The Shifting Realities of Philip K. Dick : Selected Literary and Philosophical Writings

In a collection of philosophical essays, journal excerpts, speeches, and interviews, the pioneering science fiction writer discusses the union of physics and metaphysics, the impact of virtual reality, and the challenges of basic human values in an age of technology and spiritual decline. Philip K. Dick Has Established Himself As A Major Figure In American Literature. The Landscape Of His Imagination Features A Wealth Of Concepts And Fictional Worlds: Nazi-rule In A Postwar Nightmare; Androids And The Unification Of Man And Machine; And An Existence That No Longer Follows The Logic Of Reality. His Vision Has Shaped The Way We Perceive The Past And Present And How We Look To The Future. This First-time Collection Assembles His Nonfiction Writings (the Bulk Of Which Either Have Never Before Been Published Or Have Appeared Only In Obscure And Out-of-print Publications) - Essays, Journals, Speeches, And Interviews. In These Writings He Explores Issues Ranging From The Merging Of Physics And Metaphysics To The Potential Influences Of Virtual Reality And Its Consequences To A Plot-scenario For A Potential Episode Of Mission: Impossible, To The Challenge That Fundamental Human Values Face In The Age Of Technology And Spiritual Decline. This Collection Is At Once Penetrating And Entertaining. It Is Sure To Reconfirm Philip K. Dick Not Only As An Important Science-fiction Writer But Also As An Explorative Thinker. Pt. 1. Autobiographical Writings. Two Fragments From The Mainstream Novel Gather Yourselves Together (1949). Introducing The Author (1953). Biographical Material On Philip K. Dick (1968). Self Portrait (1968). Notes Made Late At Night By A Weary Sf Writer (1968, 1972). Biographical Material On Philip K. Dick (1972). Biographical Material On Philip K. Dick (1973). Memories Found In A Bill From A Small Animal Vet (1976). The Short, Happy Life Of A Science Fiction Writer (1976). Strange Memories Of Death (1979, 1984). Philip K. Dick On Philosophy: A Brief Interview (1980, 1988) / Frank C. Bertrand -- Pt. 2. Writings On Science Fiction And Related Ideas. Pessimism In Science Fiction (1955). Will The Atomic Bomb Ever Be Perfected, And If So, What Becomes Of Robert Heinlein? (1966). The Double:bill Symposium: Replies To A Questionnaire For Professional Sf Writers And Editors (1969). That Moon Plaque (1969). Who Is An Sf Writer? (1974). Edited, And With An Introduction By Lawrence Sutin. Includes Bibliographical References. This first-time collection assembles his nonfiction writings (the bulk of which either have never before been published or have appeared only in obscure and out-of-print publications) - essays, journals, speeches, and interviews. In these writings he explores issues ranging from the merging of physics and metaphysics to the potential influences of "virtual" reality and its consequences to a plot-scenario for a potential episode of "Mission: Impossible," to the challenge that fundamental "human" values face in the age of technology and spiritual decline. This collection is at once penetrating and entertaining. It is sure to reconfirm Philip K. Dick not only as an important science-fiction writer but also as an explorative thinker. Philip K. Dick has established himself as a major figure in American literature. The landscape of his imagination features a wealth of concepts and fictional worlds: Nazi-rule in a postwar nightmare; androids and the unification of man and machine; and an existence that no longer follows the logic of reality. His vision has shaped the way we perceive the past and present and how we look to the future.