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The article presents the author's opinion on science versus science fiction. The author considers the case of Michael Crichton, a novelist, who has been awarded the "Journalist of 2006" award for his latest book "State of Fear," by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. But, according to the author, Crichton is not a journalist. He just produces fat thrillers like "Jurassic Park" and "The Andromeda Strain." The author emphasizes that good understanding and a sound scientific infrastructure are what made the United States the economic powerhouse of the 20th Century. But, today, given all that the Enlightenment has given the United States, the Americans are flirting dangerously with abandoning it.