The Sandworm Paradox - Dune

[@Beghast-tv]

Hey! It's an honor to be compared by some of you to a professional studio. We are just two friends who decided to start a KZbin channel about 5 or 6 months ago. One of us writes the script and does the voice recording, while the other one is the editor. We had originally created another channel with another essay, featuring just a slideshow of pictures and poor audio quality. It did not perform well, so we decided to study! We've delved into a lot of content explaining what makes a successful channel, what makes a good thumbnail, title, etc., which we researched beforehand and tried to apply here. Three months ago, we had never opened an editing program, so it took us a while to get used to Adobe Premiere and After Effects. Thankfully, there are countless KZbin channels that make learning possible (SonduckFilm, Ben Marriott, Flat Pack FX, etc.). So, we truly feel blessed to receive comments like yours. What we never expected was this level of views on our very first video. It's awesome but also a bit frightening at the same time. We appreciate all your constructive criticism about the script, the editing style, and the audio. We are aware that this video is far from perfect, and we'll keep studying and learning to hopefully deliver better content with each upload! Thanks again for the incredible support in your comments!

[@datboi8005]

Common small channel W

[@ghostof1898]

Keep at it guys. This is good work.

[@shamwow9889]

this video is nothing but filler

[@tymonantosz7013]

It went like a fine story and I liked it a lot. I havent seen the other video but wathever you did it paid off here.

[@erictread]

Also the could just evolve some spines.

[@EphemeralTao]

One thing to note about the Dune series (Frank Herbert's original series, not Brian Herbert's stuff), is that there a no alien life forms explicitly described anywhere. All life is the result of human colonization, and originated on Earth. The book consistently describes its more bizarre creatures as the result of genetic engineering, especially in the later books where the Tleilaxu become an important faction. However, while it's never stated outright, it's very strongly implied in several places throughout the Dune series that Shai Hulud is, in fact, alien; the only alien life form in the Dune universe. Although not confirmed as alien, it _is_ explicitly stated that Shai Hulud did not originate on Arrakis, but was transplanted there from its native planet by early human colonists, though little description of its home-world is given. Later in the series, it is transplanted again to a different planet by the Bene Gesserit (their own stronghold world), in order to maintain their supply of the Spice and, more importantly, the Water of Life.

[@St.Raptor]

That would make sense as to why they don't just make a new creature that isn't so aggressive. If they didn't make it, it would be hard to replicate. Not to mention it's symbiosis with the microbes.

[@EphemeralTao]

​@@St.Raptor As well as the failure to artificially synthesize the Spice. Around *God Emperor of Dune*, the Tleilaxu are reported to be able to create Spice without sandworms, using their genetic engineering techniques (effectively "cloning" it), but of inferior quality to natural Spice (and poisonous to the sandtrout). They are never able to replicate the Water of Life drug which is so critical to the Bene Gesserit.

[@metaouroboros6324]

I think Leto II is the one who said what you mentioned.

[@Monochromicornicopia]

That's definitely not true! You must not have even read the books. The worms are an alien life form that originate from another planet.

[@Thiccness_Is_Delicious]

So are they integral to the creation of spice?

[@chinguunerdenebadrakh7022]

02:40 There are actually legends in Mongolia about sandworms. They aren't as said to be as large as Dune, but maybe 5m long and said to eat humans and livestock. It isn't as widely discussed as most other legends, but it is a legend. This legend was first told to a Western audience in 1926 by a Western writer who travelled in Mongolia and talked with locals.

[@goedendag9446]

The Mongolian Death Worm was more than likely invented by mistranslation. Further research has shown that it is likely that the locals were talking about real snakes in the region.

[@stargate525]

Jörmungandr is also described as a colossal worm. Giant worms were not Herbert's invention.

[@WayStedYou]

​@stargate525 but also known as the world serpent worm is just another name for it

[@cloudjumper8868]

Ogloi Chorchoi is it called I believe

[@jaimeXDgo]

That's very interesting. Through study and computers, it's possible to reconstruct some of the oldest known words and proto languages in the human history. The protoindoeuropean, who seem to have originated around the area of Mongolia, had a word that meant both serpent and worm, and one of the most relevant protoindoeuropean myths speaks of a big serpent that steal cattle from the people, and ends up defeated by a hero after receiving help from a god. Like in dragon tales.

[@javierjp8549]

Me bringing a topic out in a first date

[@Arbyjar]

I would ask for a second date tbh

[@ElJorro]

Yep.

[@markanthony1004]

I mention Dune references and I realize not as many people have read the novels and that sucks

[@Czarborough]

The writing, the sheer amount of editing, and delivery of this subject is staggering. Congratulations! Only 1 video and you’re going straight to a million views.

[@milesdevine1161]

It's very impressive. But I bet this guy has plenty of past channels and privated videos to get him to this level of quality. no way its his first video.

[@charm359]

@@milesdevine1161I don’t think you read the pinned comment lol

[@UungRia]

@@milesdevine1161confidently incorrect

[@doctorale84]

3M now

[@myrusEW]

the SHEER

[@brickking1017]

I love how whenever he's beginning to talk about worms, you see all these realistic movie worms, and then in the background there is eater of worlds from Terraria. Edit: timestamp is like 3:06

[@MAG_agent1337]

timestamp?

