Collings 1

James Collings
Noyce
A3
10 March 2016
A Warning from Crichton to Science
Throughout history, fictitious stories have often been used to warn others or to scare them
away from wrongful or dangerous actions. Oftentimes this is easier for society to take in than a
warning because society doesnt feel attacked or criticized when enjoying it. From ancient myths
to modern television, there are examples everywhere. Michael Crichtons Jurassic Park is a
great example of a book warning society. Throughout the book, Crichton uses the John
Hammonds lack of patience and Ian Malcolms frustrations with him and other scientists to
convey his views and warnings to science, which is that scientists arent thinking ahead. He also
uses Malcolm to offer the solution of thinking ahead and slowing down.
Michael Crichton conveys through Ian Malcolm his problems and frustrations with
modern science, that scientists are moving too fast and dont consider the consiquences. Ian
Malcolm once stated this when talking about the ill acts of scientists: They never ask if they
should to something (Crichton 318). Malcolm later labels these scientists as thintelligent.
Here Malcolm claims that despite morals, ethics, or safety (reasons why something shouldnt be
done) scientists go on to do whatever they like. Because Malcom is criticizing and criticism
usually indicates wrong doing on the others behalf, it makes one think that through him Crichton
is trying to convey how dangerous this attitude of thinelligence is. Later in the book, Hammond

Collings 2

explains that Since it was so exiting and since it was possible to do it, we decided to go
forward (Crichton 342). Here Crichton uses Hammond directly to prove his feelings towards
science, as Hammond matches the thintelligent traits Malcolm speaks of. Eventually, because
Hammond did not consider if he should, the park turned out to be a complete disaster and many
people perished. He also makes the claim through Hammond that scientists, instead of focusing
on if they should do something, focuses on the excitement and possibility of doing it instead.
Crichton not only uses Malcolm to express his frustrations but uses him to provide a
solution to the problem, which is to get rid of those who refuse to think ahead and to slow down.
In the book, Ellie inquires upon Malcolm as to what he would suggests as a solution and
Malcolm responds, Get rid of the thintelligent ones, take them out of power (Crichton 319).
Because Malcolm is explaining this solution to Ellie, it leads one to believe Crichton is using
Malcolm to tell us his solution, which is to simply take those who dont think ahead and wont
slow down out of power and to replace them with those who are willing to be patient. During
another one of Malcolms rants he exclaims his frustrations about the creation of dinosaurs to
Hammond: You create them in a very short amount of time, you never learn anything about
them, yet you expect them to do your bidding (Crichton 342). Here Crichton provides a counter
solution, in which working fast and rushing, yet trusting ones work ultimately leads to failure.
Because Malcolm is again criticizing, this tells one that Crichton calls for the opposite in our
society, for science to slow down in its efforts and to be more careful.
Throughout the book Jurassic Park Crichton conveys his warning towards readers that
science isnt thinking ahead. He does this through the use of the characters Ian Malcolm and
John Hammond. Crichton also provides the solution of slowing down through these characters.