Well, not exactly. In our big package on global-warming deniers last year, Bill McKibben dinged Michael Crichton’s State of Fear for combining “all the clichés of pulp fiction (heaving breasts, cannibals, poisoning by octopi)” with a deliberate misreading of the science of climate change. After quietly stewing for two years, Crichton has struck back. From today’s New York Times review of his latest distraction for cross-country fliers: “Next does occasionally turn ham-handed: one of its resident idiots is a whiny environmentalist who reads Mother Jones and thinks genetic modification could make cool protest art.” Snap!
Meanwhile, having conclusively disproved global warming, Crichton has moved on. According to his website, “Michael has completed all interviews/speaking engagements regarding State of Fear and related themes and will not be revisiting these subjects in the future.” Guess not even breasts and cannibals could convince Hollywood to buy that screenplay. Better luck with this one, Michael!
