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Colony
"Colony" is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick. It was first published in Galaxy magazine, June 1953. The plot centers on an expedition to an uncharted planet, on which the dominant, predatory life form is capable of precise mimicry of human technology.
Accompanying the story in the June 1953 issue of Galaxy, Dick wrote about the story:
The ultimate paranoia is not when everyone is against you, it's when everything is against you. Instead of "My boss is plotting against me", it would be "My boss' phone is plotting against me"
Accompanying the story in the June 1953 issue of Galaxy, Dick wrote about the story:
The ultimate paranoia is not when everyone is against you, it's when everything is against you. Instead of "My boss is plotting against me", it would be "My boss' phone is plotting against me"
17 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1953
1 person is currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Philip K. Dick
2,015 books22.6k followersPhilip Kindred Dick was a prolific American science fiction author whose work has had a lasting impact on literature, cinema, and popular culture. Known for his imaginative narratives and profound philosophical themes, Dick explored the nature of reality, the boundaries of human identity, and the impact of technology and authoritarianism on society. His stories often blurred the line between the real and the artificial, challenging readers to question their perceptions and beliefs.
Raised in California, Dick began writing professionally in the early 1950s, publishing short stories in various science fiction magazines. He quickly developed a distinctive voice within the genre, marked by a fusion of science fiction concepts with deep existential and psychological inquiry. Over his career, he authored 44 novels and more than 100 short stories, many of which have become classics in the field.
Recurring themes in Dick's work include alternate realities, simulations, corporate and government control, mental illness, and the nature of consciousness. His protagonists are frequently everyday individuals—often paranoid, uncertain, or troubled—caught in surreal and often dangerous circumstances that force them to question their environment and themselves. Works such as Ubik, The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch, and A Scanner Darkly reflect his fascination with perception and altered states of consciousness, often drawing from his own experiences with mental health struggles and drug use.
One of Dick’s most influential novels is Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, which served as the basis for Ridley Scott’s iconic film Blade Runner. The novel deals with the distinction between humans and artificial beings and asks profound questions about empathy, identity, and what it means to be alive. Other adaptations of his work include Total Recall, Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly, and The Man in the High Castle, each reflecting key elements of his storytelling—uncertain realities, oppressive systems, and the search for truth. These adaptations have introduced his complex ideas to audiences well beyond the traditional readership of science fiction.
In the 1970s, Dick underwent a series of visionary and mystical experiences that had a significant influence on his later writings. He described receiving profound knowledge from an external, possibly divine, source and documented these events extensively in what became known as The Exegesis, a massive and often fragmented journal. These experiences inspired his later novels, most notably the VALIS trilogy, which mixes autobiography, theology, and metaphysics in a narrative that defies conventional structure and genre boundaries.
Throughout his life, Dick faced financial instability, health issues, and periods of personal turmoil, yet he remained a dedicated and relentless writer. Despite limited commercial success during his lifetime, his reputation grew steadily, and he came to be regarded as one of the most original voices in speculative fiction. His work has been celebrated for its ability to fuse philosophical depth with gripping storytelling and has influenced not only science fiction writers but also philosophers, filmmakers, and futurists.
Dick’s legacy continues to thrive in both literary and cinematic spheres. The themes he explored remain urgently relevant in the modern world, particularly as technology increasingly intersects with human identity and governance. The Philip K. Dick Award, named in his honor, is presented annually to distinguished works of science fiction published in paperback original form in the United States. His writings have also inspired television series, academic studies, and countless homages across media.
Through his vivid imagination and unflinching inquiry into the nature of existence, Philip K. Dick redefined what science fiction could achieve. His work continues to challenge and inspire, offering timeless insights into the human condition a
Raised in California, Dick began writing professionally in the early 1950s, publishing short stories in various science fiction magazines. He quickly developed a distinctive voice within the genre, marked by a fusion of science fiction concepts with deep existential and psychological inquiry. Over his career, he authored 44 novels and more than 100 short stories, many of which have become classics in the field.
