Michael Crichton
What a card that guy is. I laughed so hard at that speech that tears flowed. Really, that was sooo "cart before the horse" it was actually brilliant. Michael Crichton is a superior comedian if nothing else.
I would be grateful for some links to your material, it really is first class stuff.
I'm not one of those civilized sophisticated types. Some of my relatives are architects, artists and suchlike, but I was always bored as hell if ever asked to one of thier cocktail parties. From what I understand though, if you go to some art gallery, a quality one.. full of fashionably dressed "well to do" people and artists who have large grants awarded from the government, the idea is you stand back from a painting to take in it's full visual impact. Likewise, the same "long view" should be taken of the bible, and Michael Crichton's comments on religion.
What a work of art the bible is! It was written for folks who lived thousands of years ago. Goat herders, traders, and farmers of the time. It was written for people who lived in a ancient pre industrial age. If you are non religious, you can look upon it as propaganda if you like. Reading Micheal Crichton's speech, makes you think of all those bible writers in heaven "high fiving" each other, cheering, and slapping each other on the back. Now, still going in the 21st century, the bible is still doing it's work. Gathering in the flock and guiding them to the promised land. I'm sure God will mark their score cards with "A+" for talent and effort. I'm can see him reviewing thier work... "Just look at Michael Crichton whining away down there about environmentalism" ... "The flock have swallowed the bait, hook line and sinker, and still choose to believe in whats good".
There almost seems to be a little bit of Ellsworth Toohey in Crichtons speech. He seems to out to crush peoples spirits somehow. He wants to lead too much. Frankly, I'm not sure of his credentials. So he crossed a cold, fast moving mountain stream three feet deep, and he wondered why a rope was used to steady people?
I'm not sure he was ever in that stream..
Anyone who has been in a fast moving stream, cold water or no, THREE FEET DEEP does not have to ask why a rope is used. The power from the force of the water will tell them. The feet trying to balance on the wet slippery surfaces will the answer the question immediately.
I think perhaps Ayn Rand spent too much time near the movie scripts or just plain watching the movies. Hollywood is a good place to look for Ellsworth Toohey if he is to be found anywhere. The BBC even, or the ITV channels are other good places to look.
Michael Crichton certainly needs to get away from Hollywood. Maybe spend real quality time with nature. That's if there are any decent parks near where he lives. He fancies himself as some 1960's type technicolor movie hero, out in the wilds, who knows what he talking about. One of Clark Gables lead parts perhaps. The first lesson he needs to imbue in his audience of students is there is no separation between politics, science, or even religion. I have my religious beliefs, and I believe in them, but I would keep them separate from my science as it's only good practice. Science, Religion, Politics are almost a continuous spectrum. The history of science, and in particular scientific discovery, plainly shows us this. In the end it's what you believe to be true that leads you to a new discovery or a better way of life. |
