I havent posted in the past few weeks. I know I am a terrible person.
I did not enjoy Dr.Bloodmoney.... I also quite disliked Stigmata..
However, I absolutely POSITIVELY LOVE "A Scanner Darkly"!!
I have read it previously, and I have seen the film multiple times. Absolutely love.
So for me, mainly my love for this novel comes from the inner dialogue of the characters. This novel is such a practical and current analysis on society. I think it is the specific nature of the societal issues that make this novel stand out to me among the other great PKD commentaries.
Since Scanner is so specifically exploring the small world of drug addicts, dealers, and the police that once you are done reading, you feel more informed and in the know.
I love getting into the heads of these real-life people. To me, this is one of Dick's more realistic writings so far, honestly not so unrealistic. I think my favorite character is Barris. He reminds me of some of my old friends who got caught up in some bad things. He has a rampant imagination, and combined with a misplaced intelligence, Barris is a recipe for trouble.
Scanner is especially reat to me though, for its amazing balance of profoundness, suspense, and comedy. The first time in this class we have come across comedy from Dick, he does it well. It is a sly, sharp and underhanded type of humor, tainted with a bit of misfortune.
I look forward to reading this book through once more, as I love the ending more than almost any other media I have ever consumed.
The ending of Scanner is my favorite ending to anything, ever. I hope everyone else likes it at least a little bit.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
The Simulacra - Conclusion
In a bit of irony, I feel like Ive gotten a bit ahead of myself. When we were reading Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, I was convinced and in awe by my new realization that humans could be on the decline, evolutionarily. I am currently taking a Zoology class and through learning about the progression of life forms (from oceanic, to animals possessing throats, tissues and organs, to predators), I wonder what has made humans so prolific. I still haven't come to my own conclusion. However I do believe that most people don't give this a grain of thought. It seems- to be honest- a concept out of a science fiction novel.
I suppose, I just mean to say, that I feel unfathomably elated at the fact that I am not the only (or first) person to have thought and realized this. Clearly, after reading The Simulacra, Philip K. Dick had thoughts of the same breed. It is refreshing to say the least.
The finish of The Simulacra was sadly not what I was expecting. I feel the book could've been more succinctly written as a short story. What was the overall significance of Duncan and Miller's storyline? They end up emigrating. I honestly cant see anything that would be lost by cutting it out entirely.
Secondly, I really feel that PKD dropped the ball by not giving character descriptions. Other than the terribly single minded, slightly sexist "high round breasts" and the "she was smaller up close" type descriptions. Notice those are both females. There are a grand total of 6 females in this novel. Countless males. So please, for my brain's sake, I hope the next novel has at least more character descriptions.
Other than thosemajor overlooked flaws, I enjoyed this novel- but only moderately. The point of "EVOLUTION IS AWESOME" was better brought home by The Preserving Machine.
I am immensely looking forward to absorbing more PKD novels.
I suppose, I just mean to say, that I feel unfathomably elated at the fact that I am not the only (or first) person to have thought and realized this. Clearly, after reading The Simulacra, Philip K. Dick had thoughts of the same breed. It is refreshing to say the least.
The finish of The Simulacra was sadly not what I was expecting. I feel the book could've been more succinctly written as a short story. What was the overall significance of Duncan and Miller's storyline? They end up emigrating. I honestly cant see anything that would be lost by cutting it out entirely.
Secondly, I really feel that PKD dropped the ball by not giving character descriptions. Other than the terribly single minded, slightly sexist "high round breasts" and the "she was smaller up close" type descriptions. Notice those are both females. There are a grand total of 6 females in this novel. Countless males. So please, for my brain's sake, I hope the next novel has at least more character descriptions.
Other than those
I am immensely looking forward to absorbing more PKD novels.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
The Simulacra Part 1
After reading chapters 1-8 of The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick, I have been left confused.
