Philip Kindred Dick (December 16, 1928 – March 2, 1982) was an American novelist, short story writer, essayist and philosopher whose published work is almost entirely accepted as being in the science fiction genre. Dick explored sociological, political and metaphysical themes in novels dominated by monopolistic corporations, authoritarian governments, and altered states. Philip K. Dick's 1953 short story "Second Variety" posits the ramifications of a human propensity for playing God, and for mankind's wanton disregard of the consequences of its technological innovations. (Excerpt from Wikipedia)