Recurring themes in Dick's work include alternate realities, simulations, corporate and government control, mental illness, and the nature of consciousness. His protagonists are frequently everyday individuals—often paranoid, uncertain, or troubled—caught in surreal and often dangerous circumstances that force them to question their environment and themselves. Works such as Ubik, The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch, and A Scanner Darkly reflect his fascination with perception and altered states of consciousness, often drawing from his own experiences with mental health struggles and drug use.
One of Dick’s most influential novels is Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, which served as the basis for Ridley Scott’s iconic film Blade Runner. The novel deals with the distinction between humans and artificial beings and asks profound questions about empathy, identity, and what it means to be alive. Other adaptations of his work include Total Recall, Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly, and The Man in the High Castle, each reflecting key elements of his storytelling—uncertain realities, oppressive systems, and the search for truth. These adaptations have introduced his complex ideas to audiences well beyond the traditional readership of science fiction.
In the 1970s, Dick underwent a series of visionary and mystical experiences that had a significant influence on his later writings. He described receiving profound knowledge from an external, possibly divine, source and documented these events extensively in what became known as The Exegesis, a massive and often fragmented journal. These experiences inspired his later novels, most notably the VALIS trilogy, which mixes autobiography, theology, and metaphysics in a narrative that defies conventional structure and genre boundaries.
Throughout his life, Dick faced financial instability, health issues, and periods of personal turmoil, yet he remained a dedicated and relentless writer. Despite limited commercial success during his lifetime, his reputation grew steadily, and he came to be regarded as one of the most original voices in speculative fiction. His work has been celebrated for its ability to fuse philosophical depth with gripping storytelling and has influenced not only science fiction writers but also philosophers, filmmakers, and futurists.
Dick’s legacy continues to thrive in both literary and cinematic spheres. The themes he explored remain urgently relevant in the modern world, particularly as technology increasingly intersects with human identity and governance. The Philip K. Dick Award, named in his honor, is presented annually to distinguished works of science fiction published in paperback original form in the United States. His writings have also inspired television series, academic studies, and countless homages across media.
Through his vivid imagination and unflinching inquiry into the nature of existence, Philip K. Dick redefined what science fiction could achieve. His work continues to challenge and inspire, offering timeless insights into the human condition a
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 14, 2019
First published in Galaxy (June 1953), “Colony” is a superficially slight, extremely disturbing Philip K. Dick masterpiece.
Terran explorers have discovered an Edenic paradise, a lovely burgeoning planet (Planet blue) which contains—they believe—no hostile life forms, and they regret they will inevitably be followed by colonists who will mar the environment. Then they discover that, after all, there is one hostile life form, one that can mimic perfectly any inorganic object it chooses: microscopes, gloves, doormats, suitcases, coffee-makers,etc. It is then the explorers realize that they are engaged in a war to the death with their own household objects.
“Colony” is not only a first-rate science fiction story. It is also a mystery, and a thriller with a well-executed surprise ending. But most of all, it is terrifying (and, weirdly, sort of funny in a sick way too), for it draws on the craziest fears of the paranoid in all us. As Philip Dick—who knew what it was to be paranoid—once said: "The ultimate paranoia is not when everyone is against you, it's when everything is against you. Instead of "My boss is plotting against me", it would be 'My boss' phone is plotting against me'".
October 3, 2019
“Colony” is another early short story (Galaxy, June 1953) from Philip K. Dick that presents the reader with a new possible reality. While studying the feasibility of colonizing an unchartered planet, it is determined (prematurely) that there are no predators. The scientific team discovers too late that this planet’s deadly life form can mimic organic material and the colonists are most definitely not welcome on this new world. We thus have items like towels, a rug braided by one of the character’s grandmothers, chairs and gloves attacking the hapless colonists.
“Colony” feels a bit like a cheesy episode of the original Star Trek, but it’s fun and the colonist’s escape at the end makes it worthwhile.
“Colony” feels a bit like a cheesy episode of the original Star Trek, but it’s fun and the colonist’s escape at the end makes it worthwhile.
July 23, 2020
Colony
Real Rating: 3.5* of five
In June 1953's Galaxy Science Fiction magazine, this story appears towards the end of the magazine; I wonder if that isn't the smartest thing Editor H.L. Gold did...this is a haunting, truly bizarre tale that uses sex, along with gender stereotypes, to sell a silly premise: An alien intelligence is able to form itself into any inorganic thing humans have made, and since the humans in question are sizing up the alien intelligence's home planet for colonization, it uses its ability to surprise-attack them.
