Why did Brother Day say that Hari Seldon’s predictions are outdated?

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In the richly woven tapestry of "Foundation", a recurring theme of conflict is evident between the old and the new, between the established and the revolutionary. One such conflict manifests itself in the complex relationship between Brother Day and Hari Seldon's predictions. Why, one might ask, does Brother Day deem Hari's predictions to be outdated? Let's explore.

The Power of Prescience:

Hari Seldon, the eminent mathematician and psychohistorian, based his predictions on the behavior of vast populations. Using his mathematical models, he foretold the fall of the Galactic Empire and envisioned a 30,000-year dark age before the rise of a second great empire. His solution? The establishment of the Foundation, which would serve as a beacon of knowledge and hope, shortening this period of darkness to a mere thousand years.

The Context of Brother Day's Reign:

Brother Day, the reigning Emperor, holds the massive weight of a sprawling interstellar Empire on his shoulders. Every decision he makes has consequences that ripple through millions of planets and affect countless lives. Brother Day is not just a ruler; he is a symbol of the very essence of the Empire. As such, the idea that the Empire is on the brink of collapse, as per Seldon's predictions, is not just an academic debate for him; it's a direct challenge to his reign and legacy.

Shifting Sands of Time:

Now, time has passed since Seldon's original predictions. The Foundation is not just a theoretical entity anymore; it's a growing power, one that Brother Day can no longer ignore. But with the unfolding of events not strictly adhering to Seldon's predictions, Brother Day finds ammunition to refute the notion of an inevitable decline. To him, these discrepancies might suggest that Seldon's mathematics, while groundbreaking, didn't account for every variable, especially those of the human heart and will.

The Factor of Human Ingenuity:

Brother Day's skepticism can also be rooted in the belief in human agency and adaptability. In the intricate game of galactic politics, leaders like Brother Day must innovate, adapt, and sometimes deviate from age-old traditions to ensure the survival and prosperity of their realms. Hari's predictions, in Brother Day's eyes, might be too deterministic, not giving enough credit to human ingenuity, resilience, and the sheer unpredictable nature of sentient beings.

The Nature of Prophecies:

There's also a psychological angle to consider. Throughout history, prophecies, predictions, and forecasts have often been met with skepticism, especially by those they directly threaten. By dismissing Hari's predictions as outdated, Brother Day might be employing a defense mechanism, reassuring himself and his subjects of the enduring might of the Empire.

Technology and Change:

Furthermore, the rapid pace of technological advancements in the Empire can't be ignored. The introduction of newer technologies, alliances, and evolving socio-political landscapes might have given Brother Day the confidence to believe that the Empire is adapting faster than Hari's models could have predicted.