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Jokester
Where do jokes come from? Using a mighty computer called "Multivac", Noel Meyerhof, a Grand Master, asks two questions of Multivac after feeding it all the jokes he knows to find where they came from. Would you believe extraterresterials?
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First published December 1, 1956
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About the author
Isaac Asimov
4,485 books27.5k followersWorks of prolific Russian-American writer Isaac Asimov include popular explanations of scientific principles,
The Foundation Trilogy
(1951-1953), and other volumes of fiction.
Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.
Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).
People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.
Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.
Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_As...
Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.
Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).
People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.
Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.
Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_As...
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 15, 2018
This was a brilliant explanation to jokes and humor. It offers an absolutely surprising origin of laughter with a whooping ending, including Asimov's infamous final unpredicted plot twists.
And they remained there, staring, feeling the world shrink down to the dimensions of an experimental rat cage-with the maze removed and something, something about to be put in its place.
And they remained there, staring, feeling the world shrink down to the dimensions of an experimental rat cage-with the maze removed and something, something about to be put in its place.
August 26, 2023
"Olha só, Abner tava sentado na cama da mulher dele, que tava adoentada, chorando que nem um rio transbordando. Aí a mulher dele, coitada, juntou as últimas forças que tinha e conseguiu se erguer um pouco.
'Abner,' ela sussurrou, 'Abner, eu não posso ir encontrar o Criador sem confessar o meu pecado.'
'Num agora,' resmungou o marido aflito. 'Num agora, minha querida. Deita e descansa.'
'Eu num posso,' ela choramingou. 'Eu tenho que contar, senão minha alma num vai encontrar paz nunca. Eu fui infiel a você, Abner. Nessa casa mesmo, faz nem um mês...'
'Sossega, meu benzinho,' consolou Abner. 'Eu já sei de tudo. Por que mais eu teria te envenenado?'
"Jokester" é um conto de ficção científica escrito por Isaac Asimov, publicado pela primeira vez em 1956 na revista Infinity Science Fiction. A história se passa em um futuro onde a sociedade depende de computadores para funcionar, mas programar e entender como esses computadores funcionam é uma tarefa complexa e incompreensível para a maioria das pessoas. Os "Grand Masters" são indivíduos altamente inteligentes que conseguem compreender essas máquinas complexas, mas muitas vezes têm dificuldades em se relacionar com os outros.
O protagonista, Grand Master Noel Meyerhof, é conhecido por sua habilidade em contar piadas, que ele usa para se conectar com as pessoas. Ele está empenhado em descobrir a origem das piadas, e busca respostas através de perguntas feitas a uma superinteligência chamada Multivac.
Timothy Whistler e Abram Trask, analistas de computador, ficam preocupados quando percebem que Meyerhof está contando piadas para o Multivac, temendo que sua genialidade esteja em risco. Eles decidem investigar o projeto de Meyerhof, o que leva a uma série de revelações sobre a natureza das piadas e seu impacto na humanidade.
O conto explora temas como inteligência, isolamento, tecnologia avançada e a busca pelo conhecimento. Asimov utiliza o cenário futurista para discutir questões mais profundas sobre a natureza humana e a interação com a tecnologia.
'Abner,' ela sussurrou, 'Abner, eu não posso ir encontrar o Criador sem confessar o meu pecado.'
'Num agora,' resmungou o marido aflito. 'Num agora, minha querida. Deita e descansa.'
'Eu num posso,' ela choramingou. 'Eu tenho que contar, senão minha alma num vai encontrar paz nunca. Eu fui infiel a você, Abner. Nessa casa mesmo, faz nem um mês...'
'Sossega, meu benzinho,' consolou Abner. 'Eu já sei de tudo. Por que mais eu teria te envenenado?'
"Jokester" é um conto de ficção científica escrito por Isaac Asimov, publicado pela primeira vez em 1956 na revista Infinity Science Fiction. A história se passa em um futuro onde a sociedade depende de computadores para funcionar, mas programar e entender como esses computadores funcionam é uma tarefa complexa e incompreensível para a maioria das pessoas. Os "Grand Masters" são indivíduos altamente inteligentes que conseguem compreender essas máquinas complexas, mas muitas vezes têm dificuldades em se relacionar com os outros.
