https://padlet.com/gulliblechimi/wedq5adiz61x Choice of Catastophes, Issac Asimov en-us 2017-12-15 11:35:13 UTC 2017-12-23 23:29:26 UTC hello@padlet.com gulliblechimi https://padlet.com/gulliblechimi/wedq5adiz61x/wish/216443048 I've always loved Issac Asimov's science fiction, so I though it might be interesting to take a look at some of his nonfiction. This particular book, "Choice of Catastrophes" is especially interesting for me because of the way it reads. Even as he is discussing very real cosmic events that could destroy our world, it is easy to discern his passion for any subject related outer space -something that plays a prominent role in his works of fiction. The book itself, however, reads nothing like his fiction, and is instead presented as a long list of cosmic phenomena varying widely in nature but all undoubtedly catastrophic. These potential catastrophes are grouped into classes depending on the degree of danger they pose to the Earth or the solar system. And essentially, that's all there is to it; Asimov simply goes down the line and explains each item in turn. His style is one of scientific inquiry, for determining whether something is a threat to the human race when one is dealing with cosmic phenomena requires a very thorough understanding of astronomical physics, whether this understanding relates to the phenomena in question, the solar system, or Earth itself. Here is where Asimov's talents as a writer of fiction come in, for he is tremendously capable in explaining these rather esoteric astronomical concepts to his readers. In fact, it makes sense that he would be very good at explaining these kinds of things to an audience of laymen, because these were the very same people for whom his science fiction stories were intended. ]]> 2017-12-15 11:37:25 UTC https://padlet.com/gulliblechimi/wedq5adiz61x/wish/216443048 gulliblechimi https://padlet.com/gulliblechimi/wedq5adiz61x/wish/216444069 Quote Ranges: pg. 32, 55, 78]]> 2017-12-15 11:42:38 UTC https://padlet.com/gulliblechimi/wedq5adiz61x/wish/216444069 gulliblechimi https://padlet.com/gulliblechimi/wedq5adiz61x/wish/216444619 Here, Asimov is discussing the enormous black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy and framing it as a potential source of catastrophe.  This particular example proves to be extremely negligible as a potential threat, and Asimov willingly acknowledges that fact.  The entire book adopts a speculative and hypothetical tone and tends to avoid definitive, unqualified statements.  Indeed, the very next paragraph is devoted to one such qualification, as Asimov tries to put what he says in context by determining the time it would take for a black hole to swallow up the galaxy, whilst at the same time acknowledging the fact that there are almost certainly some obstacles in the way. He is not concerned with being a doomsayer here, and is very willing to state that even in the most ideal of scenarios, it takes a very delicate and very unfortunate balancing of factors to cause our ultimate destruction.]]> 2017-12-15 11:45:47 UTC https://padlet.com/gulliblechimi/wedq5adiz61x/wish/216444619 gulliblechimi https://padlet.com/gulliblechimi/wedq5adiz61x/wish/216445709 Here, Asimov introduces the possibility of the galaxy simply going beyond the boundaries of the universe as a result of galactic drift, an undoubtedly catastrophic process.  He asks many such rhetorical questions throughout the book, posing a problem or suggesting an idea, and then cluing the reader in to his thoughts about it.  Often, these questions culminate in long chains of inquiry that typically end at a determination that the potential threat is really not especially dangerous to us. The reader concurs with Asimov because his appeal to logos is invariably effective, as he takes the time to examine every detail that has some relation to the question at hand before making any substantive determinations. This methodical process fits very well with the subject matter he is discussing, for physics is a field that concerns itself both with what can be observed directly and also with what can be theorized based upon what is certain, a duality in inquiry that Asimov is only to happy to thoroughly explore. ]]> 2017-12-15 11:51:06 UTC https://padlet.com/gulliblechimi/wedq5adiz61x/wish/216445709 gulliblechimi https://padlet.com/gulliblechimi/wedq5adiz61x/wish/216446911 This is a great example of the tone of the book as a whole. In this section, Asimov is interested in determining whether or not the depletion of the sun's energy is something to worry about. (It's not, but for people living on earth 4.35 billion years in the future, it might generate some damp around the collar.) In the process, he asks a number of questions, of which "What is heat?" is just one, before going on to take a closer look and attempt to determine what he needs to know. His ultimate goal is evaluating each of these phenomena as a source of threat, and so he takes pains to explain his thought process, in great detail. The reader follows the processes of his mind as it travels down the rungs of the ladder known as scientific inquiry. When the reader reaches the bottom with Asimov, he can carry what he needs back up the rungs, even as Asimov introduces questions and new possibilities, before the two come to a joint conclusion. This style of writing, while being a pleasure to read in and of itself, also establishes Asimov's ethos as both a credible source of knowledge and as a master teacher of that knowledge.]]> 2017-12-15 11:57:53 UTC https://padlet.com/gulliblechimi/wedq5adiz61x/wish/216446911 gulliblechimi https://padlet.com/gulliblechimi/wedq5adiz61x/wish/216647183 You might be familiar with the cosmic egg as an element in mythological creation stories, where the creation of the earth or even the universe is portrayed as the hatching of an egg in an almost literal sense. Asimov's cosmic egg is rather different, as it is in reference to a hypothetical Big-Bang-like event that would represent the single most devastating catastrophe possible.
Ex. Though we cannot predict the coming of the next cosmic egg, or even determine whether or not it will occur, we can be sure that the Earth would not survive it. ]]> 2017-12-16 00:08:08 UTC https://padlet.com/gulliblechimi/wedq5adiz61x/wish/216647183