Isaac Asimov - The Last Question

One of Asimov's best-known and most acclaimed short stories.

Published in 1956.

[asimov-toxe]

I was privileged to hear dr. Asimov lecture at the Hampton Colosseum in Hampton, Virginia in the early 1980s. While waiting for him to speak I approached him with one of his books and asked him for an autograph. While he was signing the book I told him that his The Last Question was my favorite science fiction short story. He said, "It's my favorite, too."

[njcrossroads]

I read this when I was15, half a century ago. The first sci-fi story I ever read, it was contained in a paperback entitled "9 Tomorrows." I read it first because it was the shortest - 15 year-olds were just as impatient then as they are today. Thanks to Mr. Asimov I've never stopped contemplating the Big Questions. And I've come to see that the scientific and the spiritual are merely attempts, from different perspectives, to understand the universe. It's a universe that has produced, among many other wonders, this magnificent story.

[wendynorris]

My son just told me about this book, I am 59 and I can’t wait to get further into this. Just got to them asking Multivac the question…. Insufficient data. I’m hooked already. 💜

[jaytaylor]

The entire thing is great, but the ending is brilliant.

[stevepartridge]

Just asked Alexa this very question, the reply was “ There is as yet insufficient data for a meaningful answer”. Excellent.

[williamwaugh]

that last line gives me chills every fucking time

[CREDLACE]

The narrator's accents really sells the story. I just love Lupov's Russian Accent.

[voyeur]

Back when I was a kid, I had a panic attack when I realized Isaac could only write so many stories.. and I, at that certain moment, had read the very last one!

[Hobbitstomper]

Fun fact, the name "Multivac" is short for multi vacuum tubes. Back in 1956 when this story was originally published, the first primitive computers were run on vacuum tubes, each one the size of a fist, which later were replace with silicon based transistors.
Who knows, maybe in a few 100 years, people won't understand the connection between the name Silicon Valley and the computer industry, because silicon based transistors got replaced with something more advanced.

[TheCanterlonian]

I don't know weather to cry or smile, so my happiness and my sadness merged into a single emotion. One of the greatest stories I've ever heard!

[jefftzounos]

The first time I heard
"The last question "
, I was so blown away, I couldn't stop shivering, the hair on my arm's were standing straight, and who knows how many incarnations of matter there's been, why couldn't it roll on a conversation much like that,
Incredible story, Incredible man.

[-johnny-deep-]

This was the first short story that really blew my young mind over 40 years ago. Still one of the best short stories - of any type - ever written.

[MrVictorrusso]

When I first read this story, some years ago, I felt what litterature can do, and how books are powerful.
Man, every time I remember the ending of The Last Question shivers go down my spine!
Asimov was a damn good writer! I wish he could have had more time to live...

[milandjenadija]

I am big fan of dr.Asimovs work but that short story changed complitly my understanding of the genre and send me to search more meaningfull content in sf literature. Fortunatly, there are great writers in the world and their work made my life so much better. But still from time to time I pick up one of
dr Asimovs books just to relive those beautifull and exiting moments when I first opened them. Thank you sir.

[lofigamerdad]

0:00 - Alexander Adell and Bertram Lupov
6:50 - Jerrodd, Jerrodine, and Jerrodette I and II
12:15 - VJ-23X of Lameth and MQ-17J of Nicron
16:46 - Zee Prime and Dee Sub Wun
22:16 - Man and AC

[ginytah]

gotta get me one of those cosmic air conditioners

[glutinousmaximus]

...Reminds me of the shortest Sci-Fi tale: "...and so the assembled scientists switched on the largest computer ever constructed; it spanned at least half the galaxies in the known universe. Trembling, the chief scientist cleared his throat. "Your first test Oh computer, is to answer the oldest question" A deep rumbling voice that seemed to echo from nearby, and yet so far away intoned: " Computer Ready". "Then" stammered the scientist "P - Please tell us here, if there is indeed a God?" The computer voice rumbled again, "There is now". :0)

[demetrialynn]

"Zee Prime was roused out of his reverie upon coming across the wispy tendrils of another mind." By far my favorite line from any story I've ever read.

[libbybecker]

I’m so proud my son sent this to me to view.
All I can say is WOW.

[ViniciusPinheiro-gd]

Whoever narrated this did a wonderfull job