I have read alot of great new stuff lately and have come across some wonderful articles and essays I wanted to share. They all have to do with what famed science fiction author Philip K. Dick called, VALIS – a concept that I’ve had a great interest in over the past few years, and one that we have talked about before on this site. For the un-illuminated, VALIS is an acronym for Vast Active Living Intelligence System. In all his books, it’s as close as Dick got to talking about his concept of what God, or a God is.
Most people come across VALIS from the Philip K. Dick book of the same name. It’s the first book in Dick’s final trilogy – the second being The Divine Invasion, and finally the posthumously published, The Owl in Daylight.
Other people come across VALIS in their personal lives as an actual deity of sorts, communicating with it as Atra-hasis communicated with Enki, as Noah communicated with God, or Philip K. Dick communicated with VALIS.
The story of Dick’s real life introduction to the God is one of science fiction legend and is retold in detail in his journal the Exegesis. It is the first story I want to share with you because it sets the groundwork for some of the pieces that will follow. In my mental travails through the noo-sphere, I found a great retelling of the Dick communication legend by none other than famous (infamous?) cartoonist Robert C. Crumb.
The book that has been in my mind lately.
Still havent read it through, but eye just find the book fascinating.
Thank you.
peace
I just finished the second VALIS book (good stuff!). I got the “third book” (”Transmigration…”) about to be read right now, though it’s a shame it’s technically not really part of the trilogy as unwritten “Owl” would have been number 3. But it looks like “The Owl In Daylight” is going to be a movie whith Paul Giamatti as PKD: http://www.themovieinsider.com/m3723/the-owl-in-daylight/