December 2023 -- Bonus Episode (Philip K. Dick)

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We have made no secret in our discussions for this podcast that we are both tremendous fans of science-fiction. Our collective love for the genre is absolute and actually extends far beyond the authors we admire. It is reflected in the movies we love, the TV shows we DVR, and the obsessions we have carried since childhood. It is actually a source of lamentation for us that more writers and titles in the genre are not included in the list of 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die.

Because there is a dearth of our favorite genre included in our source material, we don’t get much opportunity to talk about it in our discussions. This is why we jumped at the chance to celebrate the birthday of Philip K. Dick for our bonus material this month. Regardless of the differences in our individual science-fiction tastes, we both agree that Phillip K. Dick (or PKD, as he is oft-referenced) is a master of the genre.

Philip K. Dick was also, however, a deeply troubled man. In our discussion, we dive deep into his drug addiction, his mental illness, and his insistence that he was the recipient of divine inspiration from extra-terrestrial beings. We discuss his work and its influence on contemporary culture. We also discuss our own beginnings in the genre of science-fiction and explain why all our favorite science-fiction writers turned into dirty old men.