Wiktor Wise
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is a 1968 science fiction novel by Philip K. Dick. The story is set in the twenty-first century and follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter with a license to kill rogue androids that are indistinguishable from humans. The novel explores themes of artificial life and human-android conflict, raising questions about the nature of consciousness and what it means to be human. Due to its compelling narrative and themes, the novel has been adapted into a film, graphic novels, and other derivative works, with some available for free on platforms such as the Internet Archive and Open Library.
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What You'll Learn
Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter with a license to kill
Rick Deckard is a bounty hunter with a license to kill in a world ravaged by nuclear war. Working for the San Francisco Police Department, his job involves locating and "retiring" rogue androids. Deckard is a complex character, marked by his professional detachment and personal longing for meaning and connection.
In a society where owning real animals is a symbol of status and humanity, Deckard, due to his financial situation, can only afford a mechanical sheep. His desire for a real animal reveals his yearning for authenticity in a world filled with artificial constructs. Despite being skilled and confident in his work, Deckard often displays an introspective side, questioning the morality of killing androids, especially as he interacts with them more closely. His encounters with Rachael Rosen and other androids blur the line between what makes humans and machines different.
Deckard's work as a bounty hunter involves partnering with other bounty hunters, such as Phil Resch, to track down rogue androids. In one instance, Deckard and Resch are summoned to examine the files of a suspected android, Polokov, who is later verified as an android through a bone marrow test. Deckard's work requires him to make difficult decisions, such as posing as a prisoner to leave a precinct discreetly or expressing remorse and distaste for his job after the death of an android, Luba Luft.
Deckard's character is defined by his complex relationships with androids, such as Rachael Rosen, with whom he has a romantic encounter. Rachael's offer to kill another android, Pris, on Deckard's behalf, further complicates his emotions and raises questions about the nature of humanity and the value of life, both human and artificial. Deckard's internal conflicts and his struggles with his work reflect the themes of authenticity and the blurred lines between humans and machines in the novel.
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Rogue androids that look like humans
Androids that closely resemble humans have been a topic of fascination and development for centuries. The term "android" was first used in reference to human-like automatons in Ephraim Chambers' 1728 "Cyclopaedia." By the late 1700s, "androides" were on display in exhibit halls, showcasing mechanical devices that resembled humans and performed human activities. This fascination has persisted and evolved, with modern depictions of androids often featuring them as wholly or partially organic, artificial beings with human-like appearances and capabilities.
In fiction, androids that look like humans have been a staple of science fiction, with notable examples like the film "Blade Runner" and the novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" exploring the complexities and conflicts arising from the presence of such androids in society.
In reality, the development of lifelike androids has made significant strides, particularly in Japan, where robotics companies and researchers have been leading the field since the 1970s. Waseda University's WABOT project, initiated in 1967, resulted in the creation of WABOT-1, the first full-scale humanoid intelligent robot capable of walking, manipulating objects, and communicating in Japanese. Hiroshi Ishiguro and his collaborators have also created several lifelike androids, including one named Erica, a female android designed to exhibit human-like speech and interaction, complete with sparkling eyes, moist lips, and artificial skin.
The pursuit of creating androids that look and act like humans has extended beyond the laboratory and into the workplace. Promobot, a Russian startup, unveiled what it calls the world's first autonomous android, Robo-C, which can be customized to resemble anyone and is equipped with an extensive artificial intelligence system. Robo-C has been employed in various settings, including a government service center, a robot exhibition, and even as android versions of a family's members in the Middle East. The development of lifelike androids has sparked discussions and concerns about their potential impact on the job market, as they may be introduced to sectors with low productivity, such as agriculture and nursing.
As the capabilities and presence of lifelike androids continue to evolve and expand, it is essential to consider the ethical implications and potential consequences of their integration into human society, as explored in works like "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" and through educational initiatives like the implementation of Maria Bot, a virtual being android designed to facilitate discussions on ethical issues surrounding robots and artificial intelligence.
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Artificial life and human-android conflicts
In the novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick, the conflict between artificial life and human-android relationships is a central theme. Set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, the story follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with "retiring" (killing) six escaped Nexus-6 model androids. The novel explores the blurred lines between what is considered natural and artificial, and the moral dilemmas that arise from these ambiguous distinctions.
One of the main sources of conflict in the novel is the distinction between humans and androids, which Deckard acknowledges is, to some extent, arbitrary. The post-war agency that employs Deckard classifies humans as authentic and androids as mechanical beings, with humans considered superior due to their empathetic abilities. However, Deckard's wife, Iran, challenges this distinction, expressing sympathy towards the androids and referring to them as "poor andys." This ambiguity is further highlighted by Deckard's internal struggle, as he contemplates whether androids are truly ""pretending" to be alive or are "genuinely alive."
