this post was submitted on 18 Apr 2024
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I've watched all the YouTube videos and tiktoks about the spice and the guild navigators.. basically they're what exists instead of decision making computers.

But what do they actually do to operate the ship? Like they looked and saw some shit and now they have to do something about it.

Does the navigator have buttons and levers to configure the drive? Do they just speak words to some sort of helmsman about how to steer? Do they write out instructions? Is there some sort of telepathy or telekinesis the navigator does with the hardware?

Whenever I Google it I just find articles and videos about spice. What about SOP?

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[–] scytale@lemm.ee 9 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I don’t think it’s explicitly explained in the original books, and every film/tv adaptation did them differently too. I haven’t read any of the Brian/KJA books and maybe they explain how, but most people don’t consider them canon.

[–] Nacktmull@lemmy.world 3 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

I haven’t read any of the Brian/KJA books

Do yourself a favor and keep it like that, those books are trash.

[–] Zoko_Argen@feddit.uk 5 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

My understanding of it when I read the books was the spice gives them similar prescience abilities to Paul. Effectively allowing them to see what's ahead and navigate before it's an issue. Especially because they're flying faster than light so they can't rely on their eyes as they'd crash into something by the time they actually see it.

I have a hazy memory of the book explaining they were once humans addicted to spice, so presumably they have some controls.

[–] QuarterSwede@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago

Computers were banned so it’s hard to say. Frank Herbert really doesn’t go into it as that wasn’t important to the point he was making.

[–] LordSinguloth@lemmy.ca 2 points 5 months ago

They have controls within the spice tanks to utilize as described in books late series frank Herbert line and many times in Brian herberts line

[–] pelletbucket@lemm.ee 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

I don't think it's ever really explained. because if these guys can fold space like that, you shouldn't even really need spaceships. that is, if they're creating some sort of finite and bubble around them that travels through the fold, as opposed to bringing things through that they're touching or something. but I still don't understand why those ships would ever need to leave atmosphere

[–] danhab99@programming.dev 2 points 7 months ago

Right but every time it's explained all that's said is that the navigators have presence. They can see the future and make decisions and then use tools (the holtzman drive) to do something. Bummer they didn't talk more about this. Do we even get to see a navigator in action (haven't watched the movies yet)