[@retinazer7652]

the eater of worlds is a good boss, but I’m better

[@we-must-live]

@@retinazer7652 ooh

[@alexanderrahsaanjackson-al7382]

I noticed that worm as well. Eater of worlds as one of the first bosses the boys and I faced together.

[@dragon091327]

And the work robot from armor core 6

[@johnpaulcross424]

What is so interesting to me from a biological perspective is how the larva of the sandworm, the sand trout, thrive in watery conditions and absorb vast amounts before undergoing metamorphosis and becoming intolerant to water. For a carbon-based organism of such enormous size to find water anathema to its existence, let alone with the context of its early life, is so fascinating to think about.

[@Alex.Holland]

They may not be carbon based at all. They are alien creatures that have an internal furnace operating at extremely high temperature doing strange chemistry for life.

[@RipOffProductionsLLC]

​@Alex.Holland there's also the possibility that The Great Sandworms were a product of bioengineering, them being a more or less self contained ecosystem that also terraforms whatever world they are placed on into their optimal habitat, while also producing The Spice as a byproduct... certainly seems a bit too convenient for mere coincidence to create via simple darwinian evolution.

[@johnpaulcross424]

@@theviewbot silica based life would likely function similarly to plants and have next to no means of locomotion

[@Dell-ol6hb]

@@RipOffProductionsLLC Someone or something definitely purposefully put the worms on Arrakis, the God Emperor Leto II reveals that the sandworms are not even native to Arrakis, and that the planet used to be a lush green world before the worms were introduced and terraformed the planet. This probably means that some civilization engineered these worms and put them on Arrakis to creat a resource world for Spice but whatever civilization that did so is long gone by the time of the series

[@alexiachimciuc3199]

​@@Dell-ol6hbis there a possibility for Leto II to penetrare and explore the worm's genetic past the same way he penetrates his own human past??

[@liftswithback4602]

Frank Herbert worked as a journalist and once wrote an article on the effect planting grass near roads in the desert had in preventing dunes from blowing over and obscuring the roads. He said this was a big inspiration for Dune. The stabilizing effect inspired the quote at 23:55. Additionally, he was able to see the desert from aerial perspectives when researching for the article, and it reminded him of a body of water. Sand is interesting

[@SupremeGreatGrandmaster]

I don't like sand. It's coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere.

[@ha-kx9we]

An insightful reflexion indeed

[@Billy420-69]

Check on your mum@@SupremeGreatGrandmaster

[@WinterMadness]

​@@SupremeGreatGrandmasterBeat me to it.

[@lucyandecember2843]

Reminds me of the desert from Alabasta in one piece. In one episode you have literal sand pirates, as in pirates with boats sailing throughout the desert as if it was a vast ocean. One of my favorite episodes tbh lol

[@davidjrb]

In Old Norse and Icelandic, the word "ormr" can mean "serpent," "dragon," or "worm." This term often translates to "worm" in English. The word "worm" in old and middle English didn't just refer to earthworms but was also used for serpentine creatures, including dragons. In the context of Norse mythology, creatures like Jörmungandr, the Midgard Serpent, are often referred to as "worms" in the sense of a dragon or a monstrous serpent. This reflects the broader and more flexible usage of the term in historical languages, where the distinction between what we consider today as "worms" and "serpents" or "dragons"

[@lutze5086]

Agreed, I think the serpent connection was missed. It's a core mythological archetype

[@steffenbendel6031]

The Lindwurm (wyvern) is a more worm/snake like dragon. The change to more dinosaur type dragon is probably more modern

[@nidohime6233]

I think the most raw definition of worm was "long scary thing", anything that was long and scary is a worm/wyrm.

[@Old-Mango]

what's interesting here that the way frank herberts sandworms exist and have their own circle of life, independent of other life forms, almost looks like the idea of oroboros, the self consuming serpent. much like how jörmungandr circles the earth and is depicted eating its own tail.

[@RecklessInternetting]

Funnily enough, English is close enough in relation to those languages that "worm" is also an old-timey word for dragon.

[@Syngraphaeor]

If you told me today I'd get a video coming across my recommended that had Dune, scientific breakdowns, xenobiology, a couple Magic the Gathering and D&D references, and incredible writing and editing, and I SOMEHOW wasn't already subscribed to the channel that made the video??? I'd call you crazy. Tldr, this was an incredible video, guys! Can't wait to see what you do next!!

[@ravyynhogen-esch9750]

Crazy? I was crazy once

[@mostlyimpulsive3462]

They locked me in a room. A rubber room.

[@ubitubee]

It’s the guy’s first video!

[@bryangrunauer]

Sad to see a TL;DR on a two line comment. But I agree with you 100%

[@st.commodus1437]

Gay

[@Nero_Karel]

Having spent a lot of this past year studying (Indo-European) snake cults, I'm pretty confident in saying that a large carnivorous worm really is no different from a snake/dragon in any resepct that matters, so it's really cool to see you tie all that together from the other end

[@monhi64]

Apart from the invertebrate thing, but if they’re all mystical creatures what’s the difference. Plus octopus exist

[@gerasimosst8643]

Where and how do you study snake cults?? Not asking for a friend, but for me!

