Human Universe

In the sea of sensationalized and overly-dramatized "documentaries", here's finally a good change of pace. Brian delivers a proper thought provoking 5 episodes documentary.

Very good and easy to follow for the casual document consumers and just as good for the more knowledge-hungry people.

Just Watched Episode 1 and 2 and it made me cry.

As I love scientific Documentary explaining some of the Deepest and most impossible Questions to answer for example: "Why we are Here?", "Where do we Come from?", "What is the purpose of Life?".

In search for answers of "Why we are Here?", Brain said something that even Stephen Hawking(don't get me wrong, i like Hawking) didn't dare to say in his documentary called "Grand Design". Instead of giving False hope, Brian sticked to the Logic and Science.

The previous series by BBC and Brian Cox named "Wonders of life" was rocking and Breathtaking. They did it again in this series. Now Science is trying to find answers for some of the most oldest and seems impossible questions. General curious people like me sometime wonder to know if we ever able to find the answers to these questions. And nicely made documentary films like this one is enjoyable to watch.

Like it, Love it.

So, overall it's artistically done and contains a modicum of information about the subjects, but combined with the imagery and music it does convey what it intended, except... well, with regards to the title... how is it a human universe? First we attribute the universe to 'god' and now to 'humans'? I mean, this isn't just reserved for the title, of course...

It's appropriately named that as the focus is on humanity, and particularly its achievements in science, but how could a species be so purely aspirational? The ironic thing is that if an alien species did end up watching Human Universe... well, they'd think every human must have surely been a scientist... Brian does actually mention some political problems in the world, but only very fleetingly. That, of course, is irrelevant in documentaries about science (except when it comes to lack of NASA funding etc... which is one disheartening thing he seemed to conveniently not discuss), but the thing is that his focus was very much about the potential of humanity... and with half of the world currently in conflict, thousands of daily murders, most governments essentially corrupt... I don't suppose if those were discussed for five hours humanity would seem so inspiring anymore.

This, of course, is ultimately due to his optimism... and while science in isolation is a source of almost infinite inspiration, I really don't think most people are scientists, or the world would focus on at least funding it (one would assume)...

Also, one thing I personally didn't like is a scene with a rodeo in it... while it was to illustrate precision and differences in variables etc. I really don't think that what is plainly animal abuse is at all inspirational in people. Then again, there could have been many other examples that could have been used that might have been slightly more relevant too... not that I don't think that most of his other scientific examples were great... the depressurized chamber was spectacular as it allowed the feathers and ball go at the same speed, without even slightly moving...

Ultimately, though, why focus so much on how absolutely unique humans are? Science itself is inspirational, and focusing on it (not on pride) could actually reduce nationalism, which is arguably (along with religion), the cause of all conflicts.

The only conflict should be of protons in a collider... if only.

Brian Cox is the new face of science along with Neil deGrasse Tyson who's Carl Sagan Cosmos update is out of this world. Cox's Wonders of… Trilogy made us wonder about life (5 episodes). the universe (4 episodes).and the solar system (5 episodes). Here Cox makes us think and is a bit more pragmatic and culturally sensitive to present the human perspective of the universe. The series starts strong with a link to our adaptive ancestors all the way to our impressive space achievements. Cox awaits a Soyuz reentry and rendezvous in Kazakhstan to greet cosmonauts. We have permanent presence in space (ISS) and here are humans coming back from this home…

The second episode asks the tough philosophical question and proposes some answers, while the third episode asks about the likelihood of aliens, interviewing famous Dr. Frank Drake who's equation has been the base of scientific speculation since the 1960s. The episode however talks about some of its variables and implications, yet the conclusion reached at the end of the narrative is hasty and ill-explained. If that was the direction intended then the episode could have been longer, better researched or better edited.

After this still interesting chapter, the two last episodes are simply brilliant. The last one is the crown achievement of the series and perhaps also is the conclusion for the Wonders of… Trilogy as well as it is extremely well-written and delivered by Brian Cox. From the initial cave in Spain to the penultimate revelation of potential Neanderthal culture & intelligence that were extinct as alternate theory, thinking and warning, the script is science and philosophy at its best. The final shot in the Space Station window is priceless and says it all. Bravo!

Americans spend 10 times more on their pet grooming than in fusion energy research which could change humanity's future… We haven't put another human on the moon since 1972, 45 years ago… We can do better! Thanks Brian and BBC team

Education (and entertainment) is key

Episodes 1 "Apeman - Spaceman" 10/10 2 . "Why Are We Here?" 9/10 3 . "Are We Alone?" 8/10 4 . "A Place in Space and Time" 10/10 5 . "What is Our Future?" 10/10

This 5-part BBC series examines the universe and humanity's place in it. The presenter Brian Cox seems like an amiable chap. He's energetic and personable in his explanations of dense material. It's a little uneven. The subject matter is so vast and the limits are so permeable that it's hard to define the premise. The episode titles do define the issues but the premise is so nebulous that one could go on forever on this subject. Brian is a professor at the School of Physics and Astronomy in the University of Manchester. He tends to skew towards the science of it all but he has a good amount of humanity. I like the third episode best mainly because he discusses the Drake equation with Drake. They're all fairly good with interesting takes. It's filmed well and it maintained my interest.