# I: The First of the Great Brains explained — Last and First Men

> Chapter companion for Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon.

## What happens

This chapter describes the creation of the first true individual of the Fourth Men, a super-brain produced through artificial means. After centuries of failed experiments, a being with a massive brain and artificial organs is created, but it succumbs to insanity and death. Later, a more successful version is produced, which becomes an autocrat and uses its immense intellect to govern and explore the universe, though it lacks normal human emotions.

## Themes in this chapter

### Technology and Its Dangers

The creation of the super-brain through artificial means leads to tragic failures and a being devoid of human emotion, highlighting the risks of unchecked technological ambition.

### The Limits of Knowledge

The great brain's immense intellect solves many problems, but its lack of emotional understanding limits its connection to humanity.

### Immortality and Death

The first super-brain was designed to be immortal, but the earlier attempt died, and the successful one's immortality is implied.

## Character check-ins

### The First True Individual

The first successful super-brain of the Fourth Men, created artificially, becomes autocrat and pursues scientific knowledge.

### The Fourth Men

The species to which the first true individual belongs, produced through artificial means.

### The Third Men

The earlier human species that created the super-brain and served it.

### Hundreds of His Servants

The attendants and specialists who served the great brain, carrying out its commands.

## Key lines

> Those who sought to produce a super-brain embarked upon a great enterprise of research and experiment in a remote corner of the planet.

A group of researchers began a major project to create a super-intelligent being in a secluded location.

_Sets the stage for the chapter's focus on artificial creation._

> He became autocrat of the state. His own intelligence and complete detachment combined with the people’s superstitious reverence to establish him far more securely than any ordinary tyrant.

The great brain became the absolute ruler, his intelligence and lack of emotion making him a more stable leader than a typical tyrant.

_Highlights the political power of the super-brain._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/i-the-first-of-the-great-brains
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters