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Isaac Asimov: The Last Question (1956)

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Re: Isaac Asimov: The Last Question (1956)

#281

Post by FriarTech »

I had read this in my youth, and carried its memory for many years. Sharing my knowledge of the story with no one, for no one I knew was a big Asimov fan.

Later, while attending college, I decided to take an astronomy course as a general education class. I discovered my teacher was a big Asimov fan. He had remembered a story that he had read and shared its theme with us but had forgotten its name. I raised my hand in class and said, “Eyes do more than see.”

And for a brief moment - two Asimov fans nodded at each other.

Back then - I wasn’t a remarkable student. I was lost in many thoughts.

But I do remember this:

On the final exam for this class - for extra credit - he asked “What is answer to the Last Question?”

I smiled - then wrote my answer. The only answer. And I knew I got at least one question correct on that exam.

Re: Isaac Asimov: The Last Question (1956)

#282

Post by CamperBob2 »

Another Asimov classic that deserves a revisit these days, if not an actual reboot: https://www.mathfiction.net/files/Mathfiction-AsimovIssac-So... (1.8 MB .PDF)

    Yet through it all the little computer learned 
    that in the world there existed a great many
    computers of all sorts, great numbers of them. 
    Some were Bards like himself...

Re: Isaac Asimov: The Last Question (1956)

#283

Post by rcoveson »

BeetleB wrote: post #225
fwipsy wrote: post #202

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You revealed the central conceit of the game. In my opinion, discovering that is an important part of the experience of playing the game, even if it's very early, and even though I did find it initially frustrating. The Steam page doesn't reveal that, and they have an incentive to make the Steam page fairly revealing in order to sell you on the game.

I'm literally one of those people who almost gave up on the game because I didn't understand that dying is normal. The fact that the game would start all over each time made me think I hadn't progressed enough to save the game. And because the first time round, the timer doesn't really begin until you leave space, I thought I would have to do all the training (jetpack, etc) each time. I remember being very frustrated…

A revelation of a mysterious element of the game which is not revealed in any of its marketing material is a spoiler. The fact that you believe it's a "decent compromise" doesn't enter into it. The proper disclaimer for your comment would be: "Spoilers, but I think these things should be spoiled."

I played the game years ago and did not have this element spoiled, and I thought it was presented at exactly the right time and in the right way. I'd go so far as to say that if somebody is so frustrated by that early mystery (which you're all but guaranteed to understand better and better as you play) that they quit there, then the rest of the game will just be an exercise in misery. It's a puzzle game. The developers put settings in place to cut the flight mechanics out of it so people could just experience it as a puzzle box instead of a flight simulator as well. What they did NOT put in the game is a hint about the thing you're spoiling.

Re: Isaac Asimov: The Last Question (1956)

#284

Post by patcon »

BeetleB wrote: post #225
fwipsy wrote: post #202

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You revealed the central conceit of the game. In my opinion, discovering that is an important part of the experience of playing the game, even if it's very early, and even though I did find it initially frustrating. The Steam page doesn't reveal that, and they have an incentive to make the Steam page fairly revealing in order to sell you on the game.

I'm literally one of those people who almost gave up on the game because I didn't understand that dying is normal. The fact that the game would start all over each time made me think I hadn't progressed enough to save the game. And because the first time round, the timer doesn't really begin until you leave space, I thought I would have to do all the training (jetpack, etc) each time. I remember being very frustrated…

You perhaps have a unique neurotype that wouldn't experience the intended positive revelation from the reveal. You are still ruining something for many more others than you are helping.

Please consider accepting what your critics are telling you, and remove the spoiler.

Re: Isaac Asimov: The Last Question (1956)

#286

Post by CGMthrowaway »

croisillon wrote: post #221
thiagoeh wrote: post #201

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That also is my perception, from Brazil. There is even the concept of "cordial man", coined by sociologist Sergio Buarque d Holanda, that is connected to this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordial_man

i remember >20 years ago going to the bus station somewhere between RJ and SP, and asking the best way to get to Iguaçu - it's difficult - ok fine but how - it's difficult - right i'll see that but how - it's difficult then it dawned on me this meant get away you fool :D

"You can't get there from here"

Re: Isaac Asimov: The Last Question (1956)

#287

Post by Lewton »

breuleux wrote: post #63

> How may entropy be reversed? Considering AC could persist indefinitely in hyperspace while interacting with normal matter, the answer would appear to be "hyperspace", whatever that is.

Thank you!

It really irked me when I read it the first time and it drives me nuts that no one else seems to catch this, you’re the first one in some 100 HN threads to point it out

Re: Isaac Asimov: The Last Question (1956)

#288

Post by globular-toast »

phkahler wrote: post #34
bitshiftfaced wrote: post #8

For a while I thought I really liked sci fi novels and short stories, and maybe that's somewhat true. But I've started wondering if maybe I just liked Asimov's writing in particular. Other writers in the genre are more hit or miss. Can anyone recommend other writers that are on his level?

>> But I've started wondering if maybe I just liked Asimov's writing in particular. A less commonly mentioned Asimov book that I really enjoyed and will read again is "The End of Eternity". If you've not read it, the ending is IMHO amazing and unique. Last Question reminds me of it because of the style.

Also worth reading, although a very different style is The Gods Themselves. Although, to be honest, I'm not sure there's a single Asimov book I haven't enjoyed and I've read almost all of them.

Re: Isaac Asimov: The Last Question (1956)

#289

Post by chii »

triceratops wrote: post #81

"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 I succeeded. I also undertook another task, but I won't tell you what that was lest l spoil the story for you. It is a curious fact that innumerable readers have asked me if I wrote this story. They seem never to rememb…

You know the idea is powerful when the idea is what gets remembered and not the author of the idea. It's why this is also my absolute fav of all his works.

Re: Isaac Asimov: The Last Question (1956)

#290

Post by globular-toast »

bitshiftfaced wrote: post #8

For a while I thought I really liked sci fi novels and short stories, and maybe that's somewhat true. But I've started wondering if maybe I just liked Asimov's writing in particular. Other writers in the genre are more hit or miss. Can anyone recommend other writers that are on his level?

Depends what you consider on his level really. Some find the writing too dry, but maybe you like that? Have you read Dune? What about The Forever War? They are different styles but definitely enjoyed by someone who also likes Asimov.

I didn't get on with Neuromancer or Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? at all, though. Suspect you wouldn't either.

I also find stuff like Andy Weir way too literal, like you're basically reading a film script. Asimov leaves a lot more room for imagination.

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