Isaac Asimov: The Last Question

By toonalfrink @ 2021-11-11T17:00 (+26)

This is a linkpost to https://www.physics.princeton.edu/ph115/LQ.pdf

In the spirit of this post

This is the only story I know of that is both transhumanist and spiritual. We read it at the rationalist solstice in the Netherlands. One of my all-time favorites. Hope you enjoy it

Kaj_Sotala @ 2021-11-12T16:45 (+4)

This is indeed a wonderful story!

This version has nicer line breaks, in my opinion.

Here's an audio version read by Leonard Nimoy.

Michael Huang @ 2021-11-12T01:12 (+2)

It was Isaac Asimov's favorite story of the hundreds of stories he has written.

I found the ending impossible to forget.

Spoiler:

Very utopian. This is what could happen if everything goes right with AGI. The story doesn't cover all the things that could go wrong.

Multicolored Lemur @ 2021-11-12T15:35 (+1)

And we ourselves might become “God.” Rich people will boost their minds with cyber, don’t say we won’t!

And at a certain point, might leave the biological component behind. And more than that, realize that distributed computing is the way to eternal life. Some of my mind in a mechanical bird, some in a mechanical bear.

When I’m visiting a planet with less advanced beings and perhaps sincerely trying to help, I might answer—

“My child, I am all places [kind of true] and in all things [not really true] . . .”

And hopefully, I’ll be more good-natured and even-tempered that the God of the Old Testament!

Aiden West @ 2021-11-12T19:25 (+1)

Thanks very much for sharing. Great story.