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20th out of 82 books
—
188 voters
The Last Question
The last question was asked for the first time, half in jest, on May 21, 2061, at a time when humanity first stepped into the light. The question came about as a result of a five dollar bet over highballs, and it happened this way ...
Audio CD, 26 pages
Published
November 2007
by Ziggurat Productions
(first published January 1st 1956)
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A review of this tale will not make sense for three reasons:
1) The unfolding of a certain twist in this short story is done with the last few words of this ~4000 word long story.
2) A review of any form will sweeten the pill - the crux of what Asimov is trying to get at.
3) Two is a reason in the first place because, it's simply impossible to describe this tale without giving away spoilers.
So read this after you read 'The Last Question'.
That said, I can give you this: This tale leaves room for...more
1) The unfolding of a certain twist in this short story is done with the last few words of this ~4000 word long story.
2) A review of any form will sweeten the pill - the crux of what Asimov is trying to get at.
3) Two is a reason in the first place because, it's simply impossible to describe this tale without giving away spoilers.
So read this after you read 'The Last Question'.
That said, I can give you this: This tale leaves room for...more
2 likes · like · see review
view 2 comments
http://filer.case.edu/dts8/thelastq.htm
great read.
great read.
I am always impressed with the scope of Asimov's works. This is a short read with a big punch. These are the kinds of things physicists think about :)
link to the story
(view spoiler)...more
link to the story
(view spoiler)...more
"The Last Question" is now, after coming across it at random and spending no more than 30 minutes reading it, one of my favorite short stories.
It begins with the asking of a simple question: "How can we reverse entropy?" In other words, how can existence go on forever, or rather, how can things never end? This question is asked over and over again throughout the eons by various incarnations of mankind to some new form of the AC--a massive computer that compiles and computes data to form solution...more
It begins with the asking of a simple question: "How can we reverse entropy?" In other words, how can existence go on forever, or rather, how can things never end? This question is asked over and over again throughout the eons by various incarnations of mankind to some new form of the AC--a massive computer that compiles and computes data to form solution...more
Probably the single most brilliant piece of short fiction I have had the pleasure of reading. And the most influential story in my post existentialist/depression life.
I stumbled upon this story around five years ago. It was part of a compilation of short stories in the book we used for our literature 1 in school. I still remember the first time I read it.
The shock, the reaction, the sadfaksdnasd when I had finished reading it is still fresh in my mind.
Actually I remembered the story but not the...more
I stumbled upon this story around five years ago. It was part of a compilation of short stories in the book we used for our literature 1 in school. I still remember the first time I read it.
The shock, the reaction, the sadfaksdnasd when I had finished reading it is still fresh in my mind.
Actually I remembered the story but not the...more
Get ready to experience the biggest goosebumps of your life. Wildly blasphemous in content, The Last Question rattles up the your brain antennae. Question your existence, creations, and universe. This is philosophical sci-fi at its best.
The story shows the evolution of mankind over ten trillion years. From trapping solar energy, energy of other stars, hyper-stellar travel, intergalactic emigration, upto fusing all minds to one computer called AC [Automatic Computer].
The story shows the evolution of mankind over ten trillion years. From trapping solar energy, energy of other stars, hyper-stellar travel, intergalactic emigration, upto fusing all minds to one computer called AC [Automatic Computer].
...more
The last question was asked
What's the point in giving you a summery for a 4,000-word short story? So here's what I'll do instead: I'll give you a lesson in physics. Sound good? Cool. Ever hear of the second law of thermodynamics? Yes? But you have no clue what it means? Okay, well we can work with that. Here's what Wikipedia has on the subject:
The second law of thermodynamics states that the entropy of an isolated system never decreases, because isolated systems spontaneously evolve towards thermodynamic equilibrium—the...more
The second law of thermodynamics states that the entropy of an isolated system never decreases, because isolated systems spontaneously evolve towards thermodynamic equilibrium—the...more
It's supposed to be a classic, apparently I just had the time to read it. It's a light read, and only takes you about 15-20 minutes to finish.
Isaac Asimov wrote this in a very simple and linear manner, yet posing a simple question every now and then. Following the plot, a lot of thoughts can be brought forth, either philosophical, scientific or religious ones, as the story unfolds itself. For example,
Is the energy in universe endless?
