“Such unsubtle escapism! Really, Dr. Fara, such folly smacks of genius. A lesser mind would be incapable of it." - Isaac Asimov

Hardin laughed. 'Quantity! We haven't even got iron in quantity. Gold! Here, take a look at our currency.' He tossed a coin to the envoy. Haut Rodric bounced it and stared. 'What is it? Steel?' 'That's right.' 'I don't understand.' 'Terminus is a planet practically without metals. We import it all. Consequently, we have no gold, and nothing to pay unless you want a few thousand bushels of potatoes.' 'Well – manufactured goods.' 'Without metal? What do we make our machines out of?

From the radiating point of Siwenna, the forces of the Empire reached out cautiously into the black unknown of the Periphery. Giant ships passed the vast distances that separated the vagrant stars at the Galaxy's rim, and felt their way around the outermost edge of Foundation influence.

He is energetic only in evading responsibility.