Hypocrisy at its finest

Michael Crichton is a hypocrite. From what I have read of his book, State of Fear, I believe he is simply using fire to fight fire. Crichton’s personal philosophy that global warming is a hoax only further propagates the theory. In my opinion, he is not effectively debunking the concept, but instead romanticizing it. Though, I will say his successful use of logos and ethos has created a mass-market thriller worthy of a read.

Crichton is no different than the scientists, politicians and environmental agencies that use charts, graphs, and any sort of data to convince the public about the effects of global warming. His appeal to logos is spelled out before the book even begins. There is a disclaimer that reads, ''This is a work of fiction. Characters, corporations, institutions and organizations in this novel are the product of the author's imagination, or, if real, are used fictitiously without any intent to describe their actual conduct. However, references to real people, institutions and organizations that are documented in footnotes are accurate. Footnotes are real.” The footnotes are merely a seeing device. They provide a way to view an argument from whatever angle is most advantageous. I believe Crichton uses footnotes to further legitimize his position because facts appeal to a person’s logic (a completely Cartesian appeal, might I add.). It is difficult to argue with facts but the truth is anybody can pick a set of facts that support an argument.

Between the footnotes and long-winded lectures from various characters, Crichton also cleverly weaves in a suspenseful plot. His use of heroes, villains and an evil plot easily attracts the emotional readers with a direct appeal to their ethos. It’s hard not to feel empathy for Evans when after discovering Morton’s car, “He sat down in the road and put his head in his hands. And cried.” [pg. 162] These gripping scenes are what kept me turning the pages when it got to educational parts.

I agree that Crichton did his fair share of research to write this book and I do not argue that his intentions were good. But, the irony of his book is too clear to ignore. I agree with the review of Jeffrey Masters, Ph.D. (Director of Meteorology, Weather Underground, Inc.) when he sums up the book from a passage on page 531.
"Her intentions are good," she said.
"And her information is bad," Kenner said. "A prescription for disaster."