“A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care that the balances are correct.”
Frank Herbert, Dune
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The sun casting an eerie yellow glow from behind a toxic cloud of ash over Silicon Valley reminded me of a classic of science fiction I read recently. I wanted to read it before the newest film version was released (probably direct to streaming, given the global pandemic).
Frank Herbert was supposedly inspired to write this book after studying ecology and soil conservation on the Oregon Coast. Apparently there was a sand dune stabilization study he was reporting on and the science of the researchers’ findings inspired the book. For my part, when I saw the otherworldly orange and yellow sunlight transform the Bay Area into an apocalyptic wasteland I thought of Herbert’s evocative descriptions of the desert planet Arrakis. Here’s hoping I don’t get eaten by a Sand Worm if I venture out tonight!