One thing that struck me while reading the assignment from Crichton was the hyperbolic conversation between Kenner and Evans on the plane to Antarctica. Kenner is the archetypical scientist that Crichton uses to present the “truth.” He is the unbiased genius that (annoyingly) has an answer for just about everything, and as readers, we are supposed to look to that type for guidance. This, I think, is very telling. Crichton has taken a stance: scientists are who we are supposed to trust, not corporations, charities, and environmental groups with an agenda. (Anyone else see the last point in the Author’s Message “Everyone has an agenda. Except me.” Funny guy...). Furthermore, Evans’ reaction to information that unearthed his entire paradigm was incredibly uncomfortable to read. He was childishly and desperately grasping at straws and repeating the same fact over and over, as the scientists in the group condescendingly list more and more evidence to the contrary.
Kenner eventually states that “Now you [Evans] know how legitimate scientists feel when their integrity is impugned by slimy characterizations… Sanjong and I gave you a careful, peer-reviewed interpretation of data. Made by several groups of scientists from several different countries. And your response was first to ignore it, and then to make an ad hominem attack. You didn’t answer the data. You didn’t provide counter evidence. You just smeared with innuendo” (218). This is what I think that Crichton was getting at by this whole interaction between Kenner and Evans; between the unbiased science and biased corporate opinions. The fact that Evans responded with “fuck you” doesn’t help his character gain sympathy, either. It is very clear who Crichton is backing in this instance, and who he wants the reader to trust. So, the next time someone on TV decides to tell you about an environmental or health issue, go find a prodigy MIT professor, they can set you straight.
That was one of my favorite quotes too. But I'm glad that somebody told Kenner, "fuck you", because there's plenty of times I wanted to. Crichton does a good job (at least with me, and seems like a lot of other people so far) get you hooked with Peter and he just speaks and feels for you.
ReplyDeleteAND I LOVE HIS FINAL BULLET POINT
"Everyone has an agenda. Except me." GAWD.
I absolutely agree with you, Becca. Kenner was my favorite character even though I'm much more like Evans (although I don't really think that's a good thing in some cases).
ReplyDeleteKenners defense for his positions were purely scientific and it was a breath of fresh air because I hardly ever EVER hear anyone defend their opinions with facts anymore (though that may be due to the fact that I'm involved with a community more focused on melodrama and exaggeration rather than fact because the prior is, well, more fun sometimes). His last points are the most important I think, especially for readers who don't entirely understand all of the science being put forth. Crichton is using Kenner to get the message across that it's rude and ignorant to dismiss an argument based on nothing but your own assumptions. SEEMS like an obvious statement but it's an all too common thing.
This was a powerful quote that really stuck with me at well. First off, I would think of those who are refuting facts, not providing the counter evidence, and (sometimes) responding with pure ignorance would be refuting global warming, not arguing for it as Evans was. This made me carefully think about the science that I was studying, and the biases behind it. The battle on the environmental front is riddled with players each with a separate agenda. I agree that Crichton is always leading us to trust in Kenner and I would say that we, for the most part, do. This quote also made me open my eyes to the possible ignorance on both sides of the debate, as Evans portrays a global warming advocate who is ignoring and "smearing" scientific studies.
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