Who's the real "superhero"?

"Those who fund research- whether a company, a government agency, or an environmental organization-always have a particular outcome in mind" (pg 720). This passage in the author's message rang my Latourian bell right away. That's right, circulating reference folks. As much as I hate Latour (sorry lovas), he actually does have a point, and I think it is what Crichton's book revolves around. Where does our knowledge come from and who is putting the knowledge into our heads? This is the root of the story line I believe, because the characters and organizations involved in the plot are constantly fighting for what they believe is the truth. I haven't finished the book, but I enjoy a bit of thrill that Crichton presents. Before I even opened the book, I had extremely biased opinions about what this was going to be about. I thought to myself, "this is going to be some extremely liberal shit that they're making us read to try to convince us to support environmentally-friendly organizations." But wrong was I. I like the idea that Crichton puts the two sides to the argument right up against each other in a battle. But then I questioned, that they'res got to be more than two sides to this argument, and I don't know if Crichton really addresses that. I don't even know what the other sides would be, and maybe they are presented and I'm just not catching it, but I just feel like they're gotta be more than two polar opposites. Where's the middle? Is there a middle? Any thoughts or insights amigos?

While reading, I'm not sure which characters I specifically like. As I start to like Kenner and the points he makes, I have to remind myself again of circulating reference, and where he is forming his opinions and gathering his "facts". Also,I couldn't help but think of this book as a giant superhero comic. You have the good guys and bad guys and something involving saving the world. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering if Kenner and team will stop these "natural" disasters from happening. Will NERF succeed on their plan to scare the world about global warming and its effects? (say this in the deep movie trailer voice, it greatly enhances the effect). You got the pretty girls involved, a little romance love triangle, and boom, comic formed. I was even picturing all the characters all anime-like. I never read comics, so this is my cliche opinion of them, but for me, it made the book that much more enjoyable.