One thing I truly enjoy in science fiction is the complexity of the relationships between artificial intelligence and humans. Often times with these types of science fiction stories, there is this unique bond between humans and the robots/androids that they create. I think in some ways, it is the closest that we can get to a “Man-God” relationship.

I think that stories like Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and Frankenstein often times stay with me because the A.I’s struggle to find their purpose and constant questioning of the intentions of their creator is a very human experience. It reminds me of an almost religious like journey; always seeking out and questioning your creator, hoping and trusting that you get some type of answer in return, getting frustrated if you don’t.

As someone who was raised in a Pentecostal church for many years, I see so many parallels between the two relationships. I read about the android’s struggle to be human, to be seen as human. I understand the frustrations they have when attempting to understand their human creators and the rebellious feelings they have when turn against them.

Sometimes as much as I felt that the androids in Phillip K. Dick’s novel were most definitely not like us, I can’t help but wonder if those feelings, those emotions would in fact make them human.