Isaac Asimov on Bill Moyers World of Ideas pt 1

[LDP060681]

his description of the universe is pretty damn precise.

[Mdriver1981]

He was not very smart, in his book "Lucky Starr and the Oceans of Venus" he paints Venus as an ocean planet. He should have known that to be impossible due to it's closeness to the Sun.

[TheRightDecision]

@Mdriver1981 It's science fiction. 

[Delta1838]

@Mdriver1981 He apologyzes for that in the prologue of a most recent book.

Also, have in mind that Lucky Starr was written on the fifties.

[Mdriver1981]

@Delta1838, I don't care when it was written. It does not take advance science to understand that Venus is very close to the Sun, well away from the habitual zone. On top of that, we can tell by simply looking at the planet that it has a very thick atmosphere- therefore the combination of those two obvious observations would make the planet not an ocean, but like that of the mythical Hell. Dr. Asimov's research was sloppy at best.

[KSATica]

5 people are trolls :)

[KSATica]

@markobenetti I read a couple of his books and I do admit I find his work very inspirational to me. :>

[ismil20]

Where do you think our new ideas come from?

[Arkthos]

I'm no longer and atheist since I've just seen Bill Moyers Interviewing God.

[skyjuiceification]

.....aww nevermind!

[skyjuiceification]

why does every vid on boobtube serve as a excuse to argue? why cant u kids just be entertained and or enlightened as u see fit and leave others be? is life that.

[moeskido]

I loved Asimov. Got to hear him speak on several occasions in the 1970s and 80s. His fiction was okay, but his ability to explain science and history was an order of magnitude more impressive and important. Also, he was genuinely funny.

[trekfan92]

1991 Death of Gene Roddenberry

1992 Death of Isaac Asimov

Crappy years for me.

[saoir]

One of the greats ... such a loss ..

[MegaStephn]

even sagan wouldnt agree with this

[influxrift]

@MegaStephn Is there a point to your inarticulate comment?

[MegaStephn]

does no one see how contrived this is*

[MegaStephn]

does no one see how contrived this it?

[Rajamuttu]

@MegaStephn

You mean a formal interview in a television studio broadcast to millions of viewers? THAT kind of contrived?

Or that Mr. Asimov has contrived his ideas after considerable thought and is capable of articulating them in public? THAT kind of contrived?

Let's pretend you have a point. What is it?

[dougww1ectebow]

An amazing writer of both science fiction, fact and a great scientist. I treasure my autographed copy of The Foundation Trilogy.

[heyyou150]

@dougww1ectebow THAT is impossibly cool.

[CutauuCandrana891]

heÿ_Ì_fêël_sÔ_lÔÑÉly_tÓdáy

[SovietUnity]

Truly a genius! I've read most of his short stories and they amaze me all the time!

[Veronox117]

I wish that I could have met him.

Such an exciting opportunity, lost. Maybe not forever, but still.

[TheHulja]

i love his work so much more than clark's

[TheHulja]

i love his work so much more than clark's

[DoctorLawyerWhatever]

His ficton is awkward, clumsy, and dull, right out of the '50s. His nonfiction will eventually become outdated, as all nonfiction. What of it?

[imrepohl]

@DoctorLawyerWhatever Troll much?

[puncheex]

@DoctorLawyerWhatever: His influence upon a large number of people, from the 40s through the 90s. Too bad you didn't know him. 

[DoctorLawyerWhatever]

@puncheex I did know him. His kids, David and Robyn, went to school with me. He was a very pleasant man. That doesn't mean that I neccesarily have to enjoy his work.

[puncheex]

@DoctorLawyerWhatever: No, I don't suppose you do. I think I was pointing out that many people had been monumentally influenced by his writing as they grew up, mine among them.

[kitchenaut]

@DoctorLawyerWhatever

Well, you're wrong.

[rukus100821]

so with his speech about tech and robots is religion still needed after all? cause i do see and like how the saxan's were beaten when Christianity was joined against to over power pagans. anyone?

[syncopath]

great talk. 10x.

[fournya]

check those glasses. asimov was totally an original hipster.

[BorgKing001]

Arthur C. Clark is better

[TheBadunka]

@BorgKing001 if he was, which is only opinion, isaac asimov shouldn't be far behind.

[puncheex]

@BorgKing001: The "Asimov-Clarke Treaty of Park Avenue", put together as they shared a cab ride along Park Avenue in New York, stated that Asimov was required to insist that Clarke was the best science fiction writer in the world (reserving second-best for himself), while Clarke was required to insist that Asimov was the best science writer in the world (reserving second-best for himself).

[pandaguy666]

Asimov is actually the reason why I love science. In 6th grade I picked up one of his books (sadly I cannot remember which one it is) and I never looked back.

[nontheistdavid]

Absolute GENIUS! Imagine a world with people who thought like this man! Possible UTOPIA!

[TZMReadingJay]

@nontheistdavid Make it happen! Watch Zeitgeist: Addendum and help us to educate people to think this way.

[Soundtrack1000]

@nontheistdavid what impresses me the most , he is just humble and down to Earth:)))

[njstband]

5:45 to 6:30 is something that everyone MUST KNOW



[njstband]

5:45 to 6:30 is something that everyone MUST KNOW

[baillou2]

I spent the majority of my youth reading this man's books and essays and short stories.

I'm older now and even though I can still pick up one of his novels I don't know if I'll ever be able to lose myself in those pages like I did all those years ago.

Asimov reminds me of the happiest moments of my childhood and for that I am thankful.

[ccarr313]

Isaac Asimov probably had more influence in my life then any other figure in history. More people like him, and we could have world peace.

[sbergman27]

One of the few regrets I have in my life is that I never wrote Isaac to express my appreciation for how he had enriched it. He's probably best known for his fiction. But it was his non-fiction essays which really gave one insight into the real Isaac. The day that he died, I lost a personal friend. And I still feel so to this day. But part of him does live on. He made a difference to me, and I'm sure, to many others.

[Feistycadaver]

who the fuck votes down on this? jesus fucking christ

[Stoner075]

@Feistycadaver Yes, that is very intriguing, who and why? I mean, I'd really 'd like to know.

[Rearda]

@Feistycadaver No, it wasn't him.

[Feistycadaver]

@Rearda heh. Good one!

[jltambosi]

It is very hard to talk about Isaac Asimov here in Brazil. No one cares.

Can you imagine how much could you learn if it was possible to talk with Mr. Asimov even for just 1h??

[Stoner075]

@jltambosi I understand what you mean. I'm chilean and, well as you can guess this not just about Asimov... Nobody cares. But you do and there are a few here and there.

Bless you all.

[puncheex]

@jltambosi: Asimov tells about the time his daughter was to be picked up for a date, and she was really apprehensive about what her father would think of him. When she appeared after the appropriate wait time, she found him and Isaac discussing biology, and it looked that it could go on for longer than the date was to happen.

[fernandozeca]

I dont know who I like more if is Asimov or the great Bird of Galaxy

[paneos7]

thanx 4 all...GREAT MASTER!!!!!

[jmoney507]

I admit that I am not a big fan of Asimov's science fiction (or his other fiction for that matter), though I can clearly see his influence on the field. However, his pure genius in the field of scholarship and explaining things is interesting. I disagree with the man on certain philosophical idealologies, I owe some of my education to Isaac Asimov.

[ge01f]

Asimov is bad ass.

[colourmegone]

Thanks for posting these. I read my first Asimov about age 13 and I haven't looked back. The Foundation and Robot series are some of my favorite SciFi. To hear such clear and far thinking ideas from a childhood hero is very gratifying.

[klnine]

the world is indeed very lucky to have had Isac, Physics, fantasy, imagination...genius. humility..intellect ., well read ..thanks Isaac !

[ron68496]

How much I miss Isaac Asimov and Carl Sagan - bastions of rationality in a cracked up age of neo-conservative cretinism !

[PivotLoverGuy]

lips are out of time

[123456cephiro]

you have to stick to very simpley things......... GENIUOS

[keyea008]

My hero among Carl Sagan. I love Isaac Asimov autobiography.... scientist and artist... awesomely delight!

[h4ck3rm1k3]

GOD BLESS Isaak Yudovich Ozimo!!

[ZilasKadaj]

@h4ck3rm1k3 Asimov was an atheist ¬¬

[GalaxiaNovak]

He was a genius! I love him !

[dude4547]

he writes shit on paper!@ that is his trick

[ilhadosmacacos]

fugly glasses, i dont like him anymore.

[chess1212]

he is awesome

[Arenakan]

Moyers interviewing Asimov...thank you so much! :)

[hotelmario510]

Poor bloke died of AIDS. So ironic that a man way ahead of his time died from an illness that was only 10 or so years old...Asimov will be remembered...for his stories, his Laws...and his epic sideburnage.

[SounzNice]

weak

[queenastilon]

Lovely to find this!

But two questions: when was this and why does it start with Bill Moyers saying "This is part 2" ? I.e. where is part 1?

[FunBoy15]

Genius.

[smyd23]

I love this guy haha

[Farsightful]

"i just enjoy it"

[LetKnowledgeDrop]

Genius.

[OkInfografiaMadrid]

You're missed Isaac.

[filipporock]

He seems so relaxed

[ieguy3]

For years I've said Asimov taught me more than any instructor ever had. He's why I hold difficult concepts should be stated in a way anyone could understand them. Years back, I gave my oral thesis & was told it wasn't "level work" since everyone understood. They said only 20% in audience should follow well with the rest a bit confused & 10% lost. I laughed in their faces & said, "If folks don't understand, it means you're a lousy communicator." Asimov was a fantastic communicator.

[maulcs]

inspiring

[TheFreeAdviceMan]

Honored to have met Isaac Asimov and to have discussed important matters of consequence with him for almost an entire hour! This is a fact; Google Me!

[mortysand]

Happy non-90th today sir.

[ivucica]

Thank you!

[fathead8489]

wiki says he actually ended up writing books. Amazing. I only read about a dozen of his but loved everyone.

[puncheex]

@fathead8489: In the end he claimed 500+ books authored.

[titishev]

What year is it?

[rbonillavid]

He's always inspired me to try and be an intelligent, rational person. More people should know Asimov. :o)

[ZachClooney]

Thanks cybersputnik for posting this interview of Asimov. He's always worth listening. I wonder what he'll say about James Cameron's Avatar !

[asdfghjkl2222]

haha, he wrote books on everything in the Dewey decimal system except psychology :] in his stories where he has a psychologist as a character he always portrays them as a big pretentious douche. another reason why asimov is awesome

[ZachClooney]

Agree! Why did he avoid writing about psychology?

[Kakarot21591]

He wasn't interested in it. He didn't take to Economics too. He only read and wrote about what interested him, but dammit, he was interested in a LOT!

[TeoTanek]

@ZachClooney

because it is a pseudoscience

[TheJomogogo]

@asdfghjkl2222

Yeah he was a prolific writer, known mostly for his scifi but he wrote a mountain of non-ficiton about EVERYTHING and did it in his typical fascinating style. He wrote a huge book about The Bible and even made that interesting to a casual reader, an amazing accomplishment. It was a Seldon Crisis when he died.

[phuktard]

I will always luv Isaac; some of the best books that I read were penned by this man, both fiction and nonfiction. and I truely believe that the best history book for reference is his "complete chronological history of the earth"

[miles101457]

"Creationists make it sound like a "theory" is something you dream up after being drunk all night." - Isaac Asimov

[andyx1205]

Isaac Asimov was a very intelligent man, and he is noted as saying that the only individuals who he had met that he was proud to say were more intelligent than him were Carl Sagan (popularizer of astronomy) and Marvin Minsky (a cognitive scientist in the field of Artificial Intelligence).

[qtronman]

Asimov's IQ must have been astronomical.

[rayj778]

Asimov took an IQ test & it came out to be 165, but he said he took it in half the time it takes others to take it.

[CamiloSanchez1979]

What an amazing man. It is so shocking how what he says about the computer taking over is so current. Sometimes I feel education might be entering a dark age, people are learning things much faster now, we are just not creating enough, education should also engage creative minds.

[blazdone]

the caves of steel was the first real book i read, and i've been an asimov fan ever since. he truly is one of the greatest minds to ever pop out of humanity. i couldn't imagine writing 1 book as good as asimov's, let alone 391!

[carolusmagnus2]

Asimov is one the greatest men, and he will be forever. His influence over the world of reason is tremendous, and rightly

[bodryn]

I'd like to add Robert Heinlein to those three listed. Sad to think that librarians would give away any books by authors like these - they should remain available for generations to come.

[reinforcedpenisstem]

Heinlein is great too - he was one of the BIG THREE. Clarke, Asimov, Heinlein.

[tristramshandy3]

Vonnegut kicks all their butts :)

[reinforcedpenisstem]

Vonnegut is good, but his output was a fraction of Asimov's, and only about half of the other two. I think this is why Vonneguts books are a bit more special. Also, he is more satirical than the hard-sci fi of the other guys.

[tristramshandy3]

I don't know why I wrote that stupid comment anyway. Vonnegut is literature, not genre fiction.

Breakfast of Champions is one of the greatest American novels ever written.

[reinforcedpenisstem]

Breakfast of Champions is unreal. Kilgore Trout is one of my all-time favourite characters. However, it has the luxury of coming much later than Asimov's OPUS "Foundation"... That book is just as good and important to me.

[tristramshandy3]

I have read the Foundation trilogy. It was fun- but lacked the profound nature of Vonnegut's writings, IMO.

