Philip K. Dick: influences, peers and legacy

Every connection with its receipt

Philip K. Dick built his cosmology out of pulp magazines, Gnostic heresy and Berkeley bohemia, writing 45 novels in a career lived mostly at paperback-original rates. This mix traces the lineage from A.E. van Vogt's fevered plotting and Kafka's bureaucratic dread through the Bay Area scene that raised him, into the theology that consumed his last decade — and out to the cyberpunks and filmmakers who turned his paranoia into the default mode of modern science fiction.

The Kynda mix for Philip K. Dick

• Key Influence · The World of Null-A by A. E. van Vogt (1948). Dick repeatedly named van Vogt the writer who showed him what science fiction could do: narratives where reality itself is unstable, identity is forged or duplicated, and the plot lurches by association rather than logic. Gilbert Gosseyn wakes with memories that belong to someone else — the precise engine of Dick's own doubled and counterfeit protagonists. Dick defended van Vogt against Damon Knight's famous critical demolition.
• Influencia Obscura · The Gnostic Religion by Hans Jonas (1958). Jonas's study of Gnosticism — the created world as counterfeit, the demiurge as deceiving architect, salvation as gnosis rather than faith — gave Dick the vocabulary for everything after 1974. The Exegesis works through these ideas obsessively, and VALIS, The Divine Invasion and the Black Iron Prison image all depend on the Gnostic premise that the empirical world is a forgery concealing an older, truer one.
• Local Roots · Rocket to the Morgue by Anthony Boucher (1942). Boucher lived in Berkeley, ran a writing workshop Dick attended, and as founding editor of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction bought Dick's early work — Dick also clerked at Art Music on Telegraph Avenue, deep in the same bohemian orbit. This mystery, populated by thinly disguised pulp SF writers of the Los Angeles circle, is Boucher's affectionate portrait of the subculture that took Dick in.
• Beyond the Medium · Memories, Dreams, Reflections by C. G. Jung (1962). Jung was Dick's lifelong interpretive key: archetypes, the collective unconscious, synchronicity and the shadow run through the novels and dominate long stretches of the Exegesis, where he reads his 1974 visions partly as Jungian individuation. Jung's own autobiography — a scientist narrating his confrontation with the unconscious as lived experience — is the template for Dick turning his breakdown into VALIS.
• Peer · Dangerous Visions by Harlan Ellison (editor) (1967). Ellison's landmark New Wave anthology included Dick's 'Faith of Our Fathers,' the hallucinogen-and-tyrant story whose introduction Ellison framed with provocative claims about drugs that Dick later disputed. The volume marks the moment Dick's paranoid metaphysics was absorbed into the American avant-garde of the genre, alongside Delany, Sturgeon, Farmer and Spinrad, rather than being filed as pulp.
• From the Canon · Ubik by Philip K. Dick (1969). The purest distillation of Dick's method: a crew of psi-talents caught in a world regressing through earlier technological eras while a dead employer tries to speak to them through graffiti, television ads and a spray can of divine aerosol. It fuses the Bardo, Gnostic salvage and grim commercial comedy — Joe Chip arguing with his coin-operated door — into the novel most writers point to first.
• Key Collaborator · Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny (1967). Zelazny co-wrote Deus Irae with Dick, taking over a theological novel Dick had struggled with for years and helping bring it to publication in 1976. His own Hugo-winning novel — colonists ruling a world as the Hindu pantheon while one of them stages a Buddhist insurgency — shows the same willingness to treat religion as live machinery rather than decoration, which is why the collaboration worked.
• Legacy · Neuromancer by William Gibson (1984). Gibson's cyberpunk inherits Dick's central furniture wholesale: corporations with more sovereignty than states, artificial minds with theological ambitions, drugs and implants eroding the boundary of self, and a grubby street-level protagonist rather than an officer of the fleet. The movement's manifesto-writers routinely cited Dick as the essential precursor, with Blade Runner's released year framing the genre's look.

