Doctor Isaac Asimov
Author, University Professor, Genius
Born: January 2, 1920(?) (Russia)
Died: April 6, 1992 (America)
Doctor Isaac Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of recent history. He wrote (or edited) over 500 books, on every topic of the Dewey Decimal System except Philosophy (source: WikipediA).
Doctor Asimov was most famous for his works in Science Fiction, and especially for his “Foundation” series. Doctor Asimov wrote three well developed futuristic and very “believable” novels which take the reader deep into future, other-worldly civilizations, cultures, political systems, technological wonders, and more.
I have read a number of Doctor Asimov’s works, including:
“Foundation” trilogy (‘Foundation’, ‘Foundation and Empire’, ‘Second Foundation’)
“Foundation’s Edge”
“Foundation and Earth”
“I Robot”
And others.
Doctor Asimov’s Genius:
I must say that I especially enjoyed Doctor Asimov’s “Foundation” trilogy, as it clearly defines his capabilities as the forward-thinking, detail-oriented, intelligent genius that he was!
I recall thinking, while reading those stories of Harry Seldon and his Psychohistory mathematics, and all the other not-yet-discovered or invented speculative concepts that Asimov was able to put to use in his stories: “how can Doctor Asimov come up with such concepts as these? And, how can Doctor Asimov work out the necessary details to make them so plausible and so believable?”
Perhaps, much like many of the Jules Verne stories written so long ago, this, too, shall come to pass!
One of the most intriguing and lasting memories of reading the “Foundation” trilogy was what Doctor Asimov did with the music in his future world. He effectively developed the concept of music as being MUCH more than what we think of it today, even with all the advances we have made with regard to digital music technology, etc.
Doctor Asimov explained how music of his world was of a far more SUBLIMINAL experience; how it had the ability to reach a part of the brain…far beyond the ‘hearing’ level…to trigger ‘virtual journeys’…’hallucinations’…perhaps much like experiencing some recreational drugs, but without the loss of control or other side-effects associated with some of those. In this way, people could take temporary breaks from reality; safely, comfortably…even ‘euphorically’.
I believe the day will come when Doctor Asimov’s concepts of how music can be used is actually realized. Even now, ‘subliminal suggestion’ is in use…we might not be fully conscious of it, but I dare say it is more prevalent than we know!
Eventually, technology will catch up with the mind of Doctor Asimov, and music will penetrate our minds to new, much deeper levels. I DO hope it will be used in the right ways!
Doctor Asimov followed up his “Foundation” trilogy decades later with “Foundation’s Edge” and “Foundation And Earth”. These were written mostly due to pressures from his fans (and his publisher!). According to one WikipediA entry, Doctor Asimov’s widow (Janet Asimov) told how the Asimov was actually at a loss as to how to continue the “Foundation” trilogy, so he wrote more about events which were related to times BEFORE the “Foundation” trilogy; in part, to “clean up some (alleged) loose ends”. Perhaps his Foundation’s future was too complex for even he, great genius that he was, to carry farther out than he had taken those three stories of wonder and delicately detailed scenarios of future worlds and empires. Indeed, how far can one dream?
It is evident that Doctor Asimov has left his mark on the world. Clearly, his genius will live on for a long, long time; perhaps a bit like that of Harry Seldon himself!
