Isaac Asimov's Vision Of The Future | Letterman

Summary

In this engaging interview, Dr. Isaac Asimov discusses his prolific writing career, having published 221 books, including his autobiographies 'In Memory Yet Green' and 'Enjoy Still Felt'. He shares his writing process, touches on his interests in science fiction, mysteries, and annotating historical texts. Asimov also reflects on technological advancements in space exploration, the potential of genetic engineering, and the future of communication technology, offering insights into his predictions and perspectives on these evolving fields.

Takeaways

• 📚 Dr. Isaac Asimov has published his 221st book, reflecting a prolific writing career.
• 🤔 When asked about his writing compulsion, Asimov suggests it's a natural inclination and part of his identity as a writer.
• ⏰ Asimov describes his writing routine as starting in the morning, writing until completion, and then returning to bed.
• 💬 His favorite work is his autobiography, which he considers the most personal and significant subject matter.
• 🔬 Asimov is currently working on a monthly essay for 'The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction', among other projects.
• 🎭 He expresses interest in a variety of writing genres, including science fiction, mysteries, limericks, and historical annotations.
• 🎥 The popularity of science fiction movies like 'Star Wars' and 'The Empire Strikes Back' is attributed to advancements in special effects.
• 🚀 Asimov regrets the de-emphasis on the manned space program, believing it was a mistake to halt after the Moon landing.
• 🌌 He envisions a future with developed space civilizations, including space stations, settlements, and lunar mining operations.
• 🧬 Asimov anticipates significant medical advancements in gene manipulation, potentially curing congenital diseases.
• 🛰️ He discusses the potential for space-based weaponry, but expresses skepticism about its development and necessity.
• 📡 Predicting future communication technologies, Asimov foresees the use of laser beams and optical fibers for high-capacity data transmission.

Q & A

How many books has Dr. Isaac Asimov published according to the transcript?

Dr. Isaac Asimov has published 221 books, as mentioned in the transcript.

What is the title of Dr. Asimov's most recent book discussed in the interview?

The title of Dr. Asimov's most recent book is 'Enjoy Still Felt,' which is the second volume of his autobiography.

What is Dr. Asimov's writing routine as described in the interview?

Dr. Asimov's writing routine involves getting up in the morning, sitting down to write, and going back to bed after finishing writing.

What does Dr. Asimov consider his favorite subject to write about?

Dr. Asimov considers himself his favorite subject to write about, as indicated by his enjoyment in writing his autobiography.

What are some of the topics Dr. Asimov enjoys writing about aside from science fiction?

Aside from science fiction, Dr. Asimov enjoys writing mysteries, limericks, history books, and annotating texts like the Bible and Shakespeare.

What is the concept of annotating the Bible as explained by Dr. Asimov?

Annotating the Bible involves copying down all the verses and adding footnotes with personal comments or explanations for each verse, often resulting in annotations longer than the text itself.

Which science fiction movies did Dr. Asimov mention enjoying in the interview?

Dr. Asimov mentioned enjoying 'Star Wars' and 'The Empire Strikes Back,' even expressing enthusiasm for the continuation of the series.

What was Dr. Asimov's opinion on the timing of the United States' withdrawal from the manned space program?

Dr. Asimov believed that the United States backed away from the manned space program at the wrong time, suggesting it was primarily due to having beaten the Russians to the Moon.

What does Dr. Asimov suggest as the next logical step in space exploration after landing on the Moon?

Dr. Asimov suggests staying within the Earth-Moon system to develop space stations, space settlements, power stations in orbit, and lunar mining stations before exploring further.

How does Dr. Asimov view the future of genetic medicine and its potential applications?

Dr. Asimov envisions genetic medicine advancing to the point where congenital diseases could be corrected by manipulating genes, potentially eliminating the need for treatments like insulin injections for diabetes.

What are Dr. Asimov's thoughts on the complexity of modern technology and its impact on everyday life?

Dr. Asimov acknowledges the increasing complexity of technology, noting that while it advances to do more, it initially becomes more difficult to use until the next leap in technology simplifies it again.

What is the title of the book Dr. Asimov is working on that involves annotating the first 11 chapters of Genesis?

The book Dr. Asimov is working on, which involves annotating the first 11 chapters of Genesis, is titled 'In the Beginning'.

What is the significance of the communication developments mentioned by Dr. Asimov, such as communication satellites and optical fibers?