Although these 8 chapters were extremely short, they were confusing, packed with conversation (unlike Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep), contained PKD's famous made-up descriptors, and last but not least, contains a fair bit of German phrases, and German names. I hope I was not the only one who found this the most difficult to read writing this semester. Unfortunately, it just started to hit a possibly interesting spot at the finish of chapter 8! "Chuppers", or genetic human throwbacks to neanderthals!? Who knew! I just hope this strange turn of events turns out to be the mark of a more comprehensible plot, and doesn't lead us all into more rabbit-hole-esque conversation between a million and three characters.
Although these 8 chapters were extremely short, they were confusing, packed with conversation (unlike Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep), contained PKD's famous made-up descriptors, and last but not least, contains a fair bit of German phrases, and German names. I hope I was not the only one who found this the most difficult to read writing this semester. Unfortunately, it just started to hit a possibly interesting spot at the finish of chapter 8! "Chuppers", or genetic human throwbacks to neanderthals!? Who knew! I just hope this strange turn of events turns out to be the mark of a more comprehensible plot, and doesn't lead us all into more rabbit-hole-esque conversation between a million and three characters.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Short Stories
After reading the short stories: The Golden Man, Roog, The Preserving Machine, and If there Were No Benny Cemoli, I have a few comments.
I don't think that I expected the reoccuring theme of evolution in PKD's writing. I know that it is science fiction, and I should have expected it to ome extent. But I am really suprised about how positive and pro-nature the stories tend to be!
In "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep", there is a comment that Deckard thinks to himself that sums this all up:
"The life force oozed out of her, as he had so often witnessed before with other androids. The classic resignation. Mechanical, intellectual acceptance of that which a genuine organism- with two billion years pressure to live and evolve hargriding it- could never have reconciled itself to."
In "The Preserving Machine", the entire story is simply about how creatures evolve and it is unavoidable and uncontrollable.
As a biologist, I really take heart to themes like this. I think life is important to think about. Another theme I enjoy is that humans in his story have evolved to some extent. And many times the humans have started to decline, evolutionarily and socially. It is sobering to think that one day humans will have the short nd of the evolutionary stick, and it will show with declining populations, increased government control and overall quality of life- decreasing.
I don't think that I expected the reoccuring theme of evolution in PKD's writing. I know that it is science fiction, and I should have expected it to ome extent. But I am really suprised about how positive and pro-nature the stories tend to be!
In "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep", there is a comment that Deckard thinks to himself that sums this all up:
"The life force oozed out of her, as he had so often witnessed before with other androids. The classic resignation. Mechanical, intellectual acceptance of that which a genuine organism- with two billion years pressure to live and evolve hargriding it- could never have reconciled itself to."
In "The Preserving Machine", the entire story is simply about how creatures evolve and it is unavoidable and uncontrollable.
As a biologist, I really take heart to themes like this. I think life is important to think about. Another theme I enjoy is that humans in his story have evolved to some extent. And many times the humans have started to decline, evolutionarily and socially. It is sobering to think that one day humans will have the short nd of the evolutionary stick, and it will show with declining populations, increased government control and overall quality of life- decreasing.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep- Final Thoughts
After finishing the second half of "Do androids Dream of Electric Sheep," I have a few things to say.
I do enjoy PKD's writing /themes, but I actually have a lot of negative things to say about his writing style.
Personally, I think he uses some odd terms and names for "futuristic" themes. Also, it was like breaking the 4th wall when Pris tells Isidore that she likes to read old science fiction novels.
But, seriously, "Kipple?" Pics? Vidcalls? Buster Friendly and his Friendly Friends? All this stuff that is characteristic to the universe sounds like baby-named gibberish. It almost makes me feel silly talking about the book to my friends, because the names for things are so.....asinine.
I don't know if maybe PKD did this on purpose? Maybe he is just an extremely eclectic guy and thinks Kipple is a cute word. Or maybe he uses these names to contrast with the mature themes of social science fiction. I dont know. I do know I was suprised by his writing style.
PKD seems to write in a very "thick" way. Nearly all of the novel is dialogue. between two or more characters of in Deckard's head. Not much narrating at all. Which I like. But I don't like that it took me around 3 days to read such a relatively small book.
