More Words, Deeper Hole

The thing that bugs me about the nuclear power thing is that Anacreon still has an automotive industry. I know to Asimov nuclear power would've been this cool futuristic idea while cars are old hat, but from an historical perspective they're pretty much the same tech level, especially if you assume that Anacreon is building something a little more advanced than the Model T.

I'm not inclined to forgive Asimov the lack of female characters since it isn't just a problem with the Empire -- no significant female character appears in the Foundation until until halfway through Foundation and Empire (and she's not even from Terminus, IIRC). The best we get before that is a shallow harpy of a noblewoman and some references to the possibility of women revolting if they don't have electricity for their kitchen appliances.