What influenced Philip K. Dick

• Plato (-427). The article connects Dick’s thinking about reality to his reading of Plato. (also via Timaeus) “After reading the works of Plato and pondering the possibilities of metaphysical realms, he came to the conclusion that, in a certain sense, the world is not entirely real” (Wikipedia)
• Total Recall by Paul Verhoeven. The journalist identifies Total Recall among films derived from Dick’s work. (also via We Can Remember It for You Wholesale) “Minority Report , Blade Runner, A Scanner Darkly , Total Recall —these are all films that owe life to the acclaimed science fiction author.” (Ars Technica)
• The Trial by Franz Kafka (1925). The Trial (Franz Kafka) — titan for Philip K. Dick “Following his death, he became "widely regarded as a master of imaginative, paranoid fiction in the vein of Franz Kafka and Thomas Pynchon".” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Timaeus by Plato. Timaeus (Plato) — culture for Philip K. Dick “After reading the works of Plato and pondering the possibilities of metaphysical realms, he came to the conclusion that, in a certain sense, the world is not entirely real and there is no way to confirm whether it is truly there.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Carl Jung. The article explicitly identifies Jung’s writings as an influence on Dick. “Dick made no secret that much of his thinking and work was heavily influenced by the writings of Carl Jung .” (Wikipedia)
• Blade Runner by Ridley Scott (1982). The journalist identifies Blade Runner among films derived from Dick’s work. “Minority Report , Blade Runner, A Scanner Darkly , Total Recall —these are all films that owe life to the acclaimed science fiction author.” (Ars Technica)
• A Scanner Darkly by Richard Linklater. The journalist identifies A Scanner Darkly among films derived from Dick’s work. “Minority Report , Blade Runner, A Scanner Darkly , Total Recall —these are all films that owe life to the acclaimed science fiction author.” (Ars Technica)
• The World of Null-A by A. E. van Vogt (1948). The World of Null-A (A. E. van Vogt) — titan for Philip K. Dick (openlibrary.org)
• Finnegans Wake by James Joyce (1939). Finnegans Wake (James Joyce) — titan for Philip K. Dick (openlibrary.org)
• The Gnostic Religion by Hans Jonas (1958). The Gnostic Religion (Hans Jonas) — ghost for Philip K. Dick (openlibrary.org)
• Parsifal by Richard Wagner (1882). Parsifal (Richard Wagner) — culture for Philip K. Dick (musicbrainz.org)
• Bardo Thodol (The Tibetan Book of the Dead) by Padmasambhava (W. Y. Evans-Wentz, trans.) (1927). Bardo Thodol (The Tibetan Book of the Dead) (Padmasambhava (W. Y. Evans-Wentz, trans.)) — ghost for Philip K. Dick
• The I Ching, or Book of Changes by Richard Wilhelm (translator) (1950). The I Ching, or Book of Changes (Richard Wilhelm (translator)) — ghost for Philip K. Dick
• Memories, Dreams, Reflections by C. G. Jung (1962). Memories, Dreams, Reflections (C. G. Jung) — culture for Philip K. Dick

Peers and kindred spirits

• Rufus Sewell (1967). Bianculli identifies Sewell's prior role in The Man in the High Castle. (via The Man in the High Castle) “Rufus Sewell, from "The Man In The High Castle," makes him likable, even when he's being extremely difficult, which is often.” (Fresh Air (NPR))
• Rocket to the Morgue by Anthony Boucher (1942). Rocket to the Morgue (Anthony Boucher) — geography for Philip K. Dick (openlibrary.org)
• The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin (1969). The Left Hand of Darkness (Ursula K. Le Guin) — geography for Philip K. Dick (openlibrary.org)
• The Dying Earth by Jack Vance (1950). The Dying Earth (Jack Vance) — geography for Philip K. Dick (wikidata.org)
• Dangerous Visions by Harlan Ellison (editor) (1967). Dangerous Visions (Harlan Ellison (editor)) — peer for Philip K. Dick (wikidata.org)
• Dimension of Miracles by Robert Sheckley (1968). Dimension of Miracles (Robert Sheckley) — peer for Philip K. Dick (openlibrary.org)
• 334 by Thomas M. Disch (1972). 334 (Thomas M. Disch) — peer for Philip K. Dick (openlibrary.org)
• Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny (1967). Lord of Light (Roger Zelazny) — collaborator for Philip K. Dick (openlibrary.org)
• Blake's Progress by Ray Faraday Nelson (1975). Blake's Progress (Ray Faraday Nelson) — collaborator for Philip K. Dick (openlibrary.org)
• The Universe Makers by Donald A. Wollheim (1971). The Universe Makers (Donald A. Wollheim) — collaborator for Philip K. Dick (openlibrary.org)

