nedbrilliant (July 19, 2008 at 12:49 am)

James Burke rawks! I loved this series when it was first out. Thank you for posting it here.

nutherefurlong (July 1, 2008 at 9:49 am)

Self-sufficiency is one of the things that distinguishes human culture, that we can change the environment on a vast scale to make it work for us. The problem is, like Burke and you seem to be saying, is when we lose that link to that self-sufficiency, we in effect become creatures of habit all over again, like the animals we so readily say are so different from us. (Like when I try to read a book and keep hoping for a search button.)Really great ideas here, I'm glad this episode was posted!

Gesmehod (June 24, 2008 at 2:08 am)

Now we've got farmers depending on genetically engineered crops and appliances of all sorts running off microchips and.. and.. freaking GOOGLE! Seriously could someone of a younger generation now, live without google? Hahaha.My dad's told me a few times that no one on Earth knows how to make a pencil. While his dad told him all the time that he'd like to learn to tan leather, so that if needed to he could make his own shoes.I'm about halfway through reading The Good Earth now. Good read.

jitwamsinha (June 18, 2008 at 4:02 pm)

the future is here... it's just badly distributed.

ianpbetz (February 17, 2008 at 1:54 am)

Watched this series as a kid with my Father. Now I get to watch them again with my kids.Thanks for the post.

ErictheTolle (January 19, 2008 at 6:55 am)

I don't think that's really the point he's making- it's more that he's trying to get us to think of the complexity and fragility of civilization. More importantly, he's denying the ideology of the survivalist wannabes by pointing out that we NEED civilization. It wouldn't be easy to start over again.

Anhelain (January 13, 2008 at 5:01 am)

So painfully true, and well put.

qwiksilverla (January 3, 2008 at 8:59 pm)

You actually have to get that thing between your ears to start working. It's why James Burke can't sell cars, fabric softner, men's body cologne or a gooey stick that applied directly to the forehead doesn't do much except relieve you of that agonizing weight in your wallet. If you think, you might think you don't need the products the commercials are trying to sell you.

7norton4 (December 14, 2007 at 8:05 pm)

A great show! Thanks for posting!

that77guy (September 25, 2007 at 4:39 am)

no kidding, makes me want to go all crying and fetal just thinking about it