Co, pg. 119, . "''Locus'' ran a poll of readers on April 15, 1975 in which ''Dune'' 'was voted the all-time best science-fiction novel…It has sold over ten million copies in numerous editions.'" and is frequently cited as the best-selling science fiction novel in history. ''Dune'' and its five sequels by Herbert explore the complex and multilayered interactions of politics, religion, ecology and technology, among other themes. The Butlerian Jihad, an event in the back-story of Herbe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Spacing Guild
The Spacing Guild is an organization in Frank Herbert's science fiction ''Dune'' universe which possesses a monopoly on interstellar travel and banking. Guild Navigators (alternately Guildsmen or Steersmen) use the drug melange (also called "the spice") to achieve limited prescience, allowing them to successfully navigate "folded space" and safely guide enormous starships called heighliners across interstellar space instantaneously. The power of the Guild is balanced against that of the Padishah Emperor as well as of the assembled noble Houses of the Landsraad. Essentially apolitical, the Guild is primarily concerned with the flow of commerce and preservation of the economy that supports them. Although their ability to dictate the terms of and fees for all transport gives them influence in the political arena, they do not pursue political goals beyond their economic ones. John C. Smith analyzes the concept of the Guild in the essay "Navigators and the Spacing Guild" in ''The Sci ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |