Urbane, Erudite, a Hero of the Al Fin Republic--Michael Crichton

Charlie Rose Interviews Michael Crichton

Michael Crichton graduated from Harvard Medical School, and chose a career in writing and the entertainment media over medicine. Although Crichton would have been a very good physician, he has had much greater impact through the world of entertainment. American mythology is written in bestselling books, highly rated TV series, and box office hit films. Crichton has scored big on all three fronts.

But Crichton is certainly much more than fiction writer, TV producer, and motion picture dirctor, screenplay writer, and producer. He has become something of a cultural icon. Admired by millions, Crichton has also been the boogeyman of radical feminists (Disclosure), and the hated villain of the environmental left (State of Fear). Nanotechnologists did not appreciate his novel "Prey," and it is certain that Biotechnologists will not like his latest novel "Next."

Ever since The Andromeda Strain, I have followed the story of Michael Crichton--his life and works. It is a fascinating story, which I hope will continue for a very long time.

Crichton attracts controversy, and although media controversy may annoy him at times, he does not fear controversy. Contrast that relative fearlessness of Crichton's with Al Gore's refusal to appear on an interview with anyone who has even a casual relationship with Bjorn Lomborg. Talk about a limp wristed controversialist! It would be wonderful to see a debate on catastrophic anthropogenic global warming between Al Gore and Michael Crichton. Do you think Charlie Rose could arrange it?

Hat tip Fatknowledge Blog.