Connections
From Zanecorpwiki
- Connections:recommended
- Connections 2:bite size
- Connections 3:don't go out of your way
Summary
It's a little unfair to review all three in the series together. They're all quite different. The first, from 1979, consists of 90 minute narratives that follow a series of discoveries and inventions through history till we arrive at some (1979) modern technology. The second series, from 1994, consists of 20 minute shows that rehash and add a few new gems to the stuff covered in the original show, following a similar format, but moving much more quickly and with less detail. The third and final series, from 1997 returns to the 90 minute format, but drops the straight line narrative in favor of a much more meandering style.
The first series is by far the best and most interesting. Burke opens the show by talking about "an alternative view of change", which basically boils down to the idea that "the way things are was never guaranteed or obvious and things happen in unexpected ways." The show is a reaction against teleology, or the idea that things move by design towards an end. The idea of the show being to demonstrate how crazy and unexpected events got us where we are.
Personally, I just like hearing about the history of technology and eat up all the trivia and anecdotes.
The second series seems like it would be great for a classroom, but I prefer the longer format of the first series.
The third series switches up the narrative style and instead of following a line of development, kind of bounces around, both in terms of technology and time. I assume the point is to highlight the sometimes tenuous, usually unpredictable "course" of things. Problem is, it doesn't work as well.
So, watch the first and second, and if you're really into it, try out the third but don't worry to much if you miss the last installments.
Details and Notes
The third series is a bit too much bits and stew. My big problem, though, is the connections and segues often don't have anything to do with the technology. In "The Invisible Object", we start with a story about Wells Fargo's pony express, learn that Buffalo Bill was a Pony Express rider, and that he later would perform his vaudeville at Vaud de Ville France where centuries before the grapes had all got fungus. Clever connection, but not very interesting. There's no technology link, nor even a rational temporal flow. You might as well say, "And the Pony Express rider's drank a lot, the first commercial production alcohol involved grapes, and woosh, we're off to a bit of story about France."
