Things I Read: Flow By Tears, The Policeman Said - Mass Hysteria and Mind-Bending Drugs

It seems to me like the influence of Philip K. Dick has been showing itself a lot lately. First there was the TV adaptation of his novel The Man in the High Castle. Then a new series of Black Mirror, and after that Mr. Robot, which, while too involved in contemporary hacking scandals to mirror anything specific to Dick, features similarities about individuals getting caught up in technological-induced social nightmares.

I guess this might suggest there’s a creative cabal somewhere promoting a big Dick revival, but it probably has more to do with the fact that his unique way of philosophising about technology is just really relevant right now. This sets things up nicely for mentioning that I recently read his 1974 novel Flow My Tears, The Policeman: a book I couldn’t help notice felt far more contemporary than it probably ought to have.

The book is set in an alternate version of the USA; one unfortunately being governed by an authoritarian regime. The story revolves around Jason Taverner, a celebrity whose glittering career, millions of fans, and great wealth are thrown into chaos when he inexplicably loses his identity. He quickly sets off to retrieve it, finding himself in a world where nobody can be trusted and where nothing is quite how it seems.

On the one hand, the book is a surprisingly easy-to-read thriller, on the other,  a cautious take on living a world where your identity can be used against you. I find that quite relevant given how public figures are routinely attacked on social media these days. I also find it scarily relevant given that places like China exist.

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