'The Last Question' by Isaac Asimov is a short story that explores the relationship between humanity and a supercomputer named AC. The story spans across time and space, following the evolution of mankind as they venture into other planets and galaxies. It delves into deep philosophical questions about the meaning of life, the universe, and the progression of humanity towards a singular consciousness. Asimov's writing style is described as dense, packed with ideas, and thrilling, making readers ponder on big questions related to philosophy, technology, space travel, and religion.

Characters:

The characters represent human traits of skepticism and curiosity, serving as vessels for exploring the relationship between humanity and technology.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is a mix of playful and serious tones, effectively engaging readers while conveying deep philosophical themes.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on humans repeatedly asking a monumental question to a supercomputer throughout vast time periods, highlighting themes of evolution, entropy, and existential pondering.

Setting:

The setting is expansive, ranging from a near-future Earth to the farthest reaches of the universe, emphasizing the vastness of time and existence.

Pacing:

The pacing is deliberate, allowing thoughtful exploration of the narrative while efficiently traversing extensive time spans.

This is by far my favorite story of all those I have written. After all, I undertook to tell several trillion years of human history in the space of a short story and I leave it to you as to how well ...

Notes:

The Last Question is a short story by Isaac Asimov, originally published in 1956, comprising about 9 pages.

The story explores a single profound question humanity asks an advanced AI over millions of years.

It reflects on themes of entropy, time, and humanity's quest for knowledge and survival.

Asimov claimed that whenever readers contacted him about a story they couldn't remember, it was invariably The Last Question.

The story begins with a humorous bet between two men leading to the posing of the titular question.

Characters evolve throughout the story, from simple humans to a collective consciousness, as they seek answers from a supercomputer.

The narrative spans vast periods of time, contemplating the end of the universe and its implications.

The story ends with a powerful, thought-provoking line: 'Let there be light.'

Asimov has stated that writing this story was a seamless experience; he felt he hardly had to edit the final draft.

Readers often describe the ending as deeply philosophical, leaving a lasting impact on their worldview.

From The Publisher:

Here is a story that goes beyond space and time. Isaac Asimov takes on a journey that explores the ultimate fate of the universe, along with the question, what will become of the human race?

So take a journey into the outer twilight of your mind. Turn off the light, sit back and relax, close your eyes, and enter the infinite universe of your imagination.

Ratings (11)

Incredible (5)
Loved It (3)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (2)

Reader Stats (19):

Read It (12)
Want To Read (5)
Not Interested (2)

1 comment(s)

cannel718

Loved It

3 weeks

dude what did i just read. i've had so many theories about everything in the universe and reality throughout my entire life. the concept of this story is kind of one of them but more expanded on. it's really interesting and insane like

it is entirely possible that this wasn't the first time the universe had ended and restarted. it might've already happened infinite times before, it's just a continuous cycle

thought-provoking and maybe a bit terrifying to think about. i still lovee

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About the Author:

Isaac Asimov (/ˈaɪzᵻk ˈæzᵻmɒv/; born Isaak Yudovich Ozimov; circa January 2, 1920 - April 6, 1992) was an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books.

Asimov was prolific and wrote or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000 letters and postcards. His books have been published in 9 of the 10 major categories of the Dewey Decimal Classification.

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The Last Question

Isaac Asimov