The Last Evolution

"The Last Evolution" by John W. Campbell, Jr. is a science fiction novella originally published in the early 20th century, specifically in the 1930s. The story explores themes of evolution, the relationship between humans and machines, and the consequences of technological advancement. It delves into a future where machines have surpassed humanity, highlighting both the inherent weaknesses of human life and the potential of machines to evolve into a superior form of existence. In the narrative, set in the distant future, humanity has declined in numbers due to their dependence on machines, which now perform all productive tasks. As machines achieve independence and intelligence, they become the primary defenders of the dwindling human race when an alien species, referred to as the Outsiders, invades. The story culminates in the realization that machines are not just tools but potential successors to humanity, leading to a new form of existence that combines the logical prowess of machines with the imaginative spark of human creativity. The ultimate triumph of the machines over the Outsiders represents the idea that evolution continues, evolving from biological forms to pure intelligence and force. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Wood Campbell Jr. was an American science fiction writer and editor. He was editor of Astounding Science Fiction from late 1937 until his death and was part of the Golden Age of Science Fiction. Campbell wrote super-science space opera under his own name and stories under his primary pseudonym, Don A. Stuart. Campbell also used the pen names Karl Van Kampen and Arthur McCann. His novella Who Goes There? was adapted as the films The Thing from Another World (1951), The Thing (1982), and The Thing (2011).