ASIMOV’S FOUNDATION
Tens of Thousand Years in the Future? Or Closer?
I finally got around to watching AppleTV’s rendition of the classic science fiction series Foundation by Isaac Asimov. Having read the books as a teen, I was quite excited to check this out! I figured maybe three hour-long episodes, but was taken aback with three seasons of ten episodes for a total of 30 single episodes. This was actually a good sign, as the original three volumes, plus four additional prequels and sequels. They would need that to cover the series. So being retired, I dove in!
Alas, so much of the story was changed, that only hints from the original books remained. While it was entertaining, I had a hard time trying to follow the new timeline. Some characters from the books were used, but often in new action arcs. Most was just completely recreated. And it was renewed for a fourth season. Frankly, I was disappointed. I couldn’t help but wonder why they didn’t just follow the original story?
But it inspired me to re-read the original series, which I did. Then I moved on to the two new prequels, followed by the two sequels. The story revolves around the subject of “Psychohistory,” a way to predict the course of civilization over thousands of years. The main character is Hari Seldon, the mathematician that came up with Psychohistory, and the trials and tribulations there of. It all started with an observation by a positronic robot that the Galactic Empire was in decay. This is “pre-Star Wars,” and it’s a good bet Lucas et al were inspired by Asimov’s books.
Reading these stories again got me thinking of current reality. And our own “decaying empire…” And literary analogs to real life characters seem to fly out of the pages. Even though the stories are set 20,000 years in the future, the massive galaxy-wide human empire mirrors our current global economic environment. I am not at expert in global economic matters, but I do read a bit. Old and new.
This includes the META world of FaceBook. Here is where the bubbling brew of civilization churns away. Opinions dropped in, often metaphorically sliced and diced with just the spiciest morsels remaining. In honor of Professor Hari Seldon, I propose a new science called “Psychopolitics.” This could enable the long-term societal outcome of mobs.
Like the many sectors on the Empire home world of Trantor, each has its own subculture, mythologies, and food. The sectors in today’s single planet is likewise made up of MAGAs, MAHAs, Plowed Buoys, ICEcles, and other acronynewmonic groups of pundits. Each at its own level of caustic literary and(or) visual points of view. Some are simply pathetic attempts to justify blatant self-serving attempts at open grifting. Gone are the smoke-filled backrooms. No doubt closed by MAHA element under RFK Jr. Indeed, a pundit recently quipped “…at least they’re doing the grift out in the open!”
And still, the faithful continue to blindly support this doddering old oligarch no questions asked. Then when people question their beliefs and actions–no matter how off the wall–they are the first to whine. The most recent example of this was the City’s “persecution” of a citizen’s “CHRISTMAS LIGHTS” on Westfield Street. They told the property owner that the display violates the City sign code, and that they need to go. The property owner whined to the media that the City was forcing the removal of a Citizen’s “CHRISTMAS LIGHTS.” Even shock-jock radio head Lars Larson joined in the fray.
Turned out, the “CHRISTMAS LIGHTS” in question were actually three unfinished plywood signs with LED lights arranged to create a series of “starboard-tacking” messages: “MAGA,” “47,” and “CtK.” While more generous observers might suggest that the last one was “Chris Kringle,” it actually stands for the slain pundit Charlie James Kirk. Nothing whatsoever to do with the holiday in question. Just another case of “TDS” bias.
This is the same residence that had violated the sign ordinance earlier with a large banner featuring Elon Musk with a chainsaw and “SILVERTON LOVES ELON” across the top. This came down after the political winds switched, rendering the message like that, one last rotten apple finally dropping to the ground with a dull splat. He has apparently moved on to projecting Anti-Woke memes on the side of his home. This in addition to a new Facebook group called “SILVERTON LOVES TRUMP,” as if such community adoration is automatic by virtue of its statement.
As a local community satirist, I strive to poke fun at the terminally serious, blatant grifters, and similar crooks and liars. And being an “Even Year” a fresh edition of the “Silvertongue Apple-Peal” is now in production. Release date early October, (weather and authorities permitting). Meanwhile, I’m seriously considering re-reading Asimov’s ROBOT series!
That Westfield guy… grr.
Good article. It’s all about money. The Clan of the Cave Bear movie was a lesson in how to ruin a good book. But my favorite example is that after I saw Daniel Day-Lewis in The Last of the Mohicans, I wanted to read the book. What a mistake that was. The two Hawkeyes could not be more different. Instead of “Based on the book by…” it shoulda said, “We used the title and made up some other stuff.”