“Galaxy Science Fiction,” January 1953. Cover art by Ed Emshwiller for “The Defenders” by Philip K. Dick.
“No weapon has ever been frightful enough to put a stop to war – perhaps because we never before had any that thought for themselves!” [Prologue]
“The Defenders” explores themes of the Cold War, the nature of truth and deception, and the role of artificial intelligence in warfare. The story depicts a post-nuclear war society where humans live underground, leaving robots called "leadys" to fight on the surface. The story's plot unfolds as a team is sent to the surface to investigate the robots’ claims of a dangerous, radioactive landscape.
The team discovers, instead, a beautiful, green, and undamaged world. It has been restored by the machines, who have been faking the war, believing people are not ready to return. The story was adapted for the radio program “X Minus One” in 1956, and served as the basis for Dick’s 1964 novel, “The Penultimate Truth.”
[Sources: “The Defenders” reviews at SFFRemembrance.com, and TalesFromTheNeonBeach.com]
“Galaxy Science Fiction,” January 1953. Cover art by Ed Emshwiller for “The Defenders” by Philip K. Dick.
“No weapon has ever been frightful enough to put a stop to war – perhaps because we never before had any that thought for themselves!” [Prologue]
“The Defenders” explores themes of the Cold War, the nature of truth and deception, and the role of artificial intelligence in warfare. The story depicts a post-nuclear war society where humans live underground, leaving robots called "leadys" to fight on the surface. The story's plot unfolds as a team is sent to the surface to investigate the robots’ claims of a dangerous, radioactive landscape.
The team discovers, instead, a beautiful, green, and undamaged world. It has been restored by the machines, who have been faking the war, believing people are not ready to return. The story was adapted for the radio program “X Minus One” in 1956, and served as the basis for Dick’s 1964 novel, “The Penultimate Truth.”
[Sources: “The Defenders” reviews at SFFRemembrance.com, and TalesFromTheNeonBeach.com]