Review: Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep is the quintessence of humanity’s relationship with technology. Similar to humanity’s use of technology for every specialty, androids are likewise used for “YOUR UNIQUE NEEDS, FOR YOU AND YOU ALONE” (Dick 7). Though his work has Earth in ashes, Dick’s cynical vision of the future reveals itself to be even darker and even less human than the robot toad in his novel (94). Dick eerily predicts humanity’s fetishizing of technology, repression of empathy, and shattered relationship with the natural world. Dick creates moral dilemmas through attributing emotions toward both humans and androids. “If it’s love toward a woman or an android imitation, it’s sex,” says Phil Resch in response to the news that Deckard feels love for Rachel, an android (57). Such human emotions toward machines are prevalent today. Companies program machines to have the soothing voice of females, as seen with both Siri and Alexa. Humans also sexualize technology, with virtual reality pornography slowly becoming a standard in the pornographic film industry. Humans
Instead of actively seeking human connection, John Isidore utilizes “empathy boxes”, the only way to conceivably, “stop being alone” (27). Evading isolation through lonesome projections has become commonplace, with social media serving as a way to connect through images while simultaneously creating a personal disconnection. Newly created virtual reality gives contemporary humanity a detour from ‘actual’ reality, thus such mindless escapes make it no coincidence that Dick makes Isidore’s character mentally deficient (8). Once removed from technology, humans feel detached like Isidore and, “experience the silence as visible and alive” (8). Through empathy boxes and Deckard’s use of chemical dials to feel emotions, Dick accurately envisions future humanity’s subdued emotions and personal