In my opinion it would be Silco of arcane.

https://leagueoflegends.fandom.com/wiki/Silco

I didn't read the prequel nor the secuel, so maybe the answer is there, but, if the psycohistory says that single men can't change the future, how could Seldon, a single men, change the future events predicted by the psycohistory?

Hello everyone!

I read the foundation cycle, with the exception of foundation and earth. It is my intention now to read Asimov's other two main cycles. but, while for the empire cycle I had no difficulty in finding the three volumes, I have difficulty navigating the robot cycle.

I know that the Elijah Baley series consists of 4 books, which I got; but for the series of stories about positronic robots, I have difficulty finding them all.

What I ask you is: together with the Elijah Bailey cycle, is it enough for me to have "I, robot" (which is easily purchasable), or should I try to find all the other stories too?

Is anyone aware of any *human* recordings of the Mother Earth novella from 1949?

There's a text-to-speech version floating out there on the webs but it's pretty much unlistenable. Other than that though, I've not heard a thing.

If there are no "official" versions, anyone here care to give recording it themselves a shot?

In foundation and earth they visit three spacer worlds, to find a civillisation still existing in Solaria. Is it possible for the same to happen in other spacer worlds. A fan theory that came to my mind: In the end of Foundation and Earth Asimov was hinting at threat from super evolved humans in some yet unknown spacer world ( That would make a bigger twist than Solarians being set up as villains).

I am reading Foundation for the first time, and this quote in the first chapter says:

“At the age of two, he is said to have ... Undoubtedly his greatest contributions were in the field of psycohistory. Seldon found the field little more than a set of vague axioms; he left it a profound statistical science…”

What exactly did he do at the age of two? Why did Asimov just starkly move onto the next sentence after saying this?

EDIT: Thanks all for the replies and explanations!

Just started chapter 17, a meeting is held, which is right after Elijah has a big revelation saying he knows how the murder was done. My prediction before the reveal is this:

There was no murder. Glediah or however you spell her name, was yelling at her husband in his workshop, and he snapped and either was about to kill her or was about to hurt her. Before he could, a robot had to make the call of protecting life through action, even if it meant ending life by action. Frying the brain completely. So in the confusion, it accidentally killed her husband.

I’ll edit this post when I read the reveal

Edit1: well I wrote this without thinking about all the other attempted murders. Maybe that was just solarian politics

Edit2: yeah it was the roboticist. Shoulda seen it coming I guess.

Since I have them both, I was just wondering, if you've read them both, which one do you recommend for a first time read?

It seems like in the sequels, Asimov turns away from psychohistory and instead embraces another idea - that of the group consciousness. Are there any interviews/excerpts from his writing that show why he eschews psychohistory in favor Galaxia? Is it a change in personal philosophy, or perhaps he just wanted to come up with a fresh idea? If nobody knows the actual answer then I'm happy to discuss head canon and general thoughts on second empire vs galaxia

Hi all! Just read 'Someday' - a very short robot story that started quite innocent and turned ominous, like Skynet ominous and since this was my first Multivac story I got intrigued and wanted to know is there an order of these stories and do the Professor predicted some robot uprising or something like that in bis later, connected works? Also does Multivac stories connects in some way with the other robot stories from the US robots and mechanical man universe and in what way? I added the spoiler tag for the Someday, but please try not to spoil major novel, arc or universe end, just hint to the interesting previous events or future developments in other works.

30 years ago, I. Asimov: a memoir was published.

Firstly, note the punctuation in that title: that is a period / full stop, not a comma. It’s not like I, Robot. This is a very common mistake that almost everybody makes (even me, until a couple of years ago), and it’s a very natural thing to assume that the title of Asimov’s memoir would follow the same structure as the title of one of his most famous books. But the correct title uses a period / full stop after the “I”: I. Asimov. Look at the original book cover to double-check: that’s definitely a “.” not a “,” It’s not clear whether the “I.” is an abbreviation for “Isaac”, or whether it’s a declarative statement, “It is I! I am Asimov! Look at me!” But it definitely is a period / full stop and not a comma.

There are a few volumes of biography by and about Asimov, of which I. Asimov is the most famous.

In the late 1970s, he wrote In Memory Yet Green and In Joy Still Felt, covering his life from 0 to 34 years old, and from 35 to 58 years old, respectively. These are very dry factual retellings of events, with very little flavour or personality. (Here’s a previous post about those autobiographies.)

