The Last Answer
thrivenotes.com
The Last Answer
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Re: The Last Answer
#2This genre is my favorite. For anyone who wants to read more similar to it:
Three Worlds Collide (Metaethics, moral relativism, etc)
http://robinhanson.typepad.com/files/three-worlds-collide.pd...
The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect (Thinking machines, brains-in-vats experience machine, a world without death) This one is my favorite of the three
http://localroger.com/prime-intellect/mopiall.html
The Last Question (Thinking machines, the end state of a universe full of technologically powerful beings)
http://filer.case.edu/dts8/thelastq.htm
Not as relevant as the previous three, but still brain tickling (and not as long):
Relevant scene from Star Trek: The Next Generation (Episode: The Measure of a Man) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PMlDidyG_I
Let's Help Germinate This Seed http://www.thrivenotes.com/lets-help-germinate-this-seed/
Re: The Last Answer
#3Really, Mr. Asimov? If our mortality did not exist, it would be necessary to invent it? And is existing throughout time such a grand and limitless condition? Georg Cantor proved that there are always much greater infinities that we could not begin to approach, even if we would never die. So I am not convinced that it's a compelling puzzle to find our own limitations, even if we were unlimited in the dimension of time. That's still only one dimension.
Anyway, the story appears to be reproduced without permission in violation of copyright.
Re: The Last Answer
#4Really, Mr. Asimov? If our mortality did not exist, it would be necessary to invent it? And is existing throughout time such a grand and limitless condition? Georg Cantor proved that there are always much greater infinities that we could not begin to approach, even if we would never die. So I am not convinced that it's a compelling puzzle to find our own limitations, even if we were unlimited in the dimension of time…
I think that you are taking this a bit too seriously.
I believe it's better read merely as food for thought, not as a philosophical treatise.
Re: The Last Answer
#5Really, Mr. Asimov? If our mortality did not exist, it would be necessary to invent it? And is existing throughout time such a grand and limitless condition? Georg Cantor proved that there are always much greater infinities that we could not begin to approach, even if we would never die. So I am not convinced that it's a compelling puzzle to find our own limitations, even if we were unlimited in the dimension of time…
Yes, Mr. Asimov browses HN...
Re: The Last Answer
#6Really, Mr. Asimov? If our mortality did not exist, it would be necessary to invent it? And is existing throughout time such a grand and limitless condition? Georg Cantor proved that there are always much greater infinities that we could not begin to approach, even if we would never die. So I am not convinced that it's a compelling puzzle to find our own limitations, even if we were unlimited in the dimension of time…
Yes, Mr. Asimov browses HN...
Right, it's only a crime if you get caught perpetrating it.
Re: The Last Answer
#7Really, Mr. Asimov? If our mortality did not exist, it would be necessary to invent it? And is existing throughout time such a grand and limitless condition? Georg Cantor proved that there are always much greater infinities that we could not begin to approach, even if we would never die. So I am not convinced that it's a compelling puzzle to find our own limitations, even if we were unlimited in the dimension of time…
I think that you are taking this a bit too seriously. I believe it's better read merely as food for thought, not as a philosophical treatise.
At code review one hacker guy
Was asked to relax, or to try.
"I'm not naming names,
But all's fun and games
Until someone loses an i!"
Re: The Last Answer
#8Heh. All variables cannot be factored in until all variables have ended.
Re: The Last Answer
#9A very short but superb story in a similar vein: The Egg by Andy Weir
Re: The Last Answer
#10God says...
4:14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
4:15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? 4:17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.
4:18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, 4:20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
----
I wuv God.
God says... burnest Donations acquired solemnities trembled Oil abstemious leaveth sailors woman's remove that ceased haply consecrateth confirm honourable applauses WooHoo hence tamedst lettest shook prose abundant devised forsakest hooks seeks evil deformities finds Truth performing scanning compassion rushing distributing hay denieth unsung_hero unsuitably fallen ordinarily novelty Isaiah gladdens parents tattle_tale NOTICE faculties rejoicest allegorically handyman sunk School detail something silence skin are_you_feeling_lucky erred when unarranged learner Name bulk leaning flower peculiar abideth relapseth increase wishful_thinking talkers Latins deaf seasoned Indiana disordered show Shhh Bishop wrested unhappily baseness counted fruit-bowers endeavour Covetousness boldly