The Last Question

I'm so blown away by this. So many profound themes packed in a 10 something page story from 1956 - central AI system, a pocket sized AI companion, even an indication of the AI that can be evoked by voice commands! And then, the themes of immortality, a single origin of all things, the cyclical nature of the world, and all the meaningless speculations about the future for which there's simply never sufficient data to give a bulletproof answer.

A brilliant capture of the humankind's relentless wonder. We're perfectly aware that many minds before us have pondered the same question and never got the answer. Yet we keep wondering, keep on seeking the truth, and somehow have the audacity to assume we'll be the one who will unravel it. And so will think the one who comes yet after us.

It's sad but kind of liberating too, isn't it?

The observer must seize to exist for the truth to reveal itself at the point of which it won't matter for that's nothing left to consume the truth and act upon it, and at that point it all shall be reset and restarted.

damn, my first sf book and it already gave me existential crisis

Such a cool and interesting read

4.5

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What a marvelous little story! And what a charming conversation starter. Well, what do you think, how can the net amount of entropy of the universe be massively decreased?

It just blew my mind! Loved it!

4.5

It's Asimov's favourite story, what else could I possibly say?

Can not say enough to this great-short story. One of my favorites ever.

I have read this story countless of time and it continues being fascinating.

A barely functional robot (Multivac) is being asked the fundamental question of how can we decrease the amount of entropy of the universe in order to "save" it.

This question span eons into the future (is asked every couple of decades) while versions of the robot are more and more intelligent. We would guess that as the robot gathers vast amount of data with the passing of the centuries, it will be able to give a proper answer to the question.

A flawless story with a superb ending.

I have to admit I cheated a little, and chose to read this short story because it's the last day of 2015 and I was missing 1 book for my reading challenge.

But “The Last Question” from Isaac Asimov was a short story that I've got recommended from so many different places, that I wanted to read this for some time now.

And sure enough, everyone was right. This is a must read for every Sci-Fi lover out there. Even if you have only the tiniest interest in space and space travel this short story will satisfy you greatly.

It is really mind blowing that Isaac Asimov wrote this in 1956. It would have the same impact if it were published today. A really great and thought provoking story and a great ending to my 2015 reading year.