Robert Sheckley
Robert Sheckley: A Prolific Author of Dystopian Fiction
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Robert Edward Sheckley was born on July 16, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York. He is often referred to as Bob Sheckley by friends and fans.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: July 16, 1928
Died: December 9, 2001
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Robert Sheckley was an American author, best known for his work in the science fiction genre. Throughout his career, he wrote numerous novels, short stories, plays, and essays that explored themes of humanity, technology, and society.
Early Life and Background
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Sheckley grew up in a Jewish family in Brooklyn, where he developed an interest in writing at an early age. He began publishing short stories in the 1950s while attending Columbia University. During this time, he became friends with other notable science fiction writers, including Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke.
Major Accomplishments
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Author of numerous novels: Sheckley wrote over 50 novels, many of which explored dystopian themes and the consequences of technological advancements.
Prolific short story writer: He published hundreds of short stories in various science fiction magazines, including _Galaxy Science Fiction_ and _Fantastic Universe_.
Playwright and essayist: Sheckley also wrote plays and essays that showcased his wit and social commentary.Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Robert Sheckley's most notable works include:
"The Status Civilization" (1955): A satirical novel that explores the theme of a utopian society where humans are reduced to primitive states.
* "Immortality Delivered" (1958): A collection of short stories that examine the concept of immortality and its consequences on human relationships.
Impact and Legacy
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Robert Sheckley's work had a significant impact on the science fiction genre, influencing many notable authors, including Douglas Adams and Neil Gaiman. His unique blend of satire, social commentary, and dystopian themes continues to captivate readers today.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Robert Sheckley's quotes and writings are often cited for their thought-provoking insights into human nature, technology, and society. He is widely remembered as a master of the science fiction genre, known for his wit, satire, and ability to explore complex themes in an accessible manner.
As we reflect on Robert Sheckley's life and work, it becomes clear that his contributions to science fiction are still felt today. His unique voice and perspective continue to inspire new generations of writers, thinkers, and readers, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential authors of our time.
Quotes by Robert Sheckley
Here she was trying to teach him the Peasant Shuffle. He could not hope to master it all in a night, of course; at the Peasants’ School in Zug they had spent an entire semester on Cringing alone.
Overhead, a Hawk was zeroing in on a watchbird. The armored murder machine had learned a lot in a few days. Its sole function was to kill. At present it was impelled toward a certain type of living organism, metallic like itself. But the Hawk had just discovered that there were other types of living organisms, too – Which had to be murdered.
I don’t finish every story, but I probably write and send out three out of five of them.
All of us live by the employment of countless untested assumptions, the truth of falsehood of which we can determine only through the hazard of our lives. Since most of us value our lives more than the truth, we leave such drastic tests for the fanatics.
When you have a project, do it exactly as you see fit; then fit the facts around the event, not the other way around.
These two races hunted each other, lived and died for each other, and, through ignorance or guile, ignored any relationship between each other. The relationship was utterly symbiotic, but completely unacknowledged by either race. In fact, each race pretended that it alone was a Civilized Intelligence, and that the other was bestial, contemptible, and of no account. And it now occured to both of themthat they were, in equal measure, participants in the general concept of Humanity.
He shared the common human hallmark: he was simultaneously predictable and unfathomable – a routine miracle.