On a less jolly note

[pjthompson]

I didn't think my opinion of Michael Crichton could get any lower than the Mariannis Trench of disregard I already felt for him, but lo, it has plunged even further:


http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article2079349.ece


Thanks to karentraviss for this reference.

Comments

[queenoftheskies.livejournal.com]

Wow.

That was just...unbelievable.

[pjthompson]

Yup.

[handworn.livejournal.com]

I don't think I hold him in such contempt as you, and I figure he has a right to his opinion (though I disagree with it). But you're right, that's waaay over the line. So not kosher.

Also, curiously so not subtle. You'd think he'd at least disguise the name a little.

[pjthompson]

I don't think I hold him in such contempt as you,

I made the mistake of reading some autobiographical work some years back. Ego run amok. And his anti-intellectual tirades are self-serving and destructive. But he does have the right to his opinion, as do I and this guy he lambasted.

[handworn.livejournal.com]

The way to really get under his skin would be to suggest that as an arrogant, egotistical, elitist graduate of Harvard, he has a lot in common with the intellectuals he hates.

[pjthompson]

lol--that's true, but I doubt he'd admit it. He sees The Truth, after all, and all those other guys don't.

[geniusofevil.livejournal.com]

That's the strangest damn thing ever.

[pjthompson]

Crichton's a huge ego bomb, so of course he couldn't ignore the guy.

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

Stuff like this really and truly makes me question people's sanity. I mean, Crichton is a successful, rich author (though I can't really explain how that came to be, I'm afraid) -- why take such an obvious shot at a critic like this? I think it, and the chosen method of payback not to mention the detail he goes into, hurts Crichton a whole lot more than it hurts his target. I personally won't be reading any more of his stuff, and will think twice about taking a look at any project he's involved in. Not as any sort of protest, but just because he really creeps me out now.

[handworn.livejournal.com]

a successful, rich author (though I can't really explain how that came to be, I'm afraid

I can't say a lot for his more recent stuff-- your average thriller, basically-- but The Great Train Robbery is genuine quality.

I wouldn't boycott someone only based on his opinion on an issue, though, or on intellectuals, who have a lot they can be criticized for. An author's moral or intellectual purity is no basis for choosing or judging books.

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

An author's moral or intellectual purity is no basis for choosing or judging books.

No, it's not, and you're right about that. But the decision isn't a protest, it's just that he creeps me out a little right now. It doesn't make me appreciate his past books less (Jurassic Park was alright, Congo wasn't and Timeline was a joke), but it does prevent me from buying future endeavors.

[pjthompson]

I wouldn't boycott someone only based on his opinion on an issue, though, or on intellectuals, who have a lot they can be criticized for. An author's moral or intellectual purity is no basis for choosing or judging books.

Maybe, but I think you can reach a certain tipping point where an artist becomes so obnoxious to you that you can't possibly experience their work without thinking about how obnoxious they are. It rathers takes the bloom off the rose and makes it impossible, for many of us, to view the work objectively. In that case, why bother? And my judgment of Crichton is based not so much on his controversial views as his obnoxiousness as a human being.

[pjthompson]

Not as any sort of protest, but just because he really creeps me out now.

Yeah, the creep factor has now been added to my genuine dislike of him as a person. I won't be contributing anymore to his fortune. :-)

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

I'm really surprised his editor/publisher let that slide past. I can only hope it was out of ignorance, rather than condoning it.

[pjthompson]

I'd almost think it would have to be out of ignorance because usually they're paranoid of being sued so they nix that sort of thing. If you're a big author, though, with a deadline they might not be so careful. Who knows?

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

You're probably right. At least i hope you are. :-/

[java-fiend.livejournal.com]

I'm not a Crichton fan in the least, though I did enjoy "Eaters of the Dead." But yeah, this seems to be pretty amateurish and pretty petty. Though, I might be tempted to write some nasty stuff about The New Republic given half a chance. LOL....