The novel also delves into the increasing reliance of humans on artificial "Penfield mood organs" to simulate emotions, while androids appear to possess more vitality and desire to live. This blurring of boundaries between the human and the non-human is a recurring theme in Dick's work, and it raises questions about what truly defines humanity. Are humans simply their desires, and if so, what does that mean for the future of humanity as technology becomes increasingly sentient?
The novel's exploration of the alienation of humans from their authentic selves is another key aspect of the human-android conflict. Deckard's role as a bounty hunter defending society from those lacking empathy forces him to confront the artificiality of distinctions used to exclude certain beings from ethical consideration. This theme of exclusion and otherness is further explored through the lens of Michel Montaigne's essay "On the Cannibals," where the "other" is revealed to share similar doubts and fears, thus blurring the boundaries of what separates humans from their non-human counterparts.
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Science fiction and fantasy
'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 has been greatly damaged by a nuclear global war and most animal species are endangered or extinct. The plot follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with "retiring" (i.e. killing) six escaped Nexus-6 model androids. A secondary plotline follows John Isidore, a man of sub-par IQ who aids the fugitive androids.
The novel explores themes of human and artificial life conflicts, empathy, and personification, raising questions such as "What makes us human?" and "What stops the androids from breaking out of the mould of personification?". The androids are a multi-layered deception, appearing human but lacking empathy, which is what stops them from being truly human. The novel also touches on the labour that dehumanises Rick, the bounty hunter, and his desire to escape his work.
'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' has had a significant influence on science fiction and fantasy. It became a founding document of the new wave science fiction movement and a basic model for cyberpunk. It also influenced other art forms, such as sci-fi-based metal music by artists including Rob Zombie and Powerman 5000. The novel was loosely adapted into the 1982 film 'Blade Runner', directed by Ridley Scott, and a two-part radio adaptation was broadcast by BBC Radio 4 in 2014. The novel's title was retrospectively changed to 'Blade Runner: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' in some later printings after the success of the film.
In addition to the film and radio adaptations, 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' has inspired several authorised sequels and prequels in various formats. Three novels intended as sequels to both the novel and the 'Blade Runner' film have been published by K. W. Jeter, a friend of Dick. These novels continue the story of Rick Deckard and attempt to reconcile the differences between the novel and the film. A 24-issue comic book limited series based on the novel, illustrated by Tony Parker, was published by BOOM! Studios. The comic was nominated for "Best New Series" at the 2010 Eisner Awards. An eight-issue prequel subtitled 'Dust To Dust', written by Chris Roberson and drawn by Robert Adler, was also serialised by BOOM! Studios in 2010.
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Dust to Dust, a prequel graphic novel
"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 a global war has rendered Earth's atmosphere highly radioactive, causing most animal species to become endangered or extinct. The plot follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with "retiring" (killing) six escaped Nexus-6 model androids.
"Dust to Dust" is a prequel graphic novel to "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" written by John W. Campbell Award-nominee Chris Roberson. It takes place in the same world as the original book, focusing on the aftermath of the war that poisoned the planet and forced people to leave Earth. The story introduces readers to Charlie Victor, an android hunter who recruits Malcolm Reed, a unique character who stands out from the rest.
While the art style in "Dust to Dust" is clean and straightforward, with Adler focusing on clear presentation, Roberson's writing adds new elements to the world created by Dick. This includes references to contemporary technology like Twitter. The plot revolves around the hunters tracking down rogue androids, a similar premise to the original novel, but with a unique perspective on the world.
As a prequel, "Dust to Dust" provides additional context and expands the universe of "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?". It delves into the impact of the war that led to the need for androids and explores the ongoing conflict between humans and machines. The graphic novel format offers a new way to experience this world, with visual depictions of the characters and settings, complementing the narrative.
"Dust to Dust" is an intriguing addition to the "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" canon, offering fans a new perspective on the familiar world created by Philip K. Dick. While some readers may find it disappointing that the novel follows a similar bounty hunter plot, others appreciate the exploration of the post-war world and the unique characters introduced.
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Frequently asked questions
Set in January 2021, 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep' follows Rick Deckard, who has been assigned to find and "retire" several rogue androids that look exactly like humans.
The novel was written by Philip K. Dick and was first published in 1968.
I cannot provide torrent links as it is against my policy to promote piracy. However, you can find free and legal downloads of the book in PDF format on the Internet Archive and Open Library websites.
