The multivac is now called an AC and is no longer simply a single computer on earth but is now powering spaceships as humanity spreads across the galaxy. English is described as an ancient language, the four travelers are named, pretty strange names by modern standards Jerrodd, Jerrodine, and Jerrodette I and II and notably the multivac has evolved alongside humanity and its technology. This first era is fairly far into the future. First we meet humans after they've invented techniques to travel faster than light. This depicts the evolution aspect of life be it technology or us, as humans.

The computer multivac responds to this question for the first but not last time with five simple words: “insufficient data for meaningful answer”.įastforward, humanity has continued to have the same conversations about entropy and the fate of the universe and we see this discussion take place over several different generations. Only casually considering the question, the men decide to ask the supercomputer whether the universe's descent into entropy and thus disorder and death can be reversed. The fact that even this perfect system which promises endless energy forever will eventually die with the rest of the universe and the stars. While humanity celebrates this greatest achievement, a couple of scientists escape to a subterranean chamber where the supercomputer multivac is stored while sharing a bottle in celebration, they discuss entropy. This new energy system would not only make power concerns on the planet itself trivial but also would allow for the exploration of the farthest reaches of the solar system and perhaps, even beyond. The Earth has transitioned fully to solar energy. “The last question was asked for the first time, half in jest, on May 21, 2061, at a time when humanity first stepped into the light.” The near future humanity has developed ‘multivac’, a state-of-the-art supercomputer created presumably by the governments of Earth to help with the exploration of the solar system as humanity has now begun to colonize the moon, Mars and Venus in 2061.

The last question by isaac asimov