Overall, I was very surprised by this book. I have seen the film adaption "Blade Runner" and from what I remember of it, it is only faintly like this novel. A few scenes are nearly exact, but the development of Deckard is front and center, Isidore isnt even in the movie (is he?), and he was my favorite character.
I plan on watching the movie soon, and seeing the similarities.
Also I have to say, this book seems oddly similar to another novel we will read, "A Scanner Darkly", my favorite book of all time. But equally surprisingly, I didn't really like "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" in comparison. I am looking forward to reading PKD's short stories as I have never so much as touched them.
On the main storyline, I feel there are 3 major things PkD is trying to get across.
- The first is Empathy.
- The second is the Media as society's main outlet.
- Third, Classes of people and the ever ascent upwards.
I was actually surprised there was very little commentary about drugs, drug use and etc. The faux-religion "Mercerism" nearly replaces the usual drug themes that are in a few of his other novels. People blindly follow the outlined ways to act set about by Mercerism. I guess the commentary of drugs and consumption can be applied to the media as well. The media in this novel is very important. As with our reality, the media is the most apparent manifestation of our societal standards and objectives. By "media" I mean Buster's talk show, and the invented Mercerism.
The topic of empathy is interesting to me, but at the same time, difficult to pinpoint. Everyone in this universe is completely absorbed in two things: Empathy from themselves and from others and, Keeping up with the Jones'. Even androids, who almost seem to be defiant about the whole empathy thing. Keeping animals is a "fell swoop" of societal success. If a person has a real, live animal, then they are viewed as empathetic and capable of caring for it. So through the basis of valuing perceived empathy, animals have become a prized possession. At the same time, people have a severe lack of empathy for others. If people are emigrating to colony planets, then why are these 'empathy filled' people making specials and andriods stay behind, to their death? That doesn't seem very empathetic.
Here is one thing I thought was very interesting:
Ascent upwards is a recurring theme. Physically ( their houses seem to be underground), Socially (keeping up with the Jonses'), and Philosophically (the "ascent" of Wilbur Mercer). However, all these things directly relate to humans. Moreover, humans don't really see androids as able to ascend with them. However, towards the end of the book, Rachel Rosen tells Deckard the plan of the Rosen association. She tells him that The rosen association wants to continually make the androids better and more human, until there is no test that can distinguish them.
Isn't that ascension?
Additonally, Deckard has a realization at the end of the novel that "androids have thier lives, too". This leads us to believe he sees them as equal, at least.
Which leads me to the title of the book. I think it is pretty clear that all these androids Deckard was set out to kill did not want to die. They planned. They had hobbies. they had "lives".
---
-Grace
I do enjoy PKD's writing /themes, but I actually have a lot of negative things to say about his writing style.
Personally, I think he uses some odd terms and names for "futuristic" themes. Also, it was like breaking the 4th wall when Pris tells Isidore that she likes to read old science fiction novels.
But, seriously, "Kipple?" Pics? Vidcalls? Buster Friendly and his Friendly Friends? All this stuff that is characteristic to the universe sounds like baby-named gibberish. It almost makes me feel silly talking about the book to my friends, because the names for things are so.....asinine.
I don't know if maybe PKD did this on purpose? Maybe he is just an extremely eclectic guy and thinks Kipple is a cute word. Or maybe he uses these names to contrast with the mature themes of social science fiction. I dont know. I do know I was suprised by his writing style.
PKD seems to write in a very "thick" way. Nearly all of the novel is dialogue. between two or more characters of in Deckard's head. Not much narrating at all. Which I like. But I don't like that it took me around 3 days to read such a relatively small book.
Overall, I was very surprised by this book. I have seen the film adaption "Blade Runner" and from what I remember of it, it is only faintly like this novel. A few scenes are nearly exact, but the development of Deckard is front and center, Isidore isnt even in the movie (is he?), and he was my favorite character.
I plan on watching the movie soon, and seeing the similarities.