[leppy111]

Every kid needs to read one or two of his books, He's the reason I'm such a nerd.

[polymath7]

Hear here!

Asimov, Clarke, and Sagan were integral to my early self-education, and were largely resposible for shaping my universe-view.

[Darkgrammer]

Same.

[TorisLaCroixFilms]

That's right. I finished the book A Stars Like Dust.

That book was awesome, and... I want more!

[reinforcedpenisstem]

I recommend 'The Currents of Space' to you then.

[wigglywoman]

He wanted to step in and help Glen Larson in writing the episodes of Battlestar Galactica.He was a big fan of the show.

[thejordan01]

It kind of makes me sad to think I won't live to see true space travel.

[sansserifa]

what makes me even sadder is that we could have lived to see it, if only people were a little less stupid

[mardoqueo1986]

define stupidity

[sansserifa]

...not being able to understand that something like space travel is necessary

[mardoqueo1986]

NOT ABLE is disability

[sansserifa]

yes, and disability to understand is stupidity... I don't see where do you want to get

[Almuric7]

I am as a Science Fiction Fan embarrassed to admit I hate the Foundation "trilogy"... I do, however, LOVE his ability to make Science Fact palatable to people like me, and I also love his early Novels and stories. I admire the Man also. Just don't see Foundation as his best work...

[polymath7]

Do you have any strong interest in history?

If so, you may wih to give the Foundation trilogy another reading.

It's not as purely fictive as you might think; it is heavily inspired by and modeled upon the history of the Roman empire, a kiind of narrative analog of Gibbon, if you like.

Having been underwhelmed by foundation at seventeen, I recently reread it and found it brillant and *utterly* fascinating.

[archsceptic]

Asimov wasn't just brilliant, he was a beautifully soft and gentle orator in that velvety Brooklyn accent.

It saddens me - and it would sadden Asimov, that so few of his many, many books are now in print. Seize everything you can of Asimov and feed your mind with his wisdom.

[polymath7]

I share your sentiment, archsceptic.

Just a few days ago, I walked into a public library to find that several of Asimov's books were lying in a box near th entrance marked "giveaway".

This same library has three copies of something called 'The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need'.

I wish I were making this up.

[colourmegone]

@polymath7 Yes, but which were more dog-eared?

[Keylimedelight]

From 8:10 are comments that every educator in the country needs to hear.

[spillspill1994]

Man this guy is highly intellgent

[MadPutz]

This is a great video interview of a legend. I am putting this on my playlist of other future oriented videos. If you want to see more related videos check out my "Our Future" playlist.

[234aaab]

oh wow, i've never thought of creativity and literacy that way.

thanks uploader!!

[JRCrowley]

This guy is the best.

[JacobWeinberg]

Great author and he's got the greatest sideburns I've ever seen...

[2007TypeR]

Oh please. This isn't exactly coming from a paper he has submitted for peer review is it? It's just a conversation and he is obviously just talking aloud and bringing up his ideas and thoughts on the matter.

Lets face it... we don't have a fucking clue where we came from or where we are going. It's all theory and it's always evolving.

[NorseRonin]

if infinite progression is possible, than logic would tell you (if you ask nicely) that infinite regression is possible.

[mandrellian]

Any two totally opposite possibilities are not necessary equally probable.

[NorseRonin]

true sir! but in this case though, it is equal. let me rephrase my comment so you'll understand where i'm coming from. infinite progression = infinite regression. basic math my friend.

[heethen1]

He isn't gone... he is here ;-)

[ctallia28]

beyond genius... this disheartens me though... if there were men preaching this idea decades ago and it hasn't caught on... we are hopeless as a species

[AgNoSticPope666]

the man was a genius.

[afrosheenix]

Coolest sideburns ever.

[jimfields]

technically, Mutton Chops

[L0rdxyk0n]

Even cooler.

[Jonz84]

you can see someone trying to get a peek of the interview through the circle on the door at 1:19.

[UkitakeTachou]

Haha! Good eyes! What self-respecting person wouldn't try to get a peek at someone as intelligent and influential as Asimov?

I wish I could have secreted a peek at him...

[ericer8]

I am addicted to anything that Asimov says or writes.

[roddiero]

Yeah, finally. I decided to check for Asimov tonight...figured maybe something would come up this time besides the comic book thing--and I found this! Whoo hoo. I feel like I'm about to open a present on Christmas day...

[fredarc]

finally some more asimov vids...keep it coming man! Thanks!

[KlipKultur3]

Best stuff I've seen from Asimov. Love the man. Big thanks to you.