Michael Crichton
Birthday:
23 October 1942, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Birth Name:
John Michael Crichton
Height:
206 cm
Michael Crichton was born in Chicago, Illinois, but grew up in Roslyn, New York. His father was a journalist and encouraged him to write and to type. Michael gave up studying English at Harvard University, having become disillusioned with the teaching standards--the final straw came when he submitted an essay by George Orwell that was given a "...
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Michael Crichton was born in Chicago, Illinois, but grew up in Roslyn, New York. His father was a journalist and encouraged him to write and to type. Michael gave up studying English at Harvard University, having become disillusioned with the teaching standards--the final straw came when he submitted an essay by George Orwell that was given a "B-." After giving up English and spending a year in Europe, Michael returned to Boston, Massachusetts, and attended Havard Medical School to train as a doctor. Several times, he was persuaded not to quit the course but did so after qualifying in 1969.During his medical-student days, he wrote novels secretly mainly under the pseudonym of John Lange in reference to his almost 6ft 9 height. (Lange in German means long) One novel, "A Case of Need," written under the pseudonym Jeffery Hudson, (Sir Jeffrey Hudson was a famous 17th century dwarf) contained references to people at Harvard Medical School, but he couldn't hide his identity when the novel won an award that had to be collected in person. After giving up medicine, Michael moved to Hollywood, California, in the early 1970s and began directing movies based on his books, his first big break being Westworld (1973). Show less «
[First line of his autobiography] It's not easy to cut through a human head with a hacksaw."
[First line of his autobiography] It's not easy to cut through a human head with a hacksaw."
I went to a museum and they had this sideshow. There was a little boy who couldn't have been more than six. His feet didn't even touch the g...Show more »
I went to a museum and they had this sideshow. There was a little boy who couldn't have been more than six. His feet didn't even touch the ground. Each time they showed a dinosaur he would shout, "Tyrannosaurus!" "Stegosaurus!". He did that for an hour and I thought, "What is it about dinosaurs that's so fascinating?" That's when I decided to write "Jurassic Park". Show less «
In the information society, nobody thinks. We expect to banish paper, but we actually banish thought.
In the information society, nobody thinks. We expect to banish paper, but we actually banish thought.
We all live every day in virtual environments, defined by our ideas.
We all live every day in virtual environments, defined by our ideas.
I am certain there is too much certainty in the world.
I am certain there is too much certainty in the world.
Readers probably haven't heard much about it yet, but they will. Quantum technology turns ordinary reality upside down.
Readers probably haven't heard much about it yet, but they will. Quantum technology turns ordinary reality upside down.
I tended to faint when I saw accident victims in the emergency ward, during surgery, or while drawing blood.
I tended to faint when I saw accident victims in the emergency ward, during surgery, or while drawing blood.
Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is alr...Show more »
Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled. Show less «
They are focused on whether they can do something. They never think whether they should do something.
They are focused on whether they can do something. They never think whether they should do something.
Human beings never think for themselves; they find it too uncomfortable. For the most part, members of our species simply repeat what they a...Show more »
Human beings never think for themselves; they find it too uncomfortable. For the most part, members of our species simply repeat what they are told - and become upset if they are exposed to any different view. Show less «
The characteristic human trait is not awareness but conformity, and the characteristic result is religious warfare. Other animals fight for ...Show more »
The characteristic human trait is not awareness but conformity, and the characteristic result is religious warfare. Other animals fight for territory or food; but, uniquely in the animal kingdom, human beings fight for their 'beliefs.' Show less «
We are stubborn, self-destructive conformists. Any other view of our species is just a self-congratulatory delusion.
We are stubborn, self-destructive conformists. Any other view of our species is just a self-congratulatory delusion.
Whenever you hear the consensus of scientists agrees on something or other, reach for your wallet, because you're being had.
Whenever you hear the consensus of scientists agrees on something or other, reach for your wallet, because you're being had.
I want a news service that tells me what no one knows but is true nonetheless.
I want a news service that tells me what no one knows but is true nonetheless.
The belief that there are other life forms in the universe is a matter of faith. There is not a single shred of evidence for any other life ...Show more »
The belief that there are other life forms in the universe is a matter of faith. There is not a single shred of evidence for any other life forms, and in forty years of searching, none has been discovered. There is absolutely no evidentiary reason to maintain this belief. Show less «
The American media produce a product of very poor quality. Its information is not reliable, it has too much chrome and glitz, its doors ratt...Show more »
The American media produce a product of very poor quality. Its information is not reliable, it has too much chrome and glitz, its doors rattle, it breaks down almost immediately, and it's sold without warranty. It's flashy, but it's basically junk. Show less «
Books aren't written - they're rewritten. Including your own. It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrit...Show more »
Books aren't written - they're rewritten. Including your own. It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn't quite done it. Show less «