Big History [DVD + Digital]

This is one of those science series for which the History Channel is so famous. It's just interesting viewing as well as prime entertainment. As much as I enjoy the entire series, the last disc containing the 2-hour "Big History of Everything" is the best of them all, and I've noticed lately that this episode is being played on its own more and more on H2 as a stand-alone presentation. I recommend this DVD for all history and science nuts!

These are awesome! 20 min long - perfect for the attention span of high school kids. More importantly, they are interesting and relevant! Cell phone linked to the Titanic and the creation of the universe? Horses are why we wear pants? Love them!

Interesting information for adults and kids, BUT… it seems like literally half of any episode is them hyping Big History. We get it. It's big history, and the show is Big History, and if you're trying to make sure somebody clicking through the channels on a TV sticks around after a commercial break, it'd make sense. But when watching a DVD, it becomes extremely tedious. I want to watch about big history, not hear about how amazing the narrator thinks Big History (the series) is. Overall, a good show. But it kind of drives me nuts in that regard.

Customers should know that this product is misrepresented. Episodes 5,6,7 and 8 are not included and neither is 13,14,15,and 16. I was looking forward to Brain Boost , episode 8 , covering caffeine but it's not here.

History aims to alter our understanding of the universe with Big History, i.e., the look at our world spun into a web that has been stretched for over 13.7 billion years of history. Therefore, Big History discards the traditional timeline that has been stretched for a few thousands of years into the past. To alter the understanding of viewers, History uses what they call eight thresholds, moments that have irreversibly changed our world. These thresholds, which are clearly articulated in Disc 3, are: 1. The Big Bang; 2. The birth of the stars; 3. The creation of the complex elements; 4. The formation of the earth; 5. The beginning of life; 6. The rise of collective learning among humans; 7. The farming revolution; 8. The modern revolution. The hidden link among these eight thresholds is the spread of power and information over space and time. Big History ends Disc 3 by speculating over the rise and nature of the next big threshold: 1. Will human beings be able to successfully colonize other planets? 2. Can technology overtake humans? 3. Will human beings discover intelligent life elsewhere? 4. Will intelligent life discover the existence of humans on earth and / or elsewhere? 5. Will a catastrophic event coming from outside the planet earth dramatically change its course? 6. Will a new worldwide disaster on earth take central stage? 7. Will human beings cause a catastrophic event on earth? These possible thresholds are not mutually exclusive. Discs 1 and 2 complement the understanding of Disc 3 by looking at specific connections crisscrossing through time and space. Examples are the role of the domesticated horse in the spread of some languages or the role of salt in the rise of civilizations. In summary, Big History encourages viewers to rethink anew what they have been taught and / or have discovered on their own.

The third part was very well done, although it lacked the word "Accretion".

One of the best documentaries to date. Well illustrated and narrated, but one better than Neil DeGrasse Tyson. The world coming into place one piece at a time, as Tyson influence by a giant in science, also no one better than Carl Sagan. Yet, just like that autograph book, this video will set course in the minds of those that will take the first steps onto the stars.

I like the idea of showing how important elements we might take for granted made such an impact or were necessary for our existence. In fact this had huge potential to be great but lacked more in-depth information that might have made it great. I really felt like they assumed that most of us had a limited ability to understand information when presented so tended to repeat the same facts over and over as if they were afraid we just didn't get it. Another thing that really bothered me was all the bright flashing, sound blasts and redundant graphics. I really think producers assume if they don't show a bright flash on the screen or change the picture every 2 seconds we will get bored and walk away. This problem persists across the board these days with most television so this is a more general point. The images flash so quickly that it gets very annoying and almost nauseating. I would rather dose off enjoying an informational program in contrast to their attempt to keep me interested with bright flashes and loud sounds. I wanted to enjoy this and the topic matter was awesome however I couldn't really watch it as presented.

esta estupenda la serie tiene más capitulos que lo que esperaba, excelente produccion

The video divides history into smaller bites and shows how they're all interconnected. Because each section is short you can quickly learn something and not have to watch the complete video in one session. I've watched the set many times and learn a new bit of history each time. Recommend for adults or kids!

Using this product to learn more about our history as humams

two thumbs up

Wonderful graphics. Well told, easy to understand.