Isaac Asimov PDF

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An essay on Isaac Asimov and how he influenced literature....

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AP Literature Mr. J The Mind Behind the A.I. Few people ever wonder how our society came to focus on our seemingly imminent dystopian future, or even wonder how our dependence on machines and artificial intelligence came to be. The vast majority of people are looking towards the future, some hoping to avoid it, and some welcoming it with open arms. However, there are a few individuals looking back to see what spurred our fascination with extraterrestrials, the great unknown, and even robots. When those individuals uncover the roots of the science fiction era however, they will discover that our fascination with the future originated with one man, Isaac Asimov. A young Isaac was born in Petrovichi in the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic to Anna Rachel Berman and Judah Ozimov on the second of January in 1920. After immigrating from the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic to New York as a toddler, Isaac taught himself how to read at the age of 5. Continuing his education Asimov eventually learned Yiddish and subsequently graduated from high school by the age of 15. After his early graduation Isaac changed his last name to Asimov while he attended Seth Low Community College before going to Columbia University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree, MA, and Ph. D. in the year 1939. (Isaac Asimov Website) During his time at University Asimov began his writing career and published his first short story Marooned off Vesta in a collection of works named Amazing Stories. After receiving his Ph. D. from Columbia and launching his writing career Asimov married Gertrude Blugerman in July of 1942, and moved to Boston where the couple eventually had two children, David and Robyn Joan Asimov. In 1949, Isaac Asimov became a professor for biochemistry at Boston University’s School of Medicine after serving in the military during World War II. After ten years as a professor Asimov dedicated most of his time

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towards writing. Asimov wrote mainly science fiction, astronomy, math, religion, and literary biography, “ultimately writing as many as 500 books and 90,000 letters.” (Biography.com). Sadly however, Asimov contracted AIDs after a blood transfusion while in the hospital undergoing a bypass surgery. As a result of his battle with the virus Asimov “died in New York City on April 6, 1992, at the age of 72, from heart and kidney failure.” (ZDNet). Asimov had died before any modern advancements such as the internet and actual robotics but he nonetheless was a direct catalyst for them. It is undisputed that Isaac Asimov was an important figure in the solidification of the science fiction genre, but due to his literary and societal influence many critics contend that he is the most prolific science fiction writer of all time. Asimov was considered one of the “Big Three” scientific writers, next to Robert A. Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke. Beginning his writing career in the late 40s Asimov wrote short stories regarding time travel, alien encounters, artificial intelligence, and also dystopian societies. After garnering support from the public Asimov retired from his teaching career at Boston University and began writing full time. At this time science fiction began to take heed with pop culture as millions of Americans became fascinated with time travel and extraterrestrials. Popular books such War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells went through a resurgence as the the American population clamored for martians and flying cars. Even though there were other literary phenoms present who contributed to the the beginning of the golden age of science fiction such as Ray Bradbury, Chad Oliver, and L. Ron Hubbard the “first appearance of Isaac Asimov in Astounding Science Fiction is frequently cited as the precise start of the Golden Age of Science Fiction.” (Isaac Asimov Website) Asimov’s most famous works include Nightfall (which was voted the best science fiction story ever to be written), I, Robot, and The Last Question. (ZDNet) These works not only centered around science fiction but they also

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focused on morality which is why a vast majority of people connected with the works. Asimov’s works struck accord with the Silent Generation due to his insights regarding the human condition, but Asimov’s intellect surpasses the confines of print and can be seen in our everyday lives. The work that Asimov is responsible for that most of the population is familiar with, is I, Robot, which centers around a Dr. Calvin who must deal with the morality of working with men and robots in the United States Army. This work was revolutionary at the time not because it was Asimov’s first robotics novel, but because it was the first robotics novel to garner as much fame and acclaim as it did. Through his robotics novels Asimov was able create his “Three Laws of Robotics” which stipulate that “A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. A robot must obey orders given to it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.” And lastly “A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.” (Auburn) Asimov spearheaded the idea of robotics and artificial intelligence, he even is “believed to have coined the term ‘robotics’ which appeared in the short story Liar in 1941.” (Editors Desk) To this day Isaac Asimov’s views regarding artificial intelligence are seen today with popular movies such as Transformers, Chappie, The Terminator, and even his own work I, Robot. Without Isaac Asimov and his futuristic views regarding artificial intelligence we would most certainly not have had the inspiration to be as assertive in our development of artificial intelligence. Isaac Asimov was not only instrumental in the field of robotics and science fiction, he was also pivotal in modern technology and atheism. Isaac’s work has been very influential in the advent of modern technology. Aside from his science fiction novels and short stories Isaac Asimov is also known for his work regarding natural science and mechanics. His mystic novels

