In Issac Asimov’s “Lecture on Humanity”, given in 1973, he makes many predictions about the 21st century. He says, among other things, we’ll need population control, a shift in our view of education, a change in food production, and we’ll have to realize “we’re a world without war” (10).
As a young, intelligent member of the 21st century, what do you think of Asimov’s predictions? Have any of them come true? If they haven’t, should we work toward making any of them a reality? Why or why not?
What other elements of Asimov’s lecture appeal to you? What do you make of his humor? Of his anecdotes? Explain what we can learn from his pointed sarcasm and from some of the stories he shares with us.
And, finally, how does this lecture reflect qualities of synoptic philosophy and critical analysis? Give a specific example.
We’re all excitedly awaiting your response to these questions. Make sure you’ve posted your blog by midnight on Sunday, March 6th.
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While reading and pondering about Dr. Asimov's lecture on Humanity, my mind was stumpted with questioning the future. I agree that there needs to be something done about food production, however, I do not think there needs to be a change in our population. Restircting the number of people on this planet would be denying life to thousands of people. This i do not believe in. There are many ways to go about dealing with a growing population such as changing the production of food. I do not think people have tried hard enough to think of any other ways to support the needs of our growing world. Asimov's other prediction about war and how "we're a world without war" is undenyably wrong. In my opinion, when Asimov wrote his speech on humanity in 1973, the world was very much so not a world involved in war, but involved in peace and all the ideals involved with peace. Now aday, in the 21st century, war is one of the only ways people can get a point of view across to many people and to prove that the people of that nation are infact stronger than other nations.
ReplyDeleteI know 1973 was very different from 2009, however, some of Asimov's ideals he speaks about bothered me quite a bit. For instance, when Asimov started talking about women, he states, " ...because if you tell a women that, she'll figure out some way to have a baby.." sugesting that women only want to have babies and stay home. This statment inferriated me because i believe women are just as good as men and can do anything men can. If we look at 2009, women are plumbers, construction workers, and many other jobs men were only allowed to have during Asimov's life time.
Besides for Asimov's point of view regarding women, i generally respected and agreed with his other points adressed. Dr. Asimov's pointed sarcasm actually made me think deeper into what points he was trying to get across, for instance about space travel. Also, Asimov's lecture proved to reflect qualities of synoptic philosophy and critical analysis. A major part of Asimov's lecture was based on taking the little, over looked details life has to offer and turn them into the bigger picture that people never care enough to think about. On the other hand, this lecture on humanities shows crital analysis by again looking deeper into the many wonders the universe has to offer that people just do not take the time to explore.
I believe that any one who reads Asimov's lecuture will take away a greater understanding for man just looking to find answers that were never even considered before to man.