The person who experiences greatness must have a feeling for the myth he is in. He must reflect what is projected upon him. And he must have a strong sense of the sardonic. This is what uncouples him from belief in his own pretensions. The sardonic is all that permits him to move within himself. Without this quality, even occasional greatness will destroy a man.

1984 was a tumultuous year in Herbert's life. However despite a disappointing response in the USA the film was a critical and commercial success in Europe and Japan. (October 8 1920 – February 11 1986) was a critically acclaimed and commercially successful American science fiction author.

The Dune saga set in the distant future and taking place over millennia deals with themes such as human survival and evolution ecology and the intersection of religion politics and power. (October 8 1920 – February 11 1986) was a critically acclaimed and commercially successful American science fiction author. Though also a short story author he is best known for his novels most notably Dune and its five sequels.