Space Spice?

PRUNEFACE · #1 01-10-2009, 09:19 PM

Hey guys, I was just watching Dune (the movie; but I have read he book) and it got me thinking: Why do so many sci-fi universes have spice as an extremely valuable material? Off the top of my head I can think of several series/games that feature spice, such as dune, star wars, spore (whixh my sister got for xmas) and...

Thunderscreech · #2 01-10-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRUNEFACE

Hey guys, I was just watching Dune (the movie; but I have read he book) and it got me thinking: Why do so many sci-fi universes have spice as an extremely valuable material? Off the top of my head I can think of several series/games that feature spice, such as dune, star wars, spore (whixh my sister got for xmas) and...

They need something to drive the plot line. in Dune, the spice is essential to the societal system, because of the Guild navigator guys. Basically, it's there as valuble material that can not be synthesized or replicated anywhere else. it's like salt was prior to the 1900s when they developed advanced desalinization.

MoD_Scotty · #3 01-10-2009, 09:28 PM

Not to mention it is highly addictive and virtually makes people immortal.

As far as dependence, you could say that oil is our "spice."

Thunderitter · #4 01-11-2009, 12:15 AM

Salt was once a driving force here in our world. My assumption is that what's got Spice moving in Sci-Fi.

hbarcat · #5 01-11-2009, 04:06 PM

Spices and exotic foods have always been a significant part of our economic history, with Asian spices being of huge importance for thousands of years. Particularly because they are primarily bought by those of the upper class, who tend to be the ones who hold political power as well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spice_Route

It seems reasonable that this would be included in imaginary science fiction worlds when the writer would be taking a chance in trying to come up with some technology or other goods as a plausible economic plot device. There are plenty of science fiction stories that have used the trade of some kind of technology in the plot and within a few years of the book being out it becomes hopelessly dated and sometimes laughable.

**Mark Wilson** · #6 01-11-2009, 04:08 PM

That explains the Sand People...
Lay off the spices, guys.

Joe Gress · #7 01-11-2009, 04:11 PM

Do you guys know how much saffron costs these days?

Honk'n_down-low · #8 01-11-2009, 04:22 PM

The world (this one or a created one) without Spice is like Music without Bass < there in terms you can relate to.

My work is done here, click....

Happynoj · #9 01-11-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeinsprings

Do you guys know how much saffron costs these days?

Just give your man-card to the bloke at the door on your way out...

Joe Gress · #10 01-11-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happynoj

Just give your man-card to the bloke at the door on your way out...

Hell no! An old family recipe handed down from generations of hardworking German farmers, who were displaced from their homeland to the frozen North Dakota and started farming there, calls for saffron soaked in brandy for the busca. (easter bread)

They (old family) probably had to buy it every year a quite a penny.

i_got_a_mohawk · #11 01-11-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeinsprings

Do you guys know how much saffron costs these days?

I agree, and was going to use that very example.

SuperDuck · #12 01-11-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoD_Scotty

Not to mention it is highly addictive and virtually makes people immortal.

As far as dependence, you could say that oil is our "spice."

True - the Spice in the Dune books is far more than just a spice. It's a life-extender that has a vast impact on how people throughout the universe live their lives.

HollowBassman · #13 01-11-2009, 07:09 PM

Am I the only one that was expecting a sexy pic of some singing space chick in the OP?

newbold · #14 01-11-2009, 07:40 PM

The story of Dune can also be understood as that of the vatican, jesuits, and illuminati versus the true believers.

Spice is, of course, a symbol for power/soul.

Thunderscreech · #15 01-11-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbold

The story of Dune can also be understood as that of the vatican, jesuits, and illuminati versus the true believers.

Spice is, of course, a symbol for power/soul.

Dune is just plain awesome. The first book, IMHO, anyway. From there it gets long and draggy.

Nyarlathotep · #16 01-11-2009, 09:27 PM

Will this thread become spicy? That is the question that burns like so much chili powder!

Thunderscreech · #17 01-11-2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanielTulip

Will this thread become spicy? That is the question that burns like so much chili powder!

Oh Mr. Tulip your puns have made my night!

Nyarlathotep · #18 01-11-2009, 09:53 PM

hbarcat · #19 01-11-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderscreech

Dune is just plain awesome. The first book, IMHO, anyway. From there it gets long and draggy.

One of the best science fiction novels of all time. True, the sequels went from bad to worse.

And don't get me started on the movie. . . . .

uethanian · #20 01-11-2009, 10:54 PM

big dune fan. personally, i think the spice was intended as a metaphor for oil in the middle east, but then the idea grew into something larger. i don't think herbert was trying to do a typical sci-fi thing with it (not that it was typical at the time), it definitely symbolized something.

another example i can think of is in starcraft, where u collect those minerals...