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Colony
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"Colony" is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick. It was first published in Galaxy magazine, June 1953. The plot centers on an expedition to an uncharted planet, on which the dominant, predatory life form is capable of precise mimicry of human technology.
Accompanying the story in the June 1953 issue of Galaxy, Dick wrote about the story:
The ultimate paranoia is ...more
Accompanying the story in the June 1953 issue of Galaxy, Dick wrote about the story:
The ultimate paranoia is ...more
Published
by Citadel Twilight
(first published 1953)
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First published in Galaxy (June 1953), “Colony” is a superficially slight, extremely disturbing Philip K. Dick masterpiece.
Terran explorers have discovered an Edenic paradise, a lovely burgeoning planet (Planet blue) which contains—they believe—no hostile life forms, and they regret they will inevitably be followed by colonists who will mar the environment. Then they discover that, after all, there is one hostile life form, one that can mimic perfectly any inorganic object it chooses: microscope ...more
“Colony” is another early short story (Galaxy, June 1953) from Philip K. Dick that presents the reader with a new possible reality. While studying the feasibility of colonizing an unchartered planet, it is determined (prematurely) that there are no predators. The scientific team discovers too late that this planet’s deadly life form can mimic organic material and the colonists are most definitely not welcome on this new world. We thus have items like towels, a rug braided by one of the character
...more
Colony
Real Rating: 3.5* of five
In June 1953's Galaxy Science Fiction magazine, this story appears towards the end of the magazine; I wonder if that isn't the smartest thing Editor H.L. Gold did...this is a haunting, truly bizarre tale that uses sex, along with gender stereotypes, to sell a silly premise: An alien intelligence is able to form itself into any inorganic thing humans have made, and since the humans in question are sizing up the alien intelligence's home planet for colonization, it u ...more
Real Rating: 3.5* of five
In June 1953's Galaxy Science Fiction magazine, this story appears towards the end of the magazine; I wonder if that isn't the smartest thing Editor H.L. Gold did...this is a haunting, truly bizarre tale that uses sex, along with gender stereotypes, to sell a silly premise: An alien intelligence is able to form itself into any inorganic thing humans have made, and since the humans in question are sizing up the alien intelligence's home planet for colonization, it u ...more
Rugged Individuals
Colony, which was originally published in the “Galaxy Magazine” in 1953 is nothing short of a little masterpiece. Centred around one idea, the plot develops at a brisk pace and towards a perfect surprise ending.
The story is of the stuff that 1950s science fiction dreams are made of: Exploring a hitherto unknown planet, which they dub Planet Blue, a Terran expedition corps is struck with the Edenic beauty of the land that unfolds before them. Three weeks of studies have not yet ...more
Colony, which was originally published in the “Galaxy Magazine” in 1953 is nothing short of a little masterpiece. Centred around one idea, the plot develops at a brisk pace and towards a perfect surprise ending.
The story is of the stuff that 1950s science fiction dreams are made of: Exploring a hitherto unknown planet, which they dub Planet Blue, a Terran expedition corps is struck with the Edenic beauty of the land that unfolds before them. Three weeks of studies have not yet ...more
Another early (1953) Philip K. Dick science fiction story that postulates a species able to mimic inorganic matter on an otherwise ideal planet for human colonisation and which then presents an existential threat to the whole human race. It has a nice twist at the end.
This could be just another period piece from Galaxy magazine but it has those qualities that make Dick a master of the genre - the ability gently to subvert cultural expectations, a bit of cheeky naughtiness (he forces an entire sh ...more
I found it very interesting. And a little bit scary.
Chilling!
Colony, by Philip K. Dick
Psychologically intense paranoia, as expected by PKD. How can you tell if your predator us nearby when they imitate the technology and tools that are your own equipment? Fittingly chilling conclusion. 4 stars
.
Psychologically intense paranoia, as expected by PKD. How can you tell if your predator us nearby when they imitate the technology and tools that are your own equipment? Fittingly chilling conclusion. 4 stars
.
He he classic
PKD is usually excellent so let’s see...yep it’s a warning against ignoring scientific caution due to political pressure.
This one was an interesting read, 100% the inspiration behind the 2017 video game Prey.
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Philip K. Dick was born in Chicago in 1928 and lived most of his life in California. In 1952, he began writing professionally and proceeded to write numerous novels and short-story collections. He won the Hugo Award for the best novel in 1962 for The Man in the High Castle and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for best novel of the year in 1974 for Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said. Philip K. Di
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