In the three months from December 1989 to February 1990, Asimov was in and out of hospital a lot, with heart problems and kidney issues. According to him, his wife Janet came to him during that period, on 26th January, and suggested that he write the third volume of his autobiography. After writing his two previous volumes in the late 1970s, he had always planned to write a third volume around the year 2000. However, for obvious reasons, that probably wasn’t going to happen. So she suggested he start it now. It was probably also a way to keep him distracted and working while he sick.

Isaac objected on the basis that it had only been 12 years since his last autobiography and, if anything, his life had got more boring in that time. Janet therefore suggested that he change his approach and write a more personal, more reflective autobiography. It could cover his whole life, but be more about his memories and his thoughts than just a dry retelling of events.

Naturally, it worked: “So I started the book immediately and within a matter of a few pages it had grabbed me. (I am my own favorite subject, as everyone who reads me knows.)”

When he went into hospital again, he took writing pads and pens with him, and he ended up writing much of the book by hand while lying in a hospital bed. By his own admission: “Not only did this keep me from going mad but it actually put me into a jovial and good-natured mood.” Janet got it right.

He finished writing the book on May 28, 1990.

He never saw it published.

He got sicker and weaker over the next two years, ultimately dying in April 1992. Janet wrote an epilogue for the book, briefly summarising his activities for those two years (not much), including a couple of heart-breaking moments about Isaac's growing decrepitude. The book was finally published in April 1994, two years after his death.

The book itself is a fascinating read, filled with anecdotes and reflections on a life of writing. Asimov openly admits (most of) his faults, including what went wrong with his first marriage. There’s a scattering of pen portraits of various other writers he knew during his life, including Robert A Heinlein, Arthur C Clarke, and Harlan Ellison, to name just a few. He talks about his childhood, his teenage years as a reader of science fiction, his academic career, his writing, his transition from writing science fiction to writing science fact, and many more things.

He often said that his life wasn’t interesting: he was just a writer, and that’s all he did. But he was such a good writer that he makes his life seem interesting.

On a personal note: I re-read this book regularly, every couple of years or so. Every time I open it, it’s like visiting an old and dear friend.

So I was interested in reading Asimov's sci-fi novels for a long time. I found some of the Foundation books at the library and while going through them all excited I read in one of the book's blurb "Mule is dead" or something along the lines. I would like to know how much will the knowledge of this event impact the overall reading.

It supposedly began in 1979 and ended sometime in 1982 with the "end" of Nationalism. Do we know anything of who fought who? Were Nukes used?

The interaction between Daneel, Giskard and Vasilia yielded something very interesting in my opinion. Especially for someone living in the 2020s, with AI taking it's first serious steps. The existence of robots as advanced as Giskard and Daneel, even the more "normal" Daneel, in the Foundation universe, are still described as rare and dependent on being created by a uniquely skilled roboticist and a good volume of experience and interactions. The latter is of course machine learning, plane and simple.

But Asimov's ability to describe the next phase of machine learning is what truly astonished me. The zeroth law as described by Daneel stands on it's own. But Giskard's refusal to accept it creates a contradiction in his willingness to overlook the first law. And here I saw the first serious internal contradiction in Asimov's works (first in a chronological order perspective). Except there is an excellent explanation. Giskard may not accept Daneel's zeroth law of robotics, but he takes what is needed from it. Joined with his evolution of the first law, inspired perhaps (I don't recall Asimov explicitly writing it so) by the devolution of it on Solaria, brings about another point of interest. What was once three simple rules, and then claimed by Vasilia to be better enforced in advanced robots as Daneel and Giskard, shortly after is found to be something much more intricate, which is what I would expect from such an evolution, through, machine learning.

I see multiple versions of it on Kindle, and how do you pick?

Who owns the copyright at this point and how to ensure I'm buying it from the right copyright holders?

I see at least these options:

Has Table of Contents https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Room-Enough-Isaac-Asimov-ebook/dp/B0B4GKP5YM

Annotated Edition, but appears to have no proper linking on Table of Contents https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Enough-Annotated-Isaac-Asimov-ebook/dp/B0B5ZMRDLB

Asimov newbie here.

It's well documented in several places what stories form the Foundation universe - from robots, to the galactic empire, to the Foundation itself.

However, the more I look into it, the more there seems to be more of Asimov's work that ties into this in some way.

Is the multivac series included by association?

Other examples would include how 'Not Final!' gets a sequel in 'Victory Unintentional', or how 'Black Friar of the Flame' features planets that would later show up in the Foundation series.

