Living Space by Isaac Asimov Episode #148

Isaac Asimov | November 25, 2023

Living Space by Isaac Asimov Episode #148
Isaac Asimov

LIVING SPACE

Episode #148 · Written by Isaac Asimov · Narrated by Scott Miller

In the infinite lattice of parallel Earths, every human enjoys a planet all their own. But when strange noises echo through Clarence Rimbro’s private paradise, the illusion of solitude begins to fracture—and what he discovers could redefine humanity’s place in the multiverse.

The dream of endless room to grow has finally come true. In Isaac Asimov’s Living Space, humanity has mastered the art of probability travel—unlocking infinite Earths, each empty and waiting for settlement. Every family can claim an entire planet, complete with sunlight, solitude, and the illusion of peace. Accountant Clarence Rimbro enjoys his perfect isolation—until his wife hears a strange rumble under the artificial sky. In a cosmos of infinite possibilities, one uninvited sound can mean the difference between safety and catastrophe.

Asimov explores the paradox of abundance: when there are infinite worlds, what happens when two civilizations choose the same one? The story blends speculative physics with social satire, touching on bureaucracy, complacency, and humanity’s blind faith in its own systems. Beneath its clean, technical precision lies a quiet dread—the notion that our greatest innovations may open doors we never meant to unlock.

First appearing in Science Fiction Stories in 1956, Living Space remains a quintessential example of mid-century speculative fiction. Asimov’s writing glides between humor and unease, turning mathematical certainty into existential doubt. It’s a story that still feels futuristic today, because the questions it raises—about expansion, ethics, and the arrogance of progress—are timeless.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Isaac Asimov (1920–1992) was a Russian-born American author and biochemist whose scientific insight and narrative clarity redefined modern science fiction. From his Robot tales and the Foundation Saga to hundreds of essays on astronomy, history, and technology, Asimov championed rational thought and the power of curiosity. He won multiple Hugo, Nebula, and Bram Stoker Awards, and his influence continues to ripple through literature, film, and science itself. Living Space exemplifies his mastery: speculative, ironic, and startlingly prophetic.

LISTEN TO THE STORY

Listen to Living Space by Isaac Asimov — a classic science fiction tale exploring infinite Earths, human ambition, and the dangers of limitless expansion in vintage sci-fi style

Listen on Spotify - The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast

LOST SCI-FI PREMIUM

Unlock Ad-Free Listening + Exclusive Bonus Episodes

For less than 17 cents a day, unlock every episode ad-free.

Start Your Free 7-Day Trial →

ISAAC ASIMOV SHORT STORIES

Isaac Asimov did not just contribute to vintage science fiction — he helped build its foundation.

Trained as a biochemist and gifted with a teacher’s clarity, Asimov wrote with clean lines and steady confidence. His prose rarely shouts, yet his ideas carry enormous weight. He trusted logic. He trusted curiosity. And he trusted readers to follow him into laboratories, lunar colonies, crowded cities, distant stars, and the quiet corners of the human mind.

Where some writers chase spectacle, Asimov often begins with a question. What happens when machines think too well? What happens when children grow up with technology their parents barely understand? What happens when one small scientific breakthrough nudges society sideways? He sets the pieces in motion carefully, then watches the consequences unfold with almost mathematical precision.

Yet there is more than cool intellect at work. Beneath the rational surface you’ll find humor, irony, and a quiet affection for human stubbornness. His scientists argue. His bureaucrats bluster. His explorers misjudge what they discover. His aliens rarely behave the way Earth expects. Even at his most playful, there is a steady belief that knowledge matters and that understanding the universe is worth the effort.

Asimov was astonishingly prolific, publishing hundreds of short stories and dozens of novels across science fiction and beyond. In the magazine era that shaped so much classic sci-fi, his name appeared again and again, signaling a story built on a strong central idea and delivered with clarity. He had the rare ability to make complex concepts feel accessible without stripping away their depth.

The stories below show just how wide his range could be. Some lean into robots and hidden identities. Some explore space travel and planetary frontiers. Some turn on a single clever twist that snaps into place in the final paragraphs. Others unfold more gently, revealing how technology reshapes ordinary lives. Each carries that unmistakable Asimov touch — logical, engaging, and quietly confident.

If you want to understand why Isaac Asimov remains one of the central pillars of classic science fiction, these episodes are a perfect place to begin.

ABOUT THE LOST SCI-FI PODCAST

The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast is the most listened-to vintage science fiction podcast in the world. Ranked the #1 Science Fiction Podcast in 43 countries and heard in more than 190 countries, the show has surpassed 4.2 million listens.

Each episode features carefully selected stories from the Golden Age of science fiction, professionally narrated. Timeless storytelling the way it was meant to be heard.

What listeners are saying:

★★★★★ “The perfect narration to a treasure trove of incredible talent. They don’t make them like this anymore but fortunately we can still hear them. The narration is on point and passionate and matches the mood of the stories perfectly.”
— Phee808

★★★★★ “Lucky Find. I felt lucky to find this. I think I have listened to most science fiction podcast. This is the best. I listen while running and the miles melt away.”
— the last time i listened

Vintage science fiction. Professionally narrated. Carefully curated.