[Ads-l] Butlerian Jihad =?UTF-8?Q?=E2=80=93_?=movement against artificial intelligence and robots

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

The term "Butlerian Jihad" from the novel Dune by Frank Hebert has been revived.

[Begin xtweet info]
https://x.com/HeerJeet/status/1043654188536881153
Jeet Heer @HeerJeet
The idea of a Butlerian Jihad is fascinating. And something I think
could happen!
8:12 PM, Sep 22, 2018
[End xtweet info]

I did not see an entry for this term in the Historical Dictionary of
Science Fiction. It might be a helpful addition. The first match I
found appeared in the "Dune World" serialization in Analog magazine.

Date: December 1963
Periodical: Analog - Science Fiction, Science Fact
Volume 72, Number 4
Serial Story: Dune World by Frank Herbert (Part 1 of 3)
Start Page 17, Quote Page 23
Publisher: Conde Nast Publications, New York
Database: Internet Archive

[Begin excerpt]
"A human is still the finest computer," she said, "the smallest for
its variability, portable and self-propelled, self-programming,
capable of performing more tasks simultaneously, cheapest to maintain
because it maintains itself ... I could go on at much greater length.
Have you studied also about the Butlerian Jihad, the Great Revolt?"
"I know why we destroyed the machines that think," he said. He could
not keep the sullen tone out of his voice, wondering: Why these
juvenile questions?
The Reverend Mother ignored his tone, said: "The Great Revolt took
away a crutch, forced human minds to develop. Almost immediately
afterward, schools were started to train these human talents."
[End excerpt]

Here is a definition from the first Dune novel.

Date: 1965 Copyright
Book: Dune by Frank Herbert (Book Club Edition)
Section: Terminology of the Imperium
Quote Page xvii and xviii
Publisher: Chilton Book Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Database: Internet Archive

[Begin excerpt]
JIHAD, BUTLERIAN: (see also Great Revolt)—the crusade against
computers, thinking machines, and conscious robots begun in 201 B.G.
and concluded in 108 B.G. Its chief commandment remains in the O.C.
Bible as "Thou shalt not make a machine in the likeness of a human
mind."
[End excerpt]

Garson

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