"The Life and Times of Multivac" is a science fiction short story by American writer Isaac Asimov.

It is one of a loosely connected series of stories concerning a fictional supercomputer called Multivac.

When humanity begins to chafe under Multivac’s benevolent tyranny, one man takes matters into his own hands to destroy the great computer.

By appearing to betray his fellow humans, he places himself in a position to permanently destroy Multivac.

It is implied that it is not until completion of the act that he and his peers suddenly realize the enormity of their actions and the consequences it will have on humanity.