Category Archives: Urban Issues

The Crack in Space (1966)

Posted on November 24, 2014 by tashqueedagg

Introduction The Crack in Space was first published by Philip K. Dick in 1966 with the help of Ace Books. It is about an overpopulated Earth facing a jobs crisis. Millions are left without work or hope of work and … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Bureaucracy, Humanism, Philip K. Dick, Philosophy, Posthumanism, Sexuality, Space Exploration, Supernatural Abilities, Technology, Time Travel, Transhumanism, Urban Issues, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Cosmic Puppets (1957)

Posted on November 8, 2014 by tashqueedagg

Introduction The Cosmic Puppets was originally published by Philip K. Dick 1957. Its plot centers on the mystery of a middle-aged man–Ted Barton–realizing that the town of his childhood has completely changed. As he investigates, he learns that the town … Continue reading →

Posted in Alien Invasion, Childhood, Family, Humanism, Knowledge, Philip K. Dick, Politics, Power, Religion, Time Travel, Urban Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

“No Laughing Matter”: Media, Morality and Resistance in The Man Who Japed

Posted on July 3, 2014 by tashqueedagg

Philip K. Dick’s early novel The Man Who Japed is quite prescient in describing how morality and the media intersect as a tool of power. As the novel opens, we are given some very recognizable Orwellian imagery. Government institutions are … Continue reading →

Posted in Bureaucracy, Empire, Humanism, Philip K. Dick, Politics, Religion, Sexuality, Urban Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Strange Memories of Death

Posted on June 19, 2014 by tashqueedagg

Story Background “Strange Memories of Death” was originally published in Interzone in Summer 1984, over four years after it was received by Dick’s agent. It can now be found in The Eye of the Sibyl and Other Classic Stories by … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental Illness, Philip K. Dick, Urban Issues | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The Pre-Persons

Posted on June 18, 2014 by tashqueedagg

Story Background “The Pre-Persons” was originally published in Fantasy & Science Fiction in October 1974. It can now be found in The Eye of the Sibyl and Other Classic Stories by Philip K. Dick on pp. 275–296. Plot Summary Walter … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Bureaucracy, Childhood, Consumerism, Family, Philip K. Dick, Politics, Posthumanism, Power, Suburbia, Urban Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Precious Artifact

Posted on June 8, 2014 by tashqueedagg

Story Background “Precious Artifact” was originally published in Galaxy in October 1964. It can now be found in The Eye of the Sibyl and Other Classic Stories by Philip K. Dick on pp. 53–65. Plot Summary Milt Biskle has just … Continue reading →

Posted in Alien Invasion, Alien Life, Bureaucracy, Empire, Environment, Humanism, Philip K. Dick, Politics, Posthumanism, Power, Urban Issues, war | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

What’ll We Do With Ragland Park

Posted on June 6, 2014 by tashqueedagg

Story Background “What’ll We Do With Ragland Park” was originally published in Amazing in November 1963. It can now be found in Minority Report and Other Classic Stories by Philip K. Dick on pp. 339–357. Plot Summary Sebastian Hada is … Continue reading →

Posted in Alien Invasion, Art, Bureaucracy, Philip K. Dick, Politics, Posthumanism, Power, Supernatural Abilities, Technology, Urban Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

If There Were No Benny Cemoli

Posted on June 5, 2014 by tashqueedagg

Story Background “If There Were No Benny Cemoli” was originally published in Galaxy in December 1963. It can now be found in Minority Report and Other Classic Stories by Philip K. Dick on pp. 173–190. Plot Summary John LeConte witnesses … Continue reading →

Posted in Alien Invasion, Bureaucracy, Empire, Knowledge, Philip K. Dick, Politics, Power, Technology, Urban Issues, war | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Autofac

Posted on May 26, 2014 by tashqueedagg

Story Background “Autofac” was originally published in Galaxy in November 1955. It can now be found in Minority Report and Other Classic Stories by Philip K. Dick on pp. 1–20. Plot Summary Three men—Perine and Morrison from one settlement and … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumerism, Philip K. Dick, Power, Technology, Urban Issues, war, Work | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Sales Pitch

Posted on May 18, 2014 by tashqueedagg

Story Background “Sales Pitch” was published in Future in June 1954. It can be found in Second Variety and Other Classic Stories by Philip K. Dick in pp. 175–187. See Dick’s comments on this story in the same volume on … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumerism, Family, Philip K. Dick, Suburbia, Technology, Urban Issues, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment