We first learn about the existence of dinosaurs as children, and it’s not surprising that most of us are immediately captivated. Dinosaurs are an objectively absurd intrusion of science fiction into actual science, and teachers just casually toss them into the curriculum somewhere between simple machines and Saturn’s rings: “Also, these giant fantastical lizard creatures walked the earth.”
Given most Americans’ early introduction to and fascination with dinosaurs, they make relatively infrequent appearances in mass media. There are the Jurassic Parks, of course, and a few half-hearted time-travel film travesties (I’m talking to you, Brendan Fraser), but I see no reason why dinosaurs shouldn’t make appearances in pop culture with the frequency of dragons or even werewolves. For 2009, I propose that we as a nation embark on an ambitious Dinosaur Media Initiative:
