Outside/In What Jurassic Park got wrong (and right) about dinosaurs
Jun 26, 2025
Gabriel Philip Santos, a paleontologist and museum curator, joins the discussion on how Jurassic Park shaped ideas about dinosaurs. He highlights the film's role in kickstarting a dinosaur renaissance while also addressing its inaccuracies, like the unfeathered raptors. The conversation dives into the influence of popular media on public perceptions and the responsibilities filmmakers have in portraying science accurately. They explore how the amber-DNA cloning myth became embedded in our culture, leaving lasting impacts on both fans and the scientific community.
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Early Childhood Core Memory
- Gabriel Philip Santos remembers seeing Jurassic Park at age four and later owning special editions.
- The film created a lifelong, emotional ‘core memory’ for him that shaped his fandom.
Film Sparked Modern Dinosaur Science
- Jurassic Park popularized the “dinosaur renaissance” by portraying dinosaurs as active, bird-like animals.
- That portrayal shifted public perception and inspired many to study paleontology.
Public Interest Fueled Paleontology Growth
- Paleontology exploded after the film, entering a 'golden age' with many new finds per year.
- Public interest drove museum exhibits, hires, and funding attention to dinosaurs.