[@Nero_Karel]

Just been reading up on it for a Scandinavian studies paper I'm writing - some titles I'd recommend on the topic are: - Naga Cults and Traditions in the Western Himalaya by O. C. Handa - Der Kult der Hausschlange by Yvonne Luven (this one's about the history of snake cult among the Balts, although it's German language and I doubt there would be a direct translation, but I bet you could find an equally good English language source on the topic) - How to Kill a Dragon - Aspects of Indo-European Poetics by Calvert Watkins (this one's focusing more on the primordial battle between the snake and the hero-god rather than snakes as an object of veneration, but it's a pretty great resource for comparative mythology in general) - The Mahabharata (not an academic source obviously so interpretation's left up to you, but it contains plenty of interesting stories about snakes and there's a really great English translation by J. A. B. van Buitenen)

[@gerasimosst8643]

@@Nero_Karel owe you for this- spent last half an hour or so reading what I could find from the ones you suggested and similar ones. Have seen some before, but if you don't organize info properly in your mind you end up seeing it for the first time again every once in a while! Good luck on your paper, if you think of more books if it isn't too much trouble please tell me,and know that I'm very interested in reading that Scandinavian studies paper of yours🙂

[@Nero_Karel]

@@gerasimosst8643 Glad to hear the info's useful to you! 👍🏻 My paper will be in German as well, so probably wouldn't be much use in sharing it here when it's done, but I can tell you the main focus of it/that which tethers the whole snake theme to Scandinavian literature more specifically, which is the so-called Niðrstigningar saga (a translation of the Gospel of Nicodemus into Old Icelandic with some very interesting original interpolations, including an echo of Thor's fishing trip in Hymiskviða applied to Jesus Christ.) If that topic interests you, I'd definitely recommend picking up Dario Bullitta's 'Niðrstigningar saga - Sources, Transmission, and Theology of the Old Norse "Descent into Hell"'. Best of luck in pursuit of your own studies and thanks for the kind words!

[@kamiwriterleonardo6345]

Funnily enough, here in Brazil there is a relatively unknown legend of a giant Worm named "Minhocão" (literal translation being "Large Worm") that has two varieties: aquatic worm and sandworm. Both apparently served as legends to explain the relatively rare occurrences of earthquakes and sinkholes, which are very uncommon in Brazil. One lived in large lakes and underground rivers, making the ground cave in, while the other literally swam through dirt and sand. At some point the legend was almost considered a cryptid.

[@seemysight]

Brasil mencionado

[@ALifeOfWine]

We have a similar story in the North East of England called the Lambton Worm that came from the river and grew so large it wrapped itself around a hill several times.

[@ViciousVitiate]

This is rad, cool to learn random new things.

[@mikhailmorphy6284]

Nunca ouvi falar disso

[@elio7610]

Any mythological creature is a cryptid, so unless you are saying it is real, it is definitely a cryptid.

[@isafatcat]

that final quote was a fantastic way to end the video, the worms while seeming like a vital part of the ecosystem, are actually what destroyed it. feels like a movie twist that makes me want to watch it all over again!

[@Gothic7876]

It is actually implied in Dune that the Sandworms aren’t actually native to Arrakis, but something brought them to Arrakis in the far distant pass.

[@juliantheassassin]

I completely agree, I liked the way to end this essay.

[@diancloete976]

​@@Gothic7876indeed but presumably the sandworm would have come from a similarly sandy planet and thus that planet is where this theory finds it's merit.

[@spindash64]

Even at the most generous assessment, they cannot be considered a _part_ of the ecosystem if all cycling of nutrients happens within themselves

[@shimaenaga5656]

it struck me as an intricated allegory about mankind - how we humans morph our surroundings to better suit our needs, but the better conditions we have, the more we grow in numbers, and the more impact our behaviour makes on the ecosystem globally...

[@FriedaOberlander]

that ending monologue paired with the slow zoom out from a tv and haunting classical piano is almost certainly the greatest tribute to the insidious might of Dune's sandworms that I've ever seen. gave me goosebumps, dude. bravo. I cannot wait to see more videos from you!!

[@coIormebloodred]

Holy shit, this is phenomenal for a first video. The script, the editing, the voiceover, all professional quality. Love to see new and exciting channels like yours appear on the platform. Can't wait to see what you guys do next!

[@dr.archaeopteryx5512]

Sandworms are such a fascinating marriage of ancient mythology, horror imagery, modern fantasy monster design philosophies, and scifis science inspired concepts. It's no wonder that Dune so thoroughly entrenched them in the cultural Zeitgeist that they became a staple of fiction. It is also pretty funny that the largest real life worms generally thrive in wet and underwater environments. Those may not be sandworms, but they get pretty impressively big, themselves.

[@eljanrimsa5843]

Lineus longissimus, the longest free-living marine worm grows to at least 30 m (possibly 55 m), is carnivorous and covered in toxic mucus.

[@Monochromicornicopia]

They aren't sand worms. Arakis was originally a water world. The planet was purposefully evaporated to make extraction of spice easier. The worms are only recently adapting to the sand environment

[@fashionovawigs]

@@Monochromicornicopiathe sandworms aren’t native to Arakis though

[@pessien8474]

Worms are only wet because they need water on their skin to breath, otherwise they'd probably be dry, which strangely implies Sandworms are closer to sharks and tuna, that or the part of their biology that creates spice involves something that produces a lot of energy.

[@vivaldismurder8779]

I did not think that this would be your "first" video. Really well made!

[@Beghast-tv]

Thank you! All channels have a first video 🙂

[@MawGinBoo]

@@Beghast-tvlmao is this your first channel? This is far better quality than a lot of bigger channels on here

[@SingingSealRiana]

​@@Beghast-tvyeah, and usually they are disorganised, low audio quality like to be expected if someone starts a craft, this on the other hand appears so be very well practised!

[@h-bomb2518]

Because it's not his first channel lol

[@akumaking1]

@@Beghast-tvthis is a great video. I think you should review the Graboids of Tremors next since after Dune, they’re a very close second when it comes to the Sand Worm theme

[@asmodiusjones9563]

13:58 it’s no coincidence that there are many similarities between whales and Shai-hulud. Frank Herbert is from the Pacific Northwest and studied the indigenous cultures here, including those that hunt and worship whales. The Makkah (for example) relationship with whales has many comparisons to the Fremens’ relationship with the worms and directly influenced Herbert.

[@hermetischism4671]

Also any illusions you can make to whales in literature carries with it the power of Moby Dick and its symbolism for a quest of meaning. Much like whales, the worms in Dune carry a substance to be worshipped. As brutal as it is, modern society wouldn't exist without being built atop the oil economy which whales provided before fossil fuels.

[@Miss_Trillium]

Genuinely had no idea he was from the PNW, nice!

[@ulugbekm.5683]

​@@hermetischism4671Moby Dick... Muad'Dib... I hear certain assonance in these two names

[@odun5668]

Makkah sounds an awful lot like Maker 🫣

[@ShankarSivarajan]

@@hermetischism4671 That may overstating the importance of whale oil a little. Its uses were more analogous to modern petrochemical derivatives, lubricants, soaps, and the like: useful, certainly, and valuable, but nowhere near indispensable. The industrial revolution on which modern society is based was driven by _coal mining,_ not whaling.

[@cheesecakedelicious]

I love how you can tell how amazing the original cinematography of the most recent Dune movie is just from random clips, even when it's distorted or lower resolution

[@888fluffy]

Would you still love me if i was a worm?

[@ro4eva]

I can't say for certain, but I suspect a fish would find you irresistible.

[@Snoobert_true_alien]

No

[@DevelJones]

Sir, this is a Wendy's.

[@Justerofus]

The answer is, “yes”. It is always yes. He/she will never be a worm and you can avoid a fight.

[@olivierbajet8851]

An interesting parallel I have found between Dinosaurs and Sandworms is their complex ecology. Many paleontologist believe that dinosaur ecology (during the Mesozic) was complex, with therapod adolescents serving a different ecological niche then their fully grown adults, similar to how the Sandworms have different ecological niches based on their age.

[@GilbertGaylord]

Eternal mark

[@sophiem399]

saying this just as fun fact! and not in the “um actually” sort of way, but a better word for what you’re describing would be that they have a more complex “ontogeny”

[@lucyandecember2843]

o.o

[@idle_speculation]

T. rex itself had a really interesting life cycle, with adolescents being slender, long-legged runners before they bulked out and became heavyset, bone-crushing animals which probably couldn’t faster than “speed walk”

[@Gabriel64468]

Beautiful ending, "His Dune" contrasting to Baron Harkonnen claiming "My Dessert. My Arrakis. My Dune." - he might benefit from Dune, he can harvest spice but at the end only the Worm owns it. Notablythe desertification actually also happens in the later books of the Dune series (Chapterhouse/Heretics) - Sandworms are introduced to another planet and turn it into a desert. It is done on purpose - after all Melange is still incredibly valueable, but it also comes with an impending feeling of doom as the world is slowly remade, orchards offer a last harvest before maintaining them becomes unfeasible, lakes dry up and people have to relocate to get out of the way of the desert. It has something of a force of nature.

[@rulerofjotunheim3160]

Fun fact, I’ve got a near crippling phobia of worms, regular normal worms. But I think the hypothetical science of a parasite starting it’s own ecosystem is fascinating, so even if I flinched away from the screen about a dozen times, I loved this video!!

[@david2869]

You and Fang. Did you swim in a river of snakes?

[@mr.doctorcaptain1124]

You should work on overcoming that one. It’s hard but i started doing that with snakes and spiders, and im very grateful I did.

[@manicpepsicola3431]

​​@@mr.doctorcaptain1124 I used to breed worms in a bucket when I was a kid and they got surprisingly huge. We sold them to fishermen all the time and made a little bit of money off it. I started just randomly collecting them and putting them in there and putting food in the dirt and they just multiplied. It was kind of crazy.

[@kai_maceration]

i feel like endearing knowledge about creatures helps sooth phobias, so here: earthworms are one of the most important detritivores for our environment. that means they eat rotting material and waste, some other detritivores are pillbugs, millipedes, roaches, and earwigs. personal experience, but whenever i touch a worm it flinches and digs back down away from me, i know they don't experience suffering but i still find it cute. some parasitic annelids can also be cute, there's a species of leech that carries its babies on its belly and hunts for prey to feed them. many leeches actually hunt things like earthworms and don't eat blood, or at least not exclusively.

[@whorlingwisteria]

So happy that not only did you research and put together a video *worthy* of views, but that you were also blessed with the views that you deserve, as unexpected as that may have been. Congrats!

[@joshuaizly5502]

Oh wow, did we all just witness the birth of a high quality youtube channel ? Keep up the good work

[@althechicken9597]

I read dune a few years ago, and just got around to watching the movie the other day, I can't describe how happy I was with the way it handled the sand worms. Seeing them felt like a truly spiritual moment

[@WingItMan217]

I can’t wait to see how they’re gonna adapt the capital siege at the end. Might even shed a few tears lmao

[@althechicken9597]

​@@WingItMan217 it will absolutely be a sight to behold! Part two grows closer every day!

