What single invention is most responsible for the way we live today? If you say the computer or writing or mathematics I’d suggest that you’re probably not familiar with James Burke’s incredible show entitled, Connections. Because while computers, writing and mathematics have all been important in the history of man, the invention that did the most to enable our current lifestyle is in fact the simple plow. The plow allowed the nomadic man to settle in one spot and grow his food instead of hunting for it. At least that’s what James Burke, science historian, argues and after watching his 10 part special, first broadcast in 1978, I’d have to agree.
Connections, which was subtitled An Alternate View of Change, argues that the modern world is a result of interconnected events often unrelated to the final outcome. For example, I’m quite sure the person who invented the plow would have no concept of my being able to post the importance of that invention on the Internet and yet I would be unable to do so without the invention of the plow. And that is what Connections is all about. It follows lines of thought through history rather than individuals or individual inventions.
The series is available from Netflix on DVD, Amazon and on YouTube (via the JamesBurkeWeb channel). Below is a quick synopsis of all 10 episodes and their YouTube link below:
Connections, Episode 1 – The Trigger Effect – The eastern seaboard power blackout of 1965.
Connections, Episode 2 – Death in the Morning – How agreeing to accept metal in exchange for goods changed our world.
Connections, Episode 3 – Distant Voices – How are the stirrups used by Norman horseman related to the atomic bomb?
Connections, Episode 4 – Faith in Numbers – How did western Europe culture change because of underwear and the Black Death.
Connections, Episode 5 – The Wheel of Fortune – How did astrological knowledge affect the medieval Church’s need for alarm clocks?
Connections, Episode 6 – Thunder in the Skies – How did the Little Ice Age influence the practice of privacy for sleeping and sex.
Connections, Episode 7 – The Long Chain – High technology delivered door to door 400 years ago by the Dutch.
Connections, Episode 8 – Eat, Drink and Be Merry – It’s a plastic world that began with the issuance of credit 600 years ago.
Connections, Episode 9 – Countdown – The medieval cannon leads to the movie projector.
Connections, Episode 10 – Yesterday, Tomorrow and You. – It all began with the plow and leads to change on a epic scale.
Edited To Add: “Connections” is no longer available on YouTube. It, however, is available now at Archive.org.
This is a series worth checking out even if you don’t agree with Burke’s conclusions. And the fact, that’s it’s available on YouTube (free) makes it a great and inexpensive way to see a terrific show that is rarely rebroadcast – but should be.