Foundation!

"macanamera" (macanamera) 12/02/2014 at 21:45 • Filed to: None

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I'm sure a lot of you know that Isaac Asimov was quite the genius, but I'm re-reading the Foundation series, and it's just stunning.

If you haven't read these books, read them. Seriously. Specifically, the three original core books.

PS9 > macanamera 12/02/2014 at 21:51

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Heard Paramount has tapped Michael Bay to handle directing duties.

macanamera > PS9 12/02/2014 at 21:53

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If so, that is a tragedy of galactic proportions. How did Asimov not see it coming?

wafflesnfalafel > macanamera 12/02/2014 at 21:59

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So how do we apply the three laws to google autonomous cars? It's interesting how we catch up in some areas quicker than others.

macanamera > wafflesnfalafel 12/02/2014 at 22:01

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Well that's I, Robot. I've read it, but I consider foundation to be a work of greater scope, by far.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > macanamera 12/02/2014 at 22:24

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Truly an awesome series. I still think from time to time about "Seldon Crises."

Also loved the Robot novels, and the Empire novels (though not quite as much.)

It's like Asimov had hypergraphia .

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > macanamera 12/02/2014 at 22:24

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A Seldon crisis if ever there was one! Bay could be worse than the Mule.

PS9 > macanamera 12/02/2014 at 22:25

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Oh I was just pulling everyone's leg there. The real scoop is that these are going to be notoriously hard to script out and film, so no one's stepped up to the plate. I think that's good. Not every book needs it's own movie.

spanfucker retire bitch > macanamera 12/03/2014 at 06:55

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Speaking of Isaac Asimov; Silly Asses is one of my favorite short stories.

Naron of the long-lived Rigellian race was the fourth of his line to keep the galactic records.

He had a large book which contained the list of the numerous races throughout the galaxies that had developed intelligence, and the much smaller book that listed those races that had reached maturity and had qualified for the Galactic Federation. In the first book, a number of those listed were crossed out; those that, for one reason or another, had failed. Misfortune, biochemical or biophysical shortcomings, social maladjustment took their toll. In the smaller book, however, no member listed had yet blanked out.

And now Naron, large and incredibly ancient, looked up as a messenger approached.

"Naron," said the messenger. "Great One!"

"Well, well, what is it? Less ceremony."

"Another group of organisms has attained maturity."

"Excellent. Excellent. They are coming up quickly now. Scarcely a year passes without a new one. And who are these?"

The messenger gave the code number of the galaxy and the coordinates of the world within it.

"Ah, yes," said Naron. "I know the world." And in flowing script he noted it in the first book and transferred its name into the second, using, as was customary, the name by which the planet was known to the largest fraction of its populace. He wrote: Earth.

He said, "These new creatures have set a record. No other group has passed from intelligence to maturity so quickly. No mistake, I hope."

"None, sir," said the messenger.

"They have attained to thermonuclear power, have they?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, thats the criterion." Naron chuckled. "And soon their ships will probe out and contact the Federation."

"Actually, Great One," said the messenger, reluctantly, "the Observers tell us they have not yet penetrated space."

Naron was astonished. "Not at all? Not even a space station?"

"Not yet, sir."

"But if they have thermonuclear power, where do they conduct the tests and detonations?"

"On their own planet, sir."

Naron rose to his full twenty feet of height and thundered, "On their own planet?"

"Yes, sir."

Slowly Naron drew out his stylus and passed a line through the latest addition in the small book. It was an unprecedented act, but, then, Naron was very wise and could see the inevitable as well as anyone in the galaxy.

"Silly asses," he muttered.