These aren’t real dinosaurs – we know that through Crichton’s detailed explanation of how they were made technically feasible. We’ve looked at old DNA that has deteriorated, we’ve patched that DNA with other animals – frogs, birds, and reptiles, and then we’ve brought them into the world with synthetic eggs. These are simulacrum of dinosaurs that we’re blind to because the differentiated steps are done behind the scenes with science, and with enormous numbers that make it hard to understand how different the new animals are.

At the same time the reader expects real dinosaurs, probably 20% of the book to this point has been showing us that obviously they are not. In the same way a great magician can describe the way a trick was done, and still we believe the trick – Crichton has shown us what are clear ‘not-dinosaurs’ and still we are focused on these creatures because they are dinosaurs. This topic is explored in greater depth in the book and movie sequels.

Best Writing, Quotes

“I see no reason to improve upon reality.”

Jurassic Park, Page 146 Hammond to Wu

Hammond is trope-blind, he can’t see how his own internal logic is inconsistent. He is improving upon reality by bringing dinosaurs to life, but is not willing to do the extra work to ensure that the dinosaurs will be safe for the world to observe them.

Page by Page Highlights, Quotes

“We should go to Version 4.4” Wu says to Hammond on Page 146, implying that all the animals should be terminated and upgraded. Wu knows they have problems.

“And entertainment has nothing to do with reality. Entertainment is antithetical to reality.” Wu to Hammond on Page 147

• The dinosaurs are too fast, they are ‘too real.’
• Are these even real dinosaurs?
• Wu argues that the guests will not like the visual conflict of large animals moving so fast.
• The reader knows that the speed of the dinosaurs will make the park impossible.
• Wu even labels the next version as ‘domesticated dinosaurs.’

“The DNA of the dinosaurs was like old photographs that had been retouched, basically the same as the original but in some places repaired and clarified, and as a result – ” Wu thinks of the issues with the dinosaurs, Page 142

“We’ve got a whole army of devices now – and they’re all too slow.” Wu, Page 143

“If you want to get something done, stay out of universities.” Page 144, Hammond’s guidance to Wu in a flashback after Atherton’s death

“And the work itself had shifted – it wasn’t even reptilian cloning, once they began to understand that dinosaurs were so similar to birds.” Page 145

“I see no reason to improve upon reality.” Page 146 Hammond to Wu