Who Philip K. Dick influenced

• Blade Runner by Vangelis. The segment introduction states Blade Runner was based on a story by Philip K. Dick. (also via Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?) “Based on a story by Philip K. Dick, "Blade Runner" is about androids called replicants who look just like humans” (Fresh Air (NPR))
• Ursula K. Le Guin (1929). Le Guin's Lathe of Heaven is an homage to Philip K. Dick. (also via The Man in the High Castle, The Left Hand of Darkness) “Le Guin later described her novel The Lathe of Heaven as an homage to him.” (Wikipedia)
• Looper. The article includes Looper among films compared with Dick’s work. “I was in a phase were I was reading a ton of Philip K. Dick, and this weird little idea just came out.” (Interview Magazine)
• Californium. The game was developed as a tribute to Dick and his writing. “When you read Philip K. Dick, you realise the dystopia is not in the aesthetic, but its portrayal of human beings. His books were very fun and we wanted to keep this aesthetic” (Ars Technica)
• The Lathe of Heaven. Le Guin describes Lathe of Heaven as homage to Philip K. Dick. “Le Guin and Dick attended the same high-school, but did not know each other; Le Guin later described her novel The Lathe of Heaven as an homage to him.” (Wikipedia)
• Jonathan Lethem. The article names Lethem among the writers Dick influenced. (also via Gun, with Occasional Music) “Dick has influenced many writers, including Jonathan Lethem [ 128 ] and Ursula K. Le Guin .” (Wikipedia)
• Inception. The article includes Inception among films compared with Dick’s work. “So who do you read in preparation to make a movie like this? Freud? Philip K. Dick ?” (The New York Times)
• Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams. The anthology series is based on Dick’s stories. “What we did with the writers was send them three-to-five of his original short stories, so they could choose what story to adapt on the basis of what resonated with them, excited them and stimulated their curiosity.” (Channel 4)
• Ridley Scott (1937). Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (Philip K. Dick) — culture for Ridley Scott (via Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Blade Runner) “Blade Runner (1982), based on Dick's 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, Sean Young and Rutger Hauer.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• The Matrix by Lana and Lilly Wachowski (1999). The Matrix (Lana and Lilly Wachowski) — legacy for Philip K. Dick “Dick has also influenced filmmakers, his work being compared to films such as the Wachowskis ' The Matrix ,” (Wikipedia)
• Gun, with Occasional Music by Jonathan Lethem (1994). Gun, with Occasional Music (Jonathan Lethem) — legacy for Philip K. Dick “Dick has influenced many writers, including Jonathan Lethem and Ursula K.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Videodrome by David Cronenberg (1983). The article compares Videodrome with Dick’s work. “his work being compared to films such as the Wachowskis ' The Matrix , [ 132 ] David Cronenberg 's Videodrome ,” (Wikipedia)
• eXistenZ. The article includes eXistenZ among films compared with Dick’s work. “David Cronenberg 's Videodrome , [ 133 ] eXistenZ , [ 132 ] and Spider ,” (Wikipedia)
• Being John Malkovich. The article includes Being John Malkovich among films compared with Dick’s work. “Spike Jonze 's Being John Malkovich , [ 133 ] Adaptation ,” (Wikipedia)
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The article includes Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind among films compared with Dick’s work. “Michel Gondry 's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind , [ 134 ] [ 135 ] Alex Proyas 's Dark City ,” (Wikipedia)
• Dark City by Alex Proyas (1998). The article includes Dark City among films compared with Dick’s work. “Alex Proyas 's Dark City , [ 132 ] Peter Weir 's The Truman Show ,” (Wikipedia)
• The Truman Show. The article includes The Truman Show among films compared with Dick’s work. “Peter Weir 's The Truman Show , [ 132 ] Andrew Niccol 's Gattaca ,” (Wikipedia)
