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

[Jesse Sheidlower]

Thanks for this, Garson. The general policy of HDSF (frequently violated) is not to include terms from a single book/universe, unless it is spread widely beyond it. So the far more "important" term from _Dune_, the word _spice_, is also not included in HDSF.

But you're right to observe that _Butlerian Jihad_ has been increasingly often used in extended contexts, and it is now a reasonable candidate for entry. I'll think more about whether its time is now here.

Jesse Sheidlower

On Wed, Sep 16, 2026 at 06:11:03AM -0400, ADSGarson O'Toole wrote:
> 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
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org