Both “The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury and “The Commuter” by Philip K. Dick explore technology and emotion, showcasing the darker sides of advanced machinery and virtual realities. In “The Veldt,” a futuristic nursery filled with this advanced technology allows children to play with their darkest desires which as expected leads to a tragic end for their parents. Similarly, in “The Commuter,” a man discovers a secret teleportation system that grants him access to a different reality where he finds a kind of comfort but also ultimately faces unforeseen consequences. Both stories go into specifics about themes of escapism, parental neglect, and the dangers of relying too heavily on technology to meet one’s emotional needs.
Handouts
Readings
- Aldiss, Brian–Supertoys Last all Summer
- Bacigalupi, Paulo–The People of Sand and Slag
- Bear, Greg–Shrodinger's Plague
- Bradbury, Ray–The Veldt
- Bradbury, Ray–There Will Come Soft Rains
- Butler, Octavia–Bloodchild
- Chiang, Ted–Lifecycle of Software Objects (long)
- Chiang, Ted–The Story of Your Life
- Dick, Philip K.–Autofac
- Dick, Philip K.–The Commuter
- Dick, Philip K.–We Can Remember it for You Wholesale
- Ellison, Harlan–I Have no Mouth and I Must Scream
- Forster, E.M.–The Machine Stops
- Hodgson, William–The Voice in the Night
- Kafka, Franz–In the Penal Colony
- LeGuin, Ursula–The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas
- LeGuin–American Sci Fi and the Other
- LeGuin–Introduction to Science Fiction
- Lovecraft, H.P. –"From Beyond"
- Sterling, Bruce–The Bicycle Repairman
- Tiptree, James (Alice Sheldon)–The Girl Who Was Plugged in
- Tiptree, James (Alice Sheldon)–The Women Men Don't See
- Vinge, Vernor–The Blabber (long)
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Hello,
Both stories raise important questions about the ethical implications of technology and the balance between innovation and human connection. How do you think these narratives challenge our perceptions of the role of technology in our society?