THURSDAY, 7 APRIL 2022
Starting at the very beginning with the Big Bang, 13.8 billion years ago, and ending trillions of years into the future with the end of the universe, brothers John and Hank Green, along with Emily Graslie, explore the history of the universe via YouTube. This account steers clear of the stereotypical history we learn at school: blood-shed for power or Henry VIII’s wives. Covered instead are the truly pivotal events of the past, such as the advent of single cell organisms and the five mass extinctions, as well as a glimpse into the future with John, Hank, and Emily’s logical and insightful approach to considering what this may look like.
The course breaks down concepts into comprehensible chunks — no small feat when billions of years are involved. The use of engaging animations and simple, but never patronising, discussion enables scientific ideas to be grasped by all audiences. If you can get past the fast-paced speech, the strange pronunciation of ‘niche’, and the confusion between tortoises and turtles, then this is an excellent science communication channel to watch and an ideal way to learn about the vast variation and complexity that the universe has experienced over the past 13.8 billion years.
Sarah Lindsay
