Otis Singleton
Set in a post-World War future, where millions have been killed and entire species are extinct, 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep' by Philip K. Dick explores a world where the surviving humans covet any living creature. With real animals now a luxury, companies build incredibly life-like simulacra of various creatures, from horses to birds and even humans. These artificial humans, or androids, are so sophisticated that they are given to immigrants on Mars, but their potential for destruction leads the government to ban them from Earth. The novel follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with finding and 'retiring' these rogue androids, who will fight back with lethal force when cornered.
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What You'll Learn
Post-war world
Set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' depicts a world where life on Earth has been severely damaged by a nuclear global war. The story is set in the future, in the year 1992 (2021 in later editions), after a global conflict that rendered Earth's atmosphere highly radioactive, threatening the existence of many species.
In this post-war world, humanity has been forced to migrate to other planets, with Mars being a popular destination. Those who remain on Earth have to deal with the consequences of the war, including a radioactive atmosphere and the loss of many animal species. To cope with the absence of real animals, people turn to robotic alternatives, with corporations creating incredibly realistic "copies" of various creatures, from dogs and cats to horses and even humans. These androids, or robots, are so advanced that they are indistinguishable from real men and women in terms of appearance and behaviour.
The novel's protagonist, Rick Deckard, is a bounty hunter working for the San Francisco police agency. He is tasked with "retiring" or killing escaped humanoid robots, a job that requires him to confront the blurred boundaries between humans and androids. Deckard's dream is to own a real animal, such as a sheep, a colt, a goat, an owl, or a toad, in a world where most animals are believed to be extinct.
The post-war world of 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' is characterised by the impact of nuclear conflict, mass migration, and the presence of advanced robotics and androids. It explores themes of existence, humanity, and the relationship between humans and machines in a dark and bold vision of the future.
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![By Philip K. Dick - Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (2012-02-16) [Paperback]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51s+NVQ6atL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Androids and artificial life
By 2021, World War III has devastated the planet, driving some species to extinction and forcing humans to colonize other planets. Those who remain on Earth yearn for the companionship of living creatures, and for those who cannot afford real animals, companies create incredibly lifelike simulacra, from horses and birds to cats and sheep. They have even crafted artificial humans, or androids, that are so sophisticated that immigrants to Mars receive them as companions, indistinguishable from true men or women.
Fearing the potential threat posed by these artificial humans, the Earth's government bans them from the planet. This forces unauthorized androids into hiding, where they live undetected among human beings. The story follows Rick Deckard, an officially sanctioned bounty hunter tasked with finding and "retiring" these rogue androids. However, when cornered, these androids will stop at nothing, even lethal force, to protect themselves.
The novel explores themes of empathy, compassion, and what it means to be human. In a world where artificial life has become so advanced that it is nearly indistinguishable from the real thing, the characters must grapple with questions of morality and the value of all life, regardless of its form. The androids themselves are portrayed as complex characters, blurring the lines between human and machine, and challenging the notion of what it means to be truly alive.
As Deckard delves deeper into the world of androids, he encounters a range of perspectives and beliefs, from those who see androids as mere machines to be exploited, to those who recognize their sentience and advocate for their rights. The novel raises questions about the nature of consciousness, the impact of technology on society, and the potential consequences of creating artificial life that can think, feel, and dream.
Ultimately, "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" presents a thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between humans and artificial life, challenging readers to reconsider their assumptions about what separates us from machines and raising important ethical considerations for a future where artificial intelligence plays an increasingly significant role.
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Banned from Earth
In the 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick, Earth has been devastated by a global nuclear war. The remaining humans covet real animals, which have become symbols of status. The corporations build incredibly realistic simulacra of animals and humans, known as "androids" or "robots". These androids are so advanced that they are indistinguishable from real men and women, and they are banned from planet Earth.
The reasons for the ban are not explicitly stated in the novel, but it is suggested that the androids are seen as a threat to mankind. They are described as lacking empathy and having no regard for life, which could lead to havoc and devastation. Additionally, the presence of androids on Earth could reduce the incentive for humans to emigrate to the colony worlds, as the U.N. is actively trying to encourage.
