Neil deGrasse Tyson Complains That “Dune 2” Isn’t a Shining Beacon of Scientific Accuracy
Neil deGrasse Tyson Complains That “Dune 2” Isn’t a Shining Beacon of Scientific Accuracy
Famed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has scientific bones to pick with Dune's sand-thumping and worm movements.
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All of these comments expressing distaste with Neil deGrasse Tyson's character. I want to hear what people think about the actual criticism though.
(For those who didn't click: sand absorbs sound, so there's no way worms can hear thumping. Also, how do the worms move while rigid/straight.)
The criticism is of course accurate enough. It's even addressed in the books - there is some discussion in the books about "drum sand", but it isn't really elaborated on in the movie.
It's drumsand, a geological feature unique to Arrakis invented for the book. I appreciate that this isn't spelt out in the film but surely an intelligent audience member should be able to deduce that this is a sci-fi concept and not real life?
Fun fact, it actually does come up in the dialogue of part 1 when Paul and Jessica are running for the rocks from the sand worm, just before they meet the Fremen. It's under some of the music/ambience but Paul steps onto some and there is an audible thump before he notes that it's drum sand, so it is very briefly brought up.
You can see the scene here:
You just have to read the books. It's a very good piece of science fiction
spoiler
It's based on a soft science book about a guy who can see into the future, has a super-computer brain and controls people with his voice. In later book a guy's clone gets his dead memories because he was ordered to kill his buddy. Another guy lives for 3000 years by putting worms on his skin.
It's a fun series with some philosophical themes. I recommend it. scientific accuracy was not a goal and seems beside the point, but it makes sense for a science entertainer to have something to say about it while it's trending
P.S. their plated skin is involved in their movement. Think it's less a wriggle sometimes and more like a sound wave. compress expand?
spoiler
and everybody forgets about the robots...
the worms arent entirely rigid, they're made of armored segments. and what's wrong with moving while being straight? lots of snakes do that.