DUNE vs. LOTR | Comparing and Contrasting w/@Jess_of_the_Shire

Parker's Pensées
Parker's Pensées
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Published 2024-04-06
In episode 258 of the Parker's Pensées Podcast, I'm joined by Jess of the Shire to compare and contrast Arrakis and Middle-earth, Frank Herbert and J.R.R. Tolkien. We had a lot of fun covering everything from dragons to sandworms, to personality quirks of Herbert and Tolkien.

Check out Jess's fantastic channel here:    / @jess_of_the_shire  

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0:00 - Jess the Face-Essayist Cosplayer
13:24 - Jess's favorite LOTR character
15:54 - Technology in LOTR and Dune
23:50 - Frank Herbert the Philosopher
26:02 - Would Tolkien and Herbert have been friends?
32:44 - Is Paul Atreides the baddie?
34:33 - Why Did Tolkien Dislike Dune?
44:36 - Dragons or Sand Worms?
56:50 - Tolkien's Eucatastrophe vs. Herbert's Recurrent Shape
1:01:42 - What about Space Wizards?
1:06:37 - Jess's script writing and video production process
All Comments (21)
  • The research for my podcast episodes is intense. If you enjoy my high effort philosophy and theology podcast episodes, consider supporting me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/parkers_pensees
  • @davidalan528
    Re: power corrupting versus ‘it’s the corrupt who seek power,’ I’m from the Adams school. “Those who most want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it…on no account should anyone capable of getting themselves made President be allowed to do the job.” Power does corrupt, but it also attracts the corrupt. So your ideal leader is the reluctant one. Paul starts that way. Ender Wiggin starts that way. But both ultimately do get wrapped up in the system built around the rule into which they stepped. And the system, mind, always outlasts any one ruler. (Even the one who overthrows the system - because whatever change they bring, their immediate successors will without fail revise.)
  • @Balcamion79
    This is a really fun conversation! I found Jess through a cloak making video, and I've appreciated the theological and philosophical content of this channel.
  • @Chris_Traylor
    Ruocchio and Jess of the Shire in the same week! Keep it up man, I love your conversations. God speed
  • @CoranceLChandler
    This was positively fantastic, it is not often we are treated to the philosophical and practical implications of literature. I feel that the best authors often have a profound insight into ideas and human nature and are able to embody them into a believable, historical, sociological framework. It's hard for me to say for sure but I may have learned as much or more about life from reading good fiction as I have through any other means.
  • @ZephyrOptional
    Highly recommend Jess’s vid on Tom Bombadil. She’s a great scholar!
  • @Nineteen1900Hundred
    An interesting comparison would be Game Of Thrones, and maybe Star Wars, both Georges stole a lot!
  • @iWizard
    Hey, man. Just coming across your channel now. Subbed! My friend Christopher Ruocchio was just telling me he went on your channel and his Discord group has recommended that we collab at some point. We have a similar background---philosophy, fantasy, SF, classics, etc. Just wanted to say hi and that I'm glad I've found your channel. :) Cheers!
  • @Marqui91
    If Paul was a warning to people to be wary of the institutions people create and to be cautious of people in power, then what the heck is leto II meant to represent or warn against? Stagnation? Is he also a warning to watch against people in power?
  • @billyalarie929
    God your guests are nothing but bangers. Jess is AMAZING.
  • @NR-rv8rz
    The link to Jess's video channel doesn't work.
  • @kevinh2345
    Herbert's use of sandworms is not necessarily subversive, its how eastern cultures have used dragon imagery forever. Addtionally Tolkien seems to be the last story teller who understood the concept of authority. You know, a legitimate form of power in it's rightful place. However the post-hegelian real politik types see power as only capable of abuse. Tolkein believes that there is a place for people to be powerful without being tyrants inherently.
  • @DanSme1
    She shows her face because she’s attractive…Duh!