Prelude to Foundation
Isaac Asimov's "Prelude to Foundation" opens with Hari Seldon's arrival on Trantor. Seldon, a mathematician, attends a science convention where his ideas about psychohistory gain attention. He quickly finds himself caught in the political machinations of the Empire. Various factions seek to either use or suppress his theories. Seldon must navigate these dangers while also working to develop psychohistory, the science of predicting the future of large populations. His journey to create the Foundation begins amidst the complex environment of Trantor.
"Prelude to Foundation," by Isaac Asimov, is a science fiction novel that serves as a prequel to the Foundation series. It explores the earlier life of Hari Seldon and the initial development of his psychohistory theory.
Setting the Stage
The story unfolds on the highly developed and complex planet of Trantor, the capital of the Galactic Empire. Trantor is a world entirely covered by metal, a symbol of the Empire's vast reach and technological prowess. The planet's surface is a dense urban landscape, housing billions of people and the administrative center of the galaxy.
Hari Seldon's Arrival
The narrative begins with the arrival of Hari Seldon, a mathematician from the remote planet of Helicon, at Trantor to present a paper. Seldon's work catches the attention of the Galactic Emperor, which draws Seldon into the political intrigues of the Empire.
The Genesis of Psychohistory
Seldon's key idea is psychohistory, a concept that blends mathematics, history, and sociology to predict the future behavior of large populations. Seldon believes it is possible to statistically forecast the broad sweep of future events, allowing for the mitigation of catastrophes and the guiding of humanity towards a more stable path. The initial challenge for Seldon is that psychohistory is only theoretical. To make it practical, he needs to gather massive amounts of data and refine his mathematical models.
Encounters and Alliances
During his time on Trantor, Seldon encounters various individuals who influence his work. These include:
Eal Dorwin: An arrogant but influential Imperial bureaucrat.
Dors Venabili: A mysterious woman who becomes Seldon's close confidante and protector.
R. Daneel Olivaw: A robot disguised as a human, playing a subtle role in guiding galactic events.
Navigating Trantor
Seldon's quest takes him across Trantor, where he explores the planet's diverse sectors. He visits the underlevels of the city, witnessing the poverty and social problems that exist beneath the glittering surface. These experiences deepen his understanding of galactic society, providing insights necessary for the development of psychohistory.
Political Intrigue and Threats
As Seldon's work progresses, he faces opposition from those who fear the implications of psychohistory. Some worry that the ability to predict the future could destabilize the Empire, while others see it as a threat to their power. Seldon must navigate these political intrigues while continuing his research.
The Plan Takes Shape
Over time, Seldon refines his psychohistorical theories and begins to formulate a plan to preserve human civilization. The Galactic Empire is weakening, and Seldon foresees a dark age of chaos and barbarism. To shorten this period and guide humanity towards a new era, he proposes the establishment of a Foundation, a repository of knowledge and technology on a remote planet.
