Frank Herbert Lost Interview Resurfaces
A rediscovered interview with Frank Herbert offers rare insights into his philosophy and creative process, conducted around the first Dune movie's release. Herbert discusses his inspirations and the societal themes woven into his work, providing valuable resources for those interested in the intersection of science fiction and futurism.
The interview, conducted by Jean Marie Stine, was originally published in the *L.A. Reader* in mid-1984 and remained largely out of sight until its republication. At the time, Herbert's fourth novel in the series, *God Emperor of Dune*, had achieved significant bestseller success, cementing the franchise as a cult classic. In the discussion, Herbert delves into his long-held skepticism of power structures, stating that "All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities." He clarified his view is not that power corrupts, but that it is inherently magnetic to the corruptible. This philosophy is a core tenet woven throughout the entire *Dune* saga. Herbert also expanded on his famous warning against hero-worship and charismatic leaders. He explained that the first three *Dune* books were conceived as a single story to illustrate how even a "pure and good" hero inevitably creates a dangerous power structure that attracts those who would do evil in the leader's name. Politically, Frank Herbert identified as a Republican with strong individualist and anti-bureaucracy stances. He worked on several Republican campaigns and expressed a deep-seated distrust of government, believing it was a recurring historical lesson that they lie to protect themselves. Despite this, he also opposed the Vietnam War and Senator Joseph McCarthy's blacklisting.
