Chaos

Although Isaac Asimov's novel Forward to Foundation a few times touches on mythology, when he refers to chaos it is not to explain how the universe comes about from nothingness, but how mathematicians are limited in their ability to predict how events will unroll from a given starting point. Chaotic systems are dynamic, with new variations constantly developing. It is particularly difficult when one deals with free-will actors reacting and behaving to stimuli.

Hari Seldon, who as a young mathematician reads a paper about psychohistory, is as he reaches age forty still frustrated that he cannot predict the future. Emperor Cleon I has for ten years been demanding results that Hari fears will never become possible. Chaos is is simply too pervasive. Hari has enjoyed ten years of advanced computers, which have advanced the project, but not to the extent that he can help Cleon out of his...