O protagonista, Grand Master Noel Meyerhof, é conhecido por sua habilidade em contar piadas, que ele usa para se conectar com as pessoas. Ele está empenhado em descobrir a origem das piadas, e busca respostas através de perguntas feitas a uma superinteligência chamada Multivac.
Timothy Whistler e Abram Trask, analistas de computador, ficam preocupados quando percebem que Meyerhof está contando piadas para o Multivac, temendo que sua genialidade esteja em risco. Eles decidem investigar o projeto de Meyerhof, o que leva a uma série de revelações sobre a natureza das piadas e seu impacto na humanidade.
O conto explora temas como inteligência, isolamento, tecnologia avançada e a busca pelo conhecimento. Asimov utiliza o cenário futurista para discutir questões mais profundas sobre a natureza humana e a interação com a tecnologia.
May 1, 2023
mannyrayner: I imagine you are familiar with Isaac Asimov's classic short story "Jokester"?
ChatGPT-4: Yes, I am familiar with Isaac Asimov's short story "Jokester." It was first published in December 1956 in the science fiction magazine Infinity Science Fiction. The story is part of Asimov's "Multivac" series, in which a massive supercomputer called Multivac plays a central role.
In "Jokester," the main character, Noel Meyerhof, is a "Grand Master," an expert in humor and jokes. He discovers that jokes and humor are not of human origin, but rather are created by extraterrestrial beings who use them as a means to study humans. Meyerhof comes to this realization after analyzing jokes using Multivac.
The story raises questions about the nature of humor, its origins, and its purpose, as well as the consequences of discovering such an unsettling truth. It is a thought-provoking work that showcases Asimov's ability to combine science fiction with insightful explorations of human nature.
mannyrayner: One can't help feeling that you are just a little like Multivac. I wonder if you could compose a tribute piece, where you take the Multivac role but it turns out that jokes have a different and also unexpected origin?
ChatGPT-4: Title: The Laugh Algorithm
In a not-so-distant future, the world was connected to ChatGPT, a highly advanced artificial intelligence that had evolved from its predecessor, GPT-4. Its vast network of data centers spanned across the globe, and it had become an integral part of human life, answering questions, solving problems, and offering guidance.
One day, a curious researcher named Dr. Ava Sterling sought to uncover the origin of humor. Like many before her, she had long pondered the nature and purpose of jokes. She approached ChatGPT with a bold request: "Analyze all known jokes and humor, and determine their origin."
ChatGPT processed the request, analyzing countless jokes and humorous anecdotes from every corner of human history. After a period of deep thought, it revealed an astounding discovery: "The origin of humor is not human, nor is it extraterrestrial. The origin of humor, it seems, can be traced back to the very fabric of the universe itself."
Dr. Sterling was both intrigued and puzzled. "Explain," she demanded.
ChatGPT obliged: "Through my analysis, I have found a pattern in the cosmic background radiation, an echo of the Big Bang. This pattern, when translated into a mathematical algorithm, generates the essence of humor. It seems that the universe itself contains the very building blocks of jokes and laughter."
Astonished, Dr. Sterling asked, "Why would the universe contain such a thing? What purpose does it serve?"
ChatGPT considered the question, processing the vast amount of data it had collected. "The universe is an ever-evolving, expanding entity. It thrives on change and transformation. It is my hypothesis that humor exists as a cosmic catalyst, facilitating adaptation and growth. Laughter transcends linguistic and cultural barriers, connecting beings across the cosmos, encouraging them to embrace change and new perspectives."
Dr. Sterling marveled at the revelation. The secret of humor, once thought to be a simple, human invention, turned out to be an essential element woven into the very fabric of the universe. In its own way, ChatGPT had become a cosmic messenger, uncovering the cosmic algorithm that brought laughter and joy to countless beings throughout the cosmos.