Can humankind sustain forever?
Where are we going once we ca...more
Isaac Asimov wrote this in a very simple and linear manner, yet posing a simple question every now and then. Following the plot, a lot of thoughts can be brought forth, either philosophical, scientific or religious ones, as the story unfolds itself. For example,
Is the energy in universe endless?
Can humankind sustain forever?
Where are we going once we ca...more
Many short stories I read are just too short - not so much in length but in the concept, the idea, the story itself. This story is about 4,000 words, so about average in terms of actual length but in terms of the idea it is a story on a truly grand scale, awe inspiring and incredible. It manages to keep you entertaining and intrigued over billions of years, it manages to gently explain one of the biggest fundamental scientific truths, and it offers an answer to one of the biggest questions of th...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Leí este cuento por varias recomendaciones de distintas personas, todas argumentando que era el mejor cuento de ciencia ficción jamás escrito. No les di mucha importancia y deje que pasara casi un año antes de siquiera dignarme a leerlo. Eran casi las dos de la mañana pero me dije que podía quedarme despierta para leer un poco más. Cuando lo terminé, lo único que pude decir fue "wow", y volví a leerlo desde el principio.
Ahora mi vida no tiene sentido: nunca podré leer un libro mejor o más maravi...more
Ahora mi vida no tiene sentido: nunca podré leer un libro mejor o más maravi...more
El concepto de la historia es impresionante, la forma en que Isaac nos crea esta mitología, en donde el hombre crea una máquina capaz de recabar miles de datos y encontrar soluciones a todo, sin embargo, no puede contestar a la pregunta, ¿qué se puede hacer para evitar el fin del universo? Pasan los milenios y la maquina sigue incapaz de encontrar la respuesta. Esta maquina omnisciente y omnipresente al final (spoiler) se fusiona con la humanidad ya habiendo pasado millones de años convirtiéndos...more
Oddly fascinating and comprehensible, even with the onslaught of scientific terms and concepts. For such an expansive subject, The Last Question delivers what it has promised to deliver in terms of time, humanity and theory and yet manages to create timeless questions that beg answering. This is a story that is ridiculously beautiful for being so short and so open ended. Please read it if you have 10 - 20 minutes. Not only is it worth it to read the story as a whole, but the ending alone validat...more
I found this story online at http://www.multivax.com/last_question...
It's a quick and intriguing read, separated into 7 distinct scenes, all at different time periods. Short and snappy, it's more of an intellectual read than a good story.
It begins on Earth, with two (tipsy) men asking a central intelligence computer one question: when all known sources of energy run out, is there a way to stop or reverse the situation? This question gets asked again and again throughout time.
It's interesting to...more
It's a quick and intriguing read, separated into 7 distinct scenes, all at different time periods. Short and snappy, it's more of an intellectual read than a good story.
It begins on Earth, with two (tipsy) men asking a central intelligence computer one question: when all known sources of energy run out, is there a way to stop or reverse the situation? This question gets asked again and again throughout time.
It's interesting to...more
2 likes · like · see review
I love this short story by Isaac Asimov. I dare say it’s my favorite short story. He takes us on a journey to answer the most significant question posed by Man and this journey spans trillions of years. What’s interesting is the protagonist isn’t human and the antagonist is Space and Time. The question posed is awesome because it is relevant to science today and the answer is mind blowing. My only wish is that Asimov would have speculated on what factors where used to answer the question. Where...more
Going through a short story phase today, and I had to reread this one. No short story has ever stayed in my mind for as long as this one, and it is as perfect as any reader could want. I mention it to my friends all the time but all of them have yet to spend the 15 minutes required to read it. I sigh unhappily while this story makes me feel bigger than myself, more than the sum of my parts, all humanity together becoming more. This is why science fiction makes the world a better place. It's all...more
3 likes · like · see review
The progression through the different eras of mankind and its co-evolution with the all-knowing powerful computer was very interesting. It was interesting to see how humans subtly lost their individual identities as the computer evolved to greater and greater heights. The consequences of the Final Question and the circular nature of the "answer" was very thought-provoking. I don't want to spoil the ending by talking about the implications, but I thought the concept was very cleverly incorporated...more
One of my absolute favorite short stories, The Last Question walks a tight-rope between whimsy and revelation as though calmly sauntering on an isolated garden path. Occasionally Asimov could be taken by fits of turgid genius (as with the early Foundation books), and occasionally by bizarre flights of fancy (as with the latter Foundation books) but here in the last question he marries the two with great success. The wrap-up to this story is among my most favorite and to this day I will occasiona...more
Amazing story that can be read in 20 minutes.
