Isaac Asimov: The Last Question (1956)

https://hex.ooo/library/last_question.html

Article

  • Asimov’s 1956 short story spanning trillions of years of human history
  • Recurring question: can entropy be reversed? Same answer every time
  • Ends with a cosmic punchline that reframes the entire structure
  • Asimov called it his personal favorite of all his stories

Discussion

  • antirez: loved it at 14, wonders how it survives copyright without takedown
  • Multiple commenters say they reread it every time it surfaces on HN
  • Commenters draw parallels to LLMs refusing to say ‘insufficient data’
  • Several recall seeing it dramatized at planetariums as children

Discuss on HN


Type Link
Added Apr 17, 2026
Modified Apr 17, 2026