Siempre han confiado en la autoridad o en el pasado, nunca en sí mismos. - Isaac Asimov

It is the invariable lesson to humanity that distance in time, and in space as well, lends focus.

The rate of technological advance has been slowing for centuries and is down to a crawl now. In some cases, it has stopped altogether. Is this something you've noticed? After all, you're a mathematician.' 'I can't say I've given the matter any thought.' 'No one does. It's accepted. Scientists are very good these days at saying that things are impossible, impractical, useless. They condemn any speculation at once.

We consider the greatest end of science is the classification of past data. It is important but is there no further work to be done? We're receding and forgetting, don't you see? Here in the Periphery they've lost atomic power. In Gamma Andromeda, a power plant has blown up because of poor repairs, and the Chancellor of the Empire complains that atomic technicians are scarce. And the solution? To train new ones? Never! Instead they're to restrict atomic power.' And for the third time: 'Don't you see? It's Galaxy-wide. It's a worship of the past. It's a deterioration – a stagnation!' He stared from