Scientist and science fiction author Michael Crichton passed away just over a year ago. In addition to his fiction works, Crichton lectured about science and was disturbed by the corruption of science that has led to such mainstream media scares as global warming and second-hand smoke.
As the twentieth century drew to a close, the connection between hard scientific fact and public policy became increasingly elastic. In part this was possible because of the complacency of the scientific profession; in part because of the lack of good science education among the public; in part, because of the rise of specialized advocacy groups which have been enormously effective in getting publicity and shaping policy; and in great part because of the decline of the media as an independent assessor of fact.
Michael Crichton’s 2003 lecture at CalTech, “Aliens Caused Global Warming,“ is a bit lengthy, but a must-read. It’s Crichton at his level-headed best.
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