Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
By Philip K. Dick
Michelle Wong
What would a world where you couldn’t tell the difference between a human and an android be like? What if your best friend was an android all along? How could you ever trust anybody ever again? Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? makes you contemplate these questions and more. This book was also the inspiration for the movie Blade Runner. Humans weren’t the only living beings replaced by robotic hollow husks, animals were replaced by robotic versions of themselves as well.
One of the main characters, Rick Deckard, owns an electric sheep because real animals are extremely expensive and his real sheep died of a disease. People in this novel own animals to make them feel human. In a world where your neighbor could be an android, having an animal helps you to convince not only others but also yourself that you’re human and not a heartless robot. Personally, I love these kinds of story that question our existence on Earth. Existential questions that this novel brings up ironically provide me life. Imagine finding out someone you’ve known since forever was an android. How would you react, what would you even do? Just because they’re not human does that mean you can’t be friends anymore? If that’s the case then can we as humans coexist with androids? If that becomes a reality then what use is there for humans? Are humans just useless in the end? Technology is advancing quickly and these questions should be answered soon. Androids will become so human-like that the difference between a human and an android would be virtually indistinguishable.
In the novel, another main character by the name of John Isidore works as the person who transports sickly electric animals to get them fix. Isidore and Deckard are foils of each other. As Rick's foil, Isidore has several traits that Rick doesn’t have yet, one most importantly being empathy. Empathy for all living things, even androids. I’m currently at the part we’re Isidore can’t stand the realistic cries of an electric cat. Even though Isidore knows the cat isn’t real, it’s writhing and whimpers in pain as is acts as if it’s dying cause Isidore to become extremely uncomfortable and thinks, "Even though I know rationally it's faked the sound of a false animal, burning out its drive-train and power supply ties my stomach in knots"(72). As for Rick’s encounters with androids, his job is to exterminate them and is disgusted when he meets Rachael who is an android. Isidore also met Rachael and instead of being disgusted he treats her like a human. Isidore doesn’t find out that she isn’t human even when Rachael acts a really suspicious. Instead, he holds his hand out to her asking her if she wants any help. That’s where I’ve read up on and I’m really enjoying the novel at the moment. I can’t wait to read the rest and question my life as a human being.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
By Philip K. Dick
Michelle Wong
What would a world where you couldn’t tell the difference between a human and an android be like? What if your best friend was an android all along? How could you ever trust anybody ever again? Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? makes you contemplate these questions and more. This book was also the inspiration for the movie Blade Runner. Humans weren’t the only living beings replaced by robotic hollow husks, animals were replaced by robotic versions of themselves as well.
One of the main characters, Rick Deckard, owns an electric sheep because real animals are extremely expensive and his real sheep died of a disease. People in this novel own animals to make them feel human. In a world where your neighbor could be an android, having an animal helps you to convince not only others but also yourself that you’re human and not a heartless robot. Personally, I love these kinds of story that question our existence on Earth. Existential questions that this novel brings up ironically provide me life. Imagine finding out someone you’ve known since forever was an android. How would you react, what would you even do? Just because they’re not human does that mean you can’t be friends anymore? If that’s the case then can we as humans coexist with androids? If that becomes a reality then what use is there for humans? Are humans just useless in the end? Technology is advancing quickly and these questions should be answered soon. Androids will become so human-like that the difference between a human and an android would be virtually indistinguishable.
In the novel, another main character by the name of John Isidore works as the person who transports sickly electric animals to get them fix. Isidore and Deckard are foils of each other. As Rick's foil, Isidore has several traits that Rick doesn’t have yet, one most importantly being empathy. Empathy for all living things, even androids. I’m currently at the part we’re Isidore can’t stand the realistic cries of an electric cat. Even though Isidore knows the cat isn’t real, it’s writhing and whimpers in pain as is acts as if it’s dying cause Isidore to become extremely uncomfortable and thinks, "Even though I know rationally it's faked the sound of a false animal, burning out its drive-train and power supply ties my stomach in knots"(72). As for Rick’s encounters with androids, his job is to exterminate them and is disgusted when he meets Rachael who is an android. Isidore also met Rachael and instead of being disgusted he treats her like a human. Isidore doesn’t find out that she isn’t human even when Rachael acts a really suspicious. Instead, he holds his hand out to her asking her if she wants any help. That’s where I’ve read up on and I’m really enjoying the novel at the moment. I can’t wait to read the rest and question my life as a human being.
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