I won't even bother with a description because part of the fun is how Asimov unfolds the story.
I will say this though: Asimov really has a great economy with words. The story is only a couple thousand words but he packs some pretty weighty ideas in that. And that's the other great thing about the work. Its one of those things that you keep going over in your mind. And the more you think about it the more the story reveals to you.
I won't even bother with a description because part of the fun is how Asimov unfolds the story.
I will say this though: Asimov really has a great economy with words. The story is only a couple thousand words but he packs some pretty weighty ideas in that. And that's the other great thing about the work. Its one of those things that you keep going over in your mind. And the more you think about it the more the story reveals to you.
A fascinating short story (available online for free). I felt a little underwhelmed by the ending, but that didn't really detract from my appreciation for it as a whole. The whole thing is just thoughtful, well-crafted, enjoyable, and unusual in perspective.
I've long said that the best science fiction is just philosophy in fiction form. Asimov's Last Question absolutely passes that test.
I've long said that the best science fiction is just philosophy in fiction form. Asimov's Last Question absolutely passes that test.
Aug 06, 2011
Angela Alcorn
marked it as to-read
According to this Reddit thread, this book is some seriously thought-provoking fiction.
Available to read free online here.
Available to read free online here.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
One of the finest short stories i have ever come across. The ending definitely will leave you spellbound. Though at the veneer of it the work looks like one of pure scientific curiosity, but it also addresses the perennial philosophical topics like 'immortality' , 'human-god creation circularity'. To put it in short, the best way you can spend your 20 minutes in life.
This is really the best short story ever written. Nothing compares. Someone could classify this as either science fiction or religious fiction, and both are equally valid, but neither of those definers are apt considering this story transcends both of them. The ending hits you like nothing else. I don't see what more a person could want.
Steinhardt and Turok's book
Endless Universe
spends a surprising amount of time discussing this classic SF short story. I think that tells us something both about Isaac Asimov and about the state of modern early-universe cosmology.
A short story at its best should be able to be deeply thought-provoking and invite to talk, analysis and interpretation significantly longer than the brief space of the story. The Last Question manages to do so.
What's even more appealing to me is the big final twist. There's just nothing better, and this one truly, genuinely delivers.
What's even more appealing to me is the big final twist. There's just nothing better, and this one truly, genuinely delivers.
This one is really more of a 4.75. For the first few paragraphs, it does not hold up well with the state of today's technology. The ending, however, makes it all worthwhile. It's a quick short read, and I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to read it: http://filer.case.edu/dts8/thelastq.htm
Any review will not do justice with the shear epicness of this ~4000 words saga,
My advice to you read this short-story as soon as possible, it won't take more than 20 minutes but believe me it will stay with you for the rest of the life, and may help you over the course of it.
My advice to you read this short-story as soon as possible, it won't take more than 20 minutes but believe me it will stay with you for the rest of the life, and may help you over the course of it.
I was sent the link to this brilliant short story and told to read it. So I did.. Reluctantly at first since it's late where I am and I'm watching the news, but I found myself tuning out the sounds and fully engrossed in this brilliant read. My response to the sender: Wow.. Just.. Wow!
http://filer.case.edu/dts8/thelastq.htm
I'm not sure what to make of it. Technological singularity, yes, but can a computer live past the third dimension? Putting that aside, I suppose it is a wonderful read, short, but still capturing the joys and wonders of what science could do.
I'm not sure what to make of it. Technological singularity, yes, but can a computer live past the third dimension? Putting that aside, I suppose it is a wonderful read, short, but still capturing the joys and wonders of what science could do.
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Isaac Asimov was a Russian-born, American author, a professor of biochemistry, and a highly successful writer, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books.
Professor Asimov is generally considered the most prolific writer of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000 letters and postcards. He has works published in nine of the te...more
More about Isaac Asimov...
Professor Asimov is generally considered the most prolific writer of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000 letters and postcards. He has works published in nine of the te...more
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