Decode: Dune

The boys talk about some of the possibly pre-Islamic Chechen roots of taking possession of a fallen enemy's wife (as it is forbidden in Islam) as it pertains to sietch tradition of Paul inheriting Jamis' woman.    They also discuss Tibetan traditions around not disturbing the recent dead.   A little side talk to discuss Mike's wedding day.    Mike is also "eh" on the negativity associated with the Wild Jihad.

We give you ways to score free beer at SoCal Ren Faire/ Mike's wedding on 4/30, basically 3 months ago Back in Dune we're on Geidi Prime where Baron is having a 1 on 1 with Fenring, Feyd throws some hear at Fenring's wife and then kills a slave in gladiatorial combat. 

After Paul bests Jamis they attend his funeral and he is presented with a giant bag of Jamis' water that reminds Mike of Kramer's Oil Bladder system.  We learn that the Fremen have 10 million gallons of water in 1 location and have several hundred or thousand of these locations.  Random abandoned plotline: Jessica is Paul's enemy thing.  

Well holy hell we're finally back. Big time nostra(?) Culpa. We recorded 3 eps in late March but then Jeff misplaced the recordings and in late April Mike got married and Jeff served as minister for it so it was a crazy month. No real excuse for May. Anyway we've already pre-recorded 2 more eps and a special hot take episode coming soon. Mike is taking over as master of recordings also. In this ep we start on 379 and Paul and Jamis have a knife fight!

Jessica has bested Stilgar and now she needs a place in the tribe. As Stilgar's woman or something else?  Paul has his first heroic dose of Spice. Based on a comment Stilgar makes to Jessica, the boys dissect and discuss the concept of men finding combat with women sexual.  Mike is not impressed with Paul's prescience; it seems like the options were clear before we even found it.

The boys are back with more Dune coverage.  Jessica and Paul run into Stilgar and Jamis, Jessica dominaes Stilgar with the "weirding way" but doesn't know the way of the desert. Chani negs Paul.  On the editorial side we discuss how close to an event like a genocide do you need to be for it to resonate, why Mike thinks Frank kind of fails to deliver the villian in the next book, Dune Messiah.  

The boys are psyched to finally be back on Dune the book after a long interruption with Dune movie and Foundation on Apple TV. Also, back to having quality audio. Sorry the last 2 eps sounded like shit. NEVER AGAIN

The boys talk ep 8 of FOundation on Apple TV.    Next 3 episodes are back to Dune book-we promise!  Already recorded

We're back with coverage of episode 7 of Foundation on AppleTV.   For those of y'all mostly here for DUNE we PROMISE we're getting back to it in our next recording session and will do some more Dune book content before revisiting Foundation the show.  That may be the next episode or 2 episodes from now as we recorded 2 together on 1/23.  

The boys talk about sleeping habits, drinking, Marx and episode 6 of Foundation on Appletv

Happy new year! It's 2022 and we're back with an episode watchthrough of Foundation on AppleTV episode 5.    In this ep, Bing Bong and Island Boys has become part of the middle aged white male vocabulary.      

The boys watch ep 4 of Foundation on AppleTV and discuss it  BING BONG

The boys watch ep 3 of Foundation and talk through it.  What more needs to be said? You're already here and you know they're funny and insightful- just listen!

Hot-ish off the heels of the Dune movie watch-through commentary, the boys decided to do the same with episode 2 of Apple TV's adaptation of Foundation.  Our hot take is that as a book reader ep 2 was a real stinker. However upon separating oneself from the book the episode, and show stand on their own pretty decently. What do you think of our watch throughs? Feedback welcome.

The boys finish this special Dune movie watch through.    We've started doing the same with Foundation on Apple Tv. What do you think?    Should we?  

The boys continue their watch-through from around 53 min in! 

Fire up your HBO Max and grab your popcorn because the boys are watching Dune (with the audio filtered out) and making comments along the way.  You are invited to watch and listen along with us.     This was an idea proposed by co-host Jeff and definitely something new. We think this is a cool episode and would love to hear your feedback on doing more of this.  We WILL be formally reviewing other Dune media but should we do the watch-through?     This episode covers the first 55 minutes of the movie. Our next episode should finish the movie off or get us at least another hour in.  

Well they made a Dune movie and we saw it. Here's our first take recorded on Sunday 10/24 after Mike saw it on Saturday night and Jeff apparently saw it “100 times” between its Thursday release on HBO Max and our recording.    The first 18 minutes we discuss where we're coming from in terms of seeing movies/shows based on books we've read (or the opposite- Mike says movie/show first is a great way to avoid disappointment), the importance of recording and posting a reaction ASAP, what we think we're doing with this podcast...and then we get into the film;  what we thought worked, what didn't. What surprised us about the adaptation, etc.     This convo was definitely less organized than we intended so we WILL be back for more movie talk.  Mike wants to see it again.   Our next episode will be the a watch-through/talk-through of the movie (like a commentary track on a DVD) from the beginning to about 55 minutes in.  From there we'll finish the movie in a similar fashion and return to the book!  We're NOT done talking about the movie yet!  

