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If the general public's destruction or salvation depends on scientific advance, it deserves to know as much
about what may destroy it or save it as it can-so that it can more intelligently behave in such a fashion
as to guide the advance away from destruction and toward salvation.
"By No Means Vulgar," IASFM, Sep-Oct, 1978 Asimov on Science Fiction, pg. 32
...Mankind...as always, were convinced that tomorrow would be just like today and...waited for the day when the
long lines at the gas station came before deciding that there might some day be long lines at the gas station.
"How Easy to See the Future!," Natural History, April 1975 Asimov on Science Fiction, pg. 64
People look around and see no famine today, so why should there be famine tomorrow?
"How Easy to See the Future!," Natural History, April 1975 Asimov on Science Fiction, pg. 65
The best way to defeat catastrophe is to take action to prevent it long before it happens. To conserve
the oil and work for alternate sources of energy in time. To consider the international effects of the
nuclear bomb before ever it is invented. To lower the birthrate before the population grows dangerously high.
"How Easy to See the Future!," Natural History, April 1975 Asimov on Science Fiction, pg. 65
It is only necessary to make a statement-any statement-forcefully enough to have an audience believe it. No one will check the lie against the facts, and if they do, they will disbelieve the facts.
"1984," Field Newspaper Syndicate Asimov on Science Fiction, pg. 255
Every leader of inadequate education or limited intelligence hides behind exuberant inebriation of loquacity.
"1984," Field Newspaper Syndicate Asimov on Science Fiction, pg. 255
Any job that is so simple and repetitive that a robot can do it as well as, if not better than, a person is beneath the dignity of a human brain.
"Future Fantastic," Special Reports magazine, Spring 1989 Robot Visions, pg. 428
So many of us have a bit of the ham in us. We sing in the shower, take part in amateur theatrical productions, or love to swing along in parades. It is my guess that the 21st century may see a society in which one-third of the population will be engaged in entertaining the other two-thirds.
"Future Fantastic," Special Reports magazine, Spring 1989 Robot Visions, pg. 430 Is Asimov predicting reality shows, the Jerry Springer-type talk show exhibitions, and YouTube?
Replace every part of the human body but one - the limbs, the heart, the liver, the skeleton and son on-and the product would remain human. It would be a human being with artificial parts, but it would be a human being.
"Cybernetic Organism," copyright 1989, Nightfall, Inc. Robot Visions, pg. 65
The United States...consistently refuses to help any nation or any international organization that is attempting to control population. Why? Because the nation is in the grip of the cavemen of conservatism who interpret all things in the murky light of an irrational idealogy.
"Introduction," 1990 Out of the Everywhere, pg. XV
It is one thing to be able to make predictions. It is another to listen to the predictions you have made and to act upon them.
"The Lost Art," Magazine of F & SF, February 1978 The Road to Infinity, pg. 3
Intelligence is a valuable thing, but it is not usually the key to survival. Sheer fecundity is usually what counts.
"Fifty Million Big Brothers," Magazine of F & SF, November 1978 The Road to Infinity, pg. 178
All quotes maintain their original copyright and are presented here for research, reference and review.
Thanks to Doubleday for permission to use selected quotes.
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