Dr. Asimov highlights the significance of communication developments like satellites and optical fibers for their potential to greatly increase the capacity for messages, possibly allowing for individual television channels and enhanced closed-circuit television use in various fields.

What is the title of the first part of Dr. Asimov's autobiography?

The first part of Dr. Asimov's autobiography is titled 'In Memory Yet Green,' which covers his life from 1920 to 1954.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Prolific Authorship: Dr. Isaac Asimov's 221 Books

Dr. Isaac Asimov, a renowned author, discusses his extensive bibliography, which includes 221 published books, with his most recent being an autobiography titled 'Enjoy Still Felt'. He shares insights into his writing routine, waking up early to write and then returning to bed after finishing for the day. When asked about his favorite work, he expresses a fondness for his autobiographies, as they focus on his favorite subject—himself. Asimov also talks about his diverse interests in writing, including essays for 'The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction', mysteries, limericks, and annotating historical texts such as the Bible and Shakespeare. He reflects on the advancements in technology, particularly in the film industry, which has led to a surge in interest in science fiction and space exploration.

05:03

🚀 Space Exploration and Technological Advancements

In this segment, Dr. Isaac Asimov delves into his predictions about space exploration, some of which have come true, such as the description of a spacewalk in 1952 that matched the actual event when it occurred. He talks about the importance of staying in the Earth-Moon system to develop a space civilization, including building space stations, settlements, power stations in orbit, and lunar mining facilities. Asimov also expresses his views on the manned space program, suggesting that the focus shifted away from it prematurely due to political reasons, and he anticipates a resurgence in interest if Russia makes significant advancements in space technology. He envisions a future where space travel becomes more accessible and integral to human life.

10:04

🧬 Genetic Engineering and Future Medical Breakthroughs

Dr. Asimov discusses the potential of genetic engineering, predicting that future medical breakthroughs may involve manipulating genes to correct congenital diseases, such as diabetes, instead of relying on treatments like insulin injections. He envisions a time when genetic analysis at birth could allow for preventative genetic interventions. Asimov also touches on the ethical considerations and risks associated with such technology, emphasizing the need for thorough testing and development. Furthermore, he comments on the progress made in genetic engineering, such as the use of engineered bacteria to produce human insulin, which has improved the treatment for diabetics and reduced the risk of allergic reactions.

🌐 Communications Revolution and the Future of Technology

In the final paragraph, Dr. Isaac Asimov speculates on monumental breakthroughs in communication technology, highlighting the ongoing advancements in communication satellites and optical fibers. He predicts a future where laser beams could replace electrical currents and radio waves for transmitting information, enabling an exponential increase in the capacity for data transmission. Asimov foresees a time when each individual could have their own television channel and closed-circuit television becomes prevalent in various sectors, including education and research. The discussion concludes with a reference to his autobiography, 'Enjoy Still Felt,' which is the second part of his life story, following 'In Memory Yet Green,' covering the years 1920 to 1954.

Keywords

💡Autobiography

An autobiography is a self-written account of the life of the author. In the script, Dr. Isaac Asimov discusses his most recent published work, which is the second volume of his autobiography, 'Enjoy Still Felt.' This work, along with the first volume, 'In Memory Yet Green,' chronicles his personal experiences and is central to the theme of the video, as it provides insight into Asimov's life and work.

💡Science Fiction

Science fiction is a genre of literature that often explores imaginative and futuristic concepts, technologies, and societies. Dr. Asimov is known for his contributions to this genre, and in the script, he mentions writing science fiction as one of his favorite topics. His work in this area is significant to the video's theme, as it showcases his creative approach to storytelling and his ability to envision the potential of technology.

💡Space Race

The Space Race refers to the competition between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War to achieve superior spaceflight capabilities. In the script, Asimov expresses his opinion on the Space Race, suggesting that it was primarily driven by the desire to outdo the Russians. This concept is relevant to the video's theme as it reflects Asimov's thoughts on the political and technological aspects of space exploration.

💡Special Effects

Special effects are techniques used in film, television, and other media to create illusions or visual elements that cannot be achieved through normal filming. The script mentions the impact of special effects on the popularity of science fiction movies like 'Star Wars' and 'The Empire Strikes Back.' Asimov's enjoyment of these films is tied to the theme of the video, highlighting the intersection of technology and entertainment.