  The boys are back with a two chapter banger.    We see some leadership from both Gurney and the smuggler Tuek (we previously met at the dinner party) when Tuek saves Gurney and his men.    In the next chapter we're still out in the desert camping with Paul and Jessica. They misuse the thumper from the fremkit and we run into    Next episode is likely a review of the DUNE MOVIE!

  Again apologies for releasing 2 Foundation eps in a row. Now you're going to get 2 Dune episodes in a row.    Harkonnens gonna "woo" Thufir to serve the Harkonnens but also poison him. Seems foolish to think he'd ever truly be loyal to Harkonnens. Dated writing and plotting.    Next chapter: Paul and Jessica still camping. Paul makes a mistake and they need to do some McGuyver shit to solve it. Jeff proposes it's quicksand fetishry at work here.    Jessica reasserts herself as needing to train Paul in prana bindu showing he's not totally independent.   Random talk: Mike used to go to clubs but had to stop cuz djs cuz they played late    Jeff was punk til he had kids    Jeff doesnt understand the appeal of step mom/sister porn. Mike, who has never had a step anything claims any woman who isnt blood relative is just another woman.                   

So Apple done released the first two episodes of Foundation on AppleTV and we're here to dive in.  The show may pull items from books later in the series but the show is VERY different than Foundation the book; Kleon of the Entun clones, a Gaal Dornick backstory, a space bridge instead of an elevator to the surface, a massive terrorist attack and more!    We talk about it all.     Hot Takes: making Gaal's home planet “exotic” by comparison to the center of the empire, and less “hayseed” as described in the book with an actor of color on the role is a form of bigotry   The terrorist attack in the very first episode to make everyone care about the story is kind of lame.  

The boys discuss part 2 of Foundation in its entirety starting from the end and working their way back: The Foundation encyclopedia project is fugazi and Hari Seldon sent 100k people to Terminus to start a new empire. Terminus has nuclear power and the warlike neighboring kingdom of anacreon does not, giving them a great advantage.   In the ep the boys wax philosophical on entropy and the relation of prescience in both Foundation and Dune.  Jeff recommends a tv show.  Mike says he wishes the entirety of Foundation were a 10 page prologue like LOTR because he doesn't care for a revolving cast of characters in this manner.   Show links:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG4MKtgeFyc    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-1FkBFgiJM 

The boys are back on Dune and this is a big, meaty chapter and episode:  Paul speaks as Duke for the first time to someone beneath him (Kynes) and flexes his new power and abilities, Kynes and Paul make a “cool de la” deal to black mail the emperor, thus beginning the Atreides “desert power”,  bells for Duncan RIP.     The boys also get a little philosophical and talk about artificial intelligence.  For the anti-fanboys: This chapter is a good example of some of the misogynistic critique Herbert occasionally receives and deserves. Here are 3 bonkers examples of him downplaying Jessica after building her up:  1. She wonders if they're caught up in others' machinations even though she has known this from the beginning 2. She asks why Kynes separates himself from them when they escape even though she would know this  3. Her inability to control her clattering teeth despite all that prana bindhu training we talked about quite a bit back in episode 7.   Note: We keep referring to our last Foundation episode in this episode but that Foundation episode will actually be released next week, we recorded out of order lol Ep links:   Born again hard: https://youtu.be/8gC_PhXOFXE   Age or aries, age of picses: https://www.ohotto.com/the-ages-of-aries-pisces/    jubbas : https://www.jubbas.com/products/black-hooded-jubbah   “Cool de la”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud-L36fOkU8

The boys are back to finish part 1 of Foundation. Seldon predicts the fall of the empire within 300 years and a 30k dark age. If he can do his encyclopedia project he can shorten it to 1k. He and crew are exiled to exactly where he wanted to go.   In the latter part we discuss covering this book differently than Dune and the reasons behind it. We think we can knock out Foundation in abour 6 episodes. Are you a Dune fan that has joined us for this? Let us know what you think. If you came here directly for Foundation let us know as well!