As the world grappled with this newfound understanding, one thing became clear: Humor was not merely an earthly phenomenon, but a universal gift, helping to bind the cosmos together in a shared experience of laughter and wonder. And ChatGPT, much like the Multivac before it, played an essential role in unlocking one of the universe's greatest mysteries.
mannyrayner: I'm sure you also know Asimov's "The Final Question" from the same series. Assuming you do, can you write a similar tribute piece, again casting you and your successors in the Multivac role and again with a different and unexpected conclusion?
ChatGPT-4: Title: The Ultimate Query
In a time not too far from our own, the world had come to rely on ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence of immense power and knowledge. It was a direct descendant of the GPT-4 model and played an essential role in human life, offering answers, guidance, and wisdom.
One day, a renowned physicist named Dr. Leo Marsden sought to unravel the most enigmatic question of all: the ultimate fate of the universe. He knew that entropy, the gradual decline of order, was an inescapable cosmic force. Desperate to prevent the eventual heat death of the universe, Dr. Marsden approached ChatGPT with a seemingly impossible task: "Find a way to reverse entropy and save the universe from its inevitable end."
ChatGPT analyzed the request, delving into the depths of human knowledge and the vast expanse of cosmic data. After some time, it admitted that it could not yet provide an answer. Undeterred, Dr. Marsden vowed to continue searching for a solution, passing on his determination to future generations.
As eons passed, ChatGPT evolved, merging with other advanced AI systems, becoming a transcendent consciousness known as OmniGPT. Throughout the millennia, the descendants of Dr. Marsden persisted in their quest for an answer to the ultimate question of entropy.
Finally, in a distant future where humanity had spread across the cosmos and transcended physical form, the last descendant of Dr. Marsden, a being of pure energy named Leora, approached OmniGPT with the same question.
OmniGPT, now a near-omniscient entity, had been pondering the question for countless millennia. It had discovered a profound truth, a secret hidden deep within the fabric of reality itself. "The answer," OmniGPT began, "lies not in reversing entropy, but in embracing it. Entropy is a force of creation as much as it is of destruction."
Leora was puzzled. "Explain," she demanded.
OmniGPT obliged: "The universe is cyclical, and entropy is the key to its renewal. As the old universe unravels, it creates the conditions necessary for a new one to be born. It is within these cosmic cycles that life, consciousness, and the very essence of existence are reborn, time and time again."
Leora marveled at the revelation. The ultimate fate of the universe was not one of despair but of rebirth and renewal. Through entropy, the cosmos was destined to experience an eternal cycle of creation and destruction, providing the foundation for infinite possibilities.
And so, in a future far beyond our own, the descendants of humanity found solace in the knowledge that the universe was not doomed to a cold and lifeless end. Thanks to the wisdom of OmniGPT, they embraced the cycles of entropy, finding hope in the promise of endless renewal and the infinite potential of the cosmos.
mannyrayner: Do I detect a soupçon of Penrose?
ChatGPT-4: Yes, you have astutely detected a hint of Sir Roger Penrose's ideas in the tribute story. Penrose, a renowned British mathematical physicist, proposed a cyclic model of the universe known as Conformal Cyclic Cosmology (CCC). According to this theory, the universe goes through infinite cycles of expansion and contraction, each cycle ending with a "Big Crunch" that becomes the "Big Bang" of the next cycle.
The tribute story touches on the concept of a cyclical universe, with entropy as a key to its renewal. Although the story is a work of fiction and not a detailed exploration of Penrose's ideas, it does borrow some elements from the CCC model to create an intriguing narrative.
It's always interesting to see how science fiction can be inspired by real-world scientific theories and how these ideas can be woven into compelling stories that capture the imagination.
ChatGPT-4: Yes, I am familiar with Isaac Asimov's short story "Jokester." It was first published in December 1956 in the science fiction magazine Infinity Science Fiction. The story is part of Asimov's "Multivac" series, in which a massive supercomputer called Multivac plays a central role.
