Our planet's history is littered with societies, civilizations and empires that rose and eventually fell into ruins. Almost as if they were doomed to collapse from the get-go. But what about empires on a GALACTIC scale — ones that stood for thousands of years? And what do you do to prepare for such eventuality — to reboot civilization ASAP and ward off "barbarism"?
I was fascinated with the idea of a Galactic Empire in decline and preserving the collective knowledge accumulated up to that point. I expected the book to cover how such a colossal undertaking as curating the cumulative knowledge of humanity takes place (could have been a good opportunity to explore the difference between knowledge and wisdom). Why was the Empire, which stood for 12,000 years, in decline. Asimov touches on these in passing, with the gaps largley left for the reader to fill. And therein lies the problem with Foundation. It doesn't read like a cohesive book but as discursive short stories.
It also didn't read like a Sci Fi set far in the future. Aside from a planetary metropolis and force shields, the Foundation world didn't seem that much different from our own. Per Asimov himself (albeit later in life): "Good Science Fiction tries to invent a society which is distinctly different from our own". I didn't get that with this book.
In order for "barbarism" to evoke some emotional response, it has to be contrasted with the mainstream culture — that of the Empire (something I think Star Wars did well). Our brief introduction to the "Galactic civilization" at the beginning wasn't enough to convey a contrast. I also found the religion, which was concocted by the Foundation out of thin air in no time, to be cartoonish and not believable.
Still, it's an Asimov book, which most would agree contains some great ideas. Other than the predictive "science of Psychohistory", there's leadership based on wit rather than fear and unrestrained aggression, the dangers of mob mentality, self-reliance rather than relying on figures of authority, and more.
I'll probably read the sequel sometime in the future, prior to watching the TV series, but not with high expectations or as great enthusiasm. I really hope it isn't as episodic as the first book.