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This is 99% Invisible. I'm Roman Morris.

In the world of Philip K. Dick, humans are often at the mercy of objects, like taxis, coffee makers, and doors.

Here's a scene from his book, Yubik.

The door refused to open. It said, 5 cents please.

Joe Chip searched his pockets. No more coins, nothing.

He told the door, again he tried the knob, again it remained locked tight. From the drawer besides the sink, Joe got a stainless steel knife.

With it he began systematically to unscrew the bolt assembly of his money gulping door.

I'll sue you, the door said, as the first screw fell out.

That's Benjamin Walker. He told me he's always subscribed to Dick's dystopian vision of man versus object.

But then he met up with Paula Antonelli.

Philip K. Dick's view of the future of objects was definitely dystopian. He needed it for drama reasons.

But in truth, we've had a report with objects throughout the centuries.

There's always been affection, emotion, air loom ring, or the bridge where you had your first kiss.

There's always been an attachment. There's a whole universe in every single object that becomes even bigger when put in relationship with a person.

Paula Antonelli is a senior curator in the department of architecture and design at the Museum of Modern Art.

Her most recent blockbuster show, Talk to Me, examined the future and the history of communication design.

Furniture design or car design is just one fragment of the design world.

And for many years there's been something called communication design, which maybe before used to be called graphic design, which is the design of messages, be it advertising or be it, you know,

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