Prelude to Foundation (Foundation, #6)

by Isaac Asimov

“Can’t you even suppose that I learn the lessons that have been given me by my unfortunate predecessors?” Seldon took a deep breath and plunged in. “No, Sire. All history shows that we do not learn from the lessons of the past. For instance, you have allowed me here in a private audience. What if it were in my mind to assassinate you? —Which it isn’t, Sire,” he added hastily.

“There’s so much knowledge to be had that specialists cling to their specialties as a shield against having to know anything about anything else. They avoid being drowned.”

I can give you an example of a subject much less complex than human history that people have been working for I don’t know how long without making much progress. I know because a group is working on it right here at the University and one of my good friends is involved. Talk about frustration! You don’t know what frustration is!” “What’s the subject?” Seldon felt a small curiosity stirring within him. “Meteorology.”

Seldon smiled weakly. “A great many things are possible.” And to himself he added: But not practical.

“I suspect that those elements of a population that have a smaller stake in the material natural world are more apt to find solace in what you call supernaturalism—the poor, the disinherited, the downtrodden.

When they expect you to find out for yourself, the simplest things can escape you for a while.”

The robot you see near the center was, according to tradition, named Bendar and served twenty-two years, according to the ancient records, before being replaced.”