• Gattaca. The article includes Gattaca among films compared with Dick’s work. “Andrew Niccol 's Gattaca , [ 133 ] In Time , [ 136 ] Terry Gilliam 's 12 Monkeys ,” (Wikipedia)
• 12 Monkeys. The article includes 12 Monkeys among films compared with Dick’s work. “Terry Gilliam 's 12 Monkeys , [ 133 ] Alejandro Amenábar 's Open Your Eyes ,” (Wikipedia)
• Open Your Eyes. The article includes Open Your Eyes among films compared with Dick’s work. “Alejandro Amenábar 's Open Your Eyes , [ 137 ] David Fincher 's Fight Club ,” (Wikipedia)
• Fight Club by David Fincher. The article includes Fight Club among films compared with Dick’s work. “David Fincher 's Fight Club , [ 133 ] Cameron Crowe 's Vanilla Sky ,” (Wikipedia)
• Vanilla Sky. The article includes Vanilla Sky among films compared with Dick’s work. “Cameron Crowe 's Vanilla Sky , [ 132 ] Darren Aronofsky 's Pi ,” (Wikipedia)
• Pi. The article includes Pi among films compared with Dick’s work. “Darren Aronofsky 's Pi , [ 138 ] Richard Kelly 's Donnie Darko [ 139 ] and Southland Tales ,” (Wikipedia)
• Donnie Darko. The article includes Donnie Darko among films compared with Dick’s work. “Richard Kelly 's Donnie Darko [ 139 ] and Southland Tales , [ 140 ] Rian Johnson 's Looper ,” (Wikipedia)
• 15 Till Midnight. The film acknowledges Dick’s work as an influence. “The 2010 science fiction film 15 Till Midnight cites Dick's influence with an "acknowledgment to the works of" credit.” (Wikipedia)
• Sister. The Sonic Youth album was partly inspired by Dick’s life and work. “Sister , a Sonic Youth album, "was in part inspired by the life and works of science fiction writer Philip K. Dick".” (Wikipedia)
• The Two Georges. The radio work was inspired by an investigation involving Dick. “In June 2014, BBC Radio 4 broadcast The Two Georges by Stephen Keyworth, inspired by the FBI's investigation of Phil and his wife Kleo in 1955” (Wikipedia)
• Metropolis by Fritz Lang (1927). Dick is named among the concept series’ inspirations. “The Metropolis concept series draws inspiration from a wide range of musical, cinematic and other sources, ranging from Alfred Hitchcock to Debussy to Philip K. Dick .” (Wikipedia)
• Time What is Time. The Blind Guardian song is loosely based on Dick’s novel. (via Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?) “Blind Guardian 's song "Time What is Time" from the 1992 album "Somewhere Far Beyond" is loosely based on the book "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?".” (Wikipedia)
• T.O.J.. El-P’s song refers to Dick’s novel in its chorus. (via Time Out of Joint) “A song on the 2002 album Fantastic Damage is titled "T.O.J." and the chorus makes reference to the Dick work Time Out of Joint .” (Wikipedia)
• Screamers. Screamers is based on Dick’s short story. (via Second Variety) “Screamers (1995), based on the short story " Second Variety ", [ 4 ] directed by Christian Duguay” (Wikipedia)
• Minority Report. Spielberg’s film is based on Dick’s short story. (via The Minority Report) “Minority Report (2002), based on the short story " The Minority Report ", directed by Steven Spielberg” (Wikipedia)
• The Adjustment Bureau. The film is loosely based on Dick’s short story. (via Adjustment Team) “The Adjustment Bureau (2011), directed by George Nolfi and starring Matt Damon , loosely based on the short story " Adjustment Team ".” (Wikipedia)
• Next. Next is loosely based on Dick’s short story. (via The Golden Man) “Next (2007), directed by Lee Tamahori and starring Nicolas Cage , loosely based on the short story " The Golden Man ".” (Wikipedia)
• Hard Boiled. The comics miniseries loosely adapts Dick’s short story. (via The Electric Ant) “" The Electric Ant " had earlier been loosely adapted by Frank Miller and Geof Darrow in their 3-issue mini-series Hard Boiled published by Dark Horse Comics in 1990–1992.” (Wikipedia)
• The Terminator. The article links a theme in the film series to Dick’s earlier story. (via Second Variety) “The Terminator series prominently features the theme of humanoid assassination machines first portrayed in Second Variety .” (Wikipedia)
• Neuromancer by William Gibson (1984). Neuromancer (William Gibson) — legacy for Philip K. Dick (openlibrary.org)