The Last Question by Isaac Asimov | Summary

The Last Question

Summary

The Last Question is a science fiction story by Isaac Asimov. It shows his vision of how science and technology will grow in the future. The story explains that man’s endless desire for progress will finally bring the universe to its end, when everything returns to chaos.

The story begins in 2061. A new supercomputer called Multivac is created. Multivac can improve itself. It makes its own changes and becomes better. Two technicians, Alexander and Bertram, only help to feed it data and explain its answers to ordinary people.

For many years, Multivac helps humans travel to the Moon, Mars, and Venus. But they cannot go further because Earth does not have enough energy. Humans have already used up coal, gas, and uranium. Multivac solves this problem. It shows how to collect and use energy from the Sun. This makes humans more powerful than ever.

One day, after celebrating, Alexander and Bertram talk about the end of the universe. They worry about entropy, which will cause the universe to die. Alexander asks Multivac if entropy can be reversed. The computer answers: “INSUFFICIENT DATA FOR MEANINGFUL ANSWER.”

The story then jumps to later times. In every era, people make great progress with the help of supercomputers that come from the original Multivac. In each age, someone asks the same question: “Can entropy be reversed?” Every time, the computer gives the same reply: “THERE IS AS YET INSUFFICIENT DATA FOR A MEANINGFUL ANSWER.”

At last, humans join with the supercomputer called AC. The universe reaches its end, but AC still exists in hyperspace. It thinks about the question that was first asked long ago. Finally, it discovers how to stop entropy. But there are no humans left to tell the answer to. So, AC decides to act. It makes a plan and looks over the empty universe. Then it says: “LET THERE BE LIGHT!” And light appears.

Exploring the Text

1. Who are Alexander Adell and Bertram Lupov?

Alexander Adell and Bertram Lupov are two technicians of the supercomputer Multivac. Their main job is to feed it data and explain its answers to ordinary people. They are the first to ask Multivac the “last question” about reversing entropy.

2. What is Multivac?

Multivac is a giant supercomputer created by humans. It can change and improve itself. It answers questions and solves difficult problems. It helps humans in energy, science, and space travel.

3. How did Multivac solve the energy problem?

Multivac solved the energy problem by finding a new source of power. It discovered how to collect and use energy from the Sun. This solar energy could be stored and used on Earth. It gave humans more power than ever before.

4. How did the supercomputers evolve in later ages?

The supercomputers kept changing and becoming more powerful in later ages. Each new computer was more advanced than the one before. They guided humans in greater scientific progress. Finally, humans and the computers merged into one with AC.

5. What happens when humans finally merge with AC?

When humans finally merge with AC, they become part of the computer. The universe reaches its end, but AC still exists in hyperspace. AC keeps thinking about the last question and searches for the answer.

6. Why is the problem of entropy important in the story?

The problem of entropy is important because it shows that the universe will eventually run down. It explains why all stars and energy will disappear over time. Humans want to find a way to stop or reverse it. The story focuses on this question throughout all ages.

7. What is the relationship between humans and machines in the story?

Humans create and control machines to solve their problems. Machines, like Multivac and AC, help humans explore space and manage energy. Over time, humans merge with the machines. Together, they work to understand and control the universe.