Gods, magic and wonder

Because nature seemed whimsical (changing without reason), the gods were pictured as unpredictable: easily offended, but basically kind if treated well.

People invented formulas (prayers, rituals) to please them. When these failed, someone else was blamed, so faith never wavered. Asimov jokes that we still trust economists and weather forecasters in just the same way.

The priest, magician or shaman played the role that the scientist plays now.

Myths had winged horses, flying carpets, crystal balls, magic shells, doors that opened to 'Open sesame', and seven-league boots: magic versions of today's machines.

Composite monsters, made of parts of different creatures (the Centaur, the Sphinx, the Gryphon, the Gorgon), are like science fiction's extraterrestrials. Yesterday's magic is today's machine.