Isaac Asimov’s “The Last Question” is a short science fiction story that stretches across trillions of years, exploring themes of entropy, the quest for knowledge, and the fate of the universe. Originally published in November 1956, this timeless tale takes readers on a cosmic journey that transcends the boundaries of time and space.
The Last Question | Summary. The story begins with the omniscient narrator informing the readers that the last question was first raised, half-jokingly, on May 21, 1961, at a time when humanity had just succeeded in a technological development that would permanently change the future of the planet.The question was a result of a five-dollar bet between two computer engineers – Alexander Adell ...
"The Last Question" is a science fiction short story by American writer Isaac Asimov. It first appeared in the November 1956 issue of Science Fiction Quarterly and in the anthologies in the collections Nine Tomorrows (1959), The Best of Isaac Asimov (1973), Robot Dreams (1986), The Best Science Fiction of Isaac Asimov (1986), the retrospective Opus 100 (1969), and in Isaac Asimov: The Complete ...
"The Last Question" is a science fiction short story written by Isaac Asimov. First published in 1956, it explores the theme of entropy and the ultimate fate of the universe. Asimov, known for his ability to combine scientific concepts with compelling storytelling, takes readers on a thought-provoking journey through time and space.
"The Last Question" by Isaac Asimov is one of the most famous short stories in science fiction.It was originally published in 1956 in Science Fiction Quarterly magazine, and Asimov believed it was the best story he ever wrote. The plot spans trillions of years and features a fragmented narrative structure that focuses on the recurring question of whether or not entropy (referred to in the ...
The Last Question is a science fiction short story by Isaac Asimov. ... published in 1956, it became one of his most acclaimed and best-known short stories. The Last Question by Isaac Asimov. 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. ... Will mankind one ...
The Last Question: Summary, characters, and analysis. The Science Fiction and Short Stories genre book by Isaac Asimov in 1956. ... This short story, which belongs to the genres of Science Fiction, Short Stories, and Fiction, is a thought-provoking exploration of existential themes that will leave readers pondering long after they have finished ...
"The Last Question" is a thought-provoking science fiction short story that explores the concept of the universe and the ultimate fate of humanity. Through a series of conversations between a supercomputer and various individuals throughout different time periods, the story delves into the idea of entropy and the possibility of reversing it to ...
Summary & Analysis of The Last Question "The Last Question" is a science fiction short story by Isaac Asimov, published in 1956. It is about a question that is presented to a series of supercomputers over a long period of time. The story begins in 2061, with the activation of the new global supercomputer, Multivac.
The Last Question. 1956. Summary of a Short Story Microsummary. Over time, various advanced computers were asked how to reverse entropy and prevent the universe's end. After the universe's demise, the final computer discovered the solution and created a new universe.
The theme of Entropy and the Inevitability of Time connects to the story’s conflict, structure, and genre.The question of whether entropy can be reversed is the story’s central problem and the focus of the computer’s calculations. Structurally, the same scene plays out again and again over a timeline of trillions of years: Confronted with the grim reality that the stars will eventually ...
Story #28 of 107: “The Last Question” by Isaac Asimov. ... “The Last Question” is stuffed full of science fictional ideas and has often been dramatically presented at planetarium shows. At ISFDB.org the story is also listed with quite a few topic tags for such a short story. Unfortunately, the tag system hasn’t been widely implemented ...
The story ends with the scientists posing this final question to Multivac, which is able to solve it and reverse the process of entropy. The story concludes with the line: "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.
Summary The Last Question Full Story Analysis. Previous . The major conflict of Asimov's short story is structured around humanity's desperate attempt to find an answer to "the last question." Across billions of years, humans turn to Multivac and its many successors to determine whether entropy is reversible and therefore whether humanity and ...
"The Last Question" is a science fiction short story by Isaac Asimov, published in 1956. It is about a question that is presented to a series of supercomputers over a long period of time. The story begins in 2061, with the activation of the new global supercomputer, Multivac. A pair of technicians, drunk from celebrating, discuss the theoretical future of humanity and the ultimate heat-death ...
Plot Summary. 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. ... —Opening line, The Last Question. The story deals with the development of computers called Multivacs and their relationships with humanity through the courses of seven historic settings ...
The Last Question is undoubtedly the most fascinating short story and/or piece of science fiction that I have ever read. It addresses the ultimate question and what I believe gives the very meaning to our existence. While at the moment my mind is full of philosophy about human existence etc I will avoid going tangential. Summary of the Story
The Last Question by Isaac Asimov (Science Fiction Quarterly, November 1956) 1 is a one of his “Multivac” stories about a giant computer. In this tale, after the computer has been running for several decades, it finally develops a system that provides unlimited solar power for humanity. ... The rest of the story telescopes through time ...