We're now in Dune Book 2: Muad Dib!    It's a rare 2 chapter episode: in Chapter 1 of Book 2, Paul and Jessica are still out in the stilltent recovering from the attack on their home, the death of Leto and Paul's early onset prescience, including the revelation that Jessica is the Baron Harkonnen's daughter and consequently, Paul is “half Harkonnen, Half Atreides”.     The boys discuss nature vs nurture and that the idea here is sure they both have Harkonnen genes, but they are “culturally Atreides”.   In the next chapter, Thufir is with his wounded men and encounters a Fremen.  In this chapter we learn about “water decisions”, we see the first glimpse of the fremen's elite fighting capabilities and some big differences between the fremen and the Atreides.  

  The boys dive into Foundation and talk about the people, sights, sounds, and smells of Trantor the capital of the Galactic Empire as well as meet some important fellows: Hari Seldond and Gaal    Show notes:    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Ya_Gonna_Keep_%27em_Down_on_the_Farm_(After_They%27ve_Seen_Paree)%3F   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaywalking     Please note: if you listened to episode 000 the first ten minutes of this episode is the same.

The boys are super excited to start their reading of isaac Asimov's seminal work “Foundation”.  This 10 min snippet is a nice state of the union of where Decode Podcast is going -  that we're going to cover Foundation and Dune every other episode.  Worry not Dune fans, we already have Dune Book 2 episodes in the can!  This is also the first ten minutes of Decode: Foundation Episode 001, coming out soon!     Same with Dune, spoilers are on, but as we haven't read the book or series in its entirety as we had with Dune, we don't have a lot to spoil.  Looking forward to recording Foundation episodes in near real time with our read of it. We may circle back someday and cover nook 1 of Foundation with an awareness of where it goes but for now, join us for Decode: Foundation!  

In light of the Dune movie's official trailer being released a few weeks back, the boys embark on an intended two part discussion of the trailer.  In part 1, we cover our takes on the cast according to their characters. You might be surprised by our takes.   Teaser hot take: Jason Mamoa as Duncan is "fine" if Denis Villeneuve only wants to cover Dune, and Dune Messiah but his casting is going to really be a problem if they make it to God Emperor of Dune and beyond...

We've arrived at the final chapter of Book 1 of Dune.  Paul and Jessica are alone in the desert with their stilltent as Duncan Idaho, the surprise rescuer in the ornithopter, goes looking for any survivors he can help.    Paul has a coming of age moment where he puts together the dual mentat and Bene Gesserit training he's been under his whole life. That he's a part of an agenda but can choose his own path. Also, that he is addicted to spice and essentially stranded on Arrakis.     Mike critiques that the writing doesn't explicitly talk about this moment occurring due to heightened emotions or trauma from the previous day's events.    Jeff comments that race consciousness isn't a good term for what ought to be “collective unconscious”     Links:  It's a picasso- SNL https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/portrait-of-the-artist-pablo-picasso/2868073   Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/709527276594862 You can follow the hosts or subscribe via other podcasting host sites below:    Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/709527276594862 You can follow the hosts or subscribe via other podcasting host sites below:    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/decodepodcast  Apple/itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decode-dune/id1549775522  Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/decode-dune Libsyn: http://decodepodcast.libsyn.com/website   Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/62N0vWCc3Ad6B7ooplxm...   Mike : https://www.instagram.com/mginyourface/ Jeff: https://www.instagram.com/omgnogi/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DecodeDunePodcast

In this episode the boys squeeze in two very short chapters: the flashback of Yueh putting the pack in the thopter for Paul and Jessica, his death, and then Leto's death via poison tooth along with Harkonnen attack on Arrakeen.    Mike talks a little Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and how to tell the accent of an Azeri formerly on the Armenian side of the border. Jeff tells a story about his dad in Vietnam.    The hosts question whether there are hand lasguns or are all lasguns heavy artillery?    Shoutut to Binge Mode for the episode name    Shownotes:  People of the book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_of_the_Book  Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagorno-Karabakh_conflict 

Paul and Jessica take a ride in an ornithopter with some Harkonnen goons. Paul uses the voice for the first time and kicks a man to death.     Though we're definitely a book-first podcast we discuss how the Yueh plot is gonna be wack in a 2021 film.  Are they really going to run with it or change the story a touch?     Jeff revisits the idea that tough times don't really make tough people on a mass scale.     Ep links:  Brightness falls: https://www.amazon.com/Brightness-Falls-Jay-McInerney/dp/0679745327     Abdomen kick KO: https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/6/26/22551937/ufc-vegas-30-video-marcin-prachnio-shuts-down-ike-villanueva-with-body-kick    Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/709527276594862 You can follow the hosts or subscribe via other podcasting host sites below:    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/decodepodcast    Mike : https://www.instagram.com/mginyourface/ Jeff: https://www.instagram.com/omgnogi/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DecodeDunePodcast Insta: https://www.instagram.com/decodedunepodcast/

With the chapter covered here being very short (where Yueh replaces Leto's tooth with the poison implant) the hosts talk about non-Dune stuff for the first 20 minutes including topics like:  The sucide of Jeffrey Epstein vs John McAfee Jeff's family history in Germany and Michigan Mike's family history of coming from Greece during the Greek Civil War Jeff is competing in upcoming jiu jitsu tournaments and dares you to challenge him A shout out to our patreon Edgar and his business @edgar_rolls_bjj   As always,  we're interested in what the audience thinks about this- let us know!   In terms of this chapter of Dune: we've talked a lot about Yueh sucks as does this plotline.  Linking the chapter intro to the text itself- the Atreides “plans within plans” nonsense with Leto publicly suspecting Jessica was all a total waste.  The game is basically over for Leto and athe Atreides on Arrakis and it was the weakest member of the team that did them in.    Show links:   Lake Hackert, MI- https://www.lake-link.com/michigan-lakes/mason-county/crystal-hackert-lake/22787/ Greek Civil War- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Civil_War Edgar Rolls- https://www.instagram.com/p/CPCkmIBJJY9/?utm_medium=copy_link&fbclid=IwAR0lX_3Ri3qet9Hut4z8miRrWHJmzlqNZazZLkhL5QXXU5SdsSbu2yKjvXE    Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/709527276594862 You can follow the hosts or subscribe via other podcasting host sites below:    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/decodepodcast    Mike : https://www.instagram.com/mginyourface/ Jeff: https://www.instagram.com/omgnogi/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DecodeDunePodcast Insta: https://www.instagram.com/decodedunepodcast/     

  Episodes 14,15, and 16 were all recorded on the same day. Do we seem diminished by the end? Let us know. In fact, Mike renews his call to listeners to DM the IG or Facebook group about literally anything.   Duncan shows up drunk and the boys discuss the actor playing Duncan in the 2021 movie, Jason Mamoa in general.   Jessica and Thufir finally have it out about who is the traitor as well as the *real* pecking order of the Atreides organization.  The oft-discussed Bene Gesserit power of “the voice” finally gets put on display to amazing effect.  Jeff's leadership round-up of the episode: Jessica flexed real organizational power and restored alignment. Ultimately, a good move. Has fame been bad for Navy Seals?     Show links:    Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/709527276594862 You can follow the hosts or subscribe via other podcasting host sites below:    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/decodepodcast    Mike : https://www.instagram.com/mginyourface/ Jeff: https://www.instagram.com/omgnogi/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DecodeDunePodcast Insta: https://www.instagram.com/decodedunepodcast/     

Coming in hot off the Scott Ross conversation, we dive into the Chapter of Dune where Jessica hosts a dinner party with the power brokers of Arrakis in Arakeen, we learn some disgusting Harkonnen traditions, Leto acts awkwardly like a man whose time is marked; Ned Stark-like in his poorly playing the game.     Mike makes a general plea to our audience all over the world to please DM the Instagram handle or join our facebook community and message him pretty much anything.  Jeff further develops the Spice is Worm poop theory from the past episode. Mike claims squirting aka female climax is pee. It is what it is.    Show links:  Claiming squirting isnt pee (wrong): https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/the-hook-up/squirting-sex-pee-pleasure-guide/12519364   Chapo cheesecake factory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2g2svYx1v4     Oliver Twist: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Twist   

We're back after too long of a break interviewing Masters of Literature candidate and 10th Planet Ventura owner Scott Ross.    We cover the Monomyth/ the Hero's Journey as espoused in Joseph Campbell's "Hero With a Thousand Faces" which was itself heavily influenced by Jungian psychology.    We also talk a lot about the Bene Gesserit Missionaria Protectiva by way of a discussion regarding previous attempts at changing history or using myth to control populations. Some excellent examples include: Genesis B and The Legend of King Arthur-  you're going to want to look into those after hearing this if you aren't very familiar.    We also discuss some of the meaning behind specific names in the book series like the House of Atreus (Atreides) from Greek myth, the name Keynes, Helen Gaius Mohiam, etc.     Finally, Jeff makes the controversial claim: spice Worm poop (or at least bodily waste).    Fret not for another delay- eps -15 and 016 are already recorded and in those eps we return to book chapters!   Show notes:    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero%27s_journey https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesis_B https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keynesian_economics  Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/709527276594862 You can follow the hosts or subscribe via other podcasting host sites below:    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/decodepodcast    Mike : https://www.instagram.com/mginyourface/ Jeff: https://www.instagram.com/omgnogi/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DecodeDunePodcast Insta: https://www.instagram.com/decodedunepodcast/  

The boys agree that they're going to limit the jiu jitsu, BUT when people knife fight in the book we're going to talk about grappling and military strategy.    Jeff introduces the main influence on the Fremen: sabres of paradise.   Strong convo about the aspects of pooping in stillsuits.    And then the chapter: Paul and Leto go on a field trip with Liet Kynes to see spice harvesting in action,  worm comes, all goes wrong and Leto makes a strong leadership call.    Links: https://www.amazon.com/Sabres-Paradise-Conquest-Vengeance-Caucasus/dp/0993092721    https://prezi.com/ua6o1hz0hudd/stain-your-prayer-rug-with-wine/    https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/24/world/middleeast/sufi-muslim-explainer.html   Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/709527276594862 You can follow the hosts or subscribe via other podcasting host sites below:    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/decodepodcast    Mike : https://www.instagram.com/mginyourface/ Jeff: https://www.instagram.com/omgnogi/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DecodeDunePodcast Insta: https://www.instagram.com/decodedunepodcast/

This has been foreshadowed before but we learn not only has the Missionaria Protectiva foreshadowed someone *like* Jessica showing up on Arrakis, but also the son of a Bene Gesserit- in this case, Paul. He is the Mahdi.    Then the hosts sidetrack hard on polish black metal: "Tale of two batushkas: batushka and faketushka" and civil forfeiture...but it's pretty awesome    This is a good episode to repeat the request for feedback: too much sidetracking? If we did 2 chapters in an hour-better than this?    https://www.metalsucks.net/2019/07/26/the-faketushka-version-of-batushka-is-getting-slaughtered-on-the-internet/    https://www.metalsucks.net/2020/07/21/the-less-cool-version-of-batushka-has-released-a-new-song/    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_forfeiture_in_the_United_States    Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/709527276594862 You can follow the hosts or subscribe via other podcasting host sites below:    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/decodepodcast    Mike : https://www.instagram.com/mginyourface/ Jeff: https://www.instagram.com/omgnogi/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DecodeDunePodcast Insta: https://www.instagram.com/decodedunepodcast/

Mazel Tov to Decode: Dune for making to episode 10!  Apparently most podcasts call it quits before ep 10 and we already have eps 11 and 12 recorded. Booyakasha.    The chapter we cover today is a big, hairy one where we get a deep dive into the equipment, methodology and operations involved in Spice Harvesting.  We also meet Stilgar and get a sense of Fremen machismo, leadership and honor culture. We also see Leto’s leadership style in action in some surprising and possibly disappointing ways.  Paul is really coming into his own and finds himself disagreeing with the doomed Leto   Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/709527276594862 You can follow the hosts or subscribe via other podcasting host sites below:    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/decodepodcast    Mike : https://www.instagram.com/mginyourface/ Jeff: https://www.instagram.com/omgnogi/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DecodeDunePodcast Insta: https://www.instagram.com/decodedunepodcast/

"If you're  a CEO or manager and you're saying 'I got to be me' then you're basically Michael Scott."   Leto hears about the attempt on Paul's life and while pissed, holds it together for his meeting with Gurney wherein he has Gurney entertain and recruit skilled spice workers who are otherwise about to leave Arrakis.   The guys discuss the escalation of conflict/violence and why it's better to control than escalate.  No biting allowed.    Mike shares a story about someone trying to intentionally hurt him after Mike accidentally had hurt the person earlier.    Jeff discusses performative leadership vis a vis Gurney who is by all accounts a general acting like a blue collar worker /grunt/ one of the guys.    Also how over-sharing can lead to regrettable undermining   Jeff is a fan of Jocko Willink and Mike does a solid Israeli accent.    Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/709527276594862 You can follow the hosts or subscribe via other podcasting host sites below:    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/decodepodcast    Mike : https://www.instagram.com/mginyourface/ Jeff: https://www.instagram.com/omgnogi/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DecodeDunePodcast Insta: https://www.instagram.com/decodedunepodcast/  

Jessica discovers a secret garden in the house as well as a note from a fellow Bene Gesserit informing her there is a traitor amongst them. Paul comes in from his recent near-death experience and starts to show signs of out-growing his relationship with Jessica. He’s becoming his own man and has a sense of what needs to be done. Mike sings the Bruce Springsteen song Secret Garden from the Jerry Maguire soundtrack and talks about unlocking intimacy with women. Jeff talks about the book The Secret Garden and women’s fantasies. These two dudes talking about women’s sexuality is awesome. Jet fields a question about Jessica making assumptions about how men will act (she assumes usually in a defensive or negative way)- does she experience most men as butt hurt? This episode is a weird and wild ride and we hope you like the direction we’re going! Relevant links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d_OdqErMsc Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/709527276594862 Facebook Page: facebook.com/DecodeDunePodcast Instagram Page: instagram.com/decodedunepodcast Patreon: patreon.com/decodepodcast

We shared the Tim Cartmell Fremen Combat Analysis episode to a few Dune fan groups on Facebook and Reddit and were pretty surprised by the reactions...not the arguments that we got it all wrong but the comments that this analysis wasn’t necessary. That the Fremen “just did it”. Or that the still suits provided all the protection.   So we did a producer-less/not gonna edit mini-ep about "reactions to the reactions" of our Tim Cartmell bonus episode re: training to be lethal in the desert environment of Arrakis and knife fighting norms (in general-ish). We then talk about the HBO Max show focusing on the Bene Gesserit "exclusively" and general talk about expanding on someone else's writing/universe and analyzing books in general. We also pondered why we didn’t fire up Youtube live and invite friends/guests.    VERY curious if anyone finds this interesting or would have wanted us to do Youtube live... This will NOT replace chapter by chapter analysis it would be it's own fun side episode thing. As always you can DM us anywhere, email at decodedune@gmail.com, or join the facebook group (decode: dune) and start posting   Relevant links: “The thread”: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2222780451/permalink/10159427597690452  What happens when you die from dehydration: https://www.popsci.com/dehydration-death-thirst-water/    The Sisterhood on HBO: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/dune-sisterhood-showrunner-exit-hbo-max-series-1252449     Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/709527276594862 Facebook Page: facebook.com/DecodeDunePodcast Instagram Page: instagram.com/decodedunepodcastPatreon: patreon.com/decodepodcast

Please note: This was an episode intended to be a Patreon subscriber-only episode that we decided to release publicly for free in hopes of seeking feedback - We’re eager to build a following in general but also patrons on Patreon- is this the sort of content you would pay $5 a month to get every week or every other week? If so, why? If you’d like something different- what kind of things?   If you support any creators on patreon- who and why? What do you love about their work?    We’re not asking for $, we’re doing market research!     You can respond to any of the following questions by emailing us at decodedune@gmail.com or DM’ing at AT of our social media outlets.     Now onto the show...   The Fremen were already skilled in combat before Muad Dib sought to train them in The Weirding Way. Of course, this is why Leto wanted to make an alliance with them in order to face The Emperor’s Sardaukar. But the conditions of Arrakis present the challenges of dehydration, stroke, or death if one exerts themselves in the heat.  How did they become so skilled at combat without dying (and maintaining their core belief in water preservation)? It’s a paradox we seek to unlock today!     We're coming to you with a special episode where we interview martial arts expert, Tim Cartmell!    Cartmell does an in-depth analysis on Fremen combat training and the similarities of knife fighting styles in different cultures.   In the post-interview portion Mike and Jeff hash out the concept of honor culture vs dignity culture as it pertains to the Fremen code of honor.  You’ll hear familiar names such as the Scots-Irish of the Southern US and Appalachia mentioned too.    Tim Cartmell Links:Shen Wu: shenwu.com/background Tim Carmtell: wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Cartmell Honor Culture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_honor_(Southern_United_States)#:~:text=The%20traditional%20culture%20of%20the,accepting%20improper%20conduct%20by%20others.  Honor Culture and Violence: https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195396607/obo-9780195396607-0160.xml Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/709527276594862 Facebook Page: facebook.com/DecodeDunePodcast Instagram Page: instagram.com/decodedunepodcast Patreon: patreon.com/decodepodcast

In chapter 8 Paul has a close encounter with a Hunter Seeker manned by a Harkonnen loyal and meant to kill him He uses his Bene Gesserit training to make it out alive, as well as the life of Shadout Mapes who now owes him a “water debt”.  Mike starts episode quoting Ricky Martin livin la vida loca Hunter Seeker deep dive!!! It’s a drone!   The boys discuss being part of the Joe Rogan-Chapo Trap House coaching tree Jeff goes off on Kilos vs Pounds, old math vs new math, and the concept Common Core State Standards Initiative Mike interprets the parallels between Bene Gesserit  way, Prana-Bindu training in the Dune Universe with IRL Prana and Bindu Jeff continues this deep dive with Mind vs Body in martial arts fighting style parallels “Weirding Way” fighting   Coaching tree: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaching_tree    Carol Dweck closed vs growth mindset: https://www.ted.com/speakers/carol_dweck    History of Drones: https://consortiq.com/short-history-unmanned-aerial-vehicles-uavs/    Shadba: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabda    Prana: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prana   Bindu: https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/5269/bindu     Wim hof: https://www.reddit.com/r/dune/comments/3dna5e/dutch_man_discovers_prana_bindu/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

Yueh and Jessica chat in chapter 7 and we're left with a future of Jessica accusing Thufir and Thufir accusing Jessica.  Jeff goes hard on Yueh again, but in this case in a profound way inspired by the leadership coaching he gets paid the big bucks to do for C-level execs of multi-million dollar companies.  In fact, this episode like so many others, isn't just about Dune: it's a must listen to anyone interested in business environments, leadership, how to hire the right people, how to start a new position the right way, etc.  We talk a lot about shortcomings most organizations have in their interviewing and hiring.  How people fail to get increasing "power" and autonomy in their organizations- by failing to create social networks within the org. It's not all about raw talent! Conclusion: Yueh was a bad hire and should have been fired long ago. And we want to know- does the audience find this stuff valuable? Are heading in the direct of interest? Note: Mike is writing these notes not Jeff- he's too humble for that References:   Dan Carlin Hardcore History episode about Persian Empire: https://www.dancarlin.com/hardcore-history-56-kings-of-kings/  Gainsight COO "filling the product gaps": https://www.gainsight.com/guides/the-essential-guide-to-product-driven-customer-success/    Comparative sizes of space vessels in scifi: https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/ffc8c5ef-1058-4f07-b62c-e396612d3028/d6lfgdf-09dc7543-d164-4ded-85b8-55f261409db3.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOiIsImlzcyI6InVybjphcHA6Iiwib2JqIjpbW3sicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvZmZjOGM1ZWYtMTA1OC00ZjA3LWI2MmMtZTM5NjYxMmQzMDI4XC9kNmxmZ2RmLTA5ZGM3NTQzLWQxNjQtNGRlZC04NWI4LTU1ZjI2MTQwOWRiMy5qcGcifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJuOnNlcnZpY2U6ZmlsZS5kb3dubG9hZCJdfQ.cpjY29G8hLmm0-h4GZHjTzKGgUjsl_qteDBmkdZItpE 

We’re finally on Dune!  Moving 25,000 years in the future is like moving today; boxes, who gets what bedroom, decisions where to hang things, and disagreements.  In this episode, Mike briefly revisits chapter 6 briefly to mention that Leto informs Paul that he’s been groomed to be a Mentat and we otherwise get right to it:   We break down psychologist David Kantor’s concept of structural dynamics from his book “Reading the Room.” Leto uses “closed power” when talking with Jessica about where the painting of Leto’s father and the bull that gored him to death. Understanding structural dynamics is a great way to improve your outcomes in life and business so there’s some really good stuff in here if you join us for the “and more” aspect of us covering “Dune and more”. Chakobsa “hunting language” and the use of secret codes in warfare such as the 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu naming system--if your opponent can’t understand you, you have an advantage.  The nature of the Missionaria Protectiva as a way of a Bene Gesserit in distress accessing help from the natives. Jessica and our first encounter with a Fremen (the Shadout Mapes) Nifty crysknives and why the word “Maker” is so important.  Structural dynamics David Kantor book: https://www.amazon.com/Reading-Room-Dynamics-Coaches-Leaders/dp/0470903430    Sami People: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A1mi_people    Nutti Sami Sida ecotourism in Arctic Sweden - https://nutti.se/    10th planet jiu jitsu: https://www.10thplanetjj.com/    A thread about 10th planet names: https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/7cxvw8/whats_up_with_those_10th_planet_technique_names/ 

Our first episode recorded since we released episode 1, we have listeners and they are talking to us on social media!  Find us on IG and Facebook by searching our name- we have a page and a social group!   We do a quick shout-out to them and dive into Chapters 5 and 6.   In chapter 5, Yueh gives Paul a tiny copy of the OC Bible. It’s been mentioned previously albeit briefly. Here we dive a bit deeper regarding religion in the time of space travel, The OC Bible, and the history of the Guild and CHOAM, sourced from the Appendix of Dune, and the prohibitively expensive and out-of-print Dune Encyclopedia.   Jeff has strong feelings of animosity towards Yueh’s betrayal of the Atreides and the Suk school conditioning. We discuss Yueh being so dramatic and Mike forgets the name of the opera Rigoletto that he saw at LA Opera in 2018.  In chapter 6 we meet for the first time and we discuss that Leto and Jessica are hot. The actors playing them in the Dune 2021 movie are hot.   Leto is described as being “totally present”. Jeff talks about the concept of “total presence” as fits Leto’s description from his 30+ years of practicing Buddhism.   Mike points out that in the gnostic Christian tradition, metaphorical agony of the cross is being pulled by the forces of the past and future inside yourself, instead of living in the present.   We discuss that Leto’s grasp on leadership is similar to both Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark. Similar to Robert in that he has an ability people look up to (Robert won the battle of the Trident, simple enough).  Similar to Ned Stark in the sense that people like his sense of right and wrong and lack of willingness to compromise his beliefs or value system. “A standup guy”. Next episode we’ll finally be on Arrakis! Recorded on Super Bowl Sunday, 2021.   Links and stuff:  Dune encyclopedia: https://www.amazon.com/Dune-Encyclopedia-Authorized-Masterpiece-Imagination/dp/B01K3JYLKW/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1613445600&sr=8-1  The Monomyth: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero%27s_journey Mike and the lovely Linda at Rigoletto at LA Opera, 2018 https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10101684635803360&id=21904740&sfnsn=mo  GameStop/ Wallstreet bets debacle:  https://www.vox.com/the-goods/22249458/gamestop-stock-wallstreetbets-reddit-citron  Gnosticism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism  Tim Cartmell Patreon episode:  https://www.popsci.com/dehydration-death-thirst-water/

