The Trouble with Bubbles

The Trouble With Bubbles is a 1953 science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick. The story is set in a future where mankind has attempted to reach other intelligent lifeforms through space exploration, and found nothing. In light of this yearning to connect with other lifeforms, people can buy a plastic bubble known as a "Worldcraft", the tagline of which reads "Own Your Own World!". The owner of the "Worldcraft" is able to create a whole universe, controlling all the variables inherent to its development. Within the universe, lifeforms just like humans exist.

In the story we see Nathan Hull, the protagonist, attending a contest to judge who has created the best "Worldcraft" universe. A contestant subsequently smashes and destroys her bubble after being announced the winner. Hull, feeling the immorality of the control owners have over the lives within the bubbles, works to have laws passed against creating any more "Worldcrafts".

The story first appeared in "If" magazine, January 1953.

It also appears in "We Can Remember It for You Wholesale (The Collected Short Stories of Philip K. Dick, Vol. 2)" (formerly entitled "Second Variety").

ee also

* Simulated reality