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Kurt Vonnegut: Harrison Bergeron

“Harrison Bergeron” is a dystopian short story by Kurt Vonnegut, published in 1961 in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. In the year 2081, thanks to Amendments 211, 212, and 213 of the Constitution, the United States government has imposed total equality among people through the use of devices that limit individuals’ physical and intellectual abilities. In this world, anyone who stands out as being more intelligent, attractive, or talented than others must wear devices that make them mediocre. However, not everyone agrees with these policies. One of them, Harrison Bergeron, an extraordinarily talented and strong young man, rebels against these restrictions.

Murray Leinster: A Logic Named Joe

“A Logic Named Joe” is a short story by Murray Leinster, published in March 1946 in Astounding Science Fiction magazine. It tells the story of Ducky, a maintenance technician who repairs “logics,” domestic machines with screens and keyboards capable of answering any question by connecting to vast repositories of information. It all begins when one of these devices, Joe, leaves the factory slightly defective and starts making decisions on its own, offering answers that are too efficient and dangerous. While Ducky deals with his turbulent personal life and the arrival of an old girlfriend, he discovers that Joe’s unexpected ingenuity could become a threat to everyone.

Isaac Asimov: The Last Answer

“The Last Answer” is a short story by Isaac Asimov, published in January 1980 in Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact magazine. The story begins with the sudden death of Murray Templeton, an atheist physicist who, to his surprise, retains consciousness beyond life. In this strange and ethereal state, he enters into a dialogue with a mysterious Voice that seems to transcend all human understanding. The story delves into a philosophical exploration of eternity, knowledge, and the purpose of existence, as Templeton attempts to understand the meaning of his new reality.

Damon Knight: To Serve Man

“To Serve Man” is a short story by Damon Knight, published in November 1950 in Galaxy Science Fiction magazine. Aliens called Kanamites arrive on Earth with the promise of using their advanced technology to eradicate hunger, war, and disease. Although their grotesque appearance arouses suspicion at first, lie detector tests seem to confirm their sincerity. Amidst the general enthusiasm, a skeptical translator decides to study their language, convinced that there is a hidden motive behind such altruism.

Edmond Hamilton: Devolution

“Devolution” is a short story by Edmond Hamilton, published in December 1936 in Amazing Stories magazine. Deep in the Canadian north, a pilot flies two biologists in search of unusual creatures he claims to have observed from his plane: gelatinous, translucent, glowing masses that seemed to float above the ground. During the night, as the team rests in a makeshift camp, doubts and fatigue set in, without imagining that what they are trying to find could be much closer than they think.

Isaac Asimov: The Last Question

“The Last Question” is a fascinating short story by Isaac Asimov, published in 1956 in Science Fiction Quarterly magazine, which explores the evolution of humanity and technology over eons. The story begins in 2061, when two technicians working on an advanced computer called Multivac discuss the possibility of humanity being able to extract energy from the sun forever. This discussion leads to the question of how to reverse the entropy of the universe, a question that recurs throughout the narrative as humanity and technology advance and merge.