[@ceruleanmemoir]

As someone who got into the dune world, the thumbnail and title caught my eyes as I was scrolling through the feeds. I honestly thought that you were some of those creators like Lemmino, Aperture. Then I checked your subs and number of videos you have, and I must admit I was blown away by the quality and effort you put into this video. Keep the contents coming.

[@MrMuel1205]

Great little essay! Very evocative and thought-provoking. Loved the quote at the end. Fun fact: humans, whales - all mammals, in fact - fish, reptiles, birds, and amphibians belong to the phylum chordata. The phylum arthropoda includes insects, spiders, scorpions, centipedes, millipedes, crabs, lobsters, prawns and a great deal else. The phylum mollusca includes the likes of slugs, snails, octopodes, and squid. As you can see, a single phylum can include a wild variety of different creatures. Just these three phyla - chordata, arthropoda, and mollusca - include the vast majority of animals most people are familiar with. Yet these are just 3 of 35 extant phyla. And of the other 32, fourteen - almost half - are worms. That's a LOT of worms.

[@yourfavoriteneighborhoodni1268]

that's crazy.

[@Timmy_No_Toes]

That is indeed a LOT of worms! lol

[@acronyx8880]

reject animals. become worm.

[@Kimmie6772]

Polychaetes are my favorite type of worm. Mostly because most of them are not parasites and they spice up the morphology a little bit.

[@NickWD]

Lot of words to just say there are different types of worms.

[@MashBro]

I could seriously learn a thing or two about editing from you, man. The grind has been absolutely crazy trying to do it all on my own.

[@WavyCats]

If the sandworm injects air into the ground, it would make the solid sand behave like a very low viscosity fluid.

[@alexisb3829]

I think that’s what it does

[@tardigrademicro]

it burps and does a little wiggle and a meal is secured

[@CharliMorganMusic]

Every once in a while, the KZbin algorithm shows me something that I would've never found on my own and I love it. This is one of those times. Please continue making videos. I loved this.

[@jimmygarza8896]

"[It] does not covet, it simply consumes" is such a raw line. Hollywood wishes it could write something like that

[@parmflace]

I just love how you guys gather sources for the script and the footage from all kinds of media; book, comics and manga, movies, documentaries, video game, tabletop games, even tcg (which is very rare in video essays genre). uugh, i love this so much, it just feeds my geeky brain even more. keep up the amazing jobs, pls dont feel pressured to do so. Hope the algo notices you guys so this channel get to grow even more.

[@lees8359]

I love how at the end "His dune" is delivered similarly like Stellan Skarsgård did in Dune 2021 saying "My dune!", intentional or not the delivery it's great. Great video overall, can't believe a 1st video on a channel can be as good as this is, I wish you well on your journey!

[@TheBaseUK]

The visual aesthetic alone of this video is of a quality surpassing 90% of all creators on youtube, let alone the narrative content of this video essay. Glad it popped up in my feed! Subbed my dude x

[@clvrcookie]

16:01 The biggest challenge faced by an earthworm the size of Dune's sandworm wouldn't so much be the weight of its skeleton (as annelids are devoid of one, be it an endo- or exoskeleton). Instead, such a worm would be unable to absorb enough oxygen through its skin to sustain its sheer bulk. The larger the worm, the lower its surface area to volume ratio and the less efficient its respiratory system.

[@seanmadson8524]

If the sandworms started their evolution toward this current physiology deep underground, perhaps they have adapted to create their own method of breathing, or have replaced the need entirely (not the need of their cells, just the need for recognizable respiration). For instance, they could gain all necessary sustenance from chemical reactions, creating whatever they need to survive within their own body after ingesting &/or coming into contact with certain minerals or biological materials. Since they are supposedly somewhat plant-like, they could even have unique cell structures that aid in their unique method of/replacement of respiration

[@clvrcookie]

@@seanmadson8524 I like to assume a few basic concepts when speculating about fictional lifeforms: 1) they're carbon based (the only other element versatile enough to permit significant biodiversification being silicon), 2) they require oxygen in some form for energy production (plants also need oxygen and are capable of cellular respiration btw), 3) they require water or hydrocarbons to operate their cellular machinery. Such assumptions limit the scope of my imagination somewhat, but help me elaborate more realistic explanations for a fictional organism's existence and evolutionary history. In my opinion, if Dune is more fantasy than science fiction, then the Sandworm doesn't need a scientifically (using the term loosely here) credible explanation. Go nuts! However, if Dune is more science fiction then fantasy, then the assumptions I laid down ought to be respected. The point of this reply? To make you think I guess

[@seanmadson8524]

@@clvrcookie I would say that Dune is more on the fantasy side. It gets a lot of hype for being more serious sci-fi than a lot of other mainstream examples, but that doesn't make it realistic in physical terms. I still appreciate complex logic in fantastic settings, but from the killing words, to the spice, to the worms themselves, Dune is not a great example of explaining high-brow science or biology when compared to books like Omnivore

[@eljanrimsa5843]

@@clvrcookie Try understand what Crassulaceae plants are doing here on earth: They collect solar energy during the day, but exchange gases only at night. This minimizes evaporation losses in arid locations. I hope this doesn't conflict with your speculative limits.

