Colony (short story)
Encyclopedia
"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.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
short story
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
by Philip K. Dick
Philip K. Dick
Philip Kindred Dick was an American novelist, short story writer and essayist whose published work is almost entirely in the science fiction genre. Dick explored sociological, political and metaphysical themes in novels dominated by monopolistic corporations, authoritarian governments and altered...
. It was first published in Galaxy magazine
Galaxy Science Fiction
Galaxy Science Fiction was an American digest-size science fiction magazine, published from 1950 to 1980. It was founded by an Italian company, World Editions, which was looking to break in to the American market. World Editions hired as editor H. L...
, June 1953. The plot centers on an expedition
Exploration
Exploration is the act of searching or traveling around a terrain for the purpose of discovery of resources or information. Exploration occurs in all non-sessile animal species, including humans...
to an uncharted planet
Planet
A planet is a celestial body orbiting a star or stellar remnant that is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity, is not massive enough to cause thermonuclear fusion, and has cleared its neighbouring region of planetesimals.The term planet is ancient, with ties to history, science,...
, on which the dominant, predatory life form is capable of precise mimicry of human technology.
About the story
Accompanying the story in the June 1953 issue of Galaxy, Dick wrote about the story:
The ultimate paranoia is not when everyone is against you, it's when everything is against you. Instead of "My boss is plotting against me", it would be "My boss' phone is plotting against me".