Prelude to Foundation

Work Title: Prelude to Foundation
Medium: Novel
Episode Title:
Year: 1988
Writer(s): Isaac Asimov
"Original" Writer: Yes Own work?: No
Summary:

from amazon.com To Emperor Cleon I, the science of psychohistory seems to offer the opportunity to predict and direct the course of his Galactic Empire. To Hari Seldon, discoverer of the still theoretical science, it becomes a nightmare as the young historian becomes the most wanted man in the colonized universe. An intricately twisted plot, uncomplicated but amiable characters, and an abundance of leisurely explication mark Asimov's latest addition to his classic Foundation novels.

  • Self-Written?:
  • Source Name: Amazon
  • Source URL:
Era/Year of Portrayal: distant_future
Distinctive characteristics of the world in portrayal:

20, 000 years in the future, there are 25 million worlds in the Galactic Empire, each entirely differernt than the next. Space travel is common, there is no tangible money, only a credit system. The entire galaxy is ruled by one Emperor, Cleon.

Technology

  • Name of portrayed presence-evoking technology: holovision
  • Description of the technology: Holovision and holograms are quite common. Holovision is what we refer to as telvision, except the visuals are three dimensional. It is run as television is run today. Instead of mirrors, people use holomirrors, which perfectly replicate the user, without reversing the hologram. Also, instead of statues, holograms are often used as well. Moreover, when someone rings a doorbell, instead of using a peephole to see who is outside, the user projects an image of him or her inside the house, so the person inside knows who is outside. Communication from a hologram is one way. It cannot speak or react.
  • Nature of task or activity: Wacthing holocasts to receive news, viewing hologram statues, or annoucing thier presence at a door.
  • Performance of the Technology: works well.
  • Description of creator(s): unknown.
  • Major goal(s) of creator(s): unknown, but presumably to enhance entertainment.
  • Description of users of technology: all ages, races, cultures - anyone with enough credits to afford the technology, which on Trantor (the planet where the plot is set) is pretty much the middle class or higher.
  • Type(s) of presence experience in the portrayal: social_presence
  • Description of presence experience: pleasent, but startling at first. Once the user becomes accostumed to the holograms, they seem commonplace.
  • User awareness of technology during experience: yes.
  • Valence of experience: enjoy it.
  • Specific responses: they are simply regarded as a fact of life. They provide increased knowledge and information.
Long-term consequences:

There is a happy ending. Hari determines he can create a practive of psychohistory, and gets the girl (even though she seemingly turns out to be a robot).

Other:

Coder name: Amanda Scheiner
Coder email: amandags@temple.edu
Coder affiliation: Temple University