Status Updates From Foundation (Foundation, #1)

"“In a rather simple way. It merely required the use of that much-neglected commodity—common sense."

This feels like reading the history of the world backwards, they regress from nuclear energy "back to coal and oil", and a scientific institution is battling to remain outside the grasp of war and economy, and those who would grab for land and resources.

"You do not consider your statement a disloyal one?" "No, sir. Scientific truth is beyond loyalty and disloyalty."

“As Trantor becomes more specialized, it becomes more vulnerable, less able to defend itself. Further, as it becomes more and more the administrative center of Empire, it becomes a greater prize. As the Imperial succession becomes more and more uncertain, and the feuds among the great families more rampant, social responsibility disappears.”