[marcofloriano]

I love books. I'm finishing for the first time the Foundation Series of Isaac Asimov.

You know what's frighten me? When i read him, i kinda connect with him, his beliefs, fears, opinions, view points ... his soul. Problem is: guy is (physically) dead for over a decade. But when i read his books, it's like if he is alive.

I started reading Confessions of a Necromancer and boy! it's amazing. I'm sure, deep inside, it's a masterpiece and a way for your mind and soul to survive all difficulties you are facing now.

So you are not dying, indeed, you are probably living more then most of your entire life before. Even if your body is in a bad shape, you true self are getting better and better.

Sorry for saying this like that, but keep up the good job!

[PieterH]

Yeah, it's true, the last five months have been a more intense sensation of living than I've ever known.

[dredmorbius]

There's nothing quite like facing one's imminent dissolution to focus the mind.

Some years back, after watching someone very near and close go through and eventually succumb to a situation similar to yours, I used travel as one of my coping and recovery mechanisms.

Came a point on the trip where I found a very high and sheer promintory. I took the opportunity to consider just what it was that made staying alive worthwhile. Few if any religious or philosophical justifications do much for me.

The Talking Heads lyric, "heaven is a place where nothing ever happens" came to mind. And with it the realisation that there's only one sure-fire way to find out what comes next, and that's to be there for it. Regardless of whether that's good, bad, or indifferent.

I've found the argument convincing to date.

I'm also loving your posts and engagement. I've thanked you for them before, but here it is again: thanks.

[PieterH]

My pleasure... :) I've really enjoyed this trip, the last five months.

[dredmorbius]

It's a hell of a ride.

That said, I'm not entirely sure I'd accept your travel recommendations, at least not uncritically.

[brachi]

That's very profound, and I'm glad I was able to discover these writings just today. I also think that the need or desire of transcendence is what drives us to create great things.

[k__]

lol, yes, Asimov also writes stuff in the preface like he's 35 and people tell him they thought he was long dead, because even their grandparents read his novels. Which gives the feeling he's still with us.

OT: Is foundation better than pebble in the sky and his short stories? I like his philosphical views, but his science ideas feel real outdated to me.

[xhedley]

Asimov's science ideas sound outdated in some cases because they became science fact. For example his 1945 proposal on communications satellites in geosynchronous orbit ... Www.lakdiva.org/Clarke/1945ww as quoted in Wikipedis. First successful satellite launch to Earth orbit was Sputnik in 1957. Stuff Asimov proposed 71 years ago is the basis for Pokemon Go ...

[shagie]

I suspect you've got Clarke and Asimov mixed up there. The article that you linked ( http://lakdiva.org/clarke/1945ww/ ) was written by Arthur C. Clarke.

Clarke was a bit more grounded in the harder science fiction disciplines (Fountains of Paradise with its space elevator) while Asimov tended more to the software side looking at psychology and sociology, empires and the people.

[k__]

the whole robot stuff sounds for example soubds like he had it the wrong way. First robots, than computers etc.