Michael Crichton – State of Fear - Review

 

Michael Crichton's concerns throughout his career never much changed. In fact, most of his novels focus on this concern in one way or another. This concern is the arrogance of science, or more specifically, those individuals or political organizations behind the institutions of science, establishing their authority, pushing their "scientific." findings in the guise of altruism, but it is no more than a ruse to fulfill some personal or political agenda in reality. He believes that society is in great danger because of the intermixing of science and politics.

In appendix 1 of this novel, he cites a chilling example, supported by prestigious institutions, leading minds, politicians, and writers at the time in the promulgation of eugenics. This was a concerted an effort to rid society of their "undesirables," that is, Jews, illiterates, the feeble-minded, foreigners as well as blacks. As is well known, WW2 Germany took the eugenics ball and ran with it, to the tune of ten million exterminations.

Crichton cites this example, I believe, because when science gets into the hands of ideologues and zealots, or particular individuals with a personal agenda, science becomes a weapon of the strong to fetter the weak. It becomes a tool to create fear in the ignorant masses, in order for those in authority to maintain control over them. The theory of Global Warming and the Greenhouse Effect he uses as an example in his newest novel.

As an avid reader of Dr. Crichton for over twenty years, some of his books are spot on the mark, works of uncanny foresight in some cases, while others fail miserably. Personally, I would categorize "State of Fear" as one of his more researched and better efforts.

Environmentalism is a highly contested issue around the planet. The topic of Global Warming has become a part of every middle school curriculum in the Western world. We teach a simple definition. When students finally understand what the Greenhouse Effect actually is, after hearing the topic pushed in the media for so long, they become quite pleased with themselves. However, as part of the humanities, it is necessary to show all perspectives of a subject; therefore, students are shown other studies claiming Global Warming as fiction or simply a theory at best. They then set out on their individual research projects and are expected to argue their chosen perspective with evidence. The better their presentations are argued, and the more evidence they provide to back their claims, the better their grade.

`State of Fear" attempts to cover the many divergent views on this subject, and Crichton does so with multiple references, making this not only an enjoyable ride from a fiction perspective - a well-crafted thriller - but also from an educational standpoint. Dr. Crichton should get top marks for this one.

As always, when reading a Crichton novel, one invariably learns something, whether quantum mechanics, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence or climatology, one can be certain that the learning the experience will be worthwhile and entertaining.