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It is my job to create universes, as the basis of one…

“It is my job to create universes, as the basis of one novel after another. And I have to build them in such a way that they do not fall apart two days later. Or at least that is what my editors hope. However, I will reveal a secret to you: I like to build universes which do fall apart. I like to…” quote by Philip K. Dick
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““It is my job to create universes, as the basis of one novel after another. And I have to build them in such a way that they do not fall apart two days later. Or at least that is what my editors hope. However, I will reveal a secret to you: I like to build universes which do fall apart. I like to see them come unglued, and I like to see how the characters in the novels cope with this problem. I have a secret love of chaos. There should be more of it. Do not believe — and I am dead serious when I say this — do not assume that order and stability are always good, in a society or in a universe. The old, the ossified, must always give way to new life and the birth of new things. Before the new things can be born the old must perish. This is a dangerous realization, because it tells us that we must eventually part with much of what is familiar to us. And that hurts. But that is part of the script of life. Unless we can psychologically accommodate change, we ourselves begin to die, inwardly. What I am saying is that objects, customs, habits, and ways of life must perish so that the authentic human being can live. And it is the authentic human being who matters most, the viable, elastic organism which can bounce back, absorb, and deal with the new.””

Philip K. Dick

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Creative work thrives on tension between order and chaos; embracing breakdown can spark authentic growth.

In simple terms: Chaos fuels authentic creativity.

Key Takeaway

Embrace change and uncertainty.

Themes

creativity chaos change authenticity

Mood

thoughtful inspirational

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

  • writing
  • artistic projects
  • personal development
  • organizational change

Key Concepts

entropy resilience psychology novel construction

Questions to Reflect On

  • What structures support healthy chaos?
  • When is stability preferable?
A Different Perspective

Excessive chaos can hinder progress and cause distress.

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