I have always had a rocky relationship with the genre of cautionary science fiction. There tend to be two types of this, those that explicitly or implicitly anti-science or anti-technology (I might call it science fiction for Luddites), and those that are not. I find the later to be far more acceptable than the former. I find Micheal Crichton's work to be especially iffy, many of his works are described as "cautionary techno thrillers" and no book of his is more explicitly anti-tech than this one. I am a person who is of the belief that science and technology, like many things in the universe is neither inherently good or evil, it just is. How it is used and for what intention determines it's moral value. I am also one who understands that real science is not nearly as arrogant as is depicted in your average cautionary sci-fi. Some authors who make cautionary tales write in the later form I mentioned above, typically cautioning in how certain technologies are used. These authors often times make the habit of showing how a potential technology could be used both positively and negatively and cautioning against the negatives. I might point to a movie like "GATTACA" for an example of this. In that story, gene mapping is depicted as something that can quickly and easily detect congenital medical conditions before they manifest in a person later in life, potentially giving the person a head start on preparing for it or even counteracting it before it becomes a problem. It also depicts how such technology could be used in combination with genetic engineering as a form of discrimination and reinforcement of class structures and social stagnation.In The Terminal Man, the very act of attempting to use science for the betterment of mankind is implicated as a fundamentally irresponsible thing. Scientist in this book do not attempt to use the science unethically, they use it to attempt to heal a man suffering from violent seizures that often lead him to attack others violently. Instead they fall into the annoying tired old trope of people "playing god" and "treading were man was not meant to go". Failure and disaster are depicted as inevitable consequences rather than as a consequence of unethical or irresponsible use of technology. If anything, I would place the blame on irresponsible research practices on the part of the scientist involved, though this is, as far as I remember, not something that is brought to light or even implied by the author. One of my problem with this kind of work is how it reenforces general ignorance of how actual science is performed and perpetuates the fallacious idea that science is fundamentally and inherently arrogant. Proper scientist are far more cautious in their approach to research, because they are taught the value of the act of self-doubt, in fact self-doubt is the basis of science. Science is built upon questioning and testing our own preconceptions, intuitions and understanding of the universe around us and to remain open-minded to the possibility of re-questioning new conclusions in the future in light of new evidence. All for the goal of expanding the pool of human knowledge. This makes proper science fundamentally humble. Which leads me to my next problem with this kind of work. It reenforces the ideas that "common sense" is something scientist lack and that "common sense" is fundamentally always correct. Common sense, as I see it, is the act of making quick conclusions based on learned rules of thumb assumed to be reliable, or conclusions based on only the most obvious of evidence. Common sense says the earth is flat and the sun revolves around the earth. Never questioning the truth value of common sense, is arrogance, making works written with that perspective hypocritical. These works serve to reenforce the egos of those who mistrust science out of their own ignorance of it. And finally, my third biggest problem with these kinds of anti-science sci-fi's is not one that necessarily applies to the terminal man, but does apply to many of its type, including other works by Crichton. Many of them are written with the assumption of an immutable and fundamental evil of humankind. In these kinds of anti-science stories, the science itself is not inherently destructive or unethical, but depicted as inevitably becoming that introduced to humanity. Thus because humanity is perpetually evil, science can only be a bad thing for us. I find this the most offense. I reject any sort of misanthropic conception that humanity cannot improve itself, and I find it an irresponsible concession made by the author against any sort of social commentary. In the end, the only reason I gave this 2 instead of one star is because it at least was able to hold my interest till the end instead of just annoying me halfway through. If their is one thing Crichton is fairly good at doing is writing engrossing thrillers, even if this is not really his best.
The Terminal Man written by Michael Crichton takes place between March 9 and March 13, 1971. When Harry Benson got into a car accident, his life changed drastically. Benson suffers from seizures, which are caused by the brain damage suffered in the accident. The seizures that Benson develops are unpredictable and often start with the smelling of unnatural scents. During these seizures, Benson becomes violent. He is involved in fights and attacks his victims with ferocity.Surgeons at Neuro-Psychiatric Service hear of the situation with Benson and are interested. They have been experimenting with human brain control by the use of electrodes implanted in the brain and are eager to use their method on a human being. Everyone thinks that Benson will be a perfect subject for this procedure except the psychiatrist, Janet Ross. Ross thinks that the operation for fixing Benson’s seizures will not work and that something deadly could occur at the end of the procedure. Also, before the operation surgeons and doctors agree that the procedure will not fix Benson’s delusions about computers/machines taking over the world, but it will fix his seizures. After the successful operation, Benson starts to have more seizures which is not normal. The seizures should be coming less and less frequently. It is believed that Benson is a masochist and and he produces more seizures to be rewarded with shocks. In essence, Benson likes the feeling of the shocks, so he produces more seizures. Once this happens, there are no readings on the computer for how Benson feels after ten minutes. Janet Ross checks his room, and to her surprise Harry is not there. He has disappeared with violent seizures still happening every so often because the doctors have not yet shocked the part of the brain where Harry gets his seizures. He's a man with a ticking time bomb inside his head and anyone in his way when it goes off is in serious trouble.If you want to become a doctor, nurse, or anybody who works in the medical field, this book is for you. The novel focuses on neurology, which specializes in the scientific study of the nervous system especially its structure, functions, and irregularities. The nervous system contains the brain, spinal cord, and other nerves throughout the body. In the novel, there are some points of interest about neurology. First, the patient receives shock treatments, also known as the stimulation series in his brain. These stimulations excite the patient in a good or bad way. Throughout the stimulation series the patient is aroused by different stimulants. Sometimes he is angry, violent, tired, hungry, weak,etc. As you can see the stimulants provide mixed feelings for Harry Benson. Second, there are pictures of the interior and exterior of the brain with labels. If you like the brain and the way it works, than these diagrams will intrigue you. Also, while reading The Terminal Man, I think a reader could miss out on the scientific terminology of the book if he or she did not read carefully. In the novel there are some big medical and neurological vocabulary words that are hard to understand at a ninth grade level. I often found myself having to look up words because they were too large and out of my vocabulary. For example, "On his TV display screen, the words “Pneumograph Initiated” appeared” (Crichton 63). This example is beyond my comprehension, so I searched what a pneumograph is online. I found that a pneumograph is a device for recording velocity and force of chest movements during respiration.
What do You think about The Terminal Man (2002)?
'The Terminal Man' by Michael CrichtonThe Plot: Harry Benson is a man who suffers from seizures, caused by brain damage incurred as a result of a car accident. These seizures are unpredictable & distressing for Benson who has blackouts, can't remember where he has been or his actions whilst 'unconscious'. What happens, invariably, during these blackouts, is that Benson becomes involved in fights. He attacks his victims with a ferocity that belies his diminutive stature. Benson comes to the attention of a group of surgeons, doctors & a psychiatrist collectively called the Neuro-Psychiatric Service, at the University Hospital, who have been experimenting with 'interfacing' a computer with the human brain to control aberrant behavior, by the use of electrodes implanted in the brain. Benson appears to be a perfect subject for this procedure, to everyone but the psychiatrist in the group, Janet Ross. Ross is concerned about Benson's apparent schizophrenia, as Benson has a phobia about machines taking over the world from humans & becoming a machine himself, as a result of the operation. While the doctors & surgeons in the group concede that the operation won't 'fix' Benson's delusions, they decide to proceed with the procedure. What follows Benson's operation is a predictable realization of Benson's worst fears & confirmation of Ross' misgivings, culminating in the murder of a companion of Benson's & Benson's demise at the hands of Ross, when Benson attacks her. I recall