Also I have to say, this book seems oddly similar to another novel we will read, "A Scanner Darkly", my favorite book of all time. But equally surprisingly, I didn't really like "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" in comparison. I am looking forward to reading PKD's short stories as I have never so much as touched them.
On the main storyline, I feel there are 3 major things PkD is trying to get across.
- The first is Empathy.
- The second is the Media as society's main outlet.
- Third, Classes of people and the ever ascent upwards.
I was actually surprised there was very little commentary about drugs, drug use and etc. The faux-religion "Mercerism" nearly replaces the usual drug themes that are in a few of his other novels. People blindly follow the outlined ways to act set about by Mercerism. I guess the commentary of drugs and consumption can be applied to the media as well. The media in this novel is very important. As with our reality, the media is the most apparent manifestation of our societal standards and objectives. By "media" I mean Buster's talk show, and the invented Mercerism.
The topic of empathy is interesting to me, but at the same time, difficult to pinpoint. Everyone in this universe is completely absorbed in two things: Empathy from themselves and from others and, Keeping up with the Jones'. Even androids, who almost seem to be defiant about the whole empathy thing. Keeping animals is a "fell swoop" of societal success. If a person has a real, live animal, then they are viewed as empathetic and capable of caring for it. So through the basis of valuing perceived empathy, animals have become a prized possession. At the same time, people have a severe lack of empathy for others. If people are emigrating to colony planets, then why are these 'empathy filled' people making specials and andriods stay behind, to their death? That doesn't seem very empathetic.
Here is one thing I thought was very interesting:
Ascent upwards is a recurring theme. Physically ( their houses seem to be underground), Socially (keeping up with the Jonses'), and Philosophically (the "ascent" of Wilbur Mercer). However, all these things directly relate to humans. Moreover, humans don't really see androids as able to ascend with them. However, towards the end of the book, Rachel Rosen tells Deckard the plan of the Rosen association. She tells him that The rosen association wants to continually make the androids better and more human, until there is no test that can distinguish them.
Isn't that ascension?
Additonally, Deckard has a realization at the end of the novel that "androids have thier lives, too". This leads us to believe he sees them as equal, at least.
Which leads me to the title of the book. I think it is pretty clear that all these androids Deckard was set out to kill did not want to die. They planned. They had hobbies. they had "lives".
---
-Grace
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Dp Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? A reading response.
After reading the first 11 chapters of "Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep", I have a few things to say about it.
Firstly, I have not seen the adapted film "Blade Runner" in over 4 years. I remember very little about it except for the general appearance of characters and the tone of the setting.
One thing I particularly got from this reading is the sense of "dog eat dog". This society is eat or be eaten, kill or be killed. The classes of society seem to be very highly regarded or very lowly regarded, with little in between.
Along with the middle class being non-existent, the race to own objects (in this case real animals) is full-throttle. The main character, and presumably the whole of society is totally invested their lives in working upwards, ever ascending to a "better" state of social existence. this is done by social acheivements, personal ownership of items, and by occupation.
I don't think I would like living in this world because it is highly competitive and easy to fall into a life of depression and the feeling of inadequacy.
I look forward to finishing the book, and giving a greater in-depth response about the differences between being human/ being non human, and the topic of ethics.
Firstly, I have not seen the adapted film "Blade Runner" in over 4 years. I remember very little about it except for the general appearance of characters and the tone of the setting.
One thing I particularly got from this reading is the sense of "dog eat dog". This society is eat or be eaten, kill or be killed. The classes of society seem to be very highly regarded or very lowly regarded, with little in between.
Along with the middle class being non-existent, the race to own objects (in this case real animals) is full-throttle. The main character, and presumably the whole of society is totally invested their lives in working upwards, ever ascending to a "better" state of social existence. this is done by social acheivements, personal ownership of items, and by occupation.
I don't think I would like living in this world because it is highly competitive and easy to fall into a life of depression and the feeling of inadequacy.
I look forward to finishing the book, and giving a greater in-depth response about the differences between being human/ being non human, and the topic of ethics.
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