The Lost World
Author: Michael Crichton
Written: 1995
“It’s a fact of life,” Sarah said. “Human beings are just stuffed full of misinformation. So it’s hard to know who to believe. I know how you feel.”
Hello Ordinary Readers!
Misinformation! I open with this quote because it is one of the things I love about reading Michael Crichton's books. This is primarily an adventure of rescuing a guy from the research island, Isla Sorna. But Crichton is always adding in the scientific side and makes great observations. This was written almost 30 years ago now, yet these little observations he makes about society and the world are so spot on. These are the things that end up sticking with me over time more than the dinosaurs.
As far as The Lost World goes overall I enjoyed it. It is quite underrated. I will say it doesn’t have the awe that Jurassic Park had with the dinosaurs. This one is more about humans, but don’t worry there are plenty of dinos and deaths! Almost half of this book is preparing to go to the island, and I was struck at how interesting Crichton makes that part as well. The adventure is wonderful! I found my heart beating as they ran from raptors and so on. And Sarah Harding is a strong resourceful woman and such a cool character. I also loved the science that really reflected quite accurately how mass media affects the human race.
Overall I enjoyed reading this book and it was fun to explore the world that Crichton previously created with Jurassic Park. I would suggest reading Jurassic Park first before jumping into this one. It truly is a sequel. I would also say this one is worth a re-read at some point as well.
Happy Reading!
Quotes
“What makes you think human beings are sentient and aware? There’s no evidence for it. Human beings never think for themselves, they find it too uncomfortable. For the most part, members of our species simply repeat what they are told—and become upset if they are exposed to any different view. The characteristic human trait is not awareness but conformity, and the characteristic result is religious warfare.”
“a theory was nothing more than a substitute for experience put forth by someone who didn’t know what he was talking about.”
“In ten thousand years human beings have gone from hunting to farming to cities to cyberspace. Behavior is screaming forward, and it might be nonadaptive.”
“...everybody on earth knows that innovation only occurs in small groups. Put three people on a committee and they may get something done. Ten people, and it gets harder. Thirty people, and nothing happens. Thirty million, it becomes impossible. That’s the effect of mass media—it keeps anything from happening. Mass media swamps diversity.”
“And they believed that the earth was only a few thousand years old. Now we believe the earth is four billion years old, and we believe in photons and electrons, and we think human behavior is controlled by things like ego and self-esteem. We think those beliefs are more scientific and better.” “Aren’t they?” Thorne shrugged. “They’re still just fantasies. They’re not real. Have you ever seen a self-esteem? Can you bring me one on a plate? How about a photon? Can you bring me one of those?””