Real Art Ways Hartford, CT
Dr. Peter Turchin
Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Mathematics, University of Connecticut
Dune— Cliodynamics and Population Biology
Program Description
Professor Turchin used cliodynamics (history as a science) to examine Dune in the context of the fall of the Roman Empire and rise of the Islam.
Presented At
Real Art Ways Hartford, CT
Film Synopsis
A Duke's son leads desert warriors against the galactic emperor and his father's evil nemesis when they assassinate his father and free their desert world from the emperor's rule.
In the year 10191, a spice called melange is the most valuable substance in the universe, and its only source is the desert planet Arrakis. A royal decree awards Arrakis to Duke Leto Atreides (Jürgen Prochnow) and ousts his bitter enemies, the Harkonnens. However, when the Harkonnens violently seize back their fiefdom, it is up to Paul (Kyle MacLachlan), Leto's son, to lead the Fremen, the natives of Arrakis, in a battle for control of the planet and its spice. Adapted from Frank Herbert's epic novel, David Lynch wrote and directed this cult sci-fi film.
About the Speaker
Dr. Peter Turchin is one of the top cited authors in the field of ecology/environment. He is one of the founders of cliodynamics, a scientific discipline located at the intersection of historical macrosociology, cliometrics, and mathematical modeling of social processes. Dr. Turchin developed an original theory explaining how large historical empires evolve by the mechanism of multilevel selection. His research on secular cycles has contributed to our understanding of the collapse of complex societies as has his re-interpretation of Ibn Khaldun's asabiyya notion as "collective solidarity." Dr. Turchin received his BA in biology from New York University (cum laude) in 1980, and PhD in zoology in 1985 from Duke University. Turchin is a professor at the University of Connecticut in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, as well as in the Department of Mathematics.