The Life and Times of Multivac :: Literary Analysis, Isaac Asimov

Humanity is threatened by the overwhelming growth of science and technology. People are expanding their knowledge through observation and experiment, oblivious to the consequences that result from improper motive. Isaac Asimov—author of The Life and Times of Multivac—uses the science of numbers, or mathematics, as a solution to the fear that arises in a world controlled by a human-like machine. What human beings are afraid of is losing the very word that separates them from everything else in the world—human, and they will do whatever they can to keep that title to themselves. What makes a human being different from a machine that possesses human characteristics? The idea that there really isn’t any difference here is a startling thought. Human beings retain the need to be different, especially from machines. People want to be distinguished as human and not like any other species, but Multivac is given a voice of its own, â€Å"†¦with a beauty that never quite vanished no matter how often it was heard,† (Asimov 160). Multivac is distinguished from human beings and can be defined as human because of its qualities. â€Å"It was becoming constantly more aware of is own worth and less likely to bear trivialities with patience,† (Asimov 162). Multivac was growing and becoming more intelligent; it was learning. When Bakst speaks about Multivac it sounds like he is talking about another person: â€Å"Yes, I will have to talk to Multivac,† and â€Å"Bakst had to depend on Multivac’s good will,† (Asimov 162). Bakst kn ows that he needs to treat Multivac like a friend; to get on its good side so he can later kill it. Bakst follows the rule of â€Å"keep friends close and your enemies even closer.† Multivac is made by the people, for the people. At first, he (see how I refer to the overpowering computer as being enough like an actual man to be referred to as he) is thought to be the savior of human beings, but then as Multivac becomes less dependent on humans he is seen as a vice on independence for the people left on earth. One of the remaining 15 people from a self-appointed Congress, Noreen, states â€Å"We live worthlessly now,† (Asimov 161). She feels like nothing matters anymore because anything she strives for is pointless. â€Å"Whatever we choose, as long as it’s unimportant†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Asimov 161). Noreen probably feels like Multivac is laughing in her face every time she tries to be independent.