He spoke of course about the future and just who was likely to ever go on journeys to the Stars. He equated that future to our recent American History. He said that his family immigrated to the United States from Russia, and that there would always be poor people who would be willing to move to places of greater Promise and opportunity.
I sort of thought that he was a bit odd, but I already knew that he was brilliant.
Years following, I reread the Foundation series, but then I read the Robot Series. Years again after that, he somehow consolidated his two distinct Series into one merge, where the Foundation was presented with a new sort of greater epic that actually satisfied me.
Azimov was definitely a Pioneer himself. He was not at all standoffish and he was quite open to interaction with anyone in that Auditorium, which was on that day packed.
> Azimov
My dad got his college degree in the mid-80’s, later in life, and Azimov spoke at his college graduation. Very cool!
-SB