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Philip K. Dick: Foster, You’re Dead

“Foster, You’re Dead” is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick, published in Star Science Fiction Stories No. 3 in 1955. In a society obsessed with preparing for nuclear war, Mike Foster faces the stigma of being the son of an ‘anti-P’, someone who refuses to buy bomb shelters or contribute to the community defence system. While his peers make booby traps and knives at school, he lives with the constant humiliation and fear of not having a shelter to protect him. Social pressure and fear drive him to crave security in a world where paranoia has become a lucrative business.

Edgar Allan Poe: The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar

“The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar,” a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, published in 1845, explores the boundaries of life and death through hypnosis. The story’s protagonist, a hypnotism expert, decides to experiment with Mr. Valdemar, who is on his deathbed. Since Valdemar is seriously ill and has no relatives in America who could object, he voluntarily agrees to the test. The plot unfolds in Valdemar’s room, where the protagonist and other witnesses observe the effects of the hypnotism applied just as Valdemar is about to pass away. Their discoveries are surprising.

Isaac Asimov: Robot Dreams

“Robot Dreams” is a short story by Isaac Asimov, published in 1986. The story begins when Elvex, an experimental robot with a new type of positronic brain, declares that he has had a dream. Intrigued, young researcher Linda Rash turns to Dr. Susan Calvin, a legendary figure in robopsychology, to investigate the case. Together, they examine the robot’s brain structure and discover that Elvex has developed complex and symbolic thoughts, strikingly similar to those of humans. What initially seemed like a technical breakthrough reveals an unexpected crack in the foundation of the Three Laws of Robotics.