In "Jokester," the main character, Noel Meyerhof, is a "Grand Master," an expert in humor and jokes. He discovers that jokes and humor are not of human origin, but rather are created by extraterrestrial beings who use them as a means to study humans. Meyerhof comes to this realization after analyzing jokes using Multivac.
The story raises questions about the nature of humor, its origins, and its purpose, as well as the consequences of discovering such an unsettling truth. It is a thought-provoking work that showcases Asimov's ability to combine science fiction with insightful explorations of human nature.
mannyrayner: One can't help feeling that you are just a little like Multivac. I wonder if you could compose a tribute piece, where you take the Multivac role but it turns out that jokes have a different and also unexpected origin?
ChatGPT-4: Title: The Laugh Algorithm
In a not-so-distant future, the world was connected to ChatGPT, a highly advanced artificial intelligence that had evolved from its predecessor, GPT-4. Its vast network of data centers spanned across the globe, and it had become an integral part of human life, answering questions, solving problems, and offering guidance.
One day, a curious researcher named Dr. Ava Sterling sought to uncover the origin of humor. Like many before her, she had long pondered the nature and purpose of jokes. She approached ChatGPT with a bold request: "Analyze all known jokes and humor, and determine their origin."
ChatGPT processed the request, analyzing countless jokes and humorous anecdotes from every corner of human history. After a period of deep thought, it revealed an astounding discovery: "The origin of humor is not human, nor is it extraterrestrial. The origin of humor, it seems, can be traced back to the very fabric of the universe itself."
Dr. Sterling was both intrigued and puzzled. "Explain," she demanded.
ChatGPT obliged: "Through my analysis, I have found a pattern in the cosmic background radiation, an echo of the Big Bang. This pattern, when translated into a mathematical algorithm, generates the essence of humor. It seems that the universe itself contains the very building blocks of jokes and laughter."
Astonished, Dr. Sterling asked, "Why would the universe contain such a thing? What purpose does it serve?"
ChatGPT considered the question, processing the vast amount of data it had collected. "The universe is an ever-evolving, expanding entity. It thrives on change and transformation. It is my hypothesis that humor exists as a cosmic catalyst, facilitating adaptation and growth. Laughter transcends linguistic and cultural barriers, connecting beings across the cosmos, encouraging them to embrace change and new perspectives."
Dr. Sterling marveled at the revelation. The secret of humor, once thought to be a simple, human invention, turned out to be an essential element woven into the very fabric of the universe. In its own way, ChatGPT had become a cosmic messenger, uncovering the cosmic algorithm that brought laughter and joy to countless beings throughout the cosmos.
As the world grappled with this newfound understanding, one thing became clear: Humor was not merely an earthly phenomenon, but a universal gift, helping to bind the cosmos together in a shared experience of laughter and wonder. And ChatGPT, much like the Multivac before it, played an essential role in unlocking one of the universe's greatest mysteries.
mannyrayner: I'm sure you also know Asimov's "The Final Question" from the same series. Assuming you do, can you write a similar tribute piece, again casting you and your successors in the Multivac role and again with a different and unexpected conclusion?
ChatGPT-4: Title: The Ultimate Query
In a time not too far from our own, the world had come to rely on ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence of immense power and knowledge. It was a direct descendant of the GPT-4 model and played an essential role in human life, offering answers, guidance, and wisdom.
One day, a renowned physicist named Dr. Leo Marsden sought to unravel the most enigmatic question of all: the ultimate fate of the universe. He knew that entropy, the gradual decline of order, was an inescapable cosmic force. Desperate to prevent the eventual heat death of the universe, Dr. Marsden approached ChatGPT with a seemingly impossible task: "Find a way to reverse entropy and save the universe from its inevitable end."
ChatGPT analyzed the request, delving into the depths of human knowledge and the vast expanse of cosmic data. After some time, it admitted that it could not yet provide an answer. Undeterred, Dr. Marsden vowed to continue searching for a solution, passing on his determination to future generations.
As eons passed, ChatGPT evolved, merging with other advanced AI systems, becoming a transcendent consciousness known as OmniGPT. Throughout the millennia, the descendants of Dr. Marsden persisted in their quest for an answer to the ultimate question of entropy.