[@clvrcookie]

@@eljanrimsa5843 not at all. CAM photosynthesis is just the kind of adaptation that sparks my creativity when speculating about the alien life that (definitely) lies beyond Earth. Same for fictional lifeforms

[@MiniEquine]

I was a bit shocked to find this was your only video (so far!). You don't typically see quality like this until years of channel growth. I'm looking forward to seeing what else you have in store!

[@jgobroho]

I'm not sure how you managed to get this onto my feed but bravo dude. I'm subscribed now. Hopefully to see more stuff from you.

[@somewhereupthere785]

I subbed less than half way through. God I hope he makes more.

[@Beghast-tv]

Thanks!! We are already working on our next video!

[@ramos4461]

I have never been so impressed by a documentary, but the way you cut and animated and edited this video is insane man. Astounding work, you have my respect

[@crunchy_piano]

This entire video is literally so amazing. Every single aspect, the writing, the editing, the quality, the execution. The end hit me like a f***ing truck, honestly. Thank you so much for diving into every topic to be able to explain what the sandworm is, was supposed to be, and can be.

[@brandenrodriguez7381]

3:09 I like how you put The Eater of Worlds with the more "realistic" worms

[@I_ExistIG]

Another comment already said basically the same thing but this is an incredibly well made video and it’s honestly staggering that this is the channel first video. Very well written, very well edited, and overall a well thought out and well executed project from start to finish. Genuinely excited to see where this channel goes. Keep up the good work

[@ErinKocka-u8e]

I can't believe this is your first video!! The production quality is better than a lot of long time channels and you did such a deep dive in an interesting way! Looking forward to more videos!!

[@harshsingh8956]

0:14 elephant. I thought of elephant.

[@shyboievris834]

same

[@DDR131]

This video feels like a great short film. One of things I loved about this video is it stayed in the same rhythm, and not trying to be more upbeat or excessive entertaining. It felt like a masterpiece of a video.

[@duffman18]

You got yourself a sub, man. It's like you've been making videos for years, I don't think I've ever seen a first video by someone be of such high quality as this, it's pretty damn amazing.

[@dangersnail5839]

Great job dude, you’re making content I would’ve expect from a channel with hundreds of thousands of subscribers. You clearly know what you’re doing, you deserve far more than what you have.

[@Murci3l4go]

Multi-million subscriber level of editing and I can’t wait to see more from this channel

[@serpentious]

I got chills at the end. The idea and concept spoken about here could lead to a great parallel to Leto II. I am become worm destroyer and sustainer of life.

[@Nkwenkl18]

What a well formulated and extensive analysis of Dune’s exobiology and general framework. I very much look forward to watching more of y’all’s work come to fruition on this channel.

[@nateleavy5189]

Three editing on this video is genuinely outstanding. Excellent job. I don’t have sufficient positive adjectives to describe how impressive this is.

[@the7569]

The fact that this is your first KZbin video is crazy lol, really glad that this guy picked up by the algorithm. Really excited to see what else you make

[@somewhereupthere785]

I absolutely love the style of this video. Subbed, love it.

[@fishdish9835]

What a great way of describing of sand worms. I applaud you. Instant subscription!

[@martefala]

Are you a biologist by any chance? I am a student of biology and the way you speak shows that you either are one or that you have WAAAAY too good of an understanding of zoology, ecology and evolution. Not missing a word, giving plausible arguments, everything. This would be a dream come true to my professor if i ever wrote a research paper this eloquently lol. Amazing video, I'm truly at awe.

[@FaunoAtelie]

Great video! To Herbert's credit, it is mentioned by leto II in god emperor of dune that the sandworms were somehow introduced to Arrakis in the past, so they quite possibly aren't an entirely natural denizen of the planet. It's also possible that they were from a similar one, or created specifically to adapt in that environment

[@JorntWagenaar]

I forgot that. You're right. I was thinking how they could have possibly been transplanted as pre - spice creating creatures when without the spice there is no faster than light space travel.

[@airking2883]

@@JorntWagenaar well that is not true at at all in dune, FTL existed before the spice was found by the spacing guild since thinking machine did the work of guild navigator before .It is only after the Butlerian jihad and ousting of all thinking machine that spice became a necessity for FTL.

[@JorntWagenaar]

@@airking2883 So spice would have been a known substance at the time of the Butlerian Jihad, then?

[@airking2883]

@@JorntWagenaar no it was after the Butlerian jihad that spice was discovered,spice itself is not a requirement for FTL travel and between the time period of the jihad and spice ,space travel was incredibly dangerous but possible

[@FaunoAtelie]

@@JorntWagenaar It's possible, the implication of Leto's quote was that something, or someone introduced the worms to Arrakis, perhaps something from before the imperium

[@kapitankapital6580]

On the topic of the legendary status of worms, I think it is worth remembering that until relatively recently worms were actually considered a type of snake. So technically I think we would consider dragons, sea serpents and so on as types of legendary worm-monsters.

