And no question that general language murder habits are manifest here, in spades.

Merely impeaching Crichton as 'scientist', or at least any automatic assumption that "he ought to possess insight" on the topic. Haven't read an essay from him though, so I don't know the basis for his opinion; if however, his is a conviction, already - well, then - -

IMO this Question is of the class which is most apt to be spun, for all obvious reasons of Next-quarter mindsets and for every principle of the Capitalist religion (culminating of course - where one's other religion awaits Gawd Soon and ridicules any concern for one's mere planetary abode). Since we must weigh probabilities VS barely-acceptable --> assuredly fatal consequences: we'd need some wisdom to achieve sanity throughout a series of decisions.

We are probably more inept at such a matter than in learning much simpler things, from history. Not looking good re this one, is it?


Ashton