reading 'The Andromeda Strain' as a teenager & enjoying it tremendously. I didn't read 'Jurassic Park', but like many others, i watched the movie made from the book. Who doesn't enjoy the spectacle of dinosaurs chomping on humans? It's been 40+ years since Crichton published this novel & if it were good it would be considered a classic, instead of merely dated. Crichton has never been known for his ability at building believable or sympathetic characters, but in 'The Terminal Man' he takes this to new heights (or depths, depending how you look at it). His characters are more wooden & less believable than either his earlier or later efforts, in my opinion. At one point the psychiatrist, Ross, is asked by the Detective leading the inquiry into the death of Benson's companion, to meet him at the scene of the crime to discuss Benson's state of mind. How likely is this? Not very, i believe. At this meeting, there is a brief conference between the Detective, Ross & the attending Coroner. The coroner tells the other two he has confirmed the murderer was Benson. How does he do this? Well, in the hour since the murder occurred he has tested the blood & other bodily fluids & has ascertained they are indeed Benson's. Really? I didn't know that such forensic tests could be carried out so swiftly 40 years ago. I'm fairly sure the same tests would take much longer even today. This was only one of the glaring examples of illogic in this novel. It's as if Crichton came up with a good idea for a plot, then sleepwalked through the writing of it. At the back of the paperback edition i own, there is an exhaustive list of various references supposedly consulted by Crichton, relating to brain research blah, blah, blah. I don't buy it. To have consulted so many references & served up such a pallid & wafer thin novel beggars belief. I believe his list of references are no more than 'smoke & mirrors'. By all means read 'The Terminal Man' if you are credulous & able to suspend all commonsense. I give this 2 out of 5 stars, although i was tempted to give it one. Good reading!
—Paul
tThe Terminal Man By Michael Crichton is a story about Mr. Benson. He is a man who suffers from a disease called ADL or “Acute Disinhibitory Lesion syndrome” which causes him to “periodically lose his inhibitions against violent acts”. Benson’s lesion occurred when he was involved in a car crash and was found unconscious. He was brought to a hospital and was later discharged seemingly a healthy man. Four months later, he began to randomly have “blackouts”. These would last a few minutes and he ignored them. Later he noticed that these blackout were becoming longer and more frequent. Now sometimes he would wake up with cuts and bruises all over him suggesting that he had been in a fight. Benson went to a psychiatrist for help. The psychiatrist told him that he was working too hard and to stop drinking so much. Benson did, but it didn't help. Later Benson attacked a man while he was in a blackout, he broke two of his ribs and gave him a black eye. He went to the hospital where they diagnosed him with ADL. The hospital decided he would be the first to try an experimental treatment. He was desperate to stop the blackouts so he agreed to the treatment. The hospitals plan was to insert electrodes in his head that would shock the area of his brain that was starting the seizure. Reading The Terminal Man makes you realize the complexities of the human brain. The doctors discuss how an electrode a micromillimeter to the left will cause a different reaction in the brain. One electrode could cause great pain, and one directly to the left could immediately subdue the person. Or another example was when they stimulated electrode 1 “Benson said, ‘thats interesting’ ‘what’s interesting?’ Ross asked ‘That feeling’ ‘Can you describe it?’ ’Well, its like eating a ham sandwich.’” The first electrode had stimulated a memory from Benson’s past. Therefore, someone from the outside could cause you to have a memory or feeling by stimulating electrodes in your brain. This could be used for good or bad. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a good book, with a good story and packed full of philosophical ideas and moral questions. If you liked any of Michael Crichton's other books you will love, The Terminal Man.
—Liam
This was one of Crichton's earlier books, published in the early 70s. It's about a guy who is violent so he gets a microchip inplanted into his brain to shock away the seizures. Then the techonology goes all wrong. The thing is, the whole book is about all the cutting edge computer technology. Cutting edge for 1971. In 2014, it's ridiculous. Not all books pass the test of time. A postage sized stamp computer that hooks up to a battery implanted in your shoulder with wires! WOW when computers take up a whole room. Cathode ray tube printers! LOL! There is a lot about the woman doctor and the prejudice and hardships she faces as a female doctor in that time, so that may be interesting to some people. I just couldn't finish it.
—Merredith