[@sergeantsharkseant]

worm and Wyrm have the same Germanic name origin in German Wyrms are called Lindwurm, Wuem being the word for Wurm, it stems from the Crawling locomotions many all small earth dwelling crawling Animals are still often called "Gewürm" Snakes less in that matter but as you said the word for Snake/serpent: Schlange also stems from the slithering movement. Nowadays people often focus on Monophylistic groups dependend on DNA etc. but back in the Day Morphology was the most important factor and on first sight snakes are just Big Worms, the whole idea of Evolution or their completely different body plans didnt exist, later whith more advanced studies, microscopes and of course evolution snakes and worms were seperated for the firsst time, though we still have many polyphylistic names such as Worm as there are many worms and not all of them are related, not all what we call mushrooms are mushrooms vegetables and fruits are completely useless definitions in a Biological sense etc. but for all that actually matters, Snakes are Worms and Worms are Snakes

[@cavemandanwilder5597]

This is your first video?! Very impressive. I’m excited to get in on the ground floor with this channel. Can’t wait to see what’s next!

[@spasjt]

I have to say, I'm two-thirds into this video and it is most excellent in its presentation, narration, and facts. Very well done!

[@asmodewa]

I watched the video thinking it's from a well established channel and my surprise was immense. I can't believe this is your first video. Great job!

[@christiandnl]

This is such an excellent video. Best of luck. 28th subscriber, but definitely one of many to come.

[@brendanharris3997]

Jeez, the production on this is amazing. Cant wait to see more form you!

[@con_boy]

I'd always assumed that the Worm occupied all the nieches of the entire eco system on Arrakis - that of both prey and predator - depending on the stage of its development, and that the spice was actually just a prelarval sporulated stage of the worms development, a sort of fungus as it were, that also served as food

[@kristynclare7453]

This was so thought provoking and artfully created! Really good job keep making content!!!

[@andyhaochizhang]

Where's the paradox? I watched the whole video to make sure I didn't miss anything but it's just descriptions and surface level discussions about fictional worm like creatures. What is paradoxical about sandworms? The argument that sandworms (or giant worms in general) can't be part of the ecosystem isn't convincingly presented, and the scenario the ending quotes where sandworms didn't participate in an earth like ecosystem (let's ignore how implausible this setting is) but later became a fundamental part of a new ecosystem does not present a paradox.

[@DoctorPhilGud]

Could be an ai written script? I dont know either

[@Weed.eater_]

I think u gotta accept its jus a bad title

[@kazukid8027]

Think it’s about how sand worms themselves can only survive off of other younger sandworms. Paradoxically making them the top and bottom of the food chain.

[@DoctorPhilGud]

@@Weed.eater_ this is also very plausable

[@diogofs25]

It's called bait... worm bait

[@thechickenwizard8172]

23:33 That last section left me in chills, can't believe nobody else here's talking about it

[@igrowweed2847]

they dont get it

[@thedabblingwarlock]

You may want to look into the Mongolian Death Worm. If memory serves, it was one of the things that inspired the Purple Worm in D&D.

[@mosslingwilkin4134]

I was starting to annoyed by being recommended vids with low view counts, but every now and then, there is a diamond in the rough. This video is a diamond, its given me alot to think about when writing creatures and our own fictional history involving worms as a whole. Thank you sir, you have made something wonderful here.

[@bigdaddydons6241]

Nah, low view counts can give you someone who REALLY cares about their content. Not the numbers. Not always but it's worth checking for

[@mosslingwilkin4134]

@@bigdaddydons6241 Alot of the more recent ones ive been getting are random 20s clips of games but its worth those if vids like this show up every now and then.

[@flaco196]

Fantastic to see this video hit at least a million. Have shown it to many people, and am greatly looking forward to your future work

[@123890antonioj]

I love how the cherry on top of this masterful essay is the lesson that, even at the grandest of scales, something can still be 'both'.

[@levizinck3139]

I believe there was a myth in Mongolia about some kind of death worm. Also, fantastic video. The Dune saga very quickly became my favorite series and I hold a lot of love for all of what Herbert created.

[@erickarnell]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolian_death_worm

[@rexrivers226]

Finally a channel that has the wherewithal to make exclusively worm content

[@raylordofkhalah28]

This video was beautiful. Gorgeous. Stunning. I adored every moment and you kept my attention the entire time, on top of making me ponder and think even as you spoke. I loved this, and I cannot wait for more. As a fan of dnd, mtg, and star wars, with a father who was such a huge fan of Dune that I picked it up through simple generational osmosis, thank you.

[@alanrosete3855]

I thought the magic gathering bit was an ad then realized this is the first video of the channel lol it's too fxcking good

[@nikodominiko]

Videos like yours, it's the reason KZbin is my favorite platform for entertainment and learning

[@SHENRAR]

wonderful video! Reading the first book of the series, as a biologist, is an amazing experience, all the thought and ingenuity Herbert put into Arrakis as an ecosystem is breathtaking. Of course it has its limitations being a fictional world, but the ecological point of view of Liet-Kynes is fascinating. Sadly, it was hard for me to enjoy the rest of the series as much... but the first one... what a masterpiece of literature.

[@angrymurloc7626]

I think it's one of the weaknesses of scifi audiences, to always overestimate the necessity and value of continuations. Herbert would not have needed to write another book after the first

[@gwfranklin1]

Agreed. The first book was so amazing. Started the 2nd and...well, I couldnt finish it

[@SHENRAR]

@@gwfranklin1 I did finish the whole saga, but I wouldn't recommend them to anyone, I would say to read the first one and stop there unless you are very invested. But the first one is just so good, I still daydream about the book.

[@abelhapedras]

ditto! the first one is the best by far. after that things start to degenerate into a crazy mess of questionable choices and questionable characters with questionable morals, and a huge gigantic focus on (spoilers but not really) Duncan being a massive sex icon. BORING!

