Foundation: How Isaac Asimov Changed Science Fiction Forever

Hey guys, it’s Quinn! Today we will be discussing what is without a doubt the most influential science fiction book Saga of all time, Asimov’s Foundation, and of course the associated works. Nowadays science fiction is known for its giant space empires with interconnecting politics, battles among the stars, and decades and even centuries-long plots with many different characters. Even robotic lifeforms have become a staple of science fiction. But these things were not always standard in the genre. Isaac Asimov, born January 2, 1920, is essentially credited with inventing the Galactic Empire. Asimov also coined the term “Robotics” and the term “Positronic'' both of which were used in one of the greatest Science Fiction shows of all time, 1987’s Star Trek The Next Generation, for the android character, Data, whose positronic mind was a focal point of many episodes. These words, like many of the terms and concepts used in Asimov's books and short stories, have become commonplace in science fiction. This becomes clearer when we take a look at what science fiction was before 1940.

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[theponderingwarrior]

"In life, unlike chess the game continues after checkmate" - Issac Asimov.

[Echowhiskeyone]

Back as a child in the 1970s, I read the Foundation trilogy. That changed how I not only viewed science fiction, but was a part of what formed my view of the world. And I have learned to remember the past, but always keep moving forward.

[digitalbookworm]

I've recently been reading old sci-fi magazines from the 40s and 50s, available from the Internet Archives. It amazes me that so many old stories still hold up in this age of technological wonders that they were writing about back then. I first read the Foundation series back in the 70s when there were only 3 books, then picked up the newer ones as they came out, just as I did with the Dune series.
This old man cried on both the days we lost these authors. 😢

[raverdeath]

it's not surprising that Asimov's novels covered such a deep and expansive idea as 20'000 years of human development - the guy was pretty much an expert in human political and social history.
he opened my eyes at how cyclical human history is - how certain forces continuously push civilizations in certain directions. a bit worrying because i fancy some of those forces are in play now.

[DrDestroy]

I remember when I was 13 ... I was an arrogant brat and my grandma grounded me in the library.. About to die of boredom, I took randomly one of those stupid books.. "Fondation" what a stupid title I told myself... Then I had my mind blown and my life changed forever.

[Paul-A]

I hope you do more about the history of Science Fiction and how these works relate and influence each other

[alkhmyst]

I remember dragging my parents to bookstore after bookstore until I finally located a copy of "Foundation" around 1967 or '68. I finished the Trilogy, read "I Robot", "The Caves of Stell" and so many others. Around the same time, I discovered Heinlien, Sturgeon, Bester, Farmer, Herbert and so many others. My life got much richer.

[johnnemesh]

As a teen (mid 80s) I discovered Asimov and fell in love with his writing...The Caves of Steel and The Naked Sun, the original I, Robot stories, and, of course, the Foundation Trilogy. Anyone who hasn't picked up his novels should do so, immediately!

[SteveWhipp]

I was a teen when I read Foundation for the first time and I'm glad it was one of the first sc-fi "saga" I read. His ideas and science extrapolation were a revelation for me. As the years have gone by, however and upon multiple re-reads I find his characterisations, wooden and stereotyped. But in context of the world, it was written in, like Tolkien it should be considered an absolute masterpiece.

[cpmf]

I still re-read the first three foundation books every few years. Timeless classics

[templarw]

See, when people talk about the "fall" of the Roman Empire, they look at the decline of the western half of the empire in the 300s or so. But Rome as a nation and identity lasted for a thousand years beyond that. Byzantium was the economic and cultural hub of the empire even before the split, but due to prejudices in the west of Europe, it's often overlooked or downplayed. I guess it's why I see so many flaws in the "declining empire" trope in sci-fi.

Sorry, historian rant over. Good vid.

[dgrantvh]

I literally just Finished the foundation trilogy last night and you post this. My man!

[travislewis]

the foundation series is my favorite and nobody talks about it. I love Issac Asimovs writing in general i hope you do the foundation like you did dune you made me actually get into dune just by makeing it more accessible keep it comming

[JamezDahlMusic]

Quinn - your new videos look stunning. Editing, graphics, sound, content. It’s all there! Amazing amazing amazing. 😍 keep blessing the sci-fi/fantasy community with your knowledge!

[colinritchie]

It must be over 40 years since I read these books - off to Amazon I guess - thanks Quinn

[JamezDahlMusic]

Finished watching this video, immediately bought Foundation.

[Deridus]

So early, Robots and Foundation hadn't been joined together in the same continuity.

[alfacentauri]

Another favorite of mine is the Rama series of Arthur C Clarke where humans make their first contact with an alien civilization.

[onetrueevan]

Foundation is still my all time favourite Sci-fi story. Asimov managed something incredible: without using extreme notions or imagery (e.g. like the god emperor of Dune), without any elaborate, flashy action sequences (like Star Wars), he still holds our attention with a story of true galactic proportions.

[Stewrats]

Started re-reading them yesterday. Man, Asimov could write.