Silly Asses
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Silly Asses is a science fiction short story by Isaac Asimov. It was published in the February 1958 issue of Future, after having been twice rejected by other outlets. It runs to less than two pages in paperback.
Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.
As the peoples of Earth develop atomic power, they are recorded as having achieved maturity by the Galactic keeper of records. But when the keeper learns that they have not yet penetrated space and test their atomic weapons on the planetary surface, he strikes them from the record, commenting that Earth people are 'Silly Asses'.
The author was influenced by the rival atomic tests by the Soviet Union and the USA.
