The History of Our World in 18 Minutes

David Christian, creator of the “Big History” framework, accomplishes the seemingly impossible: telling the entire history of the universe from the Big Bang to the present day in under 20 minutes. Rather than being a superficial sprint through facts, Christian identifies the organizing principle that connects cosmic evolution, biological evolution, and human history—the emergence of increasing complexity under specific conditions. He walks through eight threshold moments when complexity increased dramatically, from the formation of stars to the development of agriculture to the global interconnection of the modern world.

Christian’s approach challenges the traditional siloed separation of disciplines. By placing human history within cosmic and biological time, he reveals patterns invisible when we focus only on the recent past. The talk highlights humanity’s unique role as complexity creators—through collective learning, we can share and build upon information across generations in ways no other species can. But Christian also introduces the concept of “Goldilocks conditions,” showing that increasing complexity requires precise circumstances: not too hot, not too cold, not too simple, not too chaotic.

For anyone feeling fragmented by specialized knowledge or seeking a coherent narrative that connects science, history, and the human story, Big History offers a unifying framework. Christian’s talk is both humbling—placing human civilization in the vast sweep of cosmic time—and empowering, showing how we became the first species capable of understanding and potentially shaping our own evolutionary trajectory. It’s essential viewing for cultivating a truly long-term perspective on the challenges and possibilities we face.