Mycelium Seventy-Two is a character in Isaac Asimov's Foundation series.
About Mycelium Seventy-Two[]
Mycelium Seventy-Two is a Mycogenian scholar from the Mycogen Sector of Trantor. An elderly, thin man with dark brown eyes and a dark complexion, Mycelium Seventy-Two is a member of the lower classes of Mycogen, his name derived from earthly microorganisms rather than the astronomical names of the elite. He is a rare intellectual among his people, having studied in the Sacratorium Annex and earned the status of "scholar," which grants him access to the tribal library containing books from other tribes and computerized reference works. This exposure has given him a broad-minded perspective uncommon in Mycogen; he feels no animosity toward tribespeople and is not offended by the sight of hair, which he has seen in images.
He first encountered Hari Seldon and Dors Venabili on a public vehicle, where he discreetly warned Seldon that a lock of his hair was visible, saving him from a potentially severe confrontation. He then acted as their friendly guide, buying them lunch and leading them to a bench in the park surrounding the Sacratorium. During their conversation, he proved to be a valuable source of information, explaining the purpose of the "obiah" sash worn by Sacratorium visitors and openly expressing skeptical, rationalist views that contrasted sharply with orthodox Mycogenian belief. He dismissed the legend of multi-century life spans as a fiction encouraged by the elite to foster a sense of superiority and firmly stated his belief in the equality of all people, including women and tribespeople. His unorthodox opinions and scholarly status made him a unique and critical informant for Seldon during his investigation into Mycogenian culture. His assistance was cut short when he spotted the approach of a high-ranking Mycogenian official, Skystrip Two, and he hastily departed to avoid being seen fraternizing with tribespeople.
Appearances[]