How We Got To Now with Steven Johnson

How We Got To Now with Steven Johnson is a six-part documentary series first aired on PBS in 2014 that seeks to unveil the seemingly hidden yet profound ways in which the ideas and innovations of the past influence our contemporary society. The series is an engaging exploration of the history of human ingenuity that has changed the world as we know it. It's anchored by Steven Johnson, a renowned science author and media theorist, whose captivating storytelling immerses viewers into a fascinating historical journey.

Throughout the series, Johnson delves into the ordinary yet extraordinary ideas that transformed the world. Each episode is centered on a theme which connects seemingly disparate inventions and innovations. The themes include Clean, Cold, Light, Time, Sound, and Glass. These concepts, when carefully considered, highlight how the modern world delicately ties into our past.

In the episode ‘Clean’, Johnson takes us through a historical journey tracing the roots of our vast sanitation and water supply system, flipping back through the pages of time to comprehend how man negotiated the path from the insanitary Middle Ages to the hygienic era of today. It honors the unsung heroes and their seemingly humble inventions such as the humble sewer system, sewage treatment plants, chlorination, and filtration methods.

In the 'Cold' episode, Johnson tells the captivating story of how our modern technologies have manipulated natural climatic elements, tracing how humans obtained the technology to stay cool. This theme explores the history of refrigeration, air conditioning, and temperature regulation, leading viewers from the meat packing industry in Chicago, to a futuristic air-conditioned city in the deserts of Dubai.

The episode ‘Light’ explores how humans began to conquer darkness. It chronicles our journey from candle to gas lamp, from Edison’s electric bulb to neon lights, and our ever-enduring mission to light up the night sky, demonstrating how our conquest of darkness has had profound implications in every facet of human life.

Similar fascinating accounts and historical explorations occur in each chapter, consistently celebrating the lesser-known inventors and innovations that transformed our world. In 'Time', Johnson spotlights the advent of calculated timekeeping in coordination with increasing globalization. ‘Sound’ revisits the pioneers of sound recording and amplification, whereas ‘Glass’ unveils the remarkable potential of this initially mundane material, demonstrating its significant contribution to everything from microscopes and telescopes to fiber optic cables.

This series is a significant and thoughtful examination of the invisible networks and complex systems lying beneath our everyday conveniences. It takes you on a thrilling journey traversing the globe, unearthing forgotten inventors and celebrating unsung heroes who made our contemporary comforts possible. The exploration is more than a history lesson, it incites critical thinking, provoking viewers to question the origins of our everyday amenities.

It does not merely analyze science and history in isolation, but delves into how they intersect, highlighting how innovative ideas breed success but also disruption. It is a series that draws attention to the broader web of connections woven by innovation, assimilating culture, history, economics, and psychology into its narrative, fostering a comprehensive understanding of progress.

A must-watch series, How We Got To Now with Steven Johnson, is a testament to human imagination and problem-solving. It propagates ideas not as isolated bulbs of magnanimity, but extracts, quizzes, and venerates the innovation residing in our daily routines. Whether you're an appreciator of history, an aficionado of science, a lover of mysteries, or a seeker of knowledge, this series offers something valuable for everyone. It captivates, educates, and inspires, boasting high-quality production values and the unmistakable energy of Steven Johnson’s intellectual curiosity.

This ingenious series, unashamedly revealing the wonder and celebration of human ingenuity, is bound to intrigue and inspire everyone who embarks on this thrilling adventure of discovery. The series is not just about how we got to now, it is also about how 'now' will lead us to the future. It reminds us to appreciate the complexity, marvel, and beauty in our everyday reality. It echoes the assertion that we, as a community, create our own future and that our seemingly small thoughts and ideas can revolutionize the course of society.