“The Last Question” is a story in which Isaac Asimov, the author, questions the immortality of the human race as well as the permanent existence of the universe (Asimov 26). Based on a more advanced environment endowed with technological advancements, the story depicts the future of both the human race and the universe. Deploying a fictional style of writing, Asimov’s story, “The Last Question” exploits the use of hyperbolic science in depicting the future state of mankind. Although published several decades ago, Asminov predicts what might happen beyond 2060 using varied characters in different sceneries of the future. “The Last Question” may well be a reflection of what the future holds for humans, or maybe not.
Although Asminov recites the story in third person, his illustrations demonstrate a setting of the future when humans become scared of the increasing population and immortality. Asimov exploits the flow of the story through a narrator who is physically present during this time in future. The author’s choice of a complex language makes it hard to comprehend the story. Not only is the language choice an issue in the story but the adoption of unrealistic complex naming of characters and objects is rather confusing. The computerized robot known as Multivac, being the first of its kind, has worn out after performing the challenging tasks. Through the conversations of Multivac attendants, Alexander Adell and Bertram Lupov, the story shows how human exhaust energy on earth and are now on the search for an alternative energy with the sun being the suitable choice. Even though the sun’s energy would be suitable for some time, Adell and Lupov express doubts if it would be sufficient. “Oh, hell, just about forever, till the sun runs down, Bert” (Asimov 131)
While the struggle to live earth continues, the story demonstrates how different families desperately embark on an adventure of the unknown future. On their journey to a planet called X-23, Jerrod, the wife, and their two daughters discuss about their ship, Microvac, and the looming doubts of the increasing population on both earth and X-23. Jerrod’s remarks further casts doubt on the immortality of humanity. “It will all stop someday, but not for billions of years. Many billions. Even the stars run down, you know. Entropy must increase” (Asimov 135).”
“I think not. You know the Galaxy will be filled in five years at the present rate of expansion” (Asimov 136). These are the remarks of VJ-23X of Lameth, a robot which has existed for over two hundred years, while addressing a fellow robot, MQ-17J of Nicron. While raising concerns about the inevitability of an end of the universe, the two robots state how fast the human filled the rest of the universe after departing the over-populated earth. The phrase, “insufficient data for a meaningful answer” haunted families and individuals with uncertainty that threatened to end man’s hopes of an unending life preferably away from earth.
Isaac Asimov might have been a great author especially if he stays in the past rather than the future. The story “The Last Question” leaves readers wondering if the future will be as hyperbolic as Asimov portrays it. The characters, though from the future, share one thing: The quest for survival beyond earth. The story might be a reflection of the future but maybe Asimov concentrates much on fantasies.
Works Cited
Asimov, Isaac. Inside the Atom. New York: Abelard-Schuman, 1956. Print.
Asimov, Isaac. “The Last Question.” The Naked Sun. New York, N. Y.: Doubleday, 1956. Print.