Could our planet have been seