TV

[Khan]

How come there seems to be no TV or Radio in the Dune novels? Was it left out on purpose or was it just something they never thought about? What do you think?

[Caid Ivik]

Possibly in era of Butlerian Djihad people thought people in it look too artificial and banned it. But mostly I think it was ineffective. Planet-wide TV could be, but radio waves are too slow for live interstellar broadcast. Speed of light is too low. That's why most interplanetar communication is based on spice.

[Vanguard3000]

Obviously, radio is too slow for any type of broadcasting, as Caid Ivik mentioned. I always imagined news getting around via couriers on Heighliners, much the same way as it got around before radio. Well, without the Heighliners, of course.

When you explain too much, you can lose the story's charm. Planetwide radio/television was probably around, it's just not very important to the story, though.

[Khan]

Yeah I guess that's true I was just wondering ;)

[Emperor Harkonnen]

they don't really tell much about such simple electronical devices which makes life easier/happier for individuals.

The reason is probably because the individual was not of importance

[Khan]

Yeah I guess you're right but it might be nice;

Xavier hit the off button and jumped to attention ;)

[Caid Ivik]

Most of story is on Dune, where no satellites orbited and most people were poor, but if it wasn't about Dune but i.e.Grumman, TV would be possibly mentioned. Interstellar communications are provided by Guild messengers.

[Colonel_Worf]

Shaddam IV's coronation was broadcast all over Kaitain, so I'm sure the technology was still around.

[Vanguard3000]

So was the Festival at Onn in GEoD, come to think of it.

[Colonel_Worf]

Ahh.. and Ix had big screen TVs out in the corridors. That's how Rhombur addressed the Ixians when he went back.

[Vanguard3000]

Ahh.. and Ix had big screen TVs out in the corridors. That's how Rhombur addressed the Ixians when he went back.

So were their cielings. Hehe, there are tons of TV's in Dune! Well, the prequels, anyway. Interperet that however you like. ;)

[Colonel_Worf]

Just don't say a word either way. :D

[Tio_Holtzmann]

Radio isn't just for the prequels. Remember the micro-receiver Paul and Jessica were listening to just after the Harkonnens kicked them out of Arrakeen? And weren't the Bene Gesserit using comeyes and surveillance tvs all the time in heretics and chapter house?

[Vanguard3000]

Yeah, but those were for miliraty and communication purposes for the most part. I think Khan is primarily thinking of using these things for entertainment.

[Tio_Holtzmann]

Ahhh, I see. Well, in that case it seems like the only time frivolous enough to have "entertainment" would be Kaitain and I think Leto put his skyclipper parade on TV. Possibly Paulus' bullfights too.