Wednesday Wisdom

WHO

Michael Crichton (October 23, 1942 - November 4, 2008) was an American author, screenwriter, and filmmaker known for his science fiction and techno-thriller novels. Crichton studied English at Harvard University before switching to anthropology and graduating summa cum laude in 1964. He then attended Harvard Medical School, earning his M.D. in 1969. However, he chose to focus on writing rather than practicing medicine after his novel “The Andromeda Strain” reached commercial success.

What is a polymath?

A polymath is someone who has expertise or deep knowledge in multiple, often very different, fields such as science, art, literature, engineering and philosophy. Much like renowned figures such as Leonardo da Vinci and Benjamin Franklin, the term 'Renaissance man' or 'Renaissance woman' refers to individuals who excel across multiple disciplines, blending art, science, philosophy and innovation.

Micheal Crichton’s literary career began while still in medical school, writing under pseudonyms. His first bestseller under his own name was "The Andromeda Strain" (1969), which established him as a prominent author. Crichton went on to write numerous successful novels, including: "Jurassic Park" (1990)"The Lost World" (1995)"Congo" (1980)"Sphere" (1987)"Timeline" (1999) Many of his books were adapted into films, with "Jurassic Park" becoming a blockbuster franchise. Crichton also created the hit television series "ER" (1994-2009) and directed several episodes as well as films, including "Westworld" (1973), the first movie to use 2D computer-generated imagery. Crichton's works often explored the potential dangers of scientific and technological advancements, reflecting his medical background and scientific interests. He was able to use his background to predict the future from gene sequencing, cyber surveillance to pandemics. His books have sold over 200 million copies worldwide, making him one of the most popular authors of his time. Throughout his career, Crichton received numerous awards, including the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel in 1969 and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in 1996 for "ER". He wrote 25 best sellers and in one year, 1994, had the bestselling book in “Disclosure”, the number one TV show “Emergency” and the number one movie “Jurassic Park”, creating a single-handed triple crown in entertainment.

2025 Why we should care

Beowulf is an Old English epic poem set in 6th-century Scandinavia, composed between 700 AD. The story follows Beowulf, a Geatish warrior who aids Hrothgar, king of the Danes, by defeating the monster Grendel and Grendel's mother. Fifty years later, Beowulf, now king of the Geats, faces a dragon, defeating it but suffering a mortal wound. The poem blends historical events and figures with mythic elements, reflecting both pagan and Christian influences of the time. The manuscript is a difficult read and is mostly remembered by adults as mandatory during their teen high school years.

At a dinner party many years ago in which Micheal Crichton attended, a discussion on classic novels was discussed, which books were still relevant, which passed the test of time, or which were still an interesting read. The dinner crowd decided Beowulf was a story that was not only uninteresting but irreparable. Crichton, taking on the challenge wrote a novella called "Eaters of the Dead" (1976), which was later republished as "The 13th Warrior" to correspond with the film adaptation. This book is a retelling of the Beowulf story, combined with a fictionalized account of the real-life Arab ambassador Ibn Fadlan's experiences with Viking warriors. Crichton's goal was to make the ancient epic more accessible to modern readers, to tell a compelling story. He approached the story from a scientific and historical perspective, attempting to provide a plausible, realistic basis for the events described in “Beowulf”. Crichton's novella uses a combination of historical facts (based on Ibn Fadlan's actual manuscript) and speculation to create a narrative that blends elements of the Beowulf legend with a more grounded, pseudo-historical account. This approach allowed him to present the story in a way that might be more engaging for contemporary audiences while still capturing the excitement of the original epic. The book is enjoyable, a quick read and succent in retelling of “Beowulf” but most importantly highlights the genius of Crichton’s story telling.

Effective storytelling often involves crafting a narrative that balances complexity with clarity, engaging readers through well-developed characters and plot twists while maintaining a pace that keeps them invested. Aesthetically, good writing should also incorporate vivid descriptions and dialogue that resonate with the reader, creating a seamless blend of style and substance that enhances the overall storytelling experience.

Michael Crichton was a man who enjoyed his success but also humbled by it. He was generous with his time and helpful to young writers often giving guidance and always responding to inquiries. He should be remembered for his ability, like many polymaths, to giving the world insight into the future but more importantly for his storytelling ability.

When asked, how to craft a great story, Mr. Crichton responded " Let the characters follow the story"

Thanks, Dad, for the gift of curiosity!

Philosophy is the art of thinking, the building block of progress that shapes critical thinking across economics, ethics, religion, and science.

METAPHYSICS: Literally, the term metaphysics means ‘beyond the physical.’ Typically, this is the branch that most people think of when they picture philosophy. In metaphysics, the goal is to answer the what and how questions in life. Who are we, and what are time and space?

LOGIC: The study of reasoning. Much like metaphysics, understanding logic helps to understand and appreciate how we perceive the rest of our world. More than that, it provides a foundation for which to build and interpret arguments and analyses.

ETHICS: The study of morality, right and wrong, good and evil. Ethics tackles difficult conversations by adding weight to actions and decisions. Politics takes ethics to a larger scale, applying it to a group (or groups) of people. Political philosophers study political governments, laws, justice, authority, rights, liberty, ethics, and much more.

AESTHETICS: What is beautiful? Philosophers try to understand, qualify, and quantify what makes art what it is. Aesthetics also takes a deeper look at the artwork itself, trying to understand the meaning behind it, both art as a whole and art on an individual level. A question an aesthetics philosopher would seek to address is whether or not beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.

EPISTEMOLOGY: This is the study and understanding of knowledge. The main question is how do we know? We can question the limitations of logic, how comprehension works, and the ability (or perception) to be certain.