From: matus (matus@snet.net)
Date: Wed Apr 23 2003 - 00:49:46 MDT
GTS:
>
> > OTOH, I found this rather reasonable, (dare I say it,
> > transhumanist?) interview with Crichton online.
> > http://www.readersread.com/features/michaelcrichton.htm
> > He is not ignorant about current technologies, and seems in
> > this interview to be rather in favour of them. Now I'm confused.
>
Crichton is a pretty intelligent guy, If you find this article in favor of
advancing tech but note his book is generally negative, perhaps he does not
feel his book will have any affect on public opinion or the future course of
tech anyway, or that it even might have a positive effect.
I think the negative comments on this list give too much credit to the
ability of popular fiction like this to truly sway public opinion. Ask your
non-extropic girlfriend if she finds the doom and gloom fiction books to be
accurate representations of likely future scenerios. I doubt anyone is
rushing to ban geological research after viewing "The Core" It seems most
movies (and stories) seem to be about a overcoming a trial that befells the
protagonists. Very few books dont have some this kind of competition theme
to them. I think the majority of the public fully acknowledges this, and
the huge fears about this book swaying public opinion dont give enough
credit to the intelligence of the average person. There can be a lot said,
in fact, to the claim that Crichtons book would make more people aware of
nanotech who otherwise would not be. After someone finishes that book, is
it more likely their first thought would be "Agh! We have to ban any
research on this stuff" or "fun story, this nanotech stuff sounds
interesting"
Just my 2c
Michael Dickey
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