The genius work of Phillip K. Dick continues; Blade Runner’s thematic material has made its way beyond simply suggesting the distinction between “real human” and replicant is artificial/synthetic itself, to suggesting that in this future world of social decay, our replicant slaves become the last remnants of actual humanity. Humans dehumanize themselves in their dehumanization of the “Other” of the social hierarchy. The system is sustained by a mythology of superiority embodied in the abstract, with byproducts including violence and oppression, the failure of the humanist project. After all, it is the colonized who are the true heirs of the enlightenment legacy.
Without further adieu, Nightmare Masterclass’ excellent analysis of “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep/Blade Runner” series:
