Writers Can Do That? No One Told Me!

This is rich: Senator James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), invited a science fiction writer to advise the US Environment and Public Works Committee on the facts behins climate change. The writer? Michael Crichton, of course, he of Jurassic Park and Westworld fame. Crichton is also famous for being a mouthy climate change denier. He is entitled to his opinion, of course, but let’s be clear: he is no more or less informed about the issue than you or me. Crichton’s claim to being a “scientist” is that he has a medical degree, but has never actually practised medicine. He’s a Hollywood writer, for fuck’s sake, and not even a good one! What qualifies him to comment on science fact before a senate committee? Oh right, he’s rich.

This is comparable to inviting Steven Spielberg to discuss appropriate responses to an alien invasion. Or inviting Brendan Fraser to comment on Egyptology. Or asking Peter O’Toole to help write Middle Eastern policy. Or getting the actress who plays the chick on Alias to help re-design the CIA. Or asking George Bush his opinion on world affairs.

Apropos of nothing, Jennifer M. sends us this amusing clip of UN soldiers in Kosovo. (You’ll need audio.)