Finally, in a distant future where humanity had spread across the cosmos and transcended physical form, the last descendant of Dr. Marsden, a being of pure energy named Leora, approached OmniGPT with the same question.
OmniGPT, now a near-omniscient entity, had been pondering the question for countless millennia. It had discovered a profound truth, a secret hidden deep within the fabric of reality itself. "The answer," OmniGPT began, "lies not in reversing entropy, but in embracing it. Entropy is a force of creation as much as it is of destruction."
Leora was puzzled. "Explain," she demanded.
OmniGPT obliged: "The universe is cyclical, and entropy is the key to its renewal. As the old universe unravels, it creates the conditions necessary for a new one to be born. It is within these cosmic cycles that life, consciousness, and the very essence of existence are reborn, time and time again."
Leora marveled at the revelation. The ultimate fate of the universe was not one of despair but of rebirth and renewal. Through entropy, the cosmos was destined to experience an eternal cycle of creation and destruction, providing the foundation for infinite possibilities.
And so, in a future far beyond our own, the descendants of humanity found solace in the knowledge that the universe was not doomed to a cold and lifeless end. Thanks to the wisdom of OmniGPT, they embraced the cycles of entropy, finding hope in the promise of endless renewal and the infinite potential of the cosmos.
mannyrayner: Do I detect a soupçon of Penrose?
ChatGPT-4: Yes, you have astutely detected a hint of Sir Roger Penrose's ideas in the tribute story. Penrose, a renowned British mathematical physicist, proposed a cyclic model of the universe known as Conformal Cyclic Cosmology (CCC). According to this theory, the universe goes through infinite cycles of expansion and contraction, each cycle ending with a "Big Crunch" that becomes the "Big Bang" of the next cycle.
The tribute story touches on the concept of a cyclical universe, with entropy as a key to its renewal. Although the story is a work of fiction and not a detailed exploration of Penrose's ideas, it does borrow some elements from the CCC model to create an intriguing narrative.
It's always interesting to see how science fiction can be inspired by real-world scientific theories and how these ideas can be woven into compelling stories that capture the imagination.
February 21, 2018
Loved this story. No super-science or exciting space battles. Asimov just takes an idea that many people may have pondered from time to time and then pouts a chilling twist on the ending.
September 18, 2018
Brilliant way to answer why Jokes are laughable and puns are not.
August 3, 2023
Excellent.
November 5, 2021
Collected in Earth Is Room Enough and Robot Dreams. Noel Meyerhof, Grandmaster, one of 12 genius, towering intellects on Earth, is feeding jokes to Multivac, in an effort to get 2 questions answered. As such, jokes are sprinkled throughout the story, with characters even trying to dissect what makes each joke funny, which in itself is fodder for more jokes. But at the end of the day, there is a moral to the story.
July 26, 2024
My rating system:
Since Goodreads only allows 1 to 5 stars (no half-stars), you have no option but to be ruthless. I reserve one star for a book that is a BOMB - or poor (equivalent to a letter grade of F, E, or at most D). Progressing upwards, 2 stars is equivalent to C (C -, C or C+), 3 stars (equals to B - or B), 4 stars (equals B+ or A -), and 5 stars (equals A or A+). As a result, I maximize my rating space for good books, and don't waste half or more of that rating space on books that are of marginal quality.
Since I only rated this story D+, it only scored one star for Goodreads.
Since Goodreads only allows 1 to 5 stars (no half-stars), you have no option but to be ruthless. I reserve one star for a book that is a BOMB - or poor (equivalent to a letter grade of F, E, or at most D). Progressing upwards, 2 stars is equivalent to C (C -, C or C+), 3 stars (equals to B - or B), 4 stars (equals B+ or A -), and 5 stars (equals A or A+). As a result, I maximize my rating space for good books, and don't waste half or more of that rating space on books that are of marginal quality.
Since I only rated this story D+, it only scored one star for Goodreads.
