The Life and Times of Multivac

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The Life and Times of Multivac
Author Isaac Asimov
Country Flag of United States USA
Language English
Series Multivac
Genre(s) science fiction short story
Released in The New York Times Magazine
Media Type Magazine
Released 5 January 1975
Preceded by Key Item
Followed by Point of View

The Life and Times of Multivac is a science fiction short story by Isaac Asimov. The story first appeared in the 5 January 1975 issue of The New York Times Magazine, and was reprinted in the collection The Bicentennial Man and Other Stories in 1976. It is one of a loosely connected series of stories concerning a fictional supercomputer called Multivac. In terms of tone it bears more resemblence perhaps to The Dead Past than any of the other Multivac stories.

Asimov's original title for the story was "Mathematical Games", but after the story appeared under the new title he decided he liked it. In his commentary on the story in the Bicentennial Man collection, Asimov stated, "More people came up to me over the next few weeks to tell me they had read that story than had ever been the case for any other story I had ever written." Asimov also states his belief that "The Life and Times of Multivac" was the first piece of fiction ever commissioned and published by The New York Times.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

When humanity begins to chafe under Multivac’s benevolent tyranny, one man takes matters into his own hands to destroy the great computer. By appearing to betray his fellow humans, he places himself in a position to permanently destroy Multivac. It is implied that it is not until completion of the act that he and his peers suddenly realize the enormity of their actions and the consequences it will have on humanity.


The Bicentennial Man and Other Stories
The Prime of Life | Feminine Intuition | Waterclap | —That Thou art Mindful of Him | Stranger In Paradise | The Life and Times of Multivac | The Winnowing | The Bicentennial Man | Marching In | Old-fashioned | The Tercentenary Incident | Birth of a Notion