It is a short story that you can read here if you would like:
http://www.multivax.com/last_question.html
It will only take about 5-10 minutes, I promise.
2006-07-28 10:27:47 · 7 answers · asked by bc_munkee 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Okay, so the first two people did not read it. Thanks for your intriguing opinions, slackers.
2006-07-28 10:34:38 · update #1
I knew someone would appreciate this. It's fun to think outside the box sometimes.
2006-07-28 11:10:51 · update #2
I love "The Last Question"! It's my favorite short story.
I've always seen God in the story as being a creation of humankind. The more advanced and abstract civilization gets, the more powerful the Multivac becomes. And there's no Heaven or Hell; everyone just merges into some sort of supreme hyperspatial being, so ultimately everyone becomes a part of God and the next recreation of the universe. I never thought about it, but I guess that element adds a bit of a Transcendentalist view of God to the story, too, which I like.
2006-07-29 11:27:13 · answer #1 · answered by starlightfading 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots to think about, allegories to fossil fuel supply, overpopulation, the future and survival of mankind, artificial intelligence. Very deep and profound. I envy the inhabitants of that next universe, their God actually wants to give them the answers.
(edit) reminds me of a really good Charles Sheffield novel, it's really cheap used on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553378082/sr=8-1/qid=1154124922/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-6821885-5882565?ie=UTF8
There's also the original 70 page novella version called "At The Eschaton" in a couple different collections. (but the novel's much better)
2006-07-28 18:00:39 · answer #2 · answered by Kenny ♣ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I read the whole thing. very interesting passage, wish it was a whole book. Good science fiction. Very confusing though. The end caught me by surprise.
2006-07-28 17:51:10 · answer #3 · answered by WavyHeadedWun 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Isacc Asimov is actually a pretty devout Christian. I expect this was a sarcastic commentary on man's faith in technology...pretty funny really.
2006-07-28 17:34:43 · answer #4 · answered by daisyk 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
One of my all-time favorite stories!
2006-07-28 18:02:38 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No one should portray God!
2006-07-28 17:30:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I personally will never portray GOD! EVER!....
2006-07-28 17:33:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