"The Last Question" begins on May 21st, 2061, when humanity asks its final question for the very first time. Humankind is enjoying a period of mass technological advancement and enlightenment. Multivac, a massive supercomputer, has just found a way to power the Earth via solar emissions.
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 ...
Overall, “The Last Question” is a gem of a story, and one that epitomizes the idea story in science fiction. Asimov quickly sketches in a series of characters at every temporal stage of the story, and even though they lack depth of characterization, they capture various stages of humanity that have been imagined before in science fiction.
The Last Question’s Repetition: Throughout different eras, characters repeatedly query Multivac about reversing entropy. Final Revelation: At the story’s end, in a far future, the last iteration of Multivac contemplates existence after humans have faded away. Entropy’s Victory: The story concludes that entropy cannot be reversed, reflecting nature’s eternal order.
"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 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.
Short Story by Conrad Aiken. A psychological horror fantasy in which a young boy’s growing fascination with snow and imagined snowfalls cause him to lose touch with reality. In the disturbing climax, the boy’s “snow voices” come alive and he completely withdraws into himself as they tell him a story.
The Last Question (or Final Question) nearly defines a new genre of sci-fi “The Last Question” Written By Author Issac Asimov in 1956. Born Isaak Yudovich Ozimov in 1920 Russia, and perhaps best known for his works in science fiction— despite being a professor of biochemistry—Isaac Asimov is regarded as one of the greatest authors of the 20th century.
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 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 last question was asked for the first time, half in jest, on May 21, 2061” Like a children’s picture book, this has six iterations of a scenario, repeated with small changes each time. Even the progression of the characters’ names tells a story: of humanity’s - and computers’ - development on earth and far beyond, over billions ...
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: Alexander Adell and Bertram Lupov were two of the faithful attendants of Multivac.
The story spans from the near future to the end of the universe. As the universe approaches its death, Multivac passes the question on to its successor, AC or All-Creator, a computer built to operate in hyperspace, beyond time and space. AC eventually finds an answer to the question, and the story ends with his final words:
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 universe can avoid their bleak ends.
The Last Question is a 1956 short story by Isaac Asimov, part of the Multivac series. The short story has hints that it could also be a part of the Foundation universe. A question is posed to several computers on several ages. The question is about how to stop entropy. There are more and more advanced computers until there is a universal computer. The universe is coming to an end due to ...
Although several named humans appear in the story, “The Last Question” primarily focuses on the development of a single character: AC, the cosmic computer. Initially, AC is a machine designed to answer complex questions but remains limited by its programming. However, as time passes and the universe approaches its end, AC changes ...
The Last Question. By: Isaac Asimov - Read: December 18, 2022 - Rating: 9/10. Isaac Asimov said this was his favorite of his own writing, which made me curious to read it. ... In this story, we see predictions for the future of humanity very in line with how SF techno-optimists think - humans develop AI systems far more intelligent than ...
Asimov often used his stories to explore complex scientific concepts, making them accessible to a broader audience. In “The Last Question,” this is evident in the central theme of entropy and the relentless pursuit of knowledge—a reflection of Asimov’s fascination with the laws of thermodynamics and the ultimate fate of the universe ...