State of Fear | Topics for Discussion & Projects

State of Fear Topics for Discussion

In the character of John Kenner, Crichton draws an analogy between the PLM, or Politico-Legal-Media Complex and its involvement with the environmental movement, with the Military Industrial Complex and the Cold War. According to him, what is the common purpose of these two social phenomena, and how do they relate to civil order? Can you identify other, similar examples in human history?

What does Kenner mean when he tells Ann that well-meaning but misinformed persons are a prescription for disaster? What are some of the examples cited in State of Fear? Can you think of similar examples in history that are not mentioned in the novel?

What was the motive for filing the Vanutu lawsuit when the attorneys knew from the beginning that it was not supported by real science, and would never go to court? Can you think of any examples in real life that might have been similarly...
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