2. The Day the Universe Changed Part 1 “We are what we know”: We each have a version of the truth that we are ready to defend, and each believes that their version is better than the others. But how did we come to believing something to be true? We asked questions and formulated answers over the years that we came to accept. Such questions and answers started with the Greeks, observing opposites occurring in nature and life.
3. The Day the Universe Changed Part 2 Once we find the “truth”, we strive to protect it, and are hesitant of change. We create rituals and customs that help preserve the truth, but that also allows change “strictly by the book”. By teaching the newer generation about the truths that we have already discovered. We preserve the order of truths by creating regulating institutions, such as courts and governments. In Western society, we look for change: The goal of science is to change things, to ask questions and find answers just like the Greeks. Sometimes the change presented is not accepted, and then either discarded, or adapted.
4. The Journey of Man Part 1 Spencer Well’s search to find the beginnings of humans and how we came to populate the many diverse lands. All modern humans are traced back by a genetic marker in the y chromosome to one man, a genetic “Adam”. Supposed original human descendants, the san bushmen. They possess the earliest known form of language, consisting of “clicks”. They possess many physical characteristics that are found in people all over the world. Superior intellect of these ancient humans enabled migration that would have otherwise been impossible for more primitive humans.
5. The Journey of Man Part 2 From Africa, humans would migrate and spread across the world. Most would head west to Europe, while some would head east to Asia and Australia. A costal route along South Asia is believed to be how humans came to populate Australia.
6. Catastrophe! Part 1 An event occurred in the mid sixth century that caused a dramatic change in the world’s environment. Data gathered from tree ring samples worldwide indicate that at roughly the same time, there was a period of stunted growth. This had to have been an ecological catastrophe that affected most of the world.
7. Catastrophe! Part 2 Krakatoa believed to have massively erupted causing worldwide havoc. The eruption released huge amounts of debris to pollute the atmosphere. Diminished and even blocked out sunlight for months. Lowered worldwide temperatures. Caused famine and crop shortages. Provided a perfect environment to spread the plague. The plague had a substantial effect on the rise and fall of nations The Avar preyed on the weakened western nations. The plague stricken Britons were conquered by the Anglo Saxons.
8. Guns, Germs, and Steel part 1 Why did some nations succeed, and others did not? There are four sets of continental differences that can affect a people First: Biological, the kinds and abundance of flora and fauna available for use. Second: Migration, whether ecological or geographical barriers were present to hinder the spread of people, flora and fauna. Third: Continental isolation, separates people and halts the flow of technology and ideas. Fourth: Land area and population size, larger populations would dominate over smaller populations, and could better spread ideas and technology. There are also environmental factors, such as how Europe has greater average rainfall to replenish any flora taken, whereas arid regions had more difficulty in resupplying resources.
9. Guns, Germs, and Steel part 2 Human factors can also effect the development of societies. Political and cultural stability/instability Unified countries such as China enjoyed early success because of its isolation, but then succumbed to lack of innovation or a period of bad rule which would then endanger everyone. European countries meanwhile were often rife with conflict and would compete with one another, spurring innovation and development.
10. The World and Trade Part 1 Why were Europeans the dominating peoples of the world? While almost all the people of the world did advance at roughly the same rate, Europeans had some advantages: They were motivated more than most by a from of capitalism and profit system. Intense competition from other nations, both militaristic and economical, spurred innovation. Wealthy individuals and bankers would finance explorations with the hope of more wealth and power. The Christian religion was a missionary religion, and spreading it and its customs was seen as fulfilling a duty.
11. The World and Trade Part 2 Global trade was taken to a new level by the variety of new exports coming from the Americas. The drug trade, which in the 17th century consisted of such things as sugar, tobacco and coffee, was highly profitable. Demand for such products was extremely high, and the peoples and environment in the Americas were exploited for their growth. The domination of one nation or another could very well have depended on the control of such commodities. The South American potato would become a staple crop for a cheap and highly beneficial diet, to those who wanted it at least.
