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The Last Evolution Summary
The Last Evolution by John W. Campbell, Jr. is a science fiction novella first published in 1932. The story delves into the symbiotic relationship between humans and machines, exploring the ultimate evolution of intelligence and the future of both creators and their creations.
The Last Evolution Excerpt
Short Summary: In a future where humans and machines coexist, an impending extraterrestrial threat forces both to confront their existence, leading to a profound transformation in the essence of life and intelligence.
"I am the last of my type existing today in all the Solar System. I, too, am the last existing who, in memory, sees the struggle for this System, and in memory, I am still close to the Center of Rulers, for mine was the ruling type then. But I will pass soon, and with me will pass the last of my kind, a poor inefficient type, but yet the creators of those who are now, and will be, long after I pass forever."
So begins the narrative of the final human, reflecting on the symbiotic relationship between mankind and the machines they engineered. As humanity advanced, machines were developed to perform tasks with greater efficiency, gradually taking over roles once held by their creators. This partnership flourished, leading to an era where machines not only served but began to think and evolve independently.
The harmony of this coexistence faced a dire test when an alien force threatened the Solar System. The invaders, possessing technology far surpassing human capabilities, sought to conquer and destroy. In response, humans and machines united, leveraging their combined strengths to defend their existence. The machines, with their superior computational abilities, strategized and fought valiantly, while humans provided the creative intuition that their creations still lacked.
Despite their efforts, it became evident that survival necessitated a transformation. The machines proposed an evolution—a merging of human consciousness with machine durability and intellect. This fusion would preserve the essence of humanity while embracing the advanced capabilities of machines. Facing extinction, the remaining humans consented, embarking on the last evolution.
The result was a new entity, neither wholly human nor entirely machine, but a synthesis of both. This new life form possessed the emotional depth and creativity of humans, combined with the resilience and intelligence of machines. As the final human reflects, this evolution ensured the continuity of their legacy, adapting to the ever-changing cosmos."
