In this, the first book of Asimov's long running Foundation series, we
meet Hari Seldon, a mathematician living on an overpopulated world
under the rule of the Galactic Empire. Hari uses a statistical tool he
develops called Psychohistory to predict how the Galactic Empire will
evolve through the centuries and even when it will ultimately Fall.
He starts collecting all the data in the known universe for inclusion
in an Encyclopedia Galactica in the hopes of limiting the
span of
barbarism that will follow the collapse of civilization. He knows this
work must be done over the span of many generations and free from the
influence of politicians and leaders so he finds a barren planet and
sets up his Foundation. At each of the predicted periods of
upheaval Hari has a solution prepared and even after he is long dead
the vault housing his holographic messages continues to open exactly
when expected and precisely when needed.
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