That article has given me a lot to chew on. It's been years since I read the Foundation quatrilogy (A non-word, but what DO you call a Trilogy that became 4 books?) but I can see the similarities. I only vaguely remember the Mule. I may have to pull it from my shelves and read it again.

While reading that article, my first thought about where Bin Ladin is--what if he is living in the US?

It gives a whole new perspective on this when you think of it in the scope of something like Foundation. Suddenly, instead of being immersed in events, you have taken a step back and see them differently, as the tide of events that sweeps us all into a far tomorrow.