Type Story
Date 1950-10
Pages 6
Tags science fiction, evolution, dialogue

Darwinian Pool Room

Some scientists discuss over lunch how evolution and all the 'accidents' of history, such as the apparently wasteful extinction of the dinosaurs, might have conspired to create the modern human race, as the ultimate purpose of creation. At the end, it is asked--what if humanity is not the end product? Is it a coincidence that we are beginning to create thinking machines at the same time as we are gaining the ability to destroy ourselves utterly, or might this, too, be a part of the plan?

Stop me if I'm wrong, but aren't the sciences of nucleonics and cybernetics reaching simultaneous peaks? Aren't we inventing hydrogen bombs and thinking machines at the same time? Is that coincidence—or part of the divine purpose?

Name Role
Isaac Asimov Author

Relations

Relation Sources
Contained in