The entire outlook of Foundation is that it has a different look at what really matters in history and the outcome of the story beyond the individual. This is generally in contrast to a typical fictional story or even how we often tell our history which looks at individuals and their impact and importance. I think this way of thinking is actually becoming more relevant in modern story telling and history. Even if they still hold to some of the traditional story telling traditions of focusing on individuals.

It is unlikely Asimov gets this story written without being a known quantity. It is unusual. It isn't going to necessarily appeal to a broad audience. It is a classic in literature in large part due to the way it breaks from traditional story telling molds. Things are not classics because they are for everyone.