

#2935
Mentioned in 9 episodes
The Foundation Trilogy
Book • 1950
The Foundation Trilogy, written by Isaac Asimov, is a seminal work in science fiction that explores the collapse of the Galactic Empire and the subsequent efforts to preserve human civilization.
The series, inspired by Edward Gibbon's 'The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,' introduces the concept of psychohistory, a mathematical science that predicts the future behavior of large populations.
The trilogy consists of 'Foundation' (1951), 'Foundation and Empire' (1952), and 'Second Foundation' (1953).
It follows the establishment of the Foundation by Hari Seldon, who aims to shorten the dark age that will follow the empire's collapse from 30,000 years to just 1,000 years.
The series is known for its intricate plot, clever resolutions to seemingly impossible situations, and its exploration of themes such as governance, warfare, and the rise and fall of empires.
The series, inspired by Edward Gibbon's 'The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,' introduces the concept of psychohistory, a mathematical science that predicts the future behavior of large populations.
The trilogy consists of 'Foundation' (1951), 'Foundation and Empire' (1952), and 'Second Foundation' (1953).
It follows the establishment of the Foundation by Hari Seldon, who aims to shorten the dark age that will follow the empire's collapse from 30,000 years to just 1,000 years.
The series is known for its intricate plot, clever resolutions to seemingly impossible situations, and its exploration of themes such as governance, warfare, and the rise and fall of empires.
Mentioned by





















Mentioned in 9 episodes
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

in a discussion about psychohistory and the predictability of complex systems.

Nate Hagens

152 snips
The ‘Decline’ of Nations: How Elite Surplus and Inequality Lead to Societal Upheaval with Peter Turchin
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as one of the science fiction authors she read growing up, introduced by her father.


Ariel Ekblaw

151 snips
#271 – Ariel Ekblaw: Space Colonization and Self-Assembling Space Megastructures
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, who received his grandfather's initial copy to read at summer camp.

Sam Arbesman

30 snips
Sam Arbesman — Science, Complexity and Humanistic Computation (EP.277)
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as a book that helps him think differently and stress-test his thinking.

Grant LaFontaine

30 snips
20VC: Startups Fail Because They Do Not Take Enough Risk, Why A/B Testing is Inefficient and Slows You Down, Why It is Impossible To Hire Good PMs so Stop Trying & 3 Key Signals The Best Engineers Present with Grant LaFontaine, Founder & CEO @ Whatnot
Mentioned by 

as one of the amazing books he recently read.


Chris Dixon

22 snips
47 - The Fourth Crypto Cycle | Chris Dixon, a16z
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in relation to Elon Musk's inspiration for SpaceX and its mission.


Jill Lepore

19 snips
Episode 3: Planet B
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as a book he enjoys.


Gary Arndt

11 snips
Questions and Answers: Volume 25
Mentioned by 

as a science fiction series about psychohistory.


Sean Carroll

AMA | November 2023
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in relation to Elon Musk's Mars project and the Foundation trilogy.

Michael Garfield

Reclaiming Attention from 'The Ravenous Maw of The Screen' with Richard Doyle
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in the context of comparing it with Asimov's Foundation trilogy.

Plan B

BTC048: Does the Stock to Flow Model Eventually Break w/ Plan B (Bitcoin Podcast)
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as a trilogy he read after reading The Three Body Problem, highlighting the first book as incredible.

James McGinniss

David vs. Goliath in Power Markets: Retail Electricity Provider + Battery Monetization — James McGinniss, CEO of David Energy
Recommended by 

as an inspirational trilogy that influenced his career path.


John Kounios

Ep. 182: John Kounios - Eureka Moments and Executive Function
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as a fun read exploring the rise and fall of empires.

Michael Lind

What a smarter Trumpism would sound like
Mentioned by 

as a book that changed his life and that he bonded over with Elon Musk.


George Zachary

20VC: CRV's George Zachary on His Relationship To Money and How it has Changed Over Time, Why The Best Founders Have Often Experienced Parental or Home Instability and The Stories Behind Investing in Unicorns; PillPack, Yammer and Udacity