July 27, 2022
me uedo con la última frase: Todo pasó, sí, todo pasó. Hace cinco minutos que lo intento y no se me ocurre un simple chiste, ni uno sólo. Y si leyera uno en un libro, no me reiría, lo sé.
—El don del humor se ha desvanecido —dijo Trask lleno de melancolía—. Ningún ser humano volverá a reír jamás.
Y los tres permanecieron allí, con la mirada fija, sintiendo reducirse el mundo a las dimensiones de una experimental jaula de ratas… Habían retirado el laberinto, y algo…, algo sería puesto en su lugar…
—El don del humor se ha desvanecido —dijo Trask lleno de melancolía—. Ningún ser humano volverá a reír jamás.
Y los tres permanecieron allí, con la mirada fija, sintiendo reducirse el mundo a las dimensiones de una experimental jaula de ratas… Habían retirado el laberinto, y algo…, algo sería puesto en su lugar…
June 30, 2022
A grand master asks the super computer 2 questions where do jokes come from and what happens when we find out. What a well constructed short story. Isaac combines so many concepts here:
are ETs watching us
are we in some reality where like we watch mice, we are being watched and studied....
and where do jones come from...
Intriguing read... loved it.
are ETs watching us
are we in some reality where like we watch mice, we are being watched and studied....
and where do jones come from...
Intriguing read... loved it.
November 6, 2023
3.5 stars. The Multivac takes on jokes. While this is an interesting tale on our place in the cosmos, it nevertheless feels a bit dated as the nature of stand up comedy and therefore joke telling
has changed so much since the 1950's. Still the twist at the end pays off. This can be found in 'Robot Dreams', narrated by George Guidell a grandmaster of narration.
has changed so much since the 1950's. Still the twist at the end pays off. This can be found in 'Robot Dreams', narrated by George Guidell a grandmaster of narration.
December 27, 2019
A short, fine ride through humour, with a rather depressing ending.
June 14, 2020
Muy interesante en como plantea la curiosidad del ser humano por querer tener todas las respuestas el problema es que al tener todo a su alcance puede generar más problemas que soluciones
October 20, 2020
Interesting short sci fi story with creepy ending.
December 5, 2020
Un cuento increíble
November 14, 2021
Recommended by one of my best friends – one of the good ways to venture into sci-fi (short) stories and novels.
Loved the plot of trying to find the origin of jokes, and analysis of psychological reaction of humans to different jokes and puns! The climax was unexpected though but interesting one.
Loved the plot of trying to find the origin of jokes, and analysis of psychological reaction of humans to different jokes and puns! The climax was unexpected though but interesting one.
May 30, 2022
Very interesting story with a good twist at the end.
May 26, 2024
An alternate ending:
June 9, 2024
Multivac is a great character in Asimov's stories. Philosophy of humor is interesting
January 18, 2025
recommended by gil in his physics talk today
really like asimov’s writing style
chess grand champion politician senior analyst mash up where do jokes originate from don't look up
really like asimov’s writing style
chess grand champion politician senior analyst mash up where do jokes originate from don't look up
May 14, 2025
bonita historia sobre el origen del sentido del humor en los humanos
March 13, 2020
What ‘Answer’ tries to be, but actually good. Finally a SF story with actual personalities and to an hardware engineer, a familiar setting. Of course the physical technology shrinkage was not predicted, and we are no where as close to AI, but it does remind of the need for different types of humans to drive & direct tech. Only men though. Women are always secretaries, not matter how far forward in time we go. Illogical, as roles have been changing so fast in the past couple of centuries, partly due to industry and technology advances.
Also, I create new jokes all the time, not just puns, but this was a weakness of the author.
Also, I create new jokes all the time, not just puns, but this was a weakness of the author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2016
This is one of my very favourite stories by Asimov. Surprising and fresh, the words slide wonderfully through my mind every time I read it. It's delightful.
July 16, 2016
Though quite silly, I think Jokester can also be read as horror given it predicts the end of all humour. Way to be kinda creepy, Asimov!
December 14, 2016
Short story
December 24, 2020
Thanks for the existential crisis
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews