Past Present Future

Thinking About Thinking Machines: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?


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Today’s episode in our series on the history of thinking about thinking machines explores the novel that inspired Blade Runner: Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968). David talks to Shannon Vallor about what the book has that the film lacks and how it comprehensively messes with the line between human and machine, the natural and the artificial. What is the meaning of the electric sheep?

To hear a bonus episode on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to accompany this series sign up now to PPF+ and get ad-free listening and all our other bonuses too: £5 per month or £50 a year for 24 bonus episodes. https://www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus

PPF merch is now available on our website: choose from a canvas tote bag or a bone china mug https://www.ppfideas.com/merch


Next time: Becky Chambers’ Monk & Robot series.


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Past Present FutureBy David Runciman

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