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Connections by James Burke (1978)

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Re: Connections by James Burke (1978)

#31

Post by selestify »

JKCalhoun wrote: post #29
lqet wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If I am not mistaken, you are saying that technical entry barriers into documentary filmmaking are much, much lower today than in 1978, and therefore it is much easier to create such a series today. The former is definitely true, but consider the following: - "Connections" used a substantial amount of acted historical scenes. Creating them in such a quality (and not some sketchy animation or a re-cut of existing work…

Agree. I would add too, it seems likely that James Burke more or less created the idea too of connectedness across disciplines, historical events, etc. as opposed to the linear, "homo-disciplinary" approach we were used to. Or at least he brought the idea to the masses in a compelling way.

> it seems likely that James Burke more or less created the idea too of connectedness across disciplines

Is there a name for this idea?

Re: Connections by James Burke (1978)

#33

Post by sp332 »

royjacobs wrote: post #8
lqet wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder if it was produced on film. This would allow a remastering, similar to Seinfeld [0]. [0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFIrsitJW5M

In that era typically only things recorded in studios would be video, the rest would be film. So Connections could certainly he remastered, and I hope the BBC does so. Some of their older documentaries, like Ascent of Man, already got that treatment.

I think it was on film because it was released only a year later in the US. That was very difficult for shows on tape because of the 50Hz-vs-60Hz difference in video formats.

Re: Connections by James Burke (1978)

#34

Post by ThrowawayR2 »

JKCalhoun wrote: post #25
ThrowawayR2 wrote: post #22

I'm surprised by how many people are missing the central thesis of Connections. Yes, it was about how technological progress is a web of interlocking discoveries, which is entertaining, but that wasn't the _ point _ of it. The first and last episodes of Connections 1 introduce and wrap up the theme of the entire series and it ought to terrify people to the core. (Warning: spoilers ahead) The first, "The Trigger Effec…

I get the way Burke tied together all ten episodes of the first season and put a bow on it. I'm not convinced though as to how terrified I ought to be. I understand that there is a complexity and inter-connect-edness in our present day society, but the fear of nuclear, mutual annihilation is the part of the original series that seems the most dated. I suppose I choose to feel a little more optimistic. I consider the…

This is just my opinion but, as I said, people don't want to think about it or believe it. The pandemic should be a wake up call, both in terms of demonstrating supply chain disruptions and in terms of people refusing to wear masks and those ignoring shelter-in-place directives.

Let's just take one more non-war example: Another Carrington level solar storm is an inevitability (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrington_Event). Imagine a global power and network outage for an indeterminate period of time and what it's effects would be.

Re: Connections by James Burke (1978)

#36

Post by nitrogen »

ThrowawayR2 wrote: post #28
makuto wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I disagree. I think the point of the show is to illustrate how technology progresses. You could say one piece of it is about how we are reliant on it, and not in control of it, but I'd say overall, the show is optimistic about technology and celebrates innovation. Edit: The Wikipedia article [0] does have a good summary, which I think makes us both right: There are really a collection of theses, none of which in my o…

Take a look at the scene in the first episode while discussing the consequences of being in a scenario where one needs to escape the technology trap where he asks the viewer whether they are willing to kill to ensure their survival. Take a look at the scene about 42 minutes into the last episode where technological artifacts are being smashed to Wagnerian music and listen to what he says just beforehand. Does any of…

If I remember right he said in a later interview that he regretted the alarmism in the first series. I believe it was an interview/presentation where he was demoing his idea of a global knowledge web, but do not recall where I watched it.

Re: Connections by James Burke (1978)

#37

Post by rsj_hn »

ThrowawayR2 wrote: post #22

I'm surprised by how many people are missing the central thesis of Connections. Yes, it was about how technological progress is a web of interlocking discoveries, which is entertaining, but that wasn't the _ point _ of it. The first and last episodes of Connections 1 introduce and wrap up the theme of the entire series and it ought to terrify people to the core. (Warning: spoilers ahead) The first, "The Trigger Effec…

That the breakdown of civilization is possible is clear from the Bronze Age Collapse, the Collapse of the Roman Empire, The Incas, and pretty much all civilizations that flourished in the past. There are many attempts to study this and many different takes on it, for example Tainter's Collapse of Complex Societies.

I'm not sure that this should be terrifying, civilizations come and go, it's a question of when rather than if, unless you think our civilization is unique among all the others. But I don't think people should stay awake, worrying about civilizational collapse. Our own individual life is much more fragile, so maybe worry about getting enough exercise instead.

But this point doesn't seem very profound or interesting to me, nor do I believe it is Burke's central thesis, which I really believe is about the connections between different technological advances. That is, how does technological process happen, and specifically, how did it happen in the West? History of technology is fascinating to me.

I love this show, it's really a masterwork and a great learning program for young students as well as entertainment for us geezers.

Re: Connections by James Burke (1978)

#38

Post by interestica »

fsewe20 wrote: post #32

Back in 2017 there was a kickstarter to fund a connections app, it didnt hit the goal and i havent heard anything since. I remember he was on Dan Carlins podcast talking about it. Anyone know what became of the project? https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/504632459/james-burke-c...

I really want a rerelease of the original shows in higher quality. That might be the movement that spurs public interest for things like this app. I'm not sure of the quality of the original stock film, but it could be used to make a new high def release. I actually convinced my instructor in undergrad to show it for a "history of science" course. Perhaps the BBC could officially open up the rights entirely so that it can be used as a general teaching tool (might be near impossible - but the music, often a major rights hurdle for these aged rereleases, seems like it was all originally composed for the show). I would love a video like this to be augmented - something akin to the pop-up video series. You could link or show associated information during playback. I actually had something like that as part of my Master's thesis final project. It could potentially be an engaging learn-from-home project.

Re: Connections by James Burke (1978)

#39

Post by koudelka »

fsewe20 wrote: post #32

Back in 2017 there was a kickstarter to fund a connections app, it didnt hit the goal and i havent heard anything since. I remember he was on Dan Carlins podcast talking about it. Anyone know what became of the project? https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/504632459/james-burke-c...

I don't think it's exactly connected to the kickstarter, but in this[1] interview with James from May, he talks about how he's currently working on the K-Web[2].

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUb6Sv-rUv0

[2] http://k-web.org

Re: Connections by James Burke (1978)

#40

Post by bordercases »

wegs wrote: post #3

I see a lot of similar stuff on Youtube these days. A recent Economics Explained walked through wealth inequality in some Scandinavian countries (TL;DR: it's high). This is different from income inequality, which is quite low. It walked through the wealth of Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken, who has a net worth of $13B, by virtue of having inherited Heineken. Her family bought (not founded) Heineken 200 years ago, and t…

> In 1978, he didn't have the Internet. Research is much easier today.

Lowering the barrier to entry to anything just makes it easier to create crap. Even when not taken on its own terms, Connections is still a massive achievement given this lack of ease. If you look at the book supplement to the series you can see the depth of research that went into the show.

The Internet making research "easier" is false economy since it's cluttered with misinformation and even more crap. To get good information on the Internet requires more effort that you give it credit for (see the practice of OSINT).

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