THE BUTLERIAN JIHAD (War of the Thinking Machines in DUNE) EXPLAINED

Hey guys, whats happening? Niyat here with film comics explained. As requested, today we’ll finally be exploring The Butlerian Jihad, the long and bloody human crusade against computers, thinking machines, and conscious robots in Frank Herbert's massive DUNE universe, expanded by his eldest son Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

In this video, we’re going to explore the human complacency that led to the rise of machines, the Butlerian Jihad (perhaps the most important event in human history), the rise of the feudal galactic order, and finally the conclusion of the 15,000-year saga.

To understand the Butlerian Jihad, we will first learn about the Titan Revolution and Rise of the machines that set the foundation for the universe humanity needed to fight back against.

Hey there folks!! My name is Niyat and this channel was created to assist in answering all your questions about Films, Comics, Games and Popular culture in a fun and engaging way!

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Disclaimer: I do not own rights to any of the source materials I used in this work, appealing to allowance made for "fair use" purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research, under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976.

[nathandanner]

“What do such machines really do? They increase the number of things we can do without thinking. Things we do without thinking-there’s the real danger.”
― Frank Herbert

[_Jay_Maker_]

Someone already mentioned that the "Butlerian Jihad" as depicted here is from Brian Herbert's interpretation of his Father's universe. I'll go even further and state that he's entirely incorrect in his presentation of what the "Jihad" actually was, and why:

Herbert's original series is _all_ about Humanity's retreat and defense against a singular threat: total stagnation. We see it occur during Leto II's reign in _God Emperor of Dune, _ and the whole point of that book was Leto pointing out how completely destructive total abandonment to a singular ideology and expectation was. The "Butlerian Jihad" as loosely explained in the original _Dune_ books resulted from the entirety of Humanity giving into Artificial Intelligence - not "deadly, killer robots, " but literally _surrendering their ability to think, make decisions and have the human experience_ in favor of AI making all the decisions for them. Sound familiar?

All of _Dune_ is based on the ruling groups (Bene Gesserit, Mentats, Guildsmen, Tleilaxu, etc.) achieving a reclamation of their humanity though various means, mentally, physically, emotionally, biologically - it's a resurrection of human control and a _mastering_ of it. The Bene Gesserit literally test Paul Atreides to see if he is a human being and not one to give in to the simplicity of base, animal reaction - the same desires that give people the impulse to stagnate. The Harkonnens define that impulsiveness. One of the tenets in the book was "Thou shalt not make a machine in the likeness of a man's mind." This isn't a testament to "don't make robots, " it's an anti-slavery declaration. "Don't surrender your ability to be human to something that cannot think for itself."

It wasn't a war against killer robots. It was a war against humanity's own desire for laziness, a war of humans against humans. It's less "explode the Terminator" and more "smash that PC with this sledgehammer, and don't let anyone stop you" - hence a "Holy War, " with people who support stagnation vs. those who don't. The perfectionist ruling powers of Frank Herbert's universe are the ultimate examples of that - and their failures are why the "freedom to be a human being" is the ultimate message of Herbert's original novels - incomplete as they are. Brian Herbert didn't understand his Father's universe.

[maxhill]

I think my favorite part of the whole Dune story is how Brian had absolutely no idea his father was a world-renowned space opera writer until someone at school asked him if his father was "THE Frank Herbert?"

[jarrydharris]

I’m not really sure how to articulate this but considering what the lore is and the difference in technology between the Jihad and the current dune universe is absolutely astounding. I know it’s sci-fi but the try and comprehend the level of technology they had access to hurts my brain lol

[toybonniebon]

A 1 hour lore video. Did not expect this.

[CrapLuckSimon]

So that's where WH 40k gets the term 'Omnissiah' and cogitators from. Neat.

[severalracoons]

Am I a dune fan? No.
Will I watch this hour long video because I want Dune fans to have nice things? Yes.

[TheDartFrog]

damn, using AI-generated images in a video about the butlerian jihad must be some of the most ironic shit ever

[griffendesai]

I think it’s important to note that everything in this video is from the expanded dune universe created by Frank Herbert’s son, Brian Herbert, as well as Kevin j Anderson.

There is some contention in the fan community about whether or not these stories are “actually canon”. Mainly because a lot of the dates in these newer books conflict with some of the dates given in the “dune encyclopedia” by Willis McNelly and Frank Herbert. A lot of the themes also seem kind of contradictory to the themes of the original books.

Another big part of it is that all of these books were created after Frank’s death. Its very apparent that his words are not a part of all of this. The books themselves are still cool though, it’s nice how they offer a different perspective on the dune universe. Most fans just like the consider them a separate canon from the main 6 books.

[aggonzalezdc]

All the footage lifted from EvE Online really makes me want to pick up the game again. Such an awesome game.

[ronburgundysmustache]

This didn't even feel like an hour long. You definitely should do more of these in the future if you have the time and subject matter. This was awesome

[Runeforged]

Amazing work! Thank you this is a treat.

[esvamapp]

this should be a series of its own. so much to explore with plenty of action

[uncbball]

Made my day bro, you guys cut 60 hours of audio book to a consumable 1 hrs video; like a fremen with a knife you cut the good points for mass consumption. Most impressive.

[JPPOL]

Thank you. This book trilogy was a great joy to me as a teenager.

[QuantumChance]

It's interesting how Irulan's statement on the human mind needing a challenge to exist and survive and even thrive reflects strongly on the concept of fremen austerity and pragmatism. The desert is a challenge that strips away the decadent and soft, leaving only the necessary and hard.

[octavius]

It really sucks that the prequel books are so hated by purists. I think the Butlerian Jihad and the Cymech story arc would be fucking AMAZING for the big screen. Perfect for a trilogy & even multiple side-series. I really wish the Dune maniacs could see the potential in the much maligned prequel books

[wavydavy]

During the lockdown I read the entire Dune series (including prequels) in order and it's such an epic story with so few loose ends that it truly is a remarkable piece of science fiction.
And you have certainly done the first part of that some justice here.
Most entertaining. Thanks.
(An equally well written fighting fantasy title is the Second Apocalypse series by R Scott Bakker comprising 7 books, some of which are hard to come by. Another masterclass).

[IamHecx]

Part 2 is going to be EPIC! Thank you!

[AtamskArchadian]

I just yesterday reached the end of the sixth book in the main Dune saga, if you could call it that, and I have to say that Erasmus is probably in my top 3 for favorite A.I characters. In my opinion he is an entity of nearly pure intellect, driven almost primarily by a hunger for knowledge and experience, yet he has these human traits like humor, guilt, pride, enjoyment, humility and most surprising to me, if I’m not misreading him, yearning.