In Michael Crichton's "The Lost World," a provocative quote reflects on humanity's destructive nature, likening it to a plague that ravages the Earth. The author suggests that human beings possess an extraordinary capability for destruction, which raises questions about the purpose of such a force. This leads to a contemplation of whether humanity might be fulfilling a role in the cycle of evolution by clearing the world of its previous forms of life.

The idea posits that humanity, with its tendency to eradicate and disrupt, may actually contribute to a larger evolutionary process. By wiping the slate clean, the notion is that new forms of life can emerge and evolve after the old ones are eliminated. This perspective urges readers to reflect on humanity's impact on the planet and the potential consequences of our actions in the grand scheme of life on Earth.