Our Jurassic Park

I am fascinated with the science fiction novels written by Michael Crichton. They are always scientifically precise and have clear narratives. I think his most popular novel in Indonesia is Jurassic Park.

The novel begins with a rich man's crazy idea to build a park filled with bioengineered dinosaurs. Those weird extinct animals were recreated to roam his park. From the gigantic reptile brontosaurus to the nasty T-rex with its sharp teeth were recreated there. Then, in order to keep the park's visitors safe from those nasty sharp teeth, the dinosaurs were kept at a safe distance by electric fences.

When I look at a picture of our House of Representatives (DPR) building these days, I instantly recall Crichton's novel. The DPR building is surrounded by electric fences and barbed wire. They are so similar. According to the people who innovated the fences, are we -- the ones standing outside the building -- the nasty dinosaurs? I am sure we are not dinosaurs. I am certain that the people inside the building are not dinosaurs either. However, perhaps, their ideas and thoughts are.

IWAN PRANOTO

Bandung