Ian Lynn Malcolm

A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic. -Joseph Stalin

“Uh... no... one death is a murder. You’re trying to make a statistic.” Ian corrected Ludlow from his place on the other end of the conference table. Ludlow didn’t say anything so Ian went on.

“What you’re suggesting… uh… is… the worst bad idea I’ve ever heard.” Ian was in such deep disbelief that his usual ability to spout science failed.

“Doctor Malcolm. If you’re through.” Ludlow as usual was annoyed with Ian simply for his presence.

“No but please go on. I have been here fifteen minutes and haven’t heard anything absurd.” Ian sat back in the chair with his hands resting anxiously on the arms.

“As I was saying before the interruption.” Ludlow went on addressing the board of InGen. “The island park is a wonderful start for the enterprise that is Jurassic Park but why should we force our clients to travel when we could bring the attractions to the mainland. With the outstanding zoo already in place, San Diego would be a perfect site for a new park right here in the United States.”

Ian just couldn’t stay quiet any longer. Hammond patted his arm knowing full well that Ian wasn’t going to swallow his opinion for much longer. Malcolm glanced at the CEO beside him.

“Just so I’m clear on this... uh... after the three tragic accidents on the island you’re suggesting we bring the dinosaurs here.” Ian poked at the floor with his cane. “Who… uh... who suggests this as a wise business proposal? You?”

Ian pointed at Peter standing in front of the slide show of illustrations projected on the wall. Ian wasn’t done talking to these people.

“Do you think we’re fools Peter? Uh... who... uh... when we have a few people around dinosaurs there’s screaming and dying now you want to …uh... put those dinosaurs in a large group of people, a populated city?” Ian looked over at the other chairmen who were looking in his direction. “We know there are precautions in place on the island to prevent major incidents again but... uh... here there aren’t enough precautions. Zoos have animals escape on a regular basis. A monkey is nothing to worry about but a Rex or even a Compy could cause a lot of problems. This whole proposal is a bad idea, it’s a terrible idea and as scientific consultant to InGen I would urge you all to reject this idea.”

“Are you still bitter about your injury Dr. Malcolm?” The condescending tone in Ludlow’s voice brought a disgusted sigh from Ian.

“No.” Ian shrugged. “I’m stating the obvious consequences of bringing dinosaurs into a large population of people. Uh… have you seen King Kong maybe or uh… any of the rest?”

“Ian.” Hammond scolded quietly. “Enough. You’ve made your point.”

“Uh... no… I haven’t. The statistics are there. I suggest you follow my advice.” Ian added.

“I wouldn’t threaten me Dr. Malcolm.”

Ian was on his feet to leave when Peter spoke to him. He stopped midstride to smile. “Are you going to try and destroy my career again so you can hide the truth?” Ian snorted a laugh and kept walking. Ludlow didn’t have the clout to touch Ian or his reputation now or ever.

It's not like those tales
Of glass and devotion
They like to sell
Oh you just want to be wanted
It's making you sick
But it's all right
Oh yeah, it's only a prick

And that's how you know
That it's bad
It's the problem with pain
It's just something to have
Oh, babe you're running the clock
Cuz, you can't make it stop
So just sit still
And hope the hammer won't drop

- Angel by 8mm


( It's Making You Sick )

Malcolm stood at the podium looking out over the crowd. this convention was jammed full of people. Even some stood at the back waiting to hear his delivery. While Malcolm loved attention he hated the types that attended most conventions. There were always those pompous few that seemed to come with no other intention than to belittle other scientists with their own, usually unresearched, theories. Ian had decided much earlier today that if any of them spoke up he was ignoring them. It served them right for acting as they did. The room went quiet and Ian stood at the podium with no notes, no overheads, slides or video show. He always believed those were a crutch. If a scientist was going to speak on a subject they should know the information without the need of accessories. His last thought before speaking was that may indeed be the reason why he like Alan Grant so much.

"Chaos Theory and Evolution opens a new view on history of life on Earth. While I do not wish to argue what caused mass extinction events I would like to discuss some interesting findings related to these events, whatever their cause. Through my research with Alan Grant, who regrettably has a juvenile Tyrannosaur needing his attention in the field, several curiosities can be noted in historic events that are easily explained through Chaos Theory.

The KT boundary shows a great loss of biodiversity. No matter what we believe to be the culprit for this event some very serious questions must be addressed. For example, we have to account for survival of species. Crocodiles, turtles and birds in the form of raptorids have all survived these events not to mention mammals. The Chaotic Survival Hypothesis explains these survivors when applied to KT and other mass extinction events. The theory as I propose it states that in any given circumstance where survival is pushed to the boundaries extreme forms will win out to continue through the event.

What this means for the KT event is that the rare species, such as mammals and the long lived species, those who have remained unchanged for millions of years such as sharks and crocodiles are more likely to survive. This is based in the theories of selection pressures on islands which are often catastrophically affected by small events. With the unchanged species we see a generalization tactic that manages events by being opportunistic while the same can be said for new arrival species which have not yet found a niche in the environment that is perfectly tailored to their survival.

Both of these genre of species show greater ability to cope in changing environments. Established species do not have the same flexibility as they have formed partnerships with others in the biome. Koalas can not exist without eucalyptus. If an event on the scale of KT were to occur and wipe out the tree species with it would go the Koala who is over specialized. Another Australian species suck as the Kangaroo which will readily eat a wide variety of matter from grasses to shrubs would not suffer and perhaps would thrive through a cataclysmic change.

Malcolm paused to take a drink of water. A hand had gone up in the crowd but it was rude to ask questions in the middle of a talk. Ian ignored him and began to speak again even when the question was voiced.

Where does mathematics come into all this. When dealing with extinct creatures some variables can only be guessed. I've proposed a procedure to account for the unknowns. A wide ranging comparison model between known attributes of surviving and extinct species. Through this comparison many anatomical and appointed behavioral can be eliminated as traits for survival or substantiated as plausible reasons for a species to survive a catastrophe. Fluid views of species modeled on a dynamic series of environmental changes obtained from rock and ice sediments is the key to unlocking the characteristics required to survive.

Currently, the focus of our research is on raptorids and trodons which Dr. Grant speculates were the main linages to give rise to modern birds. Analysis of these predators when compared to other similar sized predators of the time suggest a number of key features that ultimately lead to their survival through KT. One key feature that is flexibility within the ankle joint which gave the raptors greater maneuverability when hunting and reduced impact related injuries that would leave an animal lame. Finding suggest that this is one of many anatomical features that increased survival. The ability of the raptors to hunt by both sight and smell in packs and the migration patterns they express would increase the ability of any given animal to recover food in the dwindling resources post-cataclysm.

Malcolm had to pause again. He had memories of raptors so clear that they took his mind off the track of his topic. Clearing his throat he went on trying to blot them out.

Comparison of fossil records and field studies support these hypothesis es for raptorid survival which allowed for the evolution of modern birds. Similar studies are proposed for other species that have avoided extinction. Sharks are of particular curiosity since they have survived a number of extinction events unchanged. I now give the podium over to Dr. Sandstrom who will discuss the application of this new theory and model to shark survival over time.


Ian stepped down and walked out the side door. It was a relief to have one more speech under his belt. In all honesty he preferred one on one to crowds but academic life required crowds more often than not.

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