|
The technology of the ''Dune'' universe 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, ISBN 0-8057-7514-5. "''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 Herbert's universe, leads to the outlawing of certain technologies, primarily "thinking machines", a collective term for computers and artificial intelligence of any kind. This prohibition is a key influence on the nature of Herbert's fictional setting. In ''Dune'', ten thousand years after this jihad, its enduring commandment remains: ==Atomics== Atomics is the term used to refer to nuclear weapons in the ''Dune'' universe. Like real-world nuclear weapons, atomics presumably derive their destructive force from nuclear reactions of fission or fusion, and Herbert notes that "radiation lingers" after their use.〔 However, the author never delves into the specifics of the technology or explores in detail how it may have evolved by the time of ''Dune'' In the initial ''Dune'' novels, the Great Houses of the Landsraad own "family atomics" as heirlooms, keeping a secure, hidden cache as weapons of last resort in their wars.〔 Though such possession is necessary to secure power, the use of atomics against humans violates the chief prohibition of the Great Convention, the "universal truce enforced under the power balance maintained by the Guild, the Great Houses, and the Imperium". Paul Atreides notes in ''Dune'' that "The language of the Great Convention is clear enough: ''Use of atomics against humans shall be cause for planetary obliteration''."〔 The atomics themselves act as a military deterrent—any House which violates the Great Convention flagrantly (such as using atomics openly in warfare) faces the possibility of massive retaliation from any number of the other Houses.〔 As Paul notes via epigraph in ''Dune Messiah'' (1969), "any Family in my Empire could so deploy its atomics as to destroy the planetary bases of fifty or more other Families". One type of atomic weapon is the stone burner, the explosion and radiation of which can be precisely adjusted depending on the desired effect.〔 Stone burners emit "J-Rays", a form of radiation that has a tendency to destroy the eye tissue of anyone surviving the initial radiation blast.〔 If of sufficient power, a stone burner can burn its way into the core of a planet, destroying it: ===The original series=== In ''Dune'', Paul uses an atomic device on the surface of Arrakis to blast a pass through a wild desert mountain range called the Shield Wall. He considers this act to be in accordance with the Great Convention because the atomics are not used against humans, but rather against "a natural feature of the desert".〔 A stone burner is used in an attempt to assassinate Paul in ''Dune: Messiah''; he survives but is blinded for the rest of his life.〔 In ''God Emperor of Dune'' (1981), the God Emperor Leto II notes that since his 3,500-year reign began he has "searched out all of the Family atomics and removed them to a safe place". 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Technology of the Dune universe」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|