INTERVIEW WITH ISAAC ASIMOV

[MrGnarShredder]

Asimov reminds me of Zoidberg.

[centy64]

@MrGnarShredder But I thought you were the Robut.

[MrAdvancedAtheist]

I found the first Foundation novel unreadable, right around the point where a character calls himself "old" at age 62. Uh, excuse me? A supposedly advanced galactic empire doesn't have the medical ability to stop the aging process?

Asimov also assumes that plenty of Earthlike, turnkey exoplanets in the galaxy exist that humans can settle on. Well, we know better about exoplanets now, don't we?

[centy64]

@MrAdvancedAtheist The first part that jumped out at me was on about page 2 where the character is paying for things with coins..

[anaamee]

@MrAdvancedAtheist Sir, before foundation, chronogically in what we could call "the history of the future" imagined by Isaac Asimov, there is the series of the robots. In those books, you can see people who manage to live some 2 or 3 centuries ! Now, assuming Asimov was right (I think so) humans have to live short in order to have less to loose, and then dare take the risk of colonization of the galaxy. So later, in foundation, only short living humans made it, see ?

[anaamee]

@MrAdvancedAtheist About exoplanets, Asimov thought of something called "terraformation" which means the new planet ain't good for living from the start. Humans should prepare the planet before being able to breath air on it. Wouldn't we be able nowadays to implant a lunar base ? The first colony of the "short living" in the robot series had to live under a dome, so Asimov ain't telling bullshit, you just ain't enough informed, I advice you to read all, and then think. Peace

[fashklash]

Its strange. I always expect super-intelligent people to talk terrifically fast

[anaamee]

@fashklash If they did, they wouldn't be that much intelligent would they ^^ Because part of what makes someone intelligent is the understanding of others, and so the clever one knows he should talk slower in order to be well heard. know that seems a little pretentious from him, but after all we must accept there are people better than ourselves :)

[sonicyouth5150]

Jackass of an interviewer trying at every moment possible to ridicule the guest, but the Doctor is clever enough to see right through that and not fall into the trap of emotional outburst.

[AVIATIO]

Foundation, beyond a shadow of a doubt, influenced George Lucas, I believe. Therein are galactic empires, capitals covered wholly by cityscape, hyperspatial travel and psionic organizations charged with protecting civilization from harm....

No, there is not any influence therein....

[ChristIllusion024]

not a big fan of sci fi but this man is a genius history writer

i highly recomend

The Greeks

and

The Roman Empire.... Rip Isaac Asimov!

[SternMann93]

Asimov's Foundation series' really opened my eyes to science fiction. I LOVE his scientific and excellently phased stroytelling. The story becomes so grand scale when you read of the Foundation growing trough time and the Empire and civilization slowly crumbling. It's so inspiring and epic!

[shrappnells]

This guy is clearly misguided.

[1samanya]

It is truly amazing how just as soon as the question is asked, a comprehensive, clear, and insightful answer comes from Dr. Asimov. Such a clear mind. To be able to write on any topic of your liking at your will is simply astonishing. A true genius of Unites States. Learn about these rare treasures Americans.

[lordmahan11]

@1samanya

A clear mind makes for clear words, as they say. I wonder though...was he born like that? Or did he become like that, through decades of diligent scientific study. That, to me, is the real question.

[1samanya]

@lordmahan11

I think it is a combination of both. Genetics must have played a great role in the structure of his brain while a uniquely American environment enabled him to be exposed to science fiction pulp magazines and Abrahamic religion- free home environment at his crucial brain development age. One alone would not have resulted in the Isaac Asimov we know of.

[DudleyScardsdale]

It's almost astonishing how soft-spoken and down to earth he seems.

[KSATica]

Most of what Isaac Asimov speaks is true based on his work.

[MurdocLC]

Wtf, that was a weird end... XD

[AcademiaCondorcet]

we're past the year 2000 and the greatest problems have not been fixed, oops!

[GluttonForSex]

@AcademiaCondorcet Yeah, looks like we're heading for the 1st scenario which Asimov described.

The disturbing part however is that in both of his scenarios, he was sketching a humanity that featured a low global population. So... what is eventually going to happen with the world's current "surplus" of humans?

[yumeybaconcutout]

interviewer sounds like Kermit the frog

[stramster1]

Muttonchops have gone out of style. But Isaac remains.

[StrangeNeo]

where are such maestros gone today???? where have they teleported to ,to that ideal utopia,to leave us with such retards like paris hilton and stephanie meyer,when can we even begin to hope to the likes of them again?????

[StrangeNeo]

the interviewer is either a humanoid robot or a retard

[bruzewski]

I kept expecting the narrator at the beginning to say "Welcome to the Twilight Zone"

[TheShaolinScholar]

phillip k dick....

[kenobr]

the audio is terrible on this

[quidnick]

I've started reading the Foundation series, and the Robot series... they're awesome!

[ohdippity]

@quidnick

You're awesome for reading those.

[Zelomeisterdude]

There was something about the interviewer that seemed vaguely familiar to me and then at one point he laughed and it was then it occurred to me that it felt as though Asimov was being interviewed by a much older Sheldon Cooper from Big Bang Theory!

[BankruptMonopoly]

I started reading foundation today. Planning to read part 2 tomorrow.

[R3DRobot]

hes like the storywriter version of michio kaku! long live good things like thought.

[Tonithenightowl]

That was his gift, he could relate to ppl that were not scientists or academics. He could explain so that the average person would understand. What an imagination despite his science background. I admire his intelligence tempered with humility.

[OrchestrationOnline]

Look at poor Dr. A sitting through the long, somewhat monotonously-delivered intro - by 2:40, he's starting to fade. But he makes a quick recovery once the interviewer actually lets him say something.

Asimov hated long intros, btw. He preferred that the interviewer or MC simply announce him and welcome him (which this guy inexplicably DOESN'T), and then let the talk or interview begin.

[DreZGiant]

dem socks

[Godzilla90fan1]

RO-bits

[mikepep33]

I love the eerie music at the end.

[proteusu9]

wow! just like Cyborg ;))

[LUKADATAS]

Wow! I've never seen an interview with him before... but I always imagined a socially inept scientific type. But he's not that way at all. An amazingly likeable and lucid person.

[peymaania]

Those chairs look very uncomfortable...

[ohdippity]

@peymaania

I had to "vote up" you for having the truest/funniest comment.

[11pinrelay]

This balloon juice salesman's son's home was a major hub for child porn distribution. Why don't you know about that?

Search David Asimov, trendies.

Is anyone going to draw a sensible conclusion from that, or will I merely get, "What's that to do with this brilliant gasbag!?"

[gettempapa]

@11pinrelay It is unfortunate that his son was involved in that. I fail to see the conclusion you expect me to draw from it.

[11pinrelay]

@gettempapa You've been programmed to see Catholic priests as peds and Jews like Asimov, Surkis, etc, etc. -- ALL jews -- as innocent victims.

Sex scandal past haunts new envoy

By Ed O'Loughlin in Jerusalem...

February 12, 2005

"...Arie Scher, had to leave Brazil five years ago after being implicated in a sex scandal."

Their willies are awfully busy for such a tiny minority. Whatever conclusions you fail or succeed in drawing, empirical reality exists...and is suppressed.

[help4343]

@11pinrelay

You are an idiot

[11pinrelay]

@help4343 The voice of reasonstein speaks.

[aynradd]

boy was uncle ever tired on this interview ~ he fell short on cuzzing and walking off! *haha* lol

*great_upload!* *thumbs_up!*

[cydegerch]

"'Fantastic Voyage' based on his book ..." No no no. Asimov wrote the novel based on the film's screenplay. You have it wrong way around.

[elchafa]

22:43 - until the end is a very brilliant perspective.

[zerobeat18]

At 5:16 Sy Bourg has a little data flow interruption. Buffering.... Buffering....

[zerobeat18]

Sy Bourgin's name is very apt. I wonder if he obeys all 4 laws of robotics.

[ritesh193]

I' m scared to think what Dr. Asimov said of the "Solving the problems we face today by the year 2000 " We now know we have still not solved the problems(Global Warming,Nuclear Proliferation etc ..) In fact we made everything worse than ever before ....Even what he said of NYC lying in ruins seemed somewhat true after seeing the SEPTEMBER 11 attacks ...I just pray not all what he says come to be true and we put aside petty differences and prosper in become a truely galactic civilization.

[Derm1991]

I wonder what Asimov would make of Nanotechnology, as a mechanisation small enough of entering blood vessels and operating on people...

Also he would surely be one of the insulted viewers of "science fiction" like Avator

[Harlock4mg]

Imagine what this guy could have done if he had a modern PC.

[damuschka]

Wow... i like the distinction he makes between Fantasy and Sci-Fi.

"You can depart from science, but you have to have an excuse. Otherwise you are insulting the intellegent writer"

Brilliant!

[georgemargaris]

great interview... lol those chairs look uncomfortable

[Sarusource]

Sy Bourg' interviewing Asimov.. your sh*tin me.

[Sarusource]

This is a superb!

[MrDeppness]

Why is this man not a staple celebrity in the United States? We know who nobody media whores are like Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, and Sarah Palin, or even useless celebs like Sean Puffy Combs, Lebron James and Derek Jeter. But this powerful intellect and contributor of a multitude of phenomenal works is all but forgotten today. Ask around. Nobody knows him.

But WHY? Why is our culture constantly bowing before incompetent fools when men like this have walked the earth?

[Serethen]

@MrDeppness

00:07 Just a thought, but maybe it's because Tommy Lee Jones.... Is actually Isaac Asimov! o_O

[peymaania]

@MrDeppness Try reading Anti-Intellectualism in American Life, by Richard Hofstadter.

Perhaps you'll find some answers there.

[mammutti69]

@MrDeppness could have something to do with Asimov being dead

[TheGreeeen]

@MrDeppness well, he's pretty much dead now,...

[HaydenDerk]

@MrDeppness Why, why is there this air of elitism in the United States? Why does everyone seem to think that whatever they like is ultimately more worthwhile than anything else?

