Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Reading \\\ Do Adroids dream of Electric Sheep


So we've been reading Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep By Philip K. Dick, which is set in a apocalyptic future where the majority of animals have been replaced with androids and human emigrants to Mars are granted human replicate androids. A main theme brought up in the novel is the ethics of artificial life, intelligence and dehumanization.

A strange item named the 'Penfield' is used by the humans which they dial in settings to evoke specific emotions. "... At his console he hesitated between dialing for a thalamic suppressant (which would abolish his mood of rage) or a thalamic stimulant (which would make him irked enough to win the argument).

I liken the Penfield as a digital drug where the user has complete control of the output but addresses the issue of dehumanization.

Do Androids dream of Electric has so far been an interesting read addressing topics which relate well to Interactive design.

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