Nigel Dick

1.5. Methodological Framework The key concepts through which technology and culture are understood will be established and defined as part of a contextual foundation. This will be accomplished by examining both concepts through the idea of conceptual narratives (progress, convenience, determinism and control), and to take a closer look at the ways in which technology is integrated and embedded in our culture. Technology as a concept will be evaluated through applying the four phases of the…

Bye Bye Birdie Bye Bye Birdie is a comedic musical with the music by Charles Strouse in 1963. The following cast members sing many solos, duos, trios and full cast songs: Janet Leigh (Rosie DeLeon), Dick Van Dyke (Albert F. Peterson), Ann-Margret (Kim McAfee), Maureen Stapleton (Mae Peterson), Bobby Rydell (Hugo Peabody), Jesse Pearson (Conrad Birdie). There are 15 songs total. “Bye Bye Birdie” intro is a solo by Kim. It is a song with an upbeat tempo. Lyrics are depressing because she is…

popular that it became the basis of a new American musical, Bye Bye Birdie, written by Michael Stewart with lyrics by Lee Adams and music by Charles Strouse. This musical created the foundations for a movie adaptation written three years later, starring Dick Van Dyke of the original Broadway production and Ann-Margret. The show’s quick jump from stage-to-screen filled the need to create a version…

so far as to say that "Modern science fiction is the only form of literature that constantly considers the nature of the changes that face us, the possible consequences, and the possible solutions.” Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick embodies the words of Asimov, tackling the societal understandings of what it means to be human. Although through his job as a bounty hunter Rick Deckard subscribes to the popular belief that the ability to feel empathy is what distinguishes…

Phillip K. Dick published A Scanner Darkly, a semi-autobiographical story set in the then future of June 1994. Taking place in an anti-utopia Orange County, California, the novel is an all-embracing depiction of drug culture and drug use, both recreational and abusive. The main character and protagonist of the story is Bob Arctor, junkie and drug dealer, who happens to be living a parallel life as Agent Fred, a law enforcement agent assigned to bring down Arctor. In A Scanner Darkly, Phillip K…

‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?’ is a post-apocalyptic world where the earth has been reduced to a ball of mud and rubble. The radioactive dust rains down, slowly degrading the remaining life. The life that is left has become extremely valuable, and people keep animals as their most sacred possession, those who can’t afford one buy false, electric ones. Almost all of human society has emigrated to the colonies on Mars, and anyone left is forcefully encouraged by government. In the…

In the discussions of Harper Lee’s new book, Go Set a Watchman, one major issue has been how this will affect schools that teach To Kill a Mockingbird. On the one hand, Harper Lee’s first book presents a rather simple and static Atticus Finch and her new book transforms him into a more dynamic and realistic character. On the other hand, Go Set a Watchman eventually became To Kill a Mockingbird for a reason- it presents a powerful message of hope that when taught properly, students benefit…

In Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Dick distinguishes humans from androids by their ability to develop empathy through the social interactions between androids and humans, in which they highlight each other’s differences, thus Dick reveals that the lack of empathy within human society leads to the misunderstanding and segregation of societal classes. The characterization of androids and people within Rick’s society displays the potential effects of Dick's society if it…

Substance D. Philip K. Dick -a highly regarded science fiction writer who is said to be one of the greatest of his time (Metzger and Straub 88) brought this idea to life in his novel A Scanner Darkly. By referencing his first-hand experience with narcotics, Dick was able to accurately illustrate the mind of a substance abuser and portray the potentially harmful effects drugs may have on the brain; however, his novel contradicts society’s…

the novel. Most of the so-called “normal” humans think people like J.R. are less than human. J.R. goes as far as saying, “But what does it matter to me? I mean, I’m a special; they don’t treat me very well either like for instance I can’t emigrate” (Dick 163). Considering that empathy is the main characteristic of being human, how should we feel about the way the unaffected people treat J.R.? This can…