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regarding space travel and mechanics encouraged many young men and women to reach for the stars and his other works regarding natural science, physics, and the cosmos gave those aspiring cosmonauts a way to pursue their newfound dreams. Thanks to Asimov’s influence the 40s and 50s were “instrumental to the spring-boarding of science interest and the growth of engineering and technology as careers for the general public.” (Isaac Asimov Website) This trend is still apparent today as many people are still interested in the universe, metaphysics, and the natural world and that can be reflected through our world’s many space programs and our exploration of new planets and satellites. Besides science Asimov was a firm believer in atheism and stated “I don't have the evidence to prove that God doesn't exist, but I so strongly suspect he doesn't that I don't want to waste my time.” (Isaac Asimov) Asimov’s stance to claim that he was a complete atheist was revolutionary because the vast majority of Americans at the time were theologians and a complete denial of God was not a commonly understood belief. Isaac was a strong proponent of scientific reason and he believed that the universe would always continue to make sense, we just don’t have the capabilities to understand it. His denial of all religions set a precedence for the modern atheist movement as it has become more and more acceptable for individuals to refrain from partaking in religion. Lastly, Asimov has left a long lasting legacy on todays society and it’s culture. Isaac’s iconic visions of the future continue to become realities as the world becomes increasingly consumed with technology. Isaac Asimov’s books inspired anyone who picked them up and it is painfully obvious that he greatly influenced popular culture, mainly in the form of television and film. Besides the adaptations of his books I, Robot, Nightfall, Bicentennial Man, and Gandahar into movies Asimov was “involved with the production of Star Trek.” (Biography.com) Asimov’s involvement in Star Trek allowed him to relay his ideas to an even greater audience and he also

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had futuristic ideas that he wanted placed in Star Trek, such as flip video phones, which eventually came to fruition in real life, only adding to his impact on society. Isaac Asimov’s works were also influential to other big name Hollywood productions such as the The Iron Giant, Interstellar, The Last Mimzy, and also Avatar. Even though Isaac Asimov was primarily a writer his work continues to inspire those to this day through the advent of television and film. Inspiring millions of people around the globe with his thought-provoking material Isaac Asimov has earned his spot as the most influential science fiction writer to have ever lived. Isaac Asimov has transcended his genre of science fiction and has been apparent in modern culture even if the majority of people aren’t aware of it. Through his novels, short stories, letters, and film adaptations Isaac Asimov will continue to promote the sciences and free thinking even though he has passed. Thanks to his imaginative narratives Asimov has been able to instill in people the drive to succeed and look forward to the future. His belief that society will change and continue to grow not serves as an inspiration to humanity, but also illustrates his character as a humanitarian who believes in the success of the human race. Because of his work the human race will never be without thought and the imagination that if we continue to work together we can avoid a dystopia and succeed in the formation of a successful eutopia. That is why Isaac Asimov has earned himself a spot with all other literary greats.

Muhammad Fusenig

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Rebecca Stanley AP Lit Period 3 20 February 2015 Works Cited Asimov, Isaac. "Isaac Asimov Asks, “How Do People Get New Ideas?”." MIT Technology Review. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2015. . "Isaac Asimov." IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2015. . “Isaac Asimov Biography”. Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2015. http://www.biography.com/people/isaac-asimov-9190737. "Isaac Asimov Home Page." Isaac Asimov Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2015. http://www.asimovonline.com/asimov_home_page.html. "Isaac Asimov's "Three Laws of Robotics"" Isaac Asimov's "Three Laws of Robotics" N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. "Mass Communication, Mass Automation: Isaac Asimov's Vision of 2014, Written in 1964 | ZDNet." ZDNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2015. http://www.zdnet.com/article/isaac-azimovs-vision-of-2014-written-in-1964/. "The Man Who Coined the Term "robotics"" From the Editors Desk. N.p., 18 Apr. 2012. Web. 26 Apr. 2015.

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