Comments on: The Last Question by Isaac Asimov

By: tom2

tom2 — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:51:40 +0000

I think Asimov is saying that there is an inverse relationship between entropy and information( represented as a computational devise). And that when ALL computable data is finally consolidated ,then that will be the precise instant of heat death; at this instant a kind of exotic phase change will occur, and out of absolute stillness the universe will once again be reborn.
It is, in the final analysis, just speculative science fiction.

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:58:10 +0000

I’ve enjoyed reading the comments and would like to add one other idea that “The Last Question” raises and that is: data as the fundamental building block of the universe and the sum of all “data” (i.e. information) as the ultimate final truth (answer) that is only achieved once total entropy is reached (e.g. the heat death of the universe).

While the story raises the obvious questions of man/machine metaphysics, god, and creation, perhaps indirectly what Isaac Asimov was presenting was an argument for data being the fundamental building block of the universe and information the ultimate “truth” in and of itself once all there is left is only data to be acted upon to achieve the final answer to the last question. Or put another way once heat death of the universe is reached as per the Second Law of Thermodynamics, time no longer has any meaning (and therefore neither does conscious life) and all that is finally left is “sufficient” data for a “meaningful answer”. This is assuming answers are simply information based on data (and by data I mean empirical data, beliefs, experience, and theories).

While our physicists pursue GUTs (grand unified theories) and the “god” particle (Higgs boson) in an attempt to explain and understand” the universe, the internet is ultimately doing so through the evolution of information collection and management.

If Isaac Asimov had lived a little longer and wrote the story a little later in life, perhaps the punch line would have been 1/137, which is the fine structure constant, but only physicists would have gotten it. But if the punch line was Google, everybody would have gotten it (and not just Christians as in Asimov’s original creationist based ending).

Imagine all these varied comments from a simple short story written in 1959.

By: DCS

DCS — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:28:05 +0000

In Winter of 1976 I saw the presentation of “The Last Question” at the Omnisphere planetarium dome in Wichita Ks. I was an engineering student at the time and the story made a great impression on me. Here is a link to a photo of the now closed Wichita Omnisphere planetarium.

Link:

http://www.wichitaphotos.org/searchresults.asp?yr=1970s&offset=30

The show still is presented occasionally at some of the better planetariums. Try calling a planetarium in your area to see if they can get a showing.
The story recounts the relentless increase of entropy and its effects on humanity as the universe runs out of energy. It was narrated by Leonard Nimoy and received high reviews.

Below is a link to the Abrams planetarium which usually shows the Last Question each year, see it if you can you will really enjoy the experience.

Link:
http://digistardomes.org/mwiki/index.php?title=Abrams_Planetarium

By: S

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:52:37 +0000

That’s how I saw it, Ben. The Last Question seems more open and contemplative than a straight spoof of creationism. It begs further questions about how one might define ‘God’ – clearly the sum of all human technological and experiential history bears no affiliation with the Christian God.

By: Cam

Cam — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:47:45 +0000

I personally don’t think that Asimov is suggesting that Ben, but it’s an interesting idea.

By: Ben

Ben — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:41:11 +0000

Do you think that Assimov was suggesting that life is cyclical?

By: The Yellow Scientist

The Yellow Scientist — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:11:34 +0000

I certainly think we gotta “Make sure you ‘pass it down’ to the youngsters!” coz after all it will be “they” who will be the ones to make it all “happen”.

Let them read the Bible/Quran/Torah, the “pagan” myths (Greek/Roman/Norse/Chinese/Japanese/Indian/African/what-have-you) and then make them read this one LAST. It’s The Last Question after all.

They don’t even have to subscribe to any particular belief as long as you make ‘em Think!

By: Siphonix

Siphonix — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:42:48 +0000

The death of a human being, if by ‘biologically natural causes’, could be viewed as that individual organism having reached a state of ‘maximum entropy’ for itself, since that organism has ‘reached its end point’. But if the Galactic AC solved the ‘problem of immortality’ for human organisms, it still doesn’t mean it has solved the ‘problem of reversing entropy’, as entropy is still operating in the background, with respect to the Universe as a whole. All quantum energy is still running down, towards an ‘Ultimate Zero’ point.

As part of VJ-23X and MQ-17J’s discussion, MQ-17J says:

“Very well. Immortality exists and we have to take it into account. I admit it has its seamy side, this immortality. The Galactic AC has solved many problems for us, but in solving the problems of preventing old age and death, it has undone all its other solutions.”

“Yet you wouldn’t want to abandon life, I suppose.”

“Not at all,” snapped MQ-17J, softening it at once to, “Not yet. I’m by no means old enough. How old are you?”

“Two hundred twenty-three. And you?”

“I’m still under two hundred. –”

To emphasize, MQ-17J says “Not yet.” This implies that, although an ‘option of immortality’ has become available for humans, the option is never excercised because, at some point, each human will ultimately choose their time to end their individual existence. Eventually, everyone must get ‘sick of living’ (they get bored?).

In any event, entropy in the largest, Universal sense, isn’t ‘solved’ yet, at this stage, and it certainly hasn’t been ‘reversed’.

By: aliva

aliva — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 01:05:05 +0000

First, sorry for my english. I think it’s a awesome story but there is something I still can’t get: the death of a human being means entropy reaching its maximum, as we live our bodies run down. And if VJ-23X and his/her friend are immortal its because they find out how to revert entropy? OK being immortal means stopping entropy not reverting entropy but basically is the same thing.

By: poxy

poxy — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:08:06 +0000

This story is pure genious for its time. Especially if you consider all the jabs he is making at religion. Asimov being atheist provided a great satire to argue his case. He makes great contrast between science and religion: God made man in his own image (man fuses with multivac and creates the universe, and consequently man), man’s blind faith in God (what else have you?) regardless of the circumstance of their life. And the best yet he ultimately ‘says’ that man creates God, so that he (man) may believe in God to look after man and all the problems he creates.
These arguments he recreates in other stories, (ie. in The Foundation, where nuclear science is considered holy and magical by the barbaric worlds surrounding terminus). Anything advanced can seem superhuman, such as the phenomena of the world observed by early man, who had no means of explaining the circumstance of the world they inhabited.
The heroes he creates for his stories always win using comon sense and logic and they oppose those that are stubborn and reckless.
Anyway theres nothing wrong with being religious, so long as you know why.