I think I have read everything Michael Crichton wrote. 

An honors grad from Harvard Medical School, Crichton is known as the author of a ridiculous number of well-known, popular books. His titles include “The Great Train Robbery,” “Westworld,” “The Andromeda Strain,” “Sphere” and — perhaps my favorite — “Pirate Latitudes,” published after the author’s 2008 death at age 66.

Maybe the best-known Crichton work is “Jurassic Park” and the novels that followed. I read the book soon after it was published in 1990 and thoroughly enjoyed it. When the film was released in 1993, I was excited to see it. 

Like most films based on books, it omits various elements and story lines that fans of the novels typically wish had been included somehow, but it nevertheless is a solid film. Full of action and ground-breaking technology, it was a marvel to see on the silver screen. 

I got the VHS cassette of it for my birthday the year that came out — remember this was back in the day when there were no DVDs and home release of films sometimes took years after the movie had been in theaters — and it was just as good on our 20-something-inch TV. 

If by some chance you have neither seen the movie nor read the book, let me give you a quick synopsis. A very wealthy man comes into possession of a chunk of amber in which there is a preserved mosquito from the Jurassic era. DNA of a dinosaur is extracted from blood the mosquito had in its belly and scientists developed a way to recreate dinosaurs. Then the rich guy decided to create a park in which the recreated Tyrannosaurus Rex, triceratops and velociraptors are available to be viewed and — in some cases — interacted with. 

Then there’s sabotage and a storm and the critters get out and havoc ensues. Fun and fear for everyone. 

Is it scientifically possible or probable? That’s not the point. The point of the story is not one of science but or morality, and it’s summed up quite nicely in the character of Dr. Ian Malcolm, portrayed by Jeff Goldblum. 

“… your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could (create life) that they didn’t stop to think if they should.”

In other words, just because you are able to do something doesn’t mean you should choose to do it. Simply because something is an option does not logically mean that it is the only or best option. 

Wisdom is something in rare supply these days, it seems. Only it’s not, not really. It’s just that the wisdom that is available is either unwanted or unaccessed.

God says if you lack wisdom, ask Him for it. The supply is there — the demand often is not.

But, oh, how our world today needs it. And — like most things — it starts with us, you and me. Let’s ask for wisdom and employ it. Because every day we are faced with decisions that may seem exciting or good on the surface, but are in reality terrible ideas and plans when followed to their logical conclusions.

Just because you can … doesn’t mean you should. 

 

News editor Brett Campbell can be reached at brett.campbell@dailyleader.com.