I'm gonna have a discussion of the genius of Isaac Asimov. I am re-reading the first couple of Foundation novels, the first of which was published in 1951. The books are about a man in the extreme future (Hari Seldon) who has put together complex mathematics in such a way as to predict the direction a society will take and how it would be necessary to circumnavigate problems. This is called psychohistory.
Seldon discovers his society is failing and takes measures to create a small bastion of civilization in an universe growing ever more barbaric. He plots the path of this outpost (Foundation) so as to minimize the "Dark ages" and have mankind return to a better civilization on a much faster timetable.
What makes this story interesting is that our protaganist dies within the first chapter or two and we follow the society along it's path and get to see the pressures they face and the evolution of Foundation. It's a really well put together story.
What I find interesting is that Asimov predicted the success of micronization well before our society took part in it. In 1951, the nation, and in fact the world, was just emerging from the biggest war of all time, consumed with big cars, huge national projects and pretty much big everything.
Asimov noted that while the big mindset works, it is the small things that ultimately change society. America certainly proved this to be true. One need only note how pervasive the small computers of today are to see it live and in action. The fact that he saw that society would go this way is astounding to me.
Many people make fun of science fiction and the people who are fascinated by it. But those people end up shaping the future, simply because by looking toward it.
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