Last Evolution

W. Campbell John

Description

Ever since the introduction of the even the most rudimentary computers, science fiction writers have been contemplating the implications of the technology. What could happen when computers' intelligence surpass that of humanity? In the brilliant short story "The Last Evolution," author John Campbell tackles this question with his characteristic creativity and nuance.

Sujets

• Science fiction

Informations

• Publié par: The Floating Press
• Date de parution: 01 mai 2015
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781776590674
• Langue: English

Extrait

THE LAST EVOLUTION
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JOHN W. CAMPBELL
 
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The Last Evolution First published in 1932 Epub ISBN 978-1-77659-067-4 Also available: PDF ISBN 978-1-77659-068-1 © 2013 The Floating Press and its licensors. All rights reserved. While every effort has been used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in The Floating Press edition of this book, The Floating Press does not assume liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in this book. The Floating Press does not accept responsibility for loss suffered as a result of reliance upon the accuracy or currency of information contained in this book. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Many suitcases look alike. Visit www.thefloatingpress.com
Contents
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The Last Evolution Endnotes
The Last Evolution
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I am the last of my type existing today in all the Solar System. I, too,am the last existing who, in memory, sees the struggle for this System,and in memory I am still close to the Center of Rulers, for mine was theruling type then. But I will pass soon, and with me will pass the lastof my kind, a poor inefficient type, but yet the creators of those whoare now, and will be, long after I pass forever.
So I am setting down my record on the mentatype.
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It was 2538 years After the Year of the Son of Man. For six centuriesmankind had been developing machines. The Ear-apparatus was discoveredas early as seven hundred years before. The Eye came later, the Braincame much later. But by 2500, the machines had been developed to think,and act and work with perfect independence. Man lived on the products ofthe machine, and the machines lived to themselves very happily, andcontentedly. Machines are designed to help and cooperate. It was easy todo the simple duties they needed to do that men might live well. And menhad created them. Most of mankind were quite useless, for they lived ina world where no productive work was necessary. But games, athleticcontests, adventure—these were the things they sought for theirpleasure. Some of the poorer types of man gave themselves up wholly topleasure and idleness—and to emotions. But man was a sturdy race, whichhad fought for existence through a million years, and the training of amillion years does not slough quickly from any form of life, so theirenergies were bent to mock battles now, since real ones no longerexisted.
Up to the year 2100, the numbers of mankind had increased rapidly andcontinuously, but from that time on, there was a steady decrease. By2500, their number was a scant two millions, out of a population thatonce totaled many hundreds of millions, and was close to ten billions in2100.
Some few of these remaining two millions devoted themselves to theadventure of discovery and exploration of places unseen, of other worldsand other planets. But fewer still devoted themselves to the highestadventure, the unseen places of the mind. Machines—with theirirrefutable logic, their cold preciseness of figures, their tireless,utterly exact observation, their absolute knowledge of mathematics—theycould elaborate any idea, however simple its beginning, and reach theconclusion. From any three facts they even then could have built in mindall the Universe. Machines had imagination of the ideal sort. They hadthe ability to construct a necessary future result from a present fact.But Man had imagination of a different kind, theirs was the illogical,brilliant imagination that sees the future result vaguely, withoutknowing the why, nor the how, and imagination that outstrips the machinein its preciseness.