Crichton's latest work challenged my beliefs in things I barely give a thought to; issues like global warming, the so called "scientific researches", and the progression of the human societies.
Do you know what causes global warming and the consequences it brings? Through numerous characters in the novel, Michael indicated that most of us don't even know what global warming truly is; most of us only have a vague idea on what it is. He believe that, after reading numerous environmental texts for 3 years, the effects of global warming is not as severe as publicized in the media. The threat of extinction is so overly exaggerated in the media since no scientist can accurately give the figure for the number of species existing on this planet. To Michael, an informed guess/prediction/estimation is just a guess/prediction/estimation. He even included a list of sources where he obtained the data for his analysis, as well as a bibliography which listed the journal articles and books which led him to his conclusion. It's amazing in the way he presented his findings in the novel, and you've just have to read it to receive these technical information in an entertaining manner.
Michael also challenged the level of influences politics have on the scientific researches. He labeled these as "Politicized Science", and deemed these as dangerous (an example of this would be eugenics.) Although eugenics is in itself a horror and people wouldn't want to be associated to it, global warming appears to be one of the spiritual successors to it (though it isn't that extreme.) He argued that the source of research funding is the primary cause for the "small inaccuracies/fallacies" in the papers written by these researchers; and strong criticisms on these papers are usually made by retired scientists, since they don't have to depend on the research funds for their next promotion or whatsoever.
Crichton also pointed the similarity in the behaviors of the modern society and the societies in the Middle Ages: we are all controlled by fear. Although we have progress much (i.e. scientifically) in our times, we are constantly living in the fear of numerous things, such as diseases, crimes, the environment and even strangers, just like the people in the Middle Ages were afraid of witchcraft. We are fearful of things we can't see (e.g. germs, chemicals, pollutants, additives), and the sensationalized "facts" the media has bombarded us with (e.g. feeling the world isn't as safe as it used to be after all the reports on criminal acts which in fact statistics has generally shown a decline in crime rates.) Quoting the words of one of Michael's characters:
There is no greater proof that all reality is media reality.Crichton pointed out that "in the notion of social control, it is the requirement of every sovereign state to exert control over the behavior of its citizens, to keep them orderly and reasonably docile .... that social control is best managed through fear." Communism and the Cold War were two of the fears used to control the people. The fall of the Berlin Wall created a vacuum and environmental crises took of the place of the Cold War. He said
.... although the specific cause of our fear may change, we are never without the fear itself. Fear pervades society in all its aspects. Perpetually.In Crichton's words,
... although we live in different nations.... we inhabit exactly the same state, the State of Fear.
I must say I was enjoying every moment spent reading this novel, despite that the characters are kinda 2D. Well, since this is (techno-)thriller, I can look past that and would recommend to those with a pendant for techno-thrillers.... :)
N.B.: I'm fully aware that this is, after all, just a novel and I shouldn't place my beliefs on it. But Crichton's challenge on our conventional wisdom/media-instilled knowledge should not be dismissed. I think his points are valid, although it would be good for me to do some research personally before committing to any stand made.
P.S.: Serling, as promised, my (biased) review and recommendation.
