There's a worthwhile message in there, about keeping a sense of perspective, but it feels incomplete.
Seldon might not be remembered after a few centuries, but he changed the course of history. And we can do the same. Individuals, recognized or not, sometimes have profound impacts over millenia.
Though we might not be able to name the people who did the most for our species, and we might have forgotten their stories, their influence continues.
Being individually irrelevant is a design goal. History isn't predictable in the long run if, from time to time, it relies on the actions and decisions of a small number of individuals.
I'm sure Asimov realized that, as even Daneel rarely intervenes directly.
Comments
There's a worthwhile message in there, about keeping a sense of perspective, but it feels incomplete.
Seldon might not be remembered after a few centuries, but he changed the course of history. And we can do the same. Individuals, recognized or not, sometimes have profound impacts over millenia.
Though we might not be able to name the people who did the most for our species, and we might have forgotten their stories, their influence continues.
Being individually irrelevant is a design goal. History isn't predictable in the long run if, from time to time, it relies on the actions and decisions of a small number of individuals.
I'm sure Asimov realized that, as even Daneel rarely intervenes directly.