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Description
In a future United States, a computer chooses a single ordinary citizen to vote for the President on behalf of the entire nation. When Norman Muller is selected, he must decide whether to accept the responsibility or reject the burden of representing millions. The story examines the strange mix of power and anxiety that comes with being the nation's sole voice, using Asimov's signature wit to explore the implications of a high-tech democracy.
Quick Summary
Isaac Asimov puts a funny twist on democracy in this short story about Norman Muller, an ordinary guy who finds out the computer has picked him to vote for the entire country. The catch? He doesn't even have to leave his kitchen the computer does all the work, serving him a fancy dinner and walking him through the whole process while he barely lifts a finger. It's the kind of silly, thought-provoking premise that makes kids laugh and then pause to wonder what our election system would actually look like if a supercomputer ran everything. The book works especially well for reluctant readers because it's quick, lighthearted, and doesn't demand much emotional heavy-lifting, yet it sneakily gets kids thinking about civic duty and technology. Parents often appreciate that Asimov keeps it clean and fun while still planting seeds of real questions about voting and representation. If your kid enjoyed "The House of Scorpions" or other books that ask "what if" about society, this is a great companion read short enough to feel doable, smart enough to spark good dinner-table conversations. At around 5,600 words, it packs Asimov's signature wit into a story you can knock out in a single sitting.