The Curse of Malthus

I must be a fan of Dan Brown, having read many of his novels: Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, Lost Symbol, and now Inferno. Digital Fortress is still my favorite, but that’s probably because I am in the security business.

I love novels with the background of extensive researches. Reading them is like going through a journey with the best guide. I don’t, however, like novels with a strong social agenda, that the author is manipulative in weaving an agenda through the story. Inferno is actually both, but Dan Brown did an excellent job hiding the agenda. It is a good read, but probably more as a library book or a loan. Basically, I don’t think it deserves a space on my shelf, but definitely a place in my memory.

Mild spoiler alert

Is Malthusian prediction a prophecy, instead of a theory? Would this earth collapse under the burden of human population? Would we run out of foods or natural resources to the point of inevitable extinction? If so, when? What are we going to do about this? Is there anything that can possibly be done?

With that setting, a mad scientist, Bertrand Zobrist, created a “cure” to the population problem. Robert Langdon, the protagonist, teamed with Sienna Brooks, ran around Italy, Venice, and Istanbul to stop the madness. We learned about Italian arts, Venetian history, and Turkish magnificence along the pursuit. This time, there were much less obscure symbolism or hidden historical gestures, just enough to be fun. Dan Brown’s craft is impeccable. The main setting of Dante’s Divine Comedy was brilliant. I felt like reading it after this novel.

The key plot concept is, however, illogical. The antagonist, Bertrand Zobrist, has no reason to create the set of clues so that Robert Langdon can even try to stop it. The “dance” was not necessary and illogical. Of course, the simple explanation is that Zobrist was a mad man. But, he was also supposed to be a brilliant scientist.

I don’t quite believe in the Malthusian prediction. But if it is true, then I must tip to Dan Brown, the solution was near perfect.