Decode Podcast

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 [email protected], 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/decodedunepodcast
Patreon: 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 [email protected] 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/