Book Crush: Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? - by Philip K. Dick
Updated: Jun 8, 2019
World War Terminus had left the Earth devastated. Through its ruins, bounty hunter Rick Deckard stalked, in search of the renegade replicants who were his prey. When he wasn't retiring Andies he dreamed of owning a live animal.
I ain’t gunna lie to you lovelies; I love books like The Universe loves to bitch-slap My Best Laid Plans. But such love cannot be contained, hence 'Book Bio's' was birthed from my obsessive spine-cracking grubby mind.
Book Bio's are my favourite and best books. Books I've wish I could sweep away for a romantic weekend in amongst the trees and whatever else nature is full of; I want to say...grass? Get down on one knee and ask them to marry me.
This week is Android heavy, because 1. I love the book.
2. I'm not blind, Mr Dicks ideas and stories are everywhere and I am not above riding that pony for a few extra clicks.
Title:
Author:
Date of Birth:
1968
Round Up:
Set in the futurist world of 1992, (don’t laugh this guy was ahead of his time, of course, his time was the early 60’s). The world is desolately under-populated after World War Terminus has left most of the earth ruined by radioactivity.
Most humans have left for the off-world colonies, leaving only those too poor or failing the ‘mental faculties’ to leave.
Deckard is one of those few, an ‘Andy’ hunter. (Not a guy with a weird name fetish but slang for android.) He dreams of owning a real animal rather than the electric sheep he has on his roof.
Why it’s Great:
Any book that introduces the idea of Kipple is going to win me over. Finally a one-word concept on why I’m fucking scruff. It also has a lovely part which describes how the 'Andies' like to read Sci-Fi novel from the 60's which is a soft touch nerd nod if ever I've seen one. Hats off.
Incredibly thought-provoking, throwing out mind melting ideas about humanity, slavery to others, to ourselves. The power of religion to control and what it means to be human. You know all the easy stuff.
WARNING;
The film Blade Runner is an adaptation of the book, but you shouldn't read it expecting a play for play version. The book is slower more thoughtful, so don't come to the frat party with a nice bottle of Bordeaux and get prissy when they shove it up pledge Jimmy's arse.
Best Time to Read:
The Summer of 69, when the book had all the dark promise of becoming true. Nixon was hovering over the big red button ready to dive into a dick fight with the Russians mix that in with The Moon landing and WW3 and off-world colonies must have seemed like a knicker-staining possibility.
Dinner Party Prat Fact:
When Philip first put pen to paper he set his novel in 1992, but new editions of the novel now show the date as 2021.
This is to counteract the problem of a Futurist Sci-Fi, (after a certain amount of time) becoming technically set in the past.
Kindred Spirit:
If you liked Fahrenheit 451 you'll love this book.
Best Quote:
“It’s a universal principle operating throughout the universe; the entire universe is moving toward a final state of total, absolute kipple-ization"
Said by J. R Isidore.
In a Word:
Reflective
SHOOT THE BRAINS, THAT'S WHERE THE HASHTAGS MULTIPLE
What interests me about finding the character of a local meeting place is how a broad idea becomes part of an ordinary day. An ordinary conversation can become part of the reason people remember a place. For Anchor Pub, I would use local pub culture as a starting point for a closer discussion of the subject. It leaves me curious about the steps between understanding an idea and putting it into practice. What makes a local meeting spot feel welcoming to a first-time visitor?
The idea of reading news and commentary more carefully gives me a reason to slow down and consider the details. A striking headline is easier to evaluate when its main claim is separated from the supporting detail. For Tvplovdiv, I would use news and media literacy as a starting point for a closer discussion of the subject. The smaller details are what I would want to return to, especially when an explanation feels too broad. What would you check before passing a story on to someone else?
Thinking about following curiosity through everyday information, I find the smaller practical questions more interesting than a quick conclusion. A clear question can turn a casual interest into something easier to explore. That practical perspective helps me frame 966944 learning ideas as a theme for 966944. That is the part I would keep thinking about after moving on to something else. How do you decide which detail deserves a closer look before moving on?
There is something approachable about discussing practising English through everyday tasks through situations people can actually picture. A realistic task can give a learner a reason to use a phrase rather than only recognise it. It gives me a more concrete starting point for thinking about English language skills. I do not have a settled view yet, but this seems like a good place to slow down and look more closely. Which everyday situations offer useful practice for a beginner?
The topic of connecting technical ideas with hands-on learning gives me a few things to think about, especially when the discussion moves beyond general advice. Trying a simple task can reveal which parts of an explanation still feel unclear. I would use that point as a starting question when considering technical skills education. I am more curious about the process than a polished result, because the steps in between are usually where questions appear. How would you connect a practical exercise with the reasoning behind each step?