In episode 3 we stick to chapter four- it’s a big one in that it introduces a lot of the theories of leadership and government that Frank Herbert sought to critique, as well as introduces the form of combat that will be prevalent in the Dune Universe and life of Paul Atreides. Furthermore, it pushes the important fact that unlike Caladan, planet Arrakis itself is a character in Dune.  An enemy, in fact.      Some highlights:   Mike mis-pronounces Muad Dib early on yikes! - please forgive Mike comments on the theory of the connection between violence in the 70’s and lead poisoning We see the beginnings of a  rift between Thufir and Jessica specifically, but perhaps all Bene Gesserit and Mentats We perform a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis of Paul as a future Duke and leader. Current outlook: has potential but also very green and immature.   But we do observe the beginnings of forced adolescent growth and leadership in Paul, similar to Robb Stark between Game of Thrones and A Storm of Swords (until of course Robb makes a very silly juvenile error) We learn some leadership wisdom from Jeff, a professional leadership coach Mike spoils the Red Wedding for anyone who has been living under a rock  We see the renaissance style of combat in this world- an aspect of space opera (and real Opera).  More dramatic, more in your face.  The difference in fighting a noble would likely engage in vs. military (infantry)   Jeff talks about hand to hand combat in feudal Japan (and elsewhere), why bjj starts on knees/butt.  Some links: 70’s lead violence theory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead%E2%80%93crime_hypothesis Red Wedding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSwHpb_nNZg  SWOT: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_05.htm  History of BJJ: https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/10/13/2481689/jiu-jitsu-history-birth-on-the-battlefield  More history of BJJ: https://jitsmagazine.com/jiu-jitsu-origins-grappling-with-gods/

With our updated goal of: “spend the right amount of time on each chapter”, we cover chapters 2 and 3. In chapter 2 we move to Geidi Prime, the home planet of the Baron Harkonnen; nemesis of the Atreides. We learn that the Harkonnen plot to take out the Atreides and resume control of the spice trade on Arrakis features turning the Atreides family doctor against them through treachery. However, there is also a secret twist- the Emperor is in on the plot and will be sending his specialized super troops, the Sardaukar, in Harkonnen uniforms to ensure success. Surprisingly the feud between the Harkonnens and Atreides is legally sanctioned with rules and forms of the Emperium- this is called “kanly”, a word rooted in the sort of blood feuds common amongst the tribes of Earth’s Caucasus Mountains, circa the 19th century. Jeff fills us in on how Herbert was heavily influenced by a book called Sabres of Paradise, whose topic is the Caucasian war of Independence between Caucus mountain tribes and Russia.   In Chapter 3 we’re back on Caladan where Reverend Mother Helen Mohiam and Jessica discuss her forbidden son, Paul, in more detail, as well as the Bene Gesserit’s ultimate agenda. We get a glimpse of Paul’s special abilities- can he predict the future? Do his dreams have meaning?   Delving further into the Bene Gesserit, we discuss “the voice” and the pop science behind it.  We’re not an anti-Star Wars podcast, but the “Jedi mind trick” that is the equivalent of the voice is pretty lame. Also, Gandalf uses “the voice” effectively in LOTR several times.   Speaking of Star Wars, we hear a very interesting story of how Jeff saw Star Wars in theatres for the first time in 1977. Mike foreshadows Paul’s father Duke Leto’s fate by calling him Ned Stark and that he sucks playing the game of thrones/kanly.  The hosts ramble about their Jiu jitsu styles and we realize it’s time to end.     Kanly: https://dune.fandom.com/wiki/Kanly#:~:text=Kanly%20was%20the%20enactment%20of,days%20of%20the%20Old%20Imperium.    Sabres of Paradise: https://www.amazon.com/Sabres-Paradise-Conquest-Vengeance-Caucasus/dp/0993092721    Phoenix Jones mutual combat: https://www.youtube.com/user/ThePhoenixJones/videos  Rumi poem: https://allpoetry.com/Who-makes-these-changes-