I'm trying to compile a list of all stories to follow (nerds gonna nerd), so what I'm asking is - what stories could/do fit in to the universe, even very loosely?

I just learned this from this Wikipedia page, which references The Early Asimov as a source.

I'm curious how well known this is (I assume anyone that has read The Early Asimov would know about it, at least) or if it's a surprise to many. While it doesn't matter in any way, it still came as a slight surprise to me.

I think I just wanted to share this because it can be nice/useful sometimes to have a reminder that no matter how intelligent or accomplished our heroes (or anyone) might be, they can still have stumbling blocks and setbacks before ultimately finding success.

I've read all of Robot and Foundation series. In the Second Foundation we learn that Star's end is actually Trantor's star. However in Forward the Foundation Seldon's daughter, Wanda, leaves for Star's end as the Prime Radiant tells her to. So is she basically leaving Trantor for... Trantor? What do you think about it? Thanks!

Which was your favourite? Why? Spoilers welcome. I finished the books last year & I felt The Naked Sun was such a strong novel in its own right. I enjoyed the other two a lot, but The Naked Sun really stuck with me.

I was especially taken by Solarian society, their complete aversion to meeting face-to-face, their massive homes with no company within them. I mean Jehosaphat! How vapid of an existence such a place would be, but it sure makes an excellent setting for a murder mystery.

Anyone else enjoy these novels? I have yet to tire of the sci fi noir detective trope which Asimov explores so impressively. I'd love to hear any recommendations for other sci fi noir novels if anyone has any. I mean surely I can't be alone in this love for the Caves of Steel. Personally enjoyed it more than I, Robot & even The End of Eternity. Both of those are masterful of course but it was The Caves of Steel trilogy that really made me a fan of Asimov.

I’m finishing my set of the Harper voyager editions but I don’t know if I should get the complete robot, it’s the last one from the robot series that I don’t own (except robot visions). Are the stories from the complete robot worth reading?

I know that it’s not 100% accurate but am I missing something. When I asked further, it says it’s answered are based off the “original” Foundation novel, is that even a thing?

Audible has now added Robots and Empire to its library again with a re- release date on 25th of April 2024. It will be the version narrated by William Hope who already gave his voice to renditions of The Caves of Steel, Foundation, Foundation and Empire and The End of Eternity.

To celebrate this I will recapitulate this subreddit´s yearslong struggle to find audio-book recordings of this work. This does have some importance insofar as there was lingering gap in easy availability for this piece of the series so far. There has been a back and forth on reddit about recordings going back to 2015. I can trace back 6 posts. Here my attempt to summarize (yes, I have to much time):

2015: Where can I find Robots and Empire by Isaac Asimov?: on there is the very first discussion about the non-availability of this piece i can track back. William Hope´s version is not yet recorded and the older 1985 version has been lost to time it seems. A redditor goes to extreme lengths to make a rare copy he found available to other people. A pattern appears.

2021: Robots and Empire audio book?: It becomes apparent that audible has removed this title from its library. A redditor even attempts to contact audible about it. To no avail.

An other redditor makes the the whole thread happy by posting a internet-archive link with an apparent complete recording of the books. The download options are not functional so user listen to them on a browser. Robots and Empire start at chapter 906.

This thread has been alive until this day. Some months ago there was a link posted to a youtube-video of the 1985 recording by Pam Ward.

2021: Robots and Empire Audiobook: The struggle goes on. Here we get insight into why Pam Wards 1985 version is hard to come by. Apparently it was never meant for retail sale, but for reading impaired only. On top of it, the few tapes that can be found are of a specific audio tape cartridge format called tapete who need there own specific tape-player making things even more complicated.

Again a redditor reaches out to audible. Again to no avail.

An other redditor digs out yet another recording from 2004 for reading impaired made by Arthur Blake. Only problem is that this specific copy lies forgotten in a library in a small town in southern Sweden.

2021: Does anyone know why "Robots and Empire" is not on Audible?: a now deleted Reddit account tells us, that

"Robots and empire is hard to get a hold of in general. I took me a really long time to understand why. When I was younger you could order it from the UK, but not from the US and weird stuff like that.

Long story short, it was one of the last books he wrote. There was like 20 years or something between it and the previous books in the series, so the publisher never really seemed to think of it as part of the body of work, and it got passed over when they did reprintings and stuff.

It’s getting easier to find now, thankfully, but as you point out, still not quite. "

2022: Robots and Empire audio book.: And still the struggle goes on. Fans are going to great lengths to find a copy. One user says, he has been searching for 4 to 5 years.

Later that year the youtube- video of the recording will be uploaded. Things start to change.

2024: Anyone know where I can ghet an audiobook of robots and empire?: Finally we arrive at the newest inquiry so far. With the YouTube-version available the hunger seems to have been stilled a bit.

Maybe the pattern is broken for now. Maybe now we have what we were striving for for so long. But in any case, this trace back showed me the persistence and eagerness Asimov´s work inspires.

this is a tribute to u/atticdoor who has helped many people orient them selves in this maze.

I was reading Foundation and Earth recently, and one thing kept scratching at my brain even after I put the book down.

Melpomenia. Or more specifically, Melpomenia's lack of atmosphere. I couldn't understand how a planet could lose its atmosphere altogether, let alone how the disappearance of human beings could possibly have that effect. So, a bit of scattered reading (and two or three unintentional trips down informational rabbit holes) later, here is my personal headcanon. I'm not a meteorologist, geologist, or exoplanet specialist: feel free to call me out on my ignorance.

Melpomenia was the nineteenth on the list of planets that Dr. Pelorat found. Going with the reasonable assumption that they were listed in order of settlement, Melpomenia was founded close to the middle of the Spacer colonization drive: by the time the Spacers found it, they'd presumably gotten comfortable with the idea of terraforming planets to suit them. Which is why they might have attempted the ambitious task of creating an atmosphere on a planet that was originally airless.

Any habitable planet requires a magnetic field to maintain an atmosphere: without it, solar winds would strip its air away. It's conceivable that the Spacers, realizing the suitability of Melpomenia in all aspects except this one, established massive stations across the planet that housed superconducting coils that could carry terrific current indefinitely - thereby creating an artificial magnetic field for the planet. Once this was established, oxygen and nitrogen could no doubt be generated from their compounds in the crust. Maintaining such a system would require constant attention, but the Spacers had robots for precisely this reason - one posted at each station would be enough to sound the alert instantly in case of any aberration.

The rest, then, seems to follow easily. When Melpomenia declined along with the other Spacer worlds, it lost the resources - and perhaps the technology - to maintain the great stations that kept its magnetosphere active. One by one, the superconductors quenched, Melpomenia lost its shielding, and the winds of its star blew its delicately created atmosphere to the vacuum of space.

This is my first post on this forum, so please bear with me if I violate any community traditions ;) any thoughts are welcome.

Somewhere in "I, Robot," I think in one of the last few stories, there's a line about something to do with traditional religions becoming less of a thing and capitalism and communism as economic views becoming essentially a religious outlook. Can someone quote that for me? I've dug in a paperback that I no longer have, and tried googling and I just can't find it.

I haven't read a lot from the professor, just the I, Robot anthology and a couple of othe short stories, but for me the most lighthearted and funny one was definitely Reason with the almighty QT-1 or also Cutie from the stories with Powell and Donovan adventures. What was the most funny story for you?

Pre-Edit: I'd like you to ignore the word "science" in the title if you'd like. I meant to write "science fiction", but actually if you'd like to discuss any of his writing regardless of genre, I'd encourage that and I'd love to hear your input nonetheless.

​

So, I've made a deliberate effort to read more. Actually, I find it embarrassing that I've read so little of the things I know I'd enjoy reading. Recently, I discovered Asimov, read Foundation, and absolutely fell in love. Naturally, I did the only sane and reasonable thing one could do: immediately buy seven more books. Then, find out that you really need to read seven Robot books before you can go past the third foundation book, and again, being the same exact sane and well-meditated person as mentioned earlier, buy seven more books.

​

Anyways, I'm a chapter into Foundation and Empire and I'm just...blown away. I really like this. I went through the reading list to familiarize myself with what all is there and I've found that the Empire set has some mixed reviews. If I'm not sick to death after reading fourteen books from the same universe, I'll almost certainly read them anyways. From what I gather, they're not horrible to most people.

​

My main question is: In your (person on this sub's) opinion, even when Asimov is at his worst... is he really that bad? Just how S tier is this guy? I'm sure when we're talking about genuinely "bad" writing, we don't put include him in that conversation. Would you agree?

I,Robot summary

Robot Dreams summary

Robot Visions summary

It looks like there's a lot of overlap between what stories are being told but does anyone know if any of the audiobooks have stories unique to said book?