Dystopic Side of Science and Technology in Crichton's State of Fear

Abstract

This research paper analyzes Michael Crichton’s novelState of Fearfrom the angles of utopian and dystopian possibilities of science and technology. The novel is an environmental techno-thriller that presents the dark side of science and technology and the predicamentof common human life that the truston science and technology hoping for autopian societycan turn tobean illusion.Scienceis in the control of few rich elites and scientists; giving raise to the possibility that in the quest for material power and personal gain, they can abuse it and create a chaotic, dystopic future instead. Morton is a main donor to National Environmental Resource Fund(NERF), which is committed to fight against global warming and climate change. But Nicolas Drake wants to amass more and more funds showing the horrible impacts of the climate change; for this, he abuses the fund financing it for ELF, an eco-terrorist group to create man-induced disasters worldwide.This paper emphasizes on the significance of dystopian fiction that there is a need of corrective measures that should be taken by the scientists, social elites and policy makers if they want to use science and technology for the betterment of the society rather than to abuse it for the fulfillment of their personal interests. Key Words:Utopia, dystopia, science and technology, terrorism, environment, global warming, climate change