Isaac Asimov. Born 1/2/1920. Died 4/6/1992. Asimov was born in Russia and immigrated to the United States with his family as a young child in 1923. His Russian surname meant rye grain, of which his ancestors were dealers. He became a professor of biochemistry and writer—becoming one of three founding fathers of science fiction (along with Robert Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke). He wrote prolificly, with stories in magazines, novels, non-fiction articles, and tens of thousands of letters and postcards. His most famous works include the novel series (originally a trilogy) FOUNDATION, and his short story, I Robot. He’s won awards, including the Hugo, the Nebula, and recognition from the Science Fiction Writers of America. And he coined the word “robotics.”
“If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn’t brood. I’d type a little faster.”
“There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that ‘my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge’.”