The novel follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter working for the San Francisco police agency. He is tasked with "retiring" (i.e. killing) rogue androids, including the Nexus-6 models, which are nearly indistinguishable from humans. Deckard's dream is to own a real animal, such as a sheep or a cow, which have become rare and expensive.
John Isidore, a character with a sub-par IQ who is banned from emigrating from Earth, also plays a significant role in the novel. He attempts to befriend the androids but is met with coldness and callousness, as the androids torture and mutilate a rare spider he discovers.
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Bounty hunter Rick Deckard
Rick Deckard is a fictional character and the protagonist of Philip K. Dick's 1968 novel, 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?'. Harrison Ford portrayed Deckard in the 1982 film adaptation, 'Blade Runner', and its 2017 sequel, 'Blade Runner 2049'. James Purefoy voiced the character in the 2014 BBC Radio 4 adaptation.
Deckard is a bounty hunter who becomes a specialist plainclothes police officer with the San Francisco Police Department in the early 21st century. He is tasked with "retiring" androids that escape from off-world colonies. Deckard's work is morally ambiguous, as the advanced androids are becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate from humans. This blurring of lines between humans and androids is a central theme in the story and Deckard's character arc.
Deckard begins the story as a selfish and self-involved individual who seemingly sees no value in android life. However, as the story progresses, he develops empathy towards androids and all living things. This transformation is highlighted in a scene where Deckard takes the Voigt-Kampff empathy test, which measures empathy to identify androids, and discovers that he feels empathy for them. This realisation shatters his confidence and leaves him searching for meaning.
Deckard's newfound empathy also makes him vulnerable to Rachael Rosen's advances. Rachael is a replicant with whom Deckard falls in love. In the film's sequel, it is revealed that Rachael became pregnant with Deckard's child but died in childbirth. Deckard is forced to leave his daughter with a replicant freedom movement and scramble her birth records to protect her before disappearing. The pursuit of Deckard's child by different groups is a driving force in the sequel's plot.
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Androids fight back
In the novel, "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick, the main character, Rick Deckard, is a bounty hunter tasked with finding and "retiring" rogue androids. These androids, which are so advanced and complex that they are indistinguishable from humans, have been banned from Earth by the government due to the potential havoc they could wreak. However, when cornered by Deckard, the androids fight back with lethal force, resulting in a dangerous and challenging situation for the bounty hunter.
The androids' ability to fight back and defend themselves adds a layer of complexity to the story, as it becomes more than just a simple manhunt. Deckard has to be cautious and strategic in his approach, knowing that the androids will not go down without a fight. The novel explores the blurring of lines between humans and androids, as well as the consequences of creating artificial life forms that are indistinguishable from their human counterparts.
The androids' ability to fight back also raises questions about their sentience and consciousness. As they become more advanced, it becomes unclear whether they are simply machines following a set of programmed instructions or if they have developed a sense of self-preservation and autonomy. This ambiguity is a central theme in the novel, as it challenges the characters and the readers to reconsider their definitions of humanity and the rights of artificial beings.
The fight scenes between Deckard and the androids are described as intense and brutal, showcasing the androids' strength and determination to survive. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the androids use their intelligence and cunning to evade and counter Deckard's attacks, demonstrating their resourcefulness and adaptability. The novel portrays a world where the line between man and machine is increasingly blurred, and the androids' ability to fight back is a stark reminder of the potential consequences of creating artificial life.
Overall, the theme of "Androids Fight Back" in "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" serves to explore the complexities of artificial life and the ethical implications of creating beings that are indistinguishable from humans. The novel delves into the philosophical and moral questions surrounding the treatment of androids, the value of life, and the potential consequences of blurring the lines between man and machine.
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Frequently asked questions
Set after a World War that has driven many species to extinction, the story follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter who is tasked with finding and 'retiring' rogue androids.
The androids are used as replacements for real animals, which are now coveted due to their rarity.
Yes, when cornered, androids will fight back with lethal force.
The androids are incredibly sophisticated and are often indistinguishable from true men or women.
The book was written by Philip K. Dick, who has been praised as "the most consistently brilliant science fiction writer in the world" by John Brunner.
