Congo

Over break, I finished the book Congo.  Overall, I liked the book.  It was boring in places, but once they story picked up it was exciting and a little scary.  I could not believe the amount of computer technology in this book.  Also, the animal intelligence was interesting.
There was a lot of technology back in the 70's.  I did not realize that we had specialized computers and satellites.  When the group was in the Congo, they carried only six pounds of equipment with them.  This included a video camera and a small computer.  I could not believe how small the computer was and that it could transmit signals thousands of miles away.  The equipment was also pretty light for back then I think.  Today, we could probably carry all that weighing one to two pounds.
I also think that the seventies was an age of great technology advances.  Crichton gives much background on this era and its advances.  I can see what it was like back then compared to today.  I guess even in the 90's we had pretty small computers, considering.  We also had the invention of the cell phone, which is kind of like a small computer.
The animal intelligence was interesting to read about because I have never really been interested in it before.  I thought the sign language of the gorillas was cool and how much they can comprehend.  It is creepy to think they are that smart and are so closely related to and resembles humans.  Crichton did a good job explaining the history behind the controversies and what lead to that mission.
This book has changed my perspective on these topics.  It has made me realize what it was like back then.  It wasn't so bad.  I have also kind of rethought animal intelligence and find it very interesting.