Is Anyone There
Based on the sources and our conversation, the book contains Asimov's essays exploring the known and unknown universe: life's science, cosmic scale, future possibilities, and humanity's search for alien life, asking Is Anyone There?
This unusual collection, titled Is Anyone There?, presents a journey through the mind of Isaac Asimov, a man known both as a prolific science fiction writer and a member of the faculty at Boston University School of Medicine. At the age of forty-seven, he was already the author of over eighty books, a figure that was rapidly increasing. Asimov describes this particular volume as a collection of "speculative essays on the known and unknown," drawn from over a decade of both casual and ardent inquiry. These writings touch upon science, conjecture, and science fiction, which Asimov refers to as the "three legs of the sturdy Asimov tripod".
The book is structured into parts that guide the reader through different realms of exploration. Part I concerns the more or less known, divided into discussions of Life and Nonlife. Part II delves into the more or less unknown, exploring Other Life, Future Life, and science fiction. Finally, Part III is dedicated to science fiction itself. This structure suggests a progression, moving from established scientific understanding to speculation about what might exist elsewhere and in the future, before focusing on the genre that often explores these very ideas.
Asimov tackles a wide array of fascinating topics within these pages. He contemplates everything from the atmosphere of the Moon and the structure of the Universe to the composition of living organisms and the nature of the human mind. He considers complex biological questions, such as memory research involving RNA and its potential effects, and the structure of DNA. He also explores technological advancements, like the development and characteristics of lasers. The book also dips into the realm of physics, discussing concepts like time dilation as a consequence of velocity, illustrated with an imaginative example of a moving freight train.
The collection ventures into astronomy and the search for knowledge beyond Earth, touching upon radio astronomy and different theories about the universe's origin. The quest for extraterrestrial life is a significant theme. Asimov engages with the ideas of figures like Carl Sagan regarding the potential abundance of planets with intelligent life, while also considering the perspectives of scientists like George Gaylord Simpson and Theodosius Dobzhansky, who express caution about overenthusiasm in exobiology. Communication methods with potential alien civilizations are pondered, such as using lasers or microwaves, acknowledging the immense distances involved. Asimov also presents his thoughts on flying saucers, clearly stating his position that he does not believe them to be space vehicles guided by extraterrestrials. He suggests that any reported sighting is either a hoax, a mistake, or something explainable in a way that doesn't involve spaceships from distant stars.
Hypothetical explorations of life on other worlds are also undertaken, albeit often as thought exercises. For instance, Asimov speculates on the possible anatomy of a Martian, given the known conditions on the planet at the time, emphasizing that these are not to be taken seriously as scientific conclusions, but as an exercise in fantasy based on available data from sources like the Mariner IV probe. He contrasts this approach with common fantasies and the changes in scientific understanding that have reshaped our view of planets like Mars and Venus over time, leading to a sense that the romantic, populated solar system of earlier science fiction is gone.
Looking towards the future, Asimov speculates on the world of 1990 and beyond, discussing population growth, environmental issues like air pollution, and technological developments such as electroluminescent panels. He also contemplates the future of space exploration, predicting milestones like exploring the entire solar system and landing on many celestial bodies by 2100, while acknowledging the greater difficulties of reaching giant planets, getting very close to the sun, or undertaking voyages to the stars. The concept of "spomes" is introduced – self-contained systems capable of supporting human life indefinitely, ranging from natural spomes like Earth to artificial ones like modified asteroids or even large star ships. This leads to fascinating speculation about future human evolution and potential differentiation into "g" (gravity) and "null-g" species depending on their environment.
A significant portion of the book is dedicated to science fiction itself. Asimov argues that science fiction is a uniquely modern form of literature, distinct from fantasy and social satire, in that its background is a plausible extrapolation of reality and it focuses on humanity's response to scientific and technological advancements. He traces the history of the genre through pioneers like Jules Verne and H.G. Wells and the development of dedicated magazines by figures such as Hugo Gernsback and John W. Campbell, Jr., noting the genre's increasing maturity and public attention after the atomic bomb.
Asimov champions the importance of science fiction, not merely as entertainment, but as a thought-provoking form of literature that forces readers to contemplate the future and the potential consequences of change, even uncomfortable ones like overpopulation or technological dangers. He sees science fiction as an "escape into reality," providing a platform to consider future possibilities before they overwhelm us. He also posits that science fiction can act as an antidote to what he calls the "cult of ignorance," by making intelligence and scientific careers seem respectable and appealing. He even goes so far as to suggest that an interest in good science fiction might serve as a "sword of Achilles," a tool for identifying individuals with the potential for scientific creativity. While acknowledging that some science fiction can be frivolous or even anti-science, he highlights the significant fraction that uses technical problems and trained personnel as core elements.
Throughout the collection, Asimov's voice is clear, logical, and direct, punctuated by wit and erudition. He expresses opinions and convictions ranging over a wide field. Whether discussing complex scientific ideas, speculating on the future, or analyzing the nature of science fiction, he presents his thoughts engagingly and persuasively. The book is not just a summary of facts, but an exploration of possibilities and a defense of intellectual curiosity and the genre that often serves as its playground. It represents a mind actively engaged with the universe, pondering its wonders, its challenges, and the potential future of humanity within it, always with a focus on clarity and rational thought. Even when engaging in fantasy, as in the hypothetical Martian anatomy, he does so grounded in the scientific knowledge available. The collection is presented as one that is wide and timely, provoking readers to think.