...and how does it know what they're planning...? If it can read human minds, why can't it shape itself into the creatures thinking the thoughts?
*sprinkles Handwavium Flakes on the word salad*
So anyway, this alien shapeshifter thing works its wicked ways with an increasing number of the crew of colonists; a desperate Commander Stella Morrison (a real, live woman in command of a crew of mixed-gender military scientists! in 1953!) finally believes Major Larry Hall, her ex, isn't crazy for reporting that his microscope M*A*S*H'S Section 8 psych discharge) takes the decision to call in a rescue ship, and...well...it's part of the fun for you to read that bit yourselves. The title above is a link to a free PDF.
Then came the NBC radio drama X Minus 1. On 10 October 1956, it broadcast this story's dramatization by Ernest Kinoy as the 71st of 126 episodes made between 1955 and 1958. I can just barely imagine how it went over...a woman commanding men, and that ending!...but go over it did. I'd've loved to be there for the hilarity.
I can honestly say either means of consuming the story is very worthwhile. And the subtle, lovely foreshadowing of the ending that PKD does throughout the story is a really good reason to experience it in both media. Oh my goodness, the ending! I am still chortling.
Real Rating: 3.5* of five
In June 1953's Galaxy Science Fiction magazine, this story appears towards the end of the magazine; I wonder if that isn't the smartest thing Editor H.L. Gold did...this is a haunting, truly bizarre tale that uses sex, along with gender stereotypes, to sell a silly premise: An alien intelligence is able to form itself into any inorganic thing humans have made, and since the humans in question are sizing up the alien intelligence's home planet for colonization, it uses its ability to surprise-attack them.
...and how does it know what they're planning...? If it can read human minds, why can't it shape itself into the creatures thinking the thoughts?
*sprinkles Handwavium Flakes on the word salad*
So anyway, this alien shapeshifter thing works its wicked ways with an increasing number of the crew of colonists; a desperate Commander Stella Morrison (a real, live woman in command of a crew of mixed-gender military scientists! in 1953!) finally believes Major Larry Hall, her ex, isn't crazy for reporting that his microscope M*A*S*H'S Section 8 psych discharge) takes the decision to call in a rescue ship, and...well...it's part of the fun for you to read that bit yourselves. The title above is a link to a free PDF.
Then came the NBC radio drama X Minus 1. On 10 October 1956, it broadcast this story's dramatization by Ernest Kinoy as the 71st of 126 episodes made between 1955 and 1958. I can just barely imagine how it went over...a woman commanding men, and that ending!...but go over it did. I'd've loved to be there for the hilarity.
I can honestly say either means of consuming the story is very worthwhile. And the subtle, lovely foreshadowing of the ending that PKD does throughout the story is a really good reason to experience it in both media. Oh my goodness, the ending! I am still chortling.
August 27, 2017
Rugged Individuals
Colony, which was originally published in the “Galaxy Magazine” in 1953 is nothing short of a little masterpiece. Centred around one idea, the plot develops at a brisk pace and towards a perfect surprise ending.
The story is of the stuff that 1950s science fiction dreams are made of: Exploring a hitherto unknown planet, which they dub Planet Blue, a Terran expedition corps is struck with the Edenic beauty of the land that unfolds before them. Three weeks of studies have not yet shown them any evidence of potentially harmful life forms, which makes Planet Blue the ideal homestead for future colonists. All of a sudden, however, things start taking a nasty turn because the harmful life form is already among them, having crept on board among the samples they were examining, and it is some kind of protozoa that can take the shape of any inanimate object. Therefore, our explorer abruptly find themselves strangled by microscopes, lethally manipulated by gloves, firmly hugged by rugs or digested by their own uniforms – incidents that give rise to sometimes very ludicrous speeches such as the following:
It soon becomes an important question to these explorers whether they should somehow try to escape from Planet Blue, taking the risk of introducing the protozoa into the Terran system, or allow themselves to be killed one after the other by that threatening amorphous predator.