I hate the celebrities you listed and I love Asimov, too, but the elitism is stupid.

[MrDeppness]

@HaydenDerk The world needs a hero, not more reality TV personalities. It's good to admire good people. Nothing to do with elitism. No idea where you got that from.

[HaydenDerk]

@MrDeppness I got elitism from "our culture bowing before incompetent fools", "media whores", "useless celebs", etc. That's elitism.

These people serve their purpose. Life is not limited to a machine-like productivity race nor should it be and people like Kardashian and Hilton serve to provide contrast in the musical/acting/etc. world. Without them we wouldn't know "good" culture. As for sports figures, I'm not a sports guy but all work and no play makes humanity a very dull race.

[polymath7]

@HaydenDerk What is wrong with elitism?

[theroilsoil]

@MrDeppness

When values and morals go into the toilet, so do the people we look at as having morals and values.

If trash looks good, you'll want more and more.

[MrDeppness]

@theroilsoil That's just what happened. Social engineers want to dumb us down on corporate propaganda, celebrity worship, and consumerism. They want us to feel less than the glamorous without the superficiality of their images and products. And out of stupidity and insecurity, we buy it. Hook, line, and sinker.

[ohdippity]

@MrDeppness

You're so right! But all I read is "bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla"

[MrDeppness]

@ohdippity Of course I'm right. A wiseguy is always right. Even when I'm wrong I'm right. Fuhgedaboudit!

[WarVideo]

@MrDeppness “Don’t set out to raze all shrines—you’ll frighten men. Enshrine mediocrity, and the shrines are razed”- Quote from Ellsworth Toohey from Ayn Rands novel The Fountainhead

[HaydenDerk]

@MrDeppness And I have no problem with heroes, only the idea that the world should be made of heroes. Not everyone can find meaning in Asimov's works, just as there are people out there (deranged as they may be) who find some nugget of enlightenment within the lyrics of a Nickelback song. Facts are one thing but the ability to inspire one to go and find out new things and to explore the truth of the natural world is completely subjective.

[ErnilEnNaur]

@MrDeppness It's because intelligent sci-fi has been replace by Transformers and the new Trek movie Star Trek 2009: Trek For Morons. God, hoe I love the foundation trilogy, the robot stories, The End Of Eternity and other Asimov books. What we need is for someone with vision, someone like C. Nolan or Peter Jackson to make The Foundation into a movie trilogy.

[MrDeppness]

@ErnilEnNaur There you go. Put that idea out there!!!

[technatezin]

@MrDeppness "But WHY? Why is our culture constantly bowing before incompetent fools when men like this have walked the earth?"

Why? Because most people you run into in life doesn't like to THINK they like to FEEEEEEEEEEEELLLL!

youtube.com/watch?v=2d5o8d1kit­M

Why do you think extreme fighting "sports" are sold out events?

youtube.com/watch?v=D3oZy2oEuc­o

Thinking is gay. Pounding somebody's face in with your bare foot or bare fist is NOT gay because it just FEEEEEEEEEEEELLLL so macho.

[HCShannon]

@MrDeppness It's because nowadays people who are smart aren't "HIP"! It's a shame!

[ohdippity]

@HCShannon

I disagree. Computers made geeks cool. It's all about the smart now. Look at how many idiots pretend to be smart. Look at mainstream tv shows. I miss when being dumb was cool. Those were the days...

[chackers]

@MrDeppness @MrDeppness It IS sad, isn't it? I think the pace at which Americans live has something to do with it: a movie, for example, has to hit you in the face within a couple minutes, or the channe gets changedl. If Americans are THAT easily bored by a MOVIE, imagine how dull a book must seem.

[ohdippity]

@MrDeppness

Because it's an entertainment based country, where most don't read much. If he had the brains to make a sex tape... more would know.

[Boy192]

I love this guy. Words can't do him justice.

[11dpfromm]

How could they have lifed back then!?

[Ekryton]

Thank you guys for making this little gem available! It's curious to see Asimov so humble about his own work (which he usually wasn't). I just wish he could have left us more of those wondrous robot stories! Oh, and let's forgive him about the year 2000 thing...

[laurieklaas]

Well, it's 2010 and we still haven't really solved the problems they had in the 70's. I wonder, if Asimov were alive today would he conclude we're heading for ruin?

[BakeToRise]

Asimov's intellect never ceases to amaze.

[DarkKnightBob1o1]

@BakeToRise russian sci fi is BADASS. Read a roadside picnic.

AMAZING book, that had the same effect as an actual horror movie it was that well written

[ZachClooney]

Love the bit around 12 mins where Asimov says "I'm only happy when I'm writing." I could listen and watch him talk all day and night. Men like Asimov must live forever. Thanks to people like you who posted this video, he can be with us.

[ZachClooney]

I meant 11.40

[ZachClooney]

What a great interview. How did you find this gem from 1975? Thank you so much for posting this video, 'PublicResourceOrg'.

[sirfreakman]

Great Interview thanks for upload!