💡Gene Editing

Gene editing is the process of altering an organism's DNA to introduce, remove, or change specific genetic traits. In the script, Asimov discusses the potential of gene editing to treat or prevent diseases like diabetes, which is a significant concept in the video as it reflects the ongoing advancements in medical science and their implications for human health.

💡Communication Satellites

Communication satellites are artificial satellites used for relaying radio and television signals across long distances. In the script, Asimov predicts the increasing use of communication satellites and optical fibers for transmitting vast amounts of data. This concept is integral to the video's theme, as it underscores the rapid evolution of communication technology and its potential impact on society.

💡Laser Beams

Laser beams are a concentrated beam of light that can be used for various applications, including communication and as a theoretical weapon. In the script, Asimov mentions the potential use of laser beams in both communication and as weapons in space. This keyword is relevant to the video's theme as it illustrates the dual-use nature of technology and its potential applications in both peaceful and military contexts.

💡Space Station

A space station is a large, human-made structure designed for humans to live and work in space for extended periods. Asimov discusses the idea of building space stations and settlements as part of developing a space civilization. This concept is central to the video's theme, as it represents a vision for the future of human presence in space.

💡Manned Space Program

A manned space program involves human spaceflight missions, such as sending astronauts to space. In the script, Asimov expresses his opinion on the discontinuation of the manned space program and its potential重启. This keyword is significant to the video's theme, as it reflects on the historical and future directions of space exploration with human involvement.

💡Annotated Bible

An annotated Bible is a version of the Bible that includes scholarly notes and comments to provide context or interpretation. Asimov mentions his work on annotating the Bible, specifically the first 11 chapters of Genesis. This concept is relevant to the video's theme, as it demonstrates Asimov's diverse interests and his approach to combining scholarship with personal commentary.

💡Typewriter

A typewriter is a mechanical or electromechanical device used for typing text. In the script, Asimov mentions using typewriters for his writing process. This keyword is connected to the video's theme, as it provides a glimpse into the tools of Asimov's trade and the technology used by writers during his time.

Highlights

Isaac Asimov has published his 221st book, making him an incredibly prolific author.

Asimov's favorite book is his autobiography, as it is about his favorite subject - himself.

Asimov has a unique writing routine of waking up, writing, then going back to bed after finishing writing.

Asimov enjoys writing across various genres including science fiction, mysteries, limericks, history, and annotating religious texts.

Asimov's upcoming book 'In the Beginning' will annotate the first 11 chapters of Genesis in the Bible.

Asimov believes the interest in science fiction movies like Star Wars is due to the spectacular special effects made possible by advancements in movie technology.

Asimov wishes there was another major space project like the manned space program to inspire people.

Asimov thinks the US backed away from the manned space program at the wrong time, primarily due to having beaten the Russians to the Moon.

Asimov predicts the US will get back into the space race if the Russians achieve a major milestone like a large space station or a working shuttle.

Asimov believes the next logical step in space exploration should be developing a space civilization within the Earth-Moon system before venturing further.

Asimov has occasionally written about things that later came true, such as spacewalks and pocket computers.

Asimov finds modern technology increasingly complex, making it difficult for him to figure out devices without reading the manual.

Asimov believes gene manipulation could lead to breakthroughs in medicine by correcting congenital diseases.

Asimov thinks genetic engineering is a risky area that should be thoroughly tested on animals before being tried on humans.

Asimov is unsure about the potential breakthroughs in cancer research, stating that it could come at any time but is not here yet.

Asimov expresses concern about the development of space weapons using laser beams or ion beams against satellites.

Asimov predicts that in 30 years, there will either be no wars or no humans, due to the potential consequences of weapons research.

Asimov highlights ongoing monumental breakthroughs in communication technology, such as communication satellites, optical fibers, and laser beams.

Asimov envisions a future where everyone could have their own television channel due to advancements in communication technology.

