[andrewflnr]

Weird. I bounced off Foundation immediately because it felt like a series of short stories instead of a novel (and also I couldn't take psychohistory the least bit seriously). I'm kind of kicking myself for not predicting that it actually did start that way.

[d_sem]

New information that challenges one's context can often appear weird at first. Its a common reaction.

Regarding psychohistory: It's worth considering the era in which the books where written. The 1st half of the 20th century saw massive innovations in economic theory, physics, and information theory. It was not a big leap to predict that in 500 years time, humans would further advance macro economics. Personally I felt the books did a great job setting limits in the capabilities of the theory, and using its inherit flaws to drive interesting plot lines.

[KineticLensman]

Yes. Asimov’s three laws of robotics also look credible but still allow a mass of loopholes and footguns from which he got dozens of stories.