James Burke : Connections, Episode 2, "Death In The Morning", 1 of 5 (CC)

[oker59]

The real thing that came out of Alexandria(A.D. time frame; during B.C. times . . . really hundreds of years before, yes, they did mathematics like Euclid's Elements, trained Archimedes and Appollonius; but, after them, the Library went into making religions mode) was . . . drumroll . . . christianity; one ring to rule them all!

This was why the Library was burned down; to hide the evidence of the fabrication inside all those hundreds of thousands of scrolls.

[oker59]

Despite the hundred of thousands of scrolls; the majority of those were not about science and/or mathematics; the majority of those scrolls were various people's religions; and, the majority of the scholars activities going on in the library of Alexandria were doing was mixing and matching each others religions.

Ever here of Philo of Alexandria? Yea, he was midrashing the old testament to link Greek logos with the Old testament. His efforts were no doute the inspiration for the gospels.

[1961BBJay]

Loved this series when it first aired. Outstanding work!

[Rickyrab]

If people could see into the future and always "back the right horse", there'd be no horses to back because there'd be no gambling industry. If you know you're going to lose, then why invest?

[PahaLukki]

Now I now what to watch for the next week. :D

[oker59]

"literary rabbit warren" - definition? "An overcrowded residential area" and "A series of connected underground tunnels occupied by rabbits". I take is a literary 'overcrowded underground connected underground residential area.' Interesting James Burke thought!

[MrHitThatLiks]

I'm 15 and I like this show! Don't worry adults there still hope for humanity and if you miss this show watch Modern Marvels on history channel it also good! History is better than discovery channel!

[victorialucas38]

I watched this series as a ten-year-old in 1978 and it really made me THINK. How many programmes made today do that to ten-year-old heads? The series he made a couple of years later, 'The Real Thing', even more so; I'd love to see that one again. I wish he was still working in television today; television, especially BRITISH television, badly needs him!

[diddymuck]

James Burke is the template for all teachers in the modern world. My God, what a brilliant presenter and researcher is he!

[TheTechnologyUser1]

I was bored one Saturday over 32 years ago when I happened upon this Burke program on TV. What an impact. I've been a devote ever since.

[mime225]

I'm shocked something made in the 70's can be so good.

[Janusha]

Even Discovery channel, history channel and National Geographics are today full of westcoast harleys, myth busters and similarly pop-cultural programmes ment for teens with attentionspans of 10 seconds. Id like to see more of this today.

[MrMrwhatok]

better than a college education

[RPULTZ69]

I love his series. He's the modern Sherlock Holmes of History & Technology

[akleit]

I am conflicted - James Burke is the reason I am passionate about history and why I question everything. He (through his many series) taught me to be a critical thinker. And I have taught my children the same. But I feel very guilty watching this on youtube - he deserves revenue from his brilliant series. Ugh.

[oker59]

The Alexandrian library was probably more filled with every other cultures sungod religions than anything else.

[ryoushii]

Death in the morning - I love the way the titles tell what the final invention is.

In this case, think of an invention that caused an event that happened on a nice, partly cloudy workday, in the morning, that resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people

[KevinByrne2]

5:37 -- Actually, the library of Alexandria burned repeatedly throughout its history. For example, in 48 B.C. it burned when Julius Caesar visited Cleopatra.  A building packed with paper was a disaster waiting to happen.

[oker59]

@KevinByrne2

I suppose they didn't kill Hypatia either!

[zakkmiester]

There is no doubt about what my favorite TV show is.

And this is it.

[TheMoldyBread]

Thank you so much for these incredible videos!

[01sircharles]

I wish I had him as a teacher when I was a kid going to school.

[dirtysci]

Thank You!

I wasn't sure what to watch after finishing the Cosmos series with Carl Sagan.

Now I have some more brain food for a couple of weeks.

Peace.

[YourPalDrew]

I've been ordering these through Netflix and can never get enough. Such clever, playful ways to pull threads of technology through time. From consulting the website it looks as if Mr. Burke continues to be engaged as a speaker here in the United States - would LOVE to hear such a lecture and grab an autograph!

I've found that the shorter 2nd series makes leaps too quickly, I can never keep track of the thread in those... but I *love* the Indian music in the DVD menus, any idea what it is?

[rtrainqu]

Love the show, but why, may I ask, were English subtitles added?!

[IanLewis71]

@rtrainqu I am SO GLAD to see subtitles!! Now I can share this with my wife, who speaks English but can't understand British accents. Also very helpful for the hard of hearing. It'd be nice if it were an option that could be turned off, though.

[IanLewis71]

@IanLewis71 Oh wow, it IS an option you can turn off. Brilliant!!!

[blueray1969]

@IanLewis71 Yay - that's cool. Nothing worse than captions, especially in American if you are British (or vice versa!)

