Foundation (Foundation, #1)

by Isaac Asimov

The fall of Empire, gentlemen, is a massive thing, however, and not easily fought. It is dictated by a rising bureaucracy, a receding initiative, a freezing of caste, a damming of curiosity – a hundred other factors. It has been going on, as I have said, for centuries, and it is too majestic and massive a movement to stop.

Hardin, as he sat at the foot of the table, speculated idly as to just what it was that made physical scientists such poor administrators. It might be merely that they were too used to inflexible fact and far too unused to pliable people.

A great psychologist such as Seldon could unravel human emotions and human reactions sufficiently to be able to predict broadly the historical sweep of the future.

This is exactly what is attempted in the book by Morgg

I wigh them against each othah – balance the disagweements – analyse the conflicting statements – decide which is pwobably cowwect – and come to a conclusion. That is the scientific method. At least’ – patronizingly – ‘as I see it. How insuffewably cwude it would be to go to Ahctuwus, oah to Sol, foah instance, and blundah about, when the old mastahs have covahed the gwounds so much moah effectively than we could possibly hope to do.’

Clearly pointing toward the stagnation of science alonvg with the state.

Throughout you have invariably relied on authority or on the past – never on yourselves.’ His fists balled spasmodically. ‘It amounts to a diseased attitude – a conditional reflex that shunts aside the independence of your minds whenever it is a question of opposing authority. There seems no doubt ever in your minds that the Emperor is more powerful than you are, or Hari Seldon wiser. And that’s wrong, don’t you see?’

The true definition of stagnation - loss of personal responsibility.

Throughout you have invariably relied on authority or on the past – never on yourselves.’ His fists balled spasmodically. ‘It amounts to a diseased attitude – a conditional reflex that shunts aside the independence of your minds whenever it is a question of opposing authority. There seems no doubt ever in your minds that the Emperor is more powerful than you are, or Hari Seldon wiser. And that’s wrong, don’t you see?’

The true definition of stagnation, lack of personal responsibility and not thinking for yourself. Not turning on your personal thinking equipment to figure out how it might be done.

“To succeed, planning alone is insufficient. One must improvise as well.”

Science fiction books are alwayhs filled with such useful epigrams!