Deep Time History
By Common Sense Media,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Humanity's origins from alternative theory; has violence.
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Deep Time History
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What's the Story?
DEEP TIME HISTORY delves into how events that occured on a geologic time scale -- millions and billions of years before human history -- reveal the sometimes unexpected answers to questions of how and why civilization has developed. It provides links to elemental occurances, how it has precipitated life and the evolution of life and civilization. The short series stars with the Big Bang Theory and the shifting continental landmasses that formed the Earth as we know it today, and linking human history to "deep time." The show traces the evolution of life from the beginning to exploration, then to the Industrial Revolution and how it led to modern warfare.
Is It Any Good?
Seeking to link all modern life to "deep time" origins offers new perspectives as to how the world evolved. But the failing of Deep Time History -- despite its valuable concepts with scientific merit -- is that the explanations are simplified without exploring alternative ideas. The three-episode series, hosted by Cal State Fullerton Associate Professor Jonathan Markley, features well-produced video elements, and the narrative links past and present. But in each segment, time tilts to and fro with explanations of "deep time" and linking it to modern life, often without presenting other schools of thought on the topic discussed. To its credit, Deep Time History is unabashed about presenting both the good that has come from evolution of the planet and discoveries of its natural resources with the reality that some discoveries were used for the destruction of life.
Younger viewers may find some of the topics too intense, while older viewers can take the material and use it to explore the subject matter more deeply, rather than blindly accepting the information. That may be the biggest problem with the show: It tries to cram too much into three 50-minute episodes and thus paints with a broader brush than what would be needed for the source material.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the value of learning about the history of the world. What can we understand about life now based on how it evolved? What lessons from the past can we apply to the present?
How did human history underscore the need for laws? What factors cause the breakdowns that lead to conflict? How can you see elements that may lead to confrontation and avoid them?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 22, 2016
- Network: Max
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: History , Science and Nature , Wild Animals
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
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