[abbesieyes]

Detectives know that thieves of the time covered their theft (and often murder) by way of fire.

It is an assumption alone that the contents were destroyed. One notes that the Romans stated that the library had been 'accidentaly' set alight. Absolute power in potentia...the ownership/control of absolute knowledge of the time in potentia.

[Greorgy]

Thank You for making learning fun!

[valgehiir]

after about 2 times the music intro makes me want to kill

[dooberry20]

@valgehiir i love the intro

[kurt30001]

Does´nt the intro music remind you of the film 2001. The Space Odyssey ?!!

[gordonthefree17]

it very much does!!!

[JamesBurkeWeb]

Better said than I could ;)

[Eldritchard]

This really is golden stuff. Excellent.

The streak of (almost dark) humour that runs through his narration makes it so easy to listen to.

The Pirate bit "open your wallet and repeat after me 'Help Yourself'" was a belly laugh moment.

Thanks for uploading.......

[JamesBurkeWeb]

Haha, you're welcome. And I too, laugh out loud when I heard that line. And many others!

[synchromesh]

@JamesBurkeWeb Major Dennis Bloodnok, if I'm not mistaken...

[JepMasta]

Oh my...does this ever bring back memories. early to mid nineties, The Learning Channel, this show and Beakman's World were two of the absolute best science shows ever. James Burke had, and has, a true talent for making science and the world we live in seem utterly vast, and yet intimately close at the some time...and he did it all in that trademark white leisure suit :-)

Thank you for putting these shows up, it's like a trip back in time

Brian~

[JamesBurkeWeb]

You're very welcome.

Yes... it does bring back memories. Good ones for a change!

I agree with every word in your comment; talent like that doesn't just drop by everyday. It sure would be refreshing to see someone take over and push the series and it's fundamental concept forward. Especially now in our "information age" where there's almost an overload of information but, just as noticeable, a substantial gap between what's known and what's "understood"... if you know what I mean ;)

- JBW

[irishlinuxgeek]

@JepMasta Goes to show how much TLC sucks now with their stupid reaility shows about how to dress and redecorate your suburban home.

[PaulUmbarger]

Take any subject that you study for a career purpose and consider it in conjunction with these Connection series'... you'll have a wa-a-a-ay deeper understanding of the subject.

[AgentJayZ]

James Burke is a true genius of enlightenment.

We all would have been better off to have had a teacher as eloquent and entertaining as the Connection man himself.

His work will live for millenia.

[JamesBurkeWeb]

I agree. If only there were more like him; those that can *teach*. And to everybody!

How do we teach *to teach* at that caliber. It's part art, part love of the subject and especially part showmanship and eloquence as you mentioned.

No idea.

- JBW

[jejesus]

I am really thrilled to find these episodes.

I was 17 years old when a Mexican channel (13) transmited Connections. It was narrated in Spanish with great care. Many times I believed than I was abducted to another planet because nobody seems to remember this tv program. Now I see that there are many websites about James Burke.

Thanks, Jame Burke for sharing your knowledge in a fantastic way and thanks to JBW for sharing this magical episodes. I am really moved at my 46 years old.

[JamesBurkeWeb]

You're very welcome. Glad you found my little "connection collection" ;)

- JBW

[AgentJayZ]

Yeah, what you said, and then some.

I watched this show in the early 80's and thought it was the greatest thing ever.

I'm a year older than you, and it is great to see this inspiring show again.

[GordonMorrice]

Claudius Ptolemaeus, a polymathic genius of the first rank, no question about it.

[JamesBurkeWeb]

Or at least a very patient one that's for sure...

Too bad he never got to see his work utilized for anything other than locating Mecca.

- JBW

[misulica1]

As a teenager I used to watch these episodes every week and could hardly wait for the following one to be broadcasted. Absolutely wonderful content!

Many, many thanks for posting it for the broad benefit of the humanity.

As James would say; nothing happens for no reason! Everything is just a result of thousands of years of CONNECTIONS. :)

[JamesBurkeWeb]

You're welcome. But the real thanks should go to Mr. Burke for producing these shows in the first place!

And also to the copyright holders who must be aware of this channel and have not exercised their right to shut it down. Maybe for the same reasons... maybe not. Anyway, I thank them as well and I hope this channel is not costing them any sales. If that's the case, consider any purchase from them as a direct contribution to global education.

- JBW

[prenduzal]

Yes, thanks. Heard him interviewed by Dan Carlin on Hardcore History podcast and that led me back to these videos.

[JamesBurkeWeb]

Oh... right. Yes, I think I listened to that one. He said some very interesting things there. Things which had me wondering myself (about this channel that is)...

- JBW

[myfavouritevideos]

Thank you so so so so much for making all these JB episodes available. Brilliant educational content within!

[JamesBurkeWeb]

You're very welcome. Thanks for watching!