ISAAC ASIMOV The Last Question

By: Garin Kilpatrick

The Last Question by Isaac Asimov was Isaac’s favorite Short Story. Even after I had read this story over at least twenty times for this podcast, it remains my favorite short story ever.

About the Author

Isaac Asimov was a humanist and a rationalist. He did not oppose religious conviction in others, but he frequently railed against superstitious beliefs that tried to pass themselves off as genuine science. For many years, Asimov called himself an atheist; however, he considered the term somewhat inadequate, as it described what he did not believe rather than what he did. Eventually, he described himself as a “humanist” and considered that term more practical.

The Story

The story in The Last Question deals with the development of a computer called Multivac and its relationship with humanity through the course of seven historic settings, beginning in 2061. In each of the first six scenes a different character presents the computer with the same question, namely as to how the threat to human existence posed by the heat death of the universe can be averted.

The Last Question – Part 1 of 4

The Last Question – Part 2 of 4

The Last Question – Part 3 of 4

The Last Question – Part 4 of 4

Want More?

The Last Question by Isaac Asimov was just one of over 500 books and over 6,000 letters and short stories he wrote, to give you an idea of just how prolific he was. Check out this list of short stories by Isaac Asimov if you want some more Asimov after you listen to the podcast. Asimov has my personal recommendation because anything I have ever read by him has been thought provoking and worthwhile.