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It is just not to set the initial conditions. It needs to be guided constantly. The probabilities need to be updated periodically, alternate paths need to be ma
by sifar 5y ago
It is just not to set the initial conditions. It needs to be guided constantly. The probabilities need to be updated periodically, alternate paths need to be mapped (e.g. bring the plan back on track after The MULE). Hence the Second Foundation and the need for people to be unaware of them.
(spoiler) Even the entity, beyond the Second Foundation, who started everything and keeps it on track.
- TeMPOraL 5y agoYes, that's what I meant in my footnote no. 2. I was just trying to avoid spoilers - but since the whole subthread subsequently has been: both Seldon and Asimov demonstrated their understanding of chaotic systems by creating the Second Foundation, whose purpose was to maintain Seldon's plan as a closed-loop optimization system, despite the Foundation (and initially, the reader) believing it was an open-loop, fire-and-forget one.
- sifar 5y agoAlso what I liked about the series is the multiple logical explanation of things which seem equally convincing but ultimately wrong. e.g the location of the second foundation and later of earth. In this logical recursion you have to keep track of the level your are in till ultimately a simple explanation is revealed. Sometimes it feels too much of a coincidence, but I enjoyed the mental gymnastics.