Transcripts

my next guest most recent published work is his  221st book I haven't written that many postcards  

uh the book is entitled enjoy still felt an  autobiography welcome please Dr Isaac Asimov

okay let's spend a minute here talking  about the fact that you've written 220  

21 books so far so far is that a compulsive  Behavior do you think I enjoy it you know  

why not sure but I say to myself here I am  a handsome writer I should know right yeah

what kind of schedule do you put  in to write that many books I get  

up in the morning sit down and write  when I finish writing go back to bed

is uh is there one particular work that's a  favorite for you out of all of those Publications  

well yes the one you've got right there is  the second volume of my autobiography that  

in the first volume if you put them together is  my favorite book because it's my favorite subject  

tell me a little bit about yourself what uh  what uh what would we need to know about you  

well once you've said 221 books that's it what  else is there I mean if you sit down and write  

that you haven't got time for anything else  uh what are you working on now several things  

right now I'm working on my monthly essay for the  magazine of fantasy and science fiction and when  

I get done with that I will go back to one of the  books some in the middle of is that your favorite  

topic area science and science fiction I suppose  so though I also like to write Mysteries and  

I like to write limericks I like to write history  books like to annotate like the Bible Shakespeare  

various other things what exactly does that mean  when you annotate the Bible oh well you simply you  

simply copy down all the all the verses in the  Bible and you make little footnotes and and say  

whatever you please about each one and if you're  if you do it right the annotations are longer than  

the thing you're annotating I've got a book coming  out called in the beginning in which I annotate  

the first 11 chapters of Genesis you can get the  first 11 chapters on Genesis and maybe 15 pages or  

so but the book is about 200 pages long counting  my annotations um why do you think there is now uh  

a real interest in in science and uh like these  space movies Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back  

Close Encounters oh well because the technology  of the movie industry has reached the point  

where they can put in spectacular special effects  and people enjoy watching those special effects  

did you enjoy those two movies I enjoyed Star  Wars The Empire Strikes Back In fact I enjoyed  

the Empire Strikes Back so much that when they  finished it I jumped up my seat and yelled start  

the third part they have done that haven't they  they're projected like nine and I figure that at  

the rate they're going they'll do the last few  after I'm dead which doesn't strike me as Fair  

um you know what I feel uh is unfair at the height  of the manned space projects you know that was  

great because everyone's attention was focused on  that and I wish we had something else like that to  

shoot for now do you think we uh backed away from  the manned space program at the wrong time no yes  

absolutely the reason for that was that we had  gone into space primarily to beat the Russians so  

when we got to the Moon we had and so it was true  football fashion having scored the the touchdown  

we went home yeah but the Russians are keeping  right on going and sooner or later they'll do  

something spectacular and we'll get back in the  race what do you think that that would be what  

spectacular thing could we look for well I suppose  if they build a really large space station or they  

put up their version of the shuttle and make it  work while we're still fussing around with ours  

then all of a sudden Congress will will pour a lot  of money into it and we'll get going again yeah  

um what would be the next logical step after  we put a man on the moon and say we wanted  

to continue putting men places where would we  put our next man ah well we ought to stay here  

in the Earth Moon system for a while and get it  really developed we have to ought to build space  

stations we have to build space settlements get  some power stations in orbit build some factories  

get a mining station on the moon and once we've  got a real space civilization going then we can  

explore further from a good strong space space if  that's speaking as a science fiction writer or a  

man who has studied the needs and what space can  provide us no I think that's speaking as a real  

human being have you ever written about things  and then seen them come true occasionally yes I  

described a spacewalk in 1952 and when they did  it some years later it turned out to be exactly  

the way I described it wasn't very difficult  I described pocket computers in 1950 got the  

appearance exactly right I talked about space  stations getting energy Down to Earth in 1940.  

and got that almost right I put the put it in  Mercury's orbit instead of moon's orbit to get  

it closer to the Sun maybe someday we'll do that  I predicted that the opposition to the space race  

and there was yeah so uh but these are little  things I never tried to predict I just tried  

to write stories I would sell so I could pay my  way through college that whole Phenomenon with  

the Phenomenon with computers and digital stuff  it used to be I could pretty well figure out any  

clock radio not so anymore it's all advanced to  the point where you really have to sit down and  

read the lousy book to figure these things out now  and it seems like things are getting more and more  

complex for just getting by day to day well it  always happens that way things get more complex to  

do more than as the technology advances further it  gets simpler again until the next Quantum jump and  

then it becomes complex again yeah I remember when  radios first came out so you're too young for that  

when radios first came out it was next to  impossible to tune them uh now you just turn  

them on I remember when television first came out  you had to have a live-in television repairman  

now you just turn it on if anything goes wrong  with it it means you buy a new set yeah when when  

the uh the radios did come out they were like  the size of a of a Buick in some cases and now  

