h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

"Magic" and "Gold", which are (in fact) collections articles that had not appeared in other collections; although these were both created after his death.

"Nightfall" with Robert Silverberg (essentially the short story expanded into a full novel).

"Change!", which is a collection of speculative articles written in the late 1970's and published (I think) in Omni.

I think this is shaping up to be a great article, are you planning any sections on his recurring characters (e.g. Susan Calvin, Hari Seldon) or the Asmovian Universe? Would you consider some contributions on same?

I'm really concentrating on the man here, and a brief discussion of his greater works. It's very difficult to include a list of books, since there are so darned many and there's a lot of disagreement over which are the most important.

Of course, I'd love any contributions you'd care to make! This entry is suffering from a bad case of "I'll get a round to it." This is probably related to my working full time while attending a private university. And luckily, summer is rapidly approaching for me. With any luck, I'll be back cracking at full speed in a few weeks.

One possibility might be to create separate entries for various Asimov mainstays. (See the Multivac thread for an example.) There is already one on the laws of robotics, for instance. What do you think?

There are list of all books and short stories available online. I've put links on my links page at http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A574058.

Hope they help.

Z

I think it would be a good idea to have a distinct entry for the three laws of robotics, but if I recall correctly the copyright is owned by the Asimov estate (formerly by Isaac himself), and you need express permission to quote them.

Although, to be honest, I don't think they'll have a particular issue with them being used here; mostly they would want to stop the wholesale plundering for financial gain...

I can see you point about not listing all of his books; I have just started reading (on of) his autobiography (I, Asimov), which contains a list of all the books he has had published, some 230 of them!

As for notes about the "regular" characters, I'll try and get some things together (when I get time), hopefully it will become clear if they should be in their own section, or part of the main article. Although the Guide is supposed to be about "real" things, so it may not be appropriate for fictional characters to have their own section. Hmmm. Anybody have any ideas on how best to aproach this?

I can't see there being any problem with guide entries about fictional charcters, although you should probably make it clear that the characters are fictional if you want to article to gain 'Edited' status.

Z

There is already an entry on Asimov's robots, including the laws of robotics:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A455898

It's even Edited! I just have to link to it.

I am reading I, Asimov right now also. I've finished about 200 pages. Probably I'll feel ready to complete the article after I'm done. In the meanwhile, my writing time is being spent on a project for h2g2's University.

Just FYI, I'm planning to take out the bibliography. I'll substitute a section about Asimov's prolificness as a writer which will include a link to the online bibliography that is much more complete than I could do (and very very long). I will only reference works that are particularly important in understanding Asimov's contribution in the article.

Yes, I noticed the H2G2 article right after I made my last posting and not long after that I discovered (from the I, Asimov book) that the term "robotics" is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary and (aparently) includes the Three Laws. So I guess I am mistaken about the copyright; or at least about the way they enforce it. Problem (pre) solved!

When I get a chance I'll start on some complimentary articles for some of the regular characters, or one article dealing with as many as I can think of; whichever way looks best.

I think that's a great idea. Do let me know when you have an entry number for it, so I won't forget to link to it.

My understanding is that Asimov (and now his family) chose not to prosecute violations re the laws of robotics, because Asimov genuinely wanted them to catch on. He would have wanted to see them used someday, and that might be less likely if the laws were under lock and key.

You know, Ben Franklin refused to patent the lightning rod (according to a recent entry) for much the same reason. It was his most potentially life-saving invention. The laws of robotics might prove to be much the same... someday.

I seem to recall somewhere that Asimov said that he was happy that the three laws of robotics had become 'implicit' in much robot fiction. But that (at least whilst he eas alive) other author tended to regard it as 'impolite' to use them explicitly.

Since Isaac Asimov always openly credited Campbell with the creation of the three laws it might be difficult of Asimov's estate to claim ownership of them anyway.

Z

He said that he didn't think other authors should quote them explicitly in science fiction. That isn't really the same thing as quothing them to explain his science fiction. After all, somethimes the exact wording of the laws is very important to the plot.