The Life and Times of Multivac

Infobox Short story
name = The Life and Times of Multivac
title_orig =
translator =
author = Isaac Asimov
country = United States
language = English
series = Multivac
genre = Science fiction short story
publication_type = Periodical
published_in = "The New York Times Magazine"
publisher =
media_type = Print (Magazine, Hardback & Paperback)
pub_date = 5 January 1975
english_pub_date =
preceded_by = Key Item
followed_by = Point of View "The Life and Times of Multivac" is a science fiction short story by Isaac Asimov. The story first appeared in the 5 January 1975 issue of "The New York Times Magazine", and was reprinted in the collection "The Bicentennial Man and Other Stories" in 1976. It is one of a loosely connected series of stories concerning a fictional supercomputer called Multivac. In terms of tone it bears more resemblance perhaps to "The Dead Past" than any of the other Multivac stories.

Asimov's original title for the story was "Mathematical Games", but after the story appeared under the new title he decided he liked it. In his commentary on the story in the "Bicentennial Man" collection, Asimov stated, "More people came up to me over the next few weeks to tell me they had read that story than had ever been the case for any other story I had ever written." Asimov also states his belief that "The Life and Times of Multivac" was the first piece of fiction ever commissioned and published by "The New York Times".

When humanity begins to chafe under Multivac’s benevolent tyranny, one man takes matters into his own hands to destroy the great computer. By appearing to betray his fellow humans, he places himself in a position to permanently destroy Multivac. It is implied that it is not until completion of the act that he and his peers suddenly realize the enormity of their actions and the consequences it will have on humanity.