The Novel by Michael Crichton "State of Fear"

I am listening to that audiobook right now, chapter 45, even as I am answering the discussion. I will try to remember to come back and discuss it when I finish

I finished the book. Here is what I wrote on my blog today, there is a pretty good beginning of a discussion there (writingup.com/familyfunandfaith): I just finished Michael Crichton’s, State of Fear. It was a good read, a bit long maybe. And there was a gruesome scene of cannibalism, but a good tale! It is a look at the use of fear to determine policy. Crichton is working with the idea that when science gets politicized it becomes a danger. It made me shudder to think that such things are taking place. I know the work is fiction, but I have no doubt his premise is not so far from fact. I was a bit surprised that Crichton used the radical environmentalists as the focal point of danger when science gets politicized. But it worked for me. After the story was complete, Crichton gave his personal positions on matters, and that was interesting too. He completes his thoughts by saying that everyone has an agenda, except him! He would like to see the depoliticization of science. I do not usually read appendices, but the one after the message from the author was really enlightening to me. I had no idea that the theory of eugenics was a popular idea around the turn of the 20th century, in America. Proponents of the idea of ridding the human race of the feeble minded and degenerates included the H.G. Wells, Margaret Sanger, of planned parenthood fame, Leland Stanford, the founder of Stanford University, and Teddy Roosevelt. It was the subject of discussion on college campuses, the way global warning is today. The Rockefeller foundation was a contributor to the research in Germany that gave rise to gas chambers in concentration camps. I am not sure what steps to take to improve dialogue and elevate sensibility. Has anyone else read the book? Have an opinion, either on the book or the issues it raises?

Yes, Micheal Cricton being the an author who can put you into science fiction in a way that seems all true, has exagerrated on some facts, but his intention and the bottom line of the book are real truths. I truly do not believe Global warming is that big a killer to think of, nature has been adapting to things and it will, and ofcorse we are a part of nature. As for the world economy, there are a big list of such events which the first world countries have played on, so as to safe gaurd their position as First world. And yes, I also did read the appendix and all the references he gives, believe me, i dont even turn to the exercise pages in my text books too, but this i did. He speaks with proof, not just opinions, like politicians. I like him, and his attitude.

Michael Crichton has always used the latent but, in his view, under appreciated dangers associated with scientific advancement as theme in his books(microbiology in the Andromeda Strain, genetic engineering in Jurassic park, and so on.). In Star of Fear he reverses field and uses the incorrectly perceived threats of environmental disaster as the underlying impetus for a novel. In Crichton's view, the whole global warming argument is false. His view is that environmentalism has degenerated into a quasi religious system devoid of scientific veracity. Thus, the proponents of the global warming hysteria and pushing faith over fact many of them have lost their moorings and the inevitable result is a grad conspiracy. At the heart of this conspiracy is Nick Drake, head of radical environmentalist group. Outraged that significant source of funding has been closed by the donors getting Drakes science debunked by a MIT professor, drakes sets out on murderous course that is designed to both do away with his detractors and enemies while concomitantly creating a profound state of fear about global warming among the public. As is generally the case with Crichton, an avalanche of scientific data is imparted in Crichton's usual informative yet entertaining manner. Many will debte the validity of Crichton's "science" as regards the issue of global warming. As Crichton so deftly displays in this novel, this issue has become more political than scientific in many ways and there's no reason this novel won't be analysed in the light. The story has all the traditional strengths and weakness of a Crichton novel. Crichton is a accomplished technician and that comes through in this novel. It can justifiably be called a page turner. However, the methodology of using characters to do the education creates a scenario wherein the characters become somewhat robotic and predictable, not truly fully fleshed out human beings. However, that's quibbling. This is a very fine novel. I suspect one's enjoyment will be colored to great degree with how strongly one leans to or away from Crichton's premise. That aside, this ranks as one of his better works.