Arguably the single most celebrated science fiction novel of the 21st Century, Frank Herbert’s Dune has long been a cultural phenomenon. Partly as a countercultural symbol thanks in part to some of its more mind-expanding themes, but mostly as a towering work of science fiction, with Herbert applying an almost textbook flavor to the original novel’s many appendices to explore the ecology of this fictional world. A key piece of this involves answering the question of how human life as we know it could survive on a world that has virtually no moisture, let alone running water. Which brings us to the topic of this week’s episode: the stillsuit.

A stillsuit is worn by natives of Arrakis to preserve and recycle their own body’s precious moisture, allowing them to last for longer periods in the open desert. When worn properly, it’s a head to toe covering that recaptures everything from the moisture in your breath to basic perspiration to, um, other bodily functions, stores it in pockets, and allows you to drink it as necessary. It’s a little gross, sure, but it’s also an iconic piece of brainy sci-fi tech that seems like it would have solid grounding in the real world.

But does it? You’ll have to listen to the latest episode of Does it Fly? right here or check it out on our YouTube page to see what we found!

SUGGESTED VIEWING 

We’ll make this easy on you: to get the gist of what we’re talking about this week, all you really need is Denis Villeneuve’s two incredible sci-fi epics Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024). These are two of the best sci-fi movies of the last 25 years and they’re as close to a perfect adaptation of Herbert’s original novel as you’re going to get.

You might also have some nostalgia for David Lynch’s somewhat bizarre 1984 Dune movie, which boasts a killer Toto score, some stunning visuals and production design, and Sting in pointy underwear. Otherwise, though…stick to the Villeneuve version.

And if you want a look at roads not taken for the franchise, the documentary Jodorowsky’s Dune, about an absolutely bonkers Dune movie that almost got made in the 1970s is as mind-expanding in its own way as Herbert’s original book. Highly recommended.

FURTHER READING 

Do you want to delve a little deeper into the facts, concepts, and stories Hakeem and Tamara referenced in today’s episode? Of course you do! 

There are many, many books in the Dune series, as the series was continued long after original author Frank Herbert’s death. But really, the first book is essential classic sci-fi and you can’t go wrong with it. Its immediate two sequels, Dune Messiah and Children of Dune are also terrific and thought-provoking. After that, things get really weird (but no less awesome) with God Emperor of Dune, Heretics of Dune, and Chapterhouse: Dune. 

In short, read the first one no matter what. Read the entire first trilogy if you’re digging it. And if you really want to get into the craziness, do all six. Skip everything else!

How You Lose Water

Start with a baseline understanding of the function and percentage of water in your body. Not because we think this is something everyone is going to have to worry about as climate change continues to worsen and ravage us all or anything like that. No, certainly not. It’s just good to know, right? RIGHT?!?

Metamaterials

The study of metamaterials is pretty vast, their potential applications are limitless, and their very existence is so cool that maybe it’s best to try and point you to a resource that has a broad range of examples. Check ‘em out. 

Classifiers

Honestly, classifiers sound a little cooler and fancier than they actually are, but it IS helpful to think of stillsuits in those terms to some degree.

Spacesuits

On the other hand, spacesuits are actually cooler and fancier than you already think they are, and no less an authority than NASA has you covered on their workings and the different types here.

WANT MORE FROM DOES IT FLY?

Check out our episode on Netflix’s The Witcher right here!

Believe it or not, the original Star Wars was also influenced by Dune, and we covered the most iconic piece of tech from the franchise here.

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