Foundation
#34 of 644 all-time
Foundation
Isaac Asimov
22 people recommended it in 10 threads, 2008–2022.
What people on Hacker News said
The early Foundation is sort of a future history version of "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" (I seem to recall that was intentional, actually).
It is really social-science fiction if that makes sense - the premise is a mathematical model that can predict the future of an intergalactic civilization, with social and technological decline, dark ages and recovery.
There's something beautiful about the notion that human behavior can become predictable when you take people in a group - Seldon's "psychohistory".
Light, fast paced, brilliant in the use of sci-fi to raise interesting sociological questions. It makes a great vacation read.
Images and stories from those still pop into my head randomly decades later, and bits and pieces appear throughout pop culture.
Anytime I think about the longevity of our civilization, I think of it.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: What is your favorite fiction book? 2022 · 4 recommendations
- Ask HN: Mind bending books to read and never be the same as before? 2020 · 4 recommendations
- Ask YC: What's the most inspiring sci-fi book you've read? 2008 · 4 recommendations
- Ask HN: Which book are you reading, since when? 2022 · 3 recommendations
- Ask HN: What are your favorite books? I'm bored 2014 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: What is the most mind expanding book(s) you have read till date? 2022 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What's the best book you read in 2021? 2021 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What is the best book you read in 2020? 2020 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything? 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Book Recommendations? 2016 · 1 recommendation