The People’s History of Tattooine

A few years ago, a group of 12 Star Wars fans held a serious discussion on Twitter about the socioeconomic conditions on Tattooine. It is the home planet of both Anakin and Luke Skywalker, full of sand and sentient species of all manner. Obi-Wan Kenobi was an outsider who was presented to the audience as a wise sage who knew all about the planet, but maybe his opinions were colored by his experiences.

TIM CARMODY
Obi-Wan only goes to Mos Eisley once every three months to get drunk and he basically becomes like Byron.

JACOB HARRIS
so he clings to things like lightsabers and ancient Jedi religion…

“I’m just saying you can’t trust a man what plays in a cantina band. Not you, Figrin D’ith. You’re one of the good ones!”

I also imagine Tosche Station as some sort of affluent suburban mall where Luke just goes to loiter when bored.

TIM CARMODY
That’s totally true about dudes in cantina bands though

JACOB HARRIS
you don’t get to be Max Rebo overnight. Playing in the cantina is like their version of the Beatles in Hamburg, Tim.

A wretched hive of scum and vaillainy, indeed. Much of the discussion is about prejudicial treatment of the sand people, excuse me, Tusken people, by the dominant human species.

JACOB HARRIS
all I’m saying is that I don’t blame the Tusken People for steering clear of the racist, violent and armed old man

DAN SINKER
“he’s making those noises again, honey bring the kids inside.”

The original Twitter thread played out over time, and has since deteriorated from a readable form. Tim Carmody extricated the conversation and has archived The People’s History of Tattooine at Kottke for your reading pleasure.