[@SHENRAR]

@@abelhapedras I find that he had great ideas on world building (Letto, the golden path, the gholas, the focus on bene Gesserit, etc) but the stories surrounding these, were not good enough.

[@fd_god4533]

This is amazing, 26 minutes flew like a second 😂

[@nicholasmorgani570]

Depending on the density of sand and how similarly it functions to fluid as well as if the worms are less dense, the sand could actually act with the same buoyancy properties as water. This could in theory decreases the relative weight (the same way water does for whales) of the worms, allowing it to grow to much larger sizes.

[@theemeraldespeon8984]

No way this guy just casually dropped the hardest intro i've ever seen.

[@aburlingham0915]

The editing is really fantastic. Engaging and creative while not being distracting. I've watched your other two vidoes already and they were great, as well. I subscribed and am looking forward to seeing more!

[@michaelf7093]

"Far, far below the deepest delving of the Dwarves, the world is gnawed by nameless things. Even Sauron knows them not. They are older than he. Now I have walked there, but I will bring no report to darken the light of day." -Gandalf

[@tim..indeed]

The relationship with the Fremen is not symbiotic, more parasitic. The animals do clearly not want to be ridden.

[@SingingSealRiana]

This is an amazing analysis!!! Thanks a lot for sharing this with us, it was a great pleasure to listen to your thoughts on this topic!

[@Max-pi7ri]

This channel randomly got recommended to me and I was not expecting it to be this good!

[@seannewell397]

"Over here sand blows, over there sand blows. Over there a rich man waits, over here I wait." ―The Voice of Shai-Hulud, from the Oral History

[@DisisSid001]

Well the best gifts really do come in small packagings! Great video man, I really appreciate this level of content that too for such a small channel. You have my support ❤

[@KingShado69]

0:04 wrong, the largest animal I can think of is your mother.

[@nonbinaryjimin]

unnecessary comma ruining the comedic affect of ur comment

[@KingShado69]

@@nonbinaryjimin there u go fam.

[@nonbinaryjimin]

@@KingShado69 thanks bro

[@KingShado69]

@@nonbinaryjimin yw!

[@SuperMrHiggins]

There was an episode of Goosebumps, the TV show. Probably based on one of the books but I never read that one. About this kid who loved worms and wound up disappearing at the end after finding a giant worm underground. It was the only episode or book of that series that actually freaked me out.

[@velmee]

This is one of the most mesmerizing and well-made videos I have ever witnessed on KZbin! Thank you for your great work!

[@void.2.0.1]

my dudes casually posted a cinematic piece. i liked the narration style a lot, chills me out. fascinating work.

[@noahtodras]

Well done. This belongs in the big leagues.

[@connorlake1439]

the worms are not only key to the environment of arrakis, they are the reason arrakis is the way it is.

[@Worldbuilder]

Indeed, that’s one of the very points of Chapterhouse Dune.

[@kasperhauser4748]

The thing is, while lifting a kilogramm of water and lifting a kilogramm of sand is physically comparable, you cant compare swimming in water vs "swimming" in sand. The amount of force/energy needeed for a sandworm of dune to move as fast as it does would be insane.

[@khora3845]

Not necessarily, as the production of oxygen by the sandworm would increase the viscosity of the sand, reducing the force needed

[@buttersticks7877]

i believe the way that the movie had the worms work is that they emit an extremely low-frequency sound at a very high volume, which vibrates the sand around their body. this, in combination with the oxygen they emit from their bodies, essentially turns the sand into a fluid around them.

[@99baking]

Aerated/vibrating sand actually shares a lot of physical properties with liquid water

[@althechicken9597]

These guys know how to make an incredibly cinematic video. Ive watched this twice now and im sure ill be back again. im fascinated with stories that have monsters and mega-fauna as a core part of the world/story, like Dune, The Stormlight Archive, Jaws, and Jurassic Park, and like to really figure out what makes them tick. This video does a wonderful job of really getting into what does it for Dunes makers, and they are one of the best.

[@simraftw3372]

Thank you so MUCH for this amazing video! I got into Dune a few months back and I'm on the 4th book now. This video captivated me from beginning to end as I find the whole work of Dune fascinating so far. It scratched an itch in my brain that's only getting larger.

[@Ramonerdna]

Thought you'd compare them to the Bobbit Worm, which live in sand, grow large (10 feet long) and are sometimes just as terrifying as the sand worms of Dune

[@squirlmy]

10 feet isn't nearly as terrifying as something 400 meters to a kilometer long. Have you been smoking the Spice again?

[@FiReOaNdDeMoS2121]

Kudos to you sir, got me watching this an hour before my last exam 😂

[@ravenm.4301]

How do you like a video twice??? Script, production, editing, subject, pacing, all so incredibly fluid that it feels like an art documentary or a large funded channel. Stellar work; cant wait to see this blow up.

[@xephy3170]

Both your skills are excellent. The editing was superb and the pacing of your dialogue and tone are magnificent. Easily comparable to other such channels. I believe I speak for many here that we are honored to be at the beginning of what appears to be an excellent source of such commentary.

[@chronosanity]

Incredible video! Building the narrative about the sandworms of Dune in contrast to their interpretation in the rest of culture and storytelling, and then subverting it at the end with the Pardot Kynes quote was fantastic. I came expecting an encylopedic description of sandworms and instead watched a masterclass in creative storytelling!