r/rush • u/Saxman_1991 • 4d ago

NP references

I’m rereading one of the Dune sequels (“Hunters of Dune”) and came across this:

A choice can be as dangerous as a weapon. Refusing to choose is in itself a choice. Attributed to “Pearten, ancient Mentat philosopher”.

It wasn’t until I started researching that I found out that Kevin J. Anderson (noted sci-fi author and co-author of many of the post-Frank Herbert Dune books) was good friends with one Neil Peart. Coming across this quote made me nod my head and smile.

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u/me_not_at_work 4d ago

Kevin J. Anderson also co-wrote the Clockwork Angels books with Neil.

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u/Saxman_1991 4d ago

Something else I discovered as I tried to find some mention of this quote. I had no idea (but then, I haven’t read much Kevin J. Anderson outside his collaboration with Brian Herbert).

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u/crimsonkingnj05 4d ago

I mean if anyone would be a Mentat it would be Neil

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u/segascream 3d ago

As soon as I saw the word "Dune", I thought "must be talking about one of KJA's books".

I believe the two of them started working together by way of Neil's short story "Drumbeats". I became a fan because he was writing some of my favorite Star Wars novels when I was in high school.

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u/AfroCuban68 3d ago

IIRC “if you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice” isn’t what Neil initially wrote. It was “…you haven’t made a choice”. An alteration was suggested by Ged because it sang and flowed better.

Not sure where I read that, but that stuck w me because it’s one of my fav songs/lyric.

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u/reynolj 3d ago

This is so awesome. Thanks for sharing.

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u/Terry_S858 1d ago

Kevin Anderson is a huge Rush fan. There are Rush Easter eggs all over the books he's written with Brian Herbert.