Colony is not only a very entertaining story but also gives food for thought. PKD’s own hint that it is about paranoia is certainly interesting but I think there is even more to the story than that: Humans being suddenly attacked and devoured by everyday objects of their own making – does that not sound like consumer criticism? This reading would definitely be in tune with the possible idea behind another of PKD’s stories of that period, The Great C, and it is also more in line with the title of the story, than the paranoia reading. Humans are colonizing their (?) world, changing it towards what they regard as civilization, and that way they also change themselves, becoming more and more dependent on what they devised as tools and commodity objects. If you don’t believe it, separate the average person from their smartphone for a day – and check whether after 24 hours they are still alive or in comparative mental health. Or think of drive-in restaurants for people to whom the idea of getting out of their cars and walking a few steps is revolutionary, to say the least.
The story also highlights the paradoxical attitude people have with regard to nature. The explorers are impressed and awe-struck with the beauty of Planet Blue, and do not cherish the idea of colonists taking possession of the land and spoiling it:
These words, the barely veiled death wish towards one’s own species included, are redolent of hardcore environmentalism, but as soon as it becomes obvious that there is a menacing life form out there, the explorers are ready to resort to any measure to bring it to heel:
So, finally, one gets the impression that Colony is about two predatory life forms vying for survival.
Colony, which was originally published in the “Galaxy Magazine” in 1953 is nothing short of a little masterpiece. Centred around one idea, the plot develops at a brisk pace and towards a perfect surprise ending.
The story is of the stuff that 1950s science fiction dreams are made of: Exploring a hitherto unknown planet, which they dub Planet Blue, a Terran expedition corps is struck with the Edenic beauty of the land that unfolds before them. Three weeks of studies have not yet shown them any evidence of potentially harmful life forms, which makes Planet Blue the ideal homestead for future colonists. All of a sudden, however, things start taking a nasty turn because the harmful life form is already among them, having crept on board among the samples they were examining, and it is some kind of protozoa that can take the shape of any inanimate object. Therefore, our explorer abruptly find themselves strangled by microscopes, lethally manipulated by gloves, firmly hugged by rugs or digested by their own uniforms – incidents that give rise to sometimes very ludicrous speeches such as the following:
”’That’s my rug. I brought it from Terra. My wife gave it to me. I – I trusted it completely.’”
It soon becomes an important question to these explorers whether they should somehow try to escape from Planet Blue, taking the risk of introducing the protozoa into the Terran system, or allow themselves to be killed one after the other by that threatening amorphous predator.
Colony is not only a very entertaining story but also gives food for thought. PKD’s own hint that it is about paranoia is certainly interesting but I think there is even more to the story than that: Humans being suddenly attacked and devoured by everyday objects of their own making – does that not sound like consumer criticism? This reading would definitely be in tune with the possible idea behind another of PKD’s stories of that period, The Great C, and it is also more in line with the title of the story, than the paranoia reading. Humans are colonizing their (?) world, changing it towards what they regard as civilization, and that way they also change themselves, becoming more and more dependent on what they devised as tools and commodity objects. If you don’t believe it, separate the average person from their smartphone for a day – and check whether after 24 hours they are still alive or in comparative mental health. Or think of drive-in restaurants for people to whom the idea of getting out of their cars and walking a few steps is revolutionary, to say the least.
The story also highlights the paradoxical attitude people have with regard to nature. The explorers are impressed and awe-struck with the beauty of Planet Blue, and do not cherish the idea of colonists taking possession of the land and spoiling it:
”’And all of them ready to come in and cut down the trees, tear up the flowers, spit in the lakes, burn up the grass. With not even the common-cold virus around to –‘”
These words, the barely veiled death wish towards one’s own species included, are redolent of hardcore environmentalism, but as soon as it becomes obvious that there is a menacing life form out there, the explorers are ready to resort to any measure to bring it to heel:
”’Then we’ll have to destroy all life forms! If there’s no other way of doing it we’ve got to burn the planet clean. Even if there wouldn’t be a thing left but a dead world.’”
So, finally, one gets the impression that Colony is about two predatory life forms vying for survival.
March 17, 2023
Fascinating short story, it got a bit predictable at the end, but I had fun reading it.
September 19, 2018
Another early (1953) Philip K. Dick science fiction story that postulates a species able to mimic inorganic matter on an otherwise ideal planet for human colonisation and which then presents an existential threat to the whole human race. It has a nice twist at the end.
This could be just another period piece from Galaxy magazine but it has those qualities that make Dick a master of the genre - the ability gently to subvert cultural expectations, a bit of cheeky naughtiness (he forces an entire ship's crew to go naked) and witty characterisation.
The dynamic between a strong female ship's captain (Dick needs no lessons on feminism) and the irascible head of biological research is well expressed and we laugh when we should not laugh perhaps at the wonderful absurdity of the latter being attacked by a microscope.
The story lurks on the edge of high camp comedy without actually going over it. The serious point that 'out there' may lie existential threats remains in place. The fact that the threat offers us slapstick moments does not make it any the less a threat.
This and 'The Piper in the Woods' from the same year tell us that we had a distinctive talent in Philip K. Dick whose wryness might perhaps be seen as part of a general cynical post-war humour that you might find in Burroughs or Anton Wilson ... but he is much much nicer at root.
You get the sense that, in 1953, he finds humans rather comical in their pretensions yet not a bad sort as species go. We are a bit dim sometimes but mean no harm as we expand through the universe. Unfortunately (he implies) our single-minded naivete may do us all in some day.
January 3, 2022
In this tale extraterrestrial beings are hostile and pose as inorganic objects. The human explorers take every action to avoid being attacked. In the end, the explorers disappear.
December 8, 2014
Chilling!
February 1, 2020
PKD is usually excellent so let’s see...yep it’s a warning against ignoring scientific caution due to political pressure.
February 3, 2025
Ένας καινούριος κόσμος μοιάζει σαν ένα ανώνυμα σταλμένο ωραίο κουτί δώρου που κάνει τικ-τακ, τικ-τακ... Μπορεί να είναι εκείνο το ακριβό ρολόι αντίκα που τόσο θα θέλατε ν' αποκτήσετε ή μερικά μασούρια δυναμίτιδας με ωρολογιακό μηχανισμό. Δυστυχώς, λίγοι στέλνουν ανώνυμα δώρα με ακριβά ρολόγια αντίκες...
Είναι φυσικό, λοιπόν, πολλές δυσάρεστες εκπλήξεις να περιμένουν τους πρώτους τολμηρούς που πατούν το πόδι τους σ’ έναν πλανήτη, έστω και αν ο πλανήτης αυτός έχει συσκευασία δώρου και μοιάζει με παράδεισο. Και ο απρόσμενος αντίπαλος, ίσως κάπως κωμικός στην αρχή, γρήγορα εξελίσσεται σε αληθινό παρανοϊκό εφιάλτη.
Αλλά ο Φίλιπ Ντικ (1928-1982) ποτέ δεν ανήκε στους ιδιαίτερα αισιόδοξους συγγραφείς... Από την άλλη μεριά, το γεγονός ότι παντρεύτηκε πέντε φορές δείχνει ότι υπήρχε κάποιος βαθύτερος πυρήνας αθεράπευτης αισιοδοξίας στο χαρακτήρα του.
Είναι φυσικό, λοιπόν, πολλές δυσάρεστες εκπλήξεις να περιμένουν τους πρώτους τολμηρούς που πατούν το πόδι τους σ’ έναν πλανήτη, έστω και αν ο πλανήτης αυτός έχει συσκευασία δώρου και μοιάζει με παράδεισο. Και ο απρόσμενος αντίπαλος, ίσως κάπως κωμικός στην αρχή, γρήγορα εξελίσσεται σε αληθινό παρανοϊκό εφιάλτη.
Αλλά ο Φίλιπ Ντικ (1928-1982) ποτέ δεν ανήκε στους ιδιαίτερα αισιόδοξους συγγραφείς... Από την άλλη μεριά, το γεγονός ότι παντρεύτηκε πέντε φορές δείχνει ότι υπήρχε κάποιος βαθύτερος πυρήνας αθεράπευτης αισιοδοξίας στο χαρακτήρα του.
December 4, 2023
I think his best stories are these psychological thriller, paranoia types. I think Dick would have enjoyed contemporary unreliable narrator stories like Gone Girl.
The story itself is fun. It’s invasion of the bodysnatcher, it’s The Thing, it’s twilight zone. It creates a nice sense of dread and tension throughout the story. One character steps into a car, and it transforms into a creature and eats him. It’s X-files monster of the week.
The logic at the end doesn’t make sense, but the ending would not have worked otherwise.
The story itself is fun. It’s invasion of the bodysnatcher, it’s The Thing, it’s twilight zone. It creates a nice sense of dread and tension throughout the story. One character steps into a car, and it transforms into a creature and eats him. It’s X-files monster of the week.
The logic at the end doesn’t make sense, but the ending would not have worked otherwise.
February 11, 2021
Colony, by Philip K. Dick
Psychologically intense paranoia, as expected by PKD. How can you tell if your predator us nearby when they imitate the technology and tools that are your own equipment? Fittingly chilling conclusion. 4 stars
.
Psychologically intense paranoia, as expected by PKD. How can you tell if your predator us nearby when they imitate the technology and tools that are your own equipment? Fittingly chilling conclusion. 4 stars
.
December 29, 2023
colonia
vaya, el cuento con el mejor final, que sorprendente, a pesar de que los finales de dick suelen ser predecibles o no muy buenos, nose como no vi venir este final, era tan obvio que me sorprendió cuando lo leí.
vaya, el cuento con el mejor final, que sorprendente, a pesar de que los finales de dick suelen ser predecibles o no muy buenos, nose como no vi venir este final, era tan obvio que me sorprendió cuando lo leí.
May 20, 2019
He he classic
June 8, 2020
I love the twist at the end and the fact that the reason it happened is because neither of the main character's trusted each others judgments.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2021
This one was an interesting read, 100% the inspiration behind the 2017 video game Prey.
April 3, 2021
Absolute paranoia representation. Just perfect for me. This is one of the things that makes PKD so legendary for me.
October 13, 2021
4.3 stars
October 26, 2022
Kind of reminds one of the dingdongs in adventures in odessey's parody star trek, as well 🐻 as the parasites from Rick and morty
May 6, 2023
The apex predator on this planet is basically a mimic from D&D.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2025
"At exactly 15:00 Captain Daniel Davis landed his ship in the center of the field. <...> They waited and waited. But no one came."
June 22, 2025
It was great. Especially the ending caught me off guard. A bit silly in the middle but I think it was worth it.
January 26, 2026
Someone gets killed by a mimic... eh golf cart... It's funny enough but not the best listen.
April 10, 2025
«Колония» — крепкий научно-фантастический рассказ с чётким, хорошо выстроенным сюжетом. История развивается последовательно, без лишних отклонений, и при этом держит читателя в постоянном напряжении.
Сюжет рассказа будто создан для экранизации — он зрелищный и интригующий. Всё, что происходит, вызывает ощущение нарастающей угрозы, а развязка остаётся непредсказуемой вплоть до последних строк. Именно это делает рассказ особенно увлекательным: ты не знаешь, чему можно доверять, и постоянно ждёшь подвоха. Такой рассказ вполне мог бы лечь в основу напряжённого научно-фантастического триллера.
Сюжет рассказа будто создан для экранизации — он зрелищный и интригующий. Всё, что происходит, вызывает ощущение нарастающей угрозы, а развязка остаётся непредсказуемой вплоть до последних строк. Именно это делает рассказ особенно увлекательным: ты не знаешь, чему можно доверять, и постоянно ждёшь подвоха. Такой рассказ вполне мог бы лечь в основу напряжённого научно-фантастического триллера.
April 30, 2017
This is one of my favorite short stories. I had to read it for a Science Fiction Writing class and I must say that I am impressed. It started a little slow for me but quickly picked up. It is very short and well worth the read. The ending is by far one of my favorite and most unexpected endings. The plot is so different than anything else I've read. The aliens are amorphous but can shape shift at will?! That is an amazing concept considering this was written sometime in the 50's. Incredible imagery and decent writing style by the author. I'm looking forward to reading Philip Dicks other works.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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