Wiktor Wise
'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' is a 1968 dystopian science fiction novel by American writer Philip K. Dick. The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where Earth's life has been damaged by a nuclear global war. It follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with retiring (or killing) six escaped Nexus-6 model androids. The novel explores themes of human connection, empathy, and the impact of technology on society. The title itself hints at the idea of artificial life and the blurring of lines between humans and machines. Interestingly, owls play a significant role in both the novel and its cinematic adaptation, Blade Runner. In the post-war world, owls are the first animals to go extinct, and owning an electric owl becomes a symbol of wealth and social status.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Scrappy |
| Owner | Rosen Association |
| Owner's representative | Eldon Rosen |
| Owner's feigned claim | That Scrappy was real |
| Implied by ownership | Strong financial and social standing |
| Type of animal | Owl |
| Owl's status | Extinct |
| Cause of extinction | Dust from World War Terminus |
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What You'll Learn
The owl as a status symbol
In the 1968 dystopian science fiction novel, *Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?*, owls are extinct due to the dust that resulted from World War Terminus. In this post-apocalyptic world, most animal species are endangered or extinct, and even owning the titular sheep is considered a status symbol. As a result, the owl, being the first animal to go extinct, becomes a symbol of strong financial and social standing for its owner. This is demonstrated in the novel when Eldon Rosen of the Rosen Association, which owns an electric owl named Scrappy, attempts to bribe Rick Deckard with it.
The presence of owls in *Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?* has influenced other works of fiction. In the TV show *Futurama*, owls are numerous and considered pests, which can be interpreted as a subtle nod to the novel. The show takes the opposite approach to the novel, where owls have replaced pigeons and rats as the dominant pest in New New York. This contrast highlights the value placed on owls in *Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?*, where they are seen as a symbol of luxury and privilege.
The owl's significance in the novel also extends to its cinematic adaptation, *Blade Runner*, and its sequel, *Blade Runner 2049*. In these films, the electric owl represents something beautiful that no longer exists in the post-apocalyptic world. The owl symbolises the loss of nature and the fragility of the environment, serving as a reminder of the consequences of global conflict and human actions.
The inclusion of owls in *Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?* and its adaptations highlights the theme of environmental destruction and the impact of human actions on the natural world. The owl, once a symbol of wisdom and knowledge, has now become a reminder of the fragility of our ecosystem and the potential loss of our planet's biodiversity. This transformation of the owl's symbolism adds depth to the narrative and invites readers and viewers to reflect on the value we place on our natural world.
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The Voigt-Kampff test
The test is reminiscent of a polygraph test, measuring physiological responses to emotionally provocative questions. The Voigt-Kampff machine assesses bodily functions such as respiration, heart rate, blushing, and pupillary dilation. It typically takes 20 to 30 cross-referenced questions to detect a Nexus-6 replicant. In the novel, Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter, uses the Voigt-Kampff test to "retire" (kill) six escaped Nexus-6 model androids.
The test is also similar to the Turing test, proposed by Alan Turing, which involves a person asking questions to another person or a computer behind a door. If the questioner cannot determine whether they are interacting with a human or a computer, the machine has passed the threshold of human-like intelligence. The Voigt-Kampff test can be considered a fictional interpretation of the Turing test, incorporating the visual element of pupil dilation.
The effectiveness of the Voigt-Kampff test has been questioned, as it may produce false positives, especially with individuals who are autistic or have other forms of neurodivergence. Additionally, the test cannot detect more advanced replicant models, such as the Nexus-9s.
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Influence on the science fiction genre
'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' has had a profound influence on the science fiction genre. The 1968 novel by Philip K. Dick is a cornerstone of dystopian science fiction, and its themes and ideas have resonated across generations of writers and artists.
The novel's exploration of a post-apocalyptic world, ravaged by nuclear war, where most animal species are extinct or endangered, set a precedent for many subsequent works in the genre. The story's central premise, following a bounty hunter tasked with "retiring" escaped androids, blends elements of noir fiction and hard-boiled detective narratives with the emerging concerns of a technological age. This fusion of styles and themes would become a hallmark of the new wave science fiction movement, of which Dick's novel is considered a foundational text.
The novel's treatment of androids and artificial intelligence explores the blurred lines between human and machine, and the potential consequences of technological advancement on our understanding of consciousness, identity, and what it means to be human. This theme, in particular, has been a rich source of inspiration for writers and filmmakers, with the novel's cinematic adaptation, 'Blade Runner' (1982), and its sequel, 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017), further cementing its influence on popular culture.
'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' has also left its mark on other art forms, such as comic books and music. The comic book series published by BOOM! Studios, and the sci-fi-based metal music of artists like Rob Zombie and Powerman 5000, demonstrate the far-reaching impact of the novel's ideas and imagery.
Beyond its influence on popular culture, the novel has also sparked discussions about the increasing mechanization of human life and the potential risks of technology usurping our humanity. Dick's exploration of these themes in the novel and his subsequent speeches and writings have contributed to a broader conversation about the role of technology in society and the potential dangers of a world where our "man-made environment" becomes "quasi-alive."
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Influence on other art forms
"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" has influenced other art forms, including literature, cinema, and music. The novel has inspired generations of science fiction writers, becoming a founding text of the new wave science fiction movement and a basic model for cyberpunk. It has also influenced other genres, such as sci-fi-based metal music from artists including Rob Zombie and Powerman 5000.
The novel has been adapted into a film, "Blade Runner" (1982), which was directed by Ridley Scott and written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples. The film and its sequel, "Blade Runner 2049" (2017), retain many themes from the novel, such as the discussion on representation and the distinction between reality and artificiality. The film also led to the novel being republished under the title "Blade Runner" for some later editions.
"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" has also been adapted into other art forms, including a stage play, a comic book series, and art prints. The novel has been released as an audiobook at least twice and was also adapted into a two-part radio play by BBC Radio 4 in 2014.
The novel explores themes such as the increasing artificiality and potential sentience of technology, the complexity of the relationship between humans and androids, and the blurring of lines between reality and artificiality. These themes have influenced other artists and continue to be relevant in discussions about technology and humanity.
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The mirror stage
In "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick, the owl is a symbol of wisdom, extinction, and night hunting, reflecting the character of Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with "retiring" (killing) escaped androids. The owl also serves as a reward and a bribe, making Deckard a target. In one instance, the Rosen Company bribes Deckard with an owl to keep him quiet about the fact that their test subject, Rachel, is an android.
Critic Klaus Benesch offers an interpretation of the novel through the lens of Jacques Lacan's essay on the mirror stage. Benesch argues that the androids in the novel perform a "doubling function" similar to the mirror image of the self, but on a social rather than individual scale. This interpretation suggests that the human anxiety about androids stems from uncertainties about human identity and society. In other words, the androids mirror and bring into question the nature of humanity, serving as a reflection of human actions and values.
The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic world where Earth has been devastated by nuclear war, and many humans have migrated to off-world colonies. The remaining humans are left with artificial beings known as androids, which they care for and keep as symbols of status and connection. The desire for real animals, such as the hatred felt by Isidore towards his electric sheep, highlights the need for authentic experiences and connections in a world filled with artificial life.
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Frequently asked questions
'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep' is a 1968 dystopian science fiction novel by American writer Philip K. Dick. It is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where Earth's life has been greatly damaged by a nuclear global war. The main plot follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter who has to kill six escaped Nexus-6 model androids.
The Voigt-Kampff test is a tool used by Rick Deckard to determine if someone is an android or a human.
In the story, owls were the first animals to become extinct due to the dust that resulted from World War Terminus. Therefore, owning an owl symbolised strong financial and social standing.
The 1982 film 'Blade Runner' is a cinematic adaptation of the novel 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep'. Due to the film's success, later editions of the novel adopted the title 'Blade Runner: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?'.
Yes, three authorised sequel novels have been published, written by Dick's friend K.W. Jeter. These novels continue the story of Rick Deckard and attempt to reconcile the differences between the novel and its 1982 film adaptation.
