Question (Asimov)

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"Question" is a short story by Isaac Asimov. The story first appeared in the magazine Computers and Automation of March 1955, and was reprinted in the April 30, 1957 issue of Science World. It is one of a loosely connected series of such stories concerning a fictional computer called Multivac.

After the reprint, an other author, Robert Sherman Townes, noticed the climax in the last sentence was very similar to one of his own stories, Problem for Emmy, and wrote Asimov about it. After searching in his library, Asimov did find the original story and, although he did not recall having read it, admitted the endings were pretty similar. He then wrote Townes back, apologizing and promising the story would never again be published, and it never was.

Two technicians servicing Multivac argue over whether or not the machine is truly intelligent and able to think. Multivac, however, supplies the answer on its own.