Dune (2021): On Evil Empire and the Vanishing Islamic Act

Recently, discussions of colonies and spice harvest have come back. A friend of mine surely hopes this is about the British Empire and their evils. Sorry friend, but this is in fact about the Dune series. This is just about my time with Dune Part 1 and knowing bits and pieces from the book.

Clearly, Frank Herbert had a special interest in Islamic culture, enough to spread it throughout the Dune series. The Fremen people – off Planet Arrakis – likely bear Islamic influence in being desert beings with a distinct religion. Within the narrative, the Fremen are under the thumb of oppression because of their proximity to spice. They are ruled over by one Great House until – for some arbitrary reason – the emperor places another Great House in charge.

This new House – the House of Atreides – wants to form an alliance with the Fremen to bolster spice production. Paul Atreides, the idealistic Duke of Atreides, has studied the Fremen language and culture for years. By film end, Paul is accepted as one of them. Yet, I feel disquieted by this cultural exchange as a Muslim.

A certain whiteness pervades this portrayal for me. “You’ve gone native” is lobbed at Duncan (Jason Momoa’s character) simply for demonstrating knowledge of the Fremen. That’s an anti-indigenous slur used in America, a less than promising form of cultural exchange to me. Maybe it’s how different cultures get collapsed into overly simplistic categories. Some Fremen are very visibly not-white, but their portrayal en masse feels too condensed. There is a clear removal of Arab and Islamic influences because of how awkwardly the vibes change. (Others more knowledgeable than me have talked about how much these movies remove from the books when it comes to cultural portrayals).

Sometimes, we hear indistinct chanting, sometimes we get subtitles for sign language and other forms of communication. Such a lack of clear rules makes the Fremen feel more as an after-thought. The Fremen result as a “mystical other” but not through their distinct language. I was disappointed because this distinct culture, dwelling in a harsh environment, has a lot of promise.

Conceptually, there is no issue of Paul pursuing his genuine passion to join a clearly well-justified revolution. Two twin problems arise for me: 1) the emphasis on political dissent divorced from cultural interaction and 2) Fremen culture being reduced from its source state. Herbert’s inclusion of Islamic culture is hardly considered perfect. However, this attention to detail helps establish rich societies within the world of Dune. As a result, Paul’s quest is not as poignant as possible in this retelling.

Could we ever get Dune I want in film form? Dune Part 1 has more non-English speaking than many blockbusters, and yet I want it to go further. However, the script-writer raised my ire and the ire of others by calling the Islamic influence on Dune nonsense. As a result, there is an enforcement of white American culture upon this tale ab out evil empire.  The lack of many MENA actors also drags down this portrayal for me. Dune could match beautiful cinematography with an eye for non-white cultures, and would be better for it. The Dune I want would bring us into that fold of Fremen culture, rather than sticking to a mirage.

Here we go again: 2025 Resolutions

 

1.     Health

a.      Exercise: Gym 4x/week, walk 4x/week, yoga and leg stretches 2x/day

b.     Medical: Remain up to date on primary care, dentist, neurologist, cardiologist, and physical therapist

2.     Advocacy and Volunteering

a.      Disability advocacy:

                                          i.     Attend monthly MDA Advocacy webinar

                                        ii.     Speak for 2 events about disability rights

                                      iii.     Get involved in local accessibility efforts

b.     Political advocacy

                                          i.     Local politics: Draft one resolution for policy committee

                                        ii.     Seek other avenues for advocacy

3.     Languages

a.      Japanese

                                          i.     Complete Mango app exercises

                                        ii.     Study N3-N5 Japanese vocabulary and grammar

                                      iii.     Watch two one-cour anime without subtitles

                                      iv.     Achieve basic conversational proficiency

b.     Urdu

                                          i.     Memorize alphabet AND understand basic grammar

                                        ii.     Achieve basic conversational proficiency

                                      iii.     Complete Mango app exercises

4.     Recreational

a.      Gaming

                                          i.     Playing: Omori, Hades, Portal 2, Knights of the Old Republic, Final Fantasy VIII

                                        ii.     Reading: Utawarerumono: Prelude to Fallen, Summer Pockets, Kindred Spirits on the Roof, ONE

b.     Watching:

                                          i.     Western shows: The Wire

                                        ii.     Anime

1.     Complete two Precure

2.     Complete Zeta and ZZ Gundam

3.     Rewatch Natsume Book of Friends (remainder)

4.     Complete Cardcaptor Sakura and Heidi of the Alps

5.     Watch at least 4 anime from the 80s and 90s

c.      Toastmasters

                                          i.     Lead club to Select Distinguished Status

                                        ii.     Host a successful transition of officers

                                      iii.     Bring in two guest speakers

d.     Blogging

                                          i.     Write 5 blog posts a year asides from year end

e.      Reading

                                          i.     Complete ten manga

                                        ii.     Read Three Guineas, Infinite Jest, and at least two more books

Air on a Magnetic String: Final visit to a clinical trial

A Brief Explainer: December 12^th, 2024 marked my third study visit for a clinical trial. In essence, this means that two full years passed since I started. My previous visits are described in past posts linked below:

Visit 1: https://nighttrail.blogspot.com/2023/12/out-of-body-into-mind-updates-on-being.html
Visit 2: https://nighttrail.blogspot.com/2022/12/lying-in-space-my-time-in-clinical-trial.html

 

The purpose of this is to use MRI (which magnetically scans tissue) to assess muscle health in people with muscular dystrophy. Scientists look at muscle integrity in areas like the chest and legs. With that info, they can provide better medical care for people with muscular dystrophy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Why didn’t we do the biceps last time?” one of the technicians asked me.
“Study design, maybe?” I answered.
(Keep reading for more info.)

At this very moment, around 10 AM, my garb was a little different. The date was December 12^th, 2024. My maroon Canada shirt posed with periwinkle hospital pants and gray patient slippers. Apologies to all the metal fans reading this, but the metal had to sit aside. Including my phone. Astute observers will already realize this is about an MRI.

After all, this has happened each year since 2022. This third clinical trial visit for the same trial proved to be my last one. Much mental preparation went in. So let’s jump back earlier in the morning.

6:50 AM rolled around on my alarm, prompting a chance for me to confront the day. With a simple smoked salmon sandwich (bread and salmon and butter). My simple task: get to the hospital by 9 AM for my final visit.

Spent time getting ready, picking a shirt without metal but sticking to pants with metal still. (What pants can you wear outside that lack metal?) Around 8:20 AM, I summoned the Uber – opting for the cheaper Green option, despite the possibility of a little more wait. Ten min zoomed by as I collected my coat and bag, including a library book to continue reading. Now in the car, I fastened my seatbelt and read a chapter or two of my book.

Arrived at basically the meeting time. Sitting on a couch, I realized that the meeting spot was the third floor (like the last two times). Correcting this mistake led me to meet with the study coordinator. We reviewed the Consent form required for any trial. What wasn’t usual: the mildly awkward urine collection cup was handed at the start. We went to the MRI Subject Room and I changed my clothing appropriately. Even pulled out my book …Except the only thing I conveyed is that I had a book ready. As you might guess, it was time.

The enter to enter the space cave (MRI) had arrived. A chat with a friend, of all things, helped me pin down the time it started: 9:49 AM or so. Between then and 12:34 PM, the MRI and I had an intimate discussion about the nature of existence. There was a third party: earplugs coupled with headphones. The mechanical being (MRI) probed with alterations of hard-hitting industrial beats and surreal quiet.

Like last time, classical music helped me through this lengthy lie-down. Floating by, tunes like Bach’s “Air on a G String”, Pachelbel’s “Canon in D”, Ravel’s “Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte” and OF COURSE Debusssy’s “Clair de Lune”. This little game of “guess the tune” kept my attention for a while.

“How in the universe did you remember these?” you may ask me.
To which I reply, “by mentally conjuring the names to write down later!”

The MRI, of course, was split into four basic components: 1) the right calf 2) the right biceps (I told you it would be important!) 3) the whole body and 4) the respiratory system.

The right calf was placed in the holder and wrapped with the magnetic coil, which was a little familiar. This step was not much of a challenge and gave me a slight arrogance. During the process, one MRI technician, a jovial guy filled with laughs and smiles from the previous two trial visits, talked to me fairly often during this. Checking in and making sure I knew what was going on ahead of the PULSATING SOUNDS.  At the end of this segment, the other tech, also friendly, asked if I wanted a break.

Next, to my surprise, we skipped right upper leg straight for right biceps. Body had to be rotated strangely to capture the biceps with my body slightly pinned against the left wall of the MRI, with a wedge separating my arm; what made this even stranger was not moving my right fingers, which could throw off the results.

A break again with the MRI table being rearranged anyways. Went to the bathroom, to collect that one item of study, and came back, having completed at least one part.

Subsequent scan was the whole body with the coil first across my chest, forcing my arms by my side. This made me a little self conscious about my breathing, trying to limit my chest’s elevation.  The tray moved inward and outward, with me as a passenger. Warm coil faced off against the cool exhaust streaming from the MRI end. My head poked out for a few minutes. Coil moved down to my stomach and to my legs, capturing the full breadth. The machine made frequent, sustained sounds as I was given some breathing instructions.

Ensuing and final scan was respiratory, largely targeting my chest again. I was told to be especially careful with breathing so respiratory motion “was not visible.” Once again, the MRI was fully engaged in conversation with me, including with breathing tasks. During this second half – whole body and respiratory – I was asked to INHALE as slowly as possible for some scans and another was EXHALE as slowly as possible for the scan. This was challenging, making my chest sore.

 “Maybe this will be over by 12:30 or so,” me wondering out loud. Surprisingly close of a guess! On my way out, I asked the main-stay tech about, well, all this. He commented that my muscles and the scan quality looked good – in spite of my squirming.

After I changed, I removed my sweater again. The reason? There was a blood draw (another conserved part of the trial). Checking a couple spots on my arm, the tech drew blood from my “classic” vein on my left arm. A seemingly thicker needle was a little more uncomfortable, but it was over quickly.

With a moment to breathe, I jotted down some notes about the trail in the “0T” room. Why was the room 0 Tesla (as in the magnetic unit)? Well, the tech explained that the name is probably facetious. Most rooms are 0 Tesla (not magnetic) but this one had a mock MRI machine to help young children get used to the setup.

The study coordinator stopped by and asked about the physical therapist but I hadn’t met her yet. A while later, I was brought a turkey sandwich and a Coke (one of my rare requests for soda). Trying to eat and take notes was tough. Maybe another ten minutes later, the PT came in and realized that a different form was needed. I finished up the last bite of my turkey sandwich as she returned.  Of course, the PT was here to perform functional tests with me.

The ”cherry can stacking”, “coin sorting”, and “6 minute walk test” all returned from before. For those unfamiliar, the 6 minute walk test forces you to pace back and forth – without running – until the timer runs out. Though it’s certainly not fun, the test is widely used to look at walking. Many tasks were in fact not challenging for me, yet were a struggle for people with more severe forms of muscular dystrophy. That is not to claim perfection. After all, the balancing on one leg exercises were a bit tricky for me. Our final test involved, again, breathing. However, this time, I had to forcefully inhale and exhale, which taxed my chest. With that aspect completed, I finally sipped the rest of my Coke before it just became diluted.

After collecting my sweater, coat, and all that, the finality set in. I went to the study coordinator’s area and completed a few remaining questions. (A new medicine had to be added to the list – the joys of gaining age.) Lastly, I shook hands with the professor in charge and spoke with him for a few minutes.

Our chat elucidated something simple about the study design. I asked, “why study the biceps this time” in deference to the question from earlier in the day. The answer was simple: there was a physical therapist this time, unlike the last visit. Simple variation reared its head. Last year, I had two days for the trial, and yet only one day this time.  In a trial like this, many aspects must be flexibly handled. This trial was impressive and exciting to participate even more so with those changes!

Walked back with the study coordinator, and thanked her one more time. I got into the Uber (Green again) bound for home. Getting home put me in the awkward spot between “real tired” and “feeling hungry”. Holding out awarded me a great home-cooked meal, sealing all this off well.

Now you may wonder, why enroll in a clinical trial? There is a modest money they give. Hardly a major reason for me. Mom’s cooking is great. Still not the biggest motivation!  Muscular dystrophy research is important to me, especially as someone living with it. Surely you must realize my motives are loftier, more passionate.

Above all, I felt excited. To shatter my typical routine. To help the pursuit of knowledge. To give a high-minded contribution. As I exclaimed to various people, “this is for science!”