Ramifications of technological advancements in the real-word
The narrative represents the ramifications of technological advancements in the real-word. Dick (2014) describes the experiences of humans after androids stop serving as colonial slaves and begin to attack them. During this era, humans also try to fight the massive extinction of species. Although scientists and IT experts develop machines that promote efficiency in human activities, such moves tend to harm their own lives in some instances. The story does not appear to take place on earth since Dick (2014) points out that the Androids run to hide on the planet after killing their masters. However, it appears to predict the situation on earth during the next few years. I feel like the story was a prophecy of the state of the planet during the 21st century. The robots that innovators find useful in getting work done might one day turn against their masters as well. Additionally, the rate at which industrialization is taking place might lead to the massive extinction of species due to global warming and adverse climate changes. The story is an informative way of awakening the humans who have a great determination to pursue innovations since it helps readers to visualize the possible repercussion of uncontrolled industrialization as well as technological innovations.
Dick’s story sounds as an ordinary narrative at the beginning of the first chapter. In the first few sentences, the author presents Rick as a normal family man who begins his day with the family. However, I begin to detect unusual aspects when everything in the character’s home appears to be computerized. For instance, Rick tells his wife that he will interfere with her settings such that she will be awake against her will. He states, “”You set your Penfield too weak he said to her.” I’ll reset it, and you’ll be awake and — ” (Dick 20014, p. 1). She tells him to keep his hands off her settings. In this scenario, it is clear that people no longer look at sleep as a natural phenomenon in human life. Instead, they have developed technologies that alter sleep patterns in line with the users’ preferences. The experience is a critical introduction to an excessively computerized world.
The story suggests the possibility of flooding the planet with artificial things, including humans and animals. In addition to androids, the author also talks of electric sheep and the toad that Rick found on his way home after retiring the aliens. However, he soon discovers that it is electric. Earlier on, it is also evident that Rick had an electric sheep. The author states, “The alleged sheep contained an oat-tropic circuit; at the sight of such cereals it would scramble up convincingly and amble over” ( Dick 2014, p.14). In this case, they designed artificial animals that could feed on any food, depending on its settings. The scene exemplifies the times when people will think that they have put an end to all computerized objects that seem to threaten their lives. Unfortunately, it will be too late since even the most unlikely things, like animals, will already have electric counterfeits. Such situations would be quite overwhelming since humans have to deal with the undesirable impacts of their innovations until a supernatural being decides to rescue them.
Rick is a symbolic character whose life represents the struggle that humans are likely to face after realizing that too much technology ruins the beauty of nature. During earlier chapters, he spends his life looking for things that he can do to make life easier through adopting technology. However, he begins to fight and retire the androids during the subsequent chapters. In some instances, he falls for the tricks of the androids, despite the fact that they were developed by humans who had better intelligence skills. For example, he falls into the trap of Rachael, who was an alien by having an affair with her. Eventually, she admits that the plan was to render him incapable of killing the other androids (Dick 2014, p. 184). Although he still proceeds to retire the androids at Isindore’s place, the scenario suggests a plan by the aliens to overpower humans and take over their planet. I think that this part of the story appeals to the emotions of humans concerning how painful it would be after losing their ancestral land to artificial beings. I feel that everyone who reads the story should have the urge to take care of the few remaining natural resources before the earth turns into a battlefield between humans and a-made aliens.
The story is a demonstration of how life is likely to get out of control due to excessive computerization of daily life elements. Initially, the introduction of technology into the world appeared as a crucial way of resolving challenges like communication barriers and excessive workload. I do not disagree with the perception at all, especially after seeing how much the internet of things simplifies life. However, I think that there should be control in all related innovations to reduce negative impacts on natural resources and the wellbeing of the remaining species. As a result, it will be possible to avoid struggles like in the case of Rick’s life due to the overwhelming effects of excessive innovations.