I'm you can get them just about that big it's uh  unless you want to walk down the street playing  

at the top of the range then it's back to the  Buick yeah that's right that's a whole different  

situation here in New York City talking about  among other things is prolific work as a writer  

this represents 221 books published what  uh what kind of Hardware do you have in  

your home to keep this thing uh moving various  typewriters yeah that's about all you just get  

up and Wander from room to room type a little  and then type a little and type a little no  

there's just one typewriter and the other three  just sit there in case something happens to the  

one I can grab one or the other three is it  possible to write more than one book at a time  

well not simultaneously but I've got three  different books in various stages that's  

what I mean do you ever how do you keep everything  straight well as long as it's non-fiction there's  

no trouble you just or at least for me there's  no trouble if it were fiction I'd have to work  

on one book I I don't think I could manage two  fiction books I'd get confused in the plots yeah  

uh I want to get back to talking about your  feelings about new developments in certain  

areas for example uh in the next five to ten to  fifteen years in medicine why it seems to me that  

the important discoveries will be how to fiddle  around with genes so as to perhaps correct some of  

the diseases we that are congenital maybe instead  of treating diabetes with insulin we can fix up  

a gene so that you make your own maybe perhaps we  can get rid of some other conditions like that how  

would that be administered do you do you get like  an inoculation at Birth or the parents get it or  

how would that happen well I suppose that  eventually we'll reach the stage where children  

as born will have a genetic analysis and that you  could then try to do something like that graft the  

necessary genes into the pancreas for instance and  hope that they'll do sufficient work to prevent  

the eventual development of the diabetes that's a  very risky area to be uh experimenting with isn't  

it yes and presumably they'll do their best with  animals before they try anything on human beings  

you could you could alter or add to or detract  from any characteristic of a human that way  

couldn't you well in theory yes but you know you  have to work up the technology to a high pitch  

of excellence and we're just at the beginning  of that now yeah uh and what what signals the  

beginning what have we done so far well we've been  working mostly with bacteria that's how far we are  

and we've managed to engineer bacteria so to speak  so that uh particular bacteria can form chemicals  

that they themselves naturally wouldn't make but  we insert the genes for it so that we can now  

have bacteria making human insulin diabetics now  take insulin obtained from domestic as slaughtered  

domestic animals which is not exactly like human  insulin it does the work but you could you could  

get allergic to it and now we have human ensure  which we can get from bacteria and have I heard  

correctly about a synthetic insulin or is that  what you're speaking of or well in a sense it's  

synthetic in that it's manufactured as a result of  human agency but it's exactly like human insulin  

and the body can't tell the difference uh what  about cancer research any breakthroughs there  

well Heaven Only Knows we've been waiting for  one for 30 years at least maybe 50 and we can  

never we can never tell when it'll come but it  isn't here yet um what about the weapons race  

well now they keep talking about space weapons  about using about using laser beams or ion beams  

things like that against satellites and you'll  have either killer satellites doing the job or  

stations on Earth and uh as long as the satellites  are unmanned I suppose it doesn't do any harm to  

shoot them down but I figure that the best  weapons researchers no weapons research yeah  

you don't foresee that happening though I guess  huh oh well I imagine that uh I imagine that in 30  

years we'll have a situation in which there won't  be any wars either that or there won't be any us

let's get to the matter of communications  developments uh we were unable to place a  

call here to Missouri on a fairly  sophisticated piece of equipment  

um you see any Monumental breakthroughs in the  area of communications well there are Monumental  

breakthroughs that are underway now in terms  of communication satellites and Optical fibers  

and I imagine that more and more we'll be using  laser beams for communicating rather than either  

electrical currents or radio waves and it will  then be possible to have millions literary minions  

of times as many messages carried on a on a wire  or on a beam as we now can so that everyone can  

possibly have their own television channel the  way we all now have our own telephone numbers  

and uh closed circuit television will become  the great thing and everything from education to  

research will be done by by way of communication  communication devices the book is called enjoy  

still felt which is part two of your autobiography  correct right part one was in memory at Green it  

had a autobiography of Isaac asthma of 1920  to 1954 with a black border made my wife very  

nervous you hadn't even met me in 1954 she kept  saying who's this imposter right Dr Isaac Asimov  

thank you very much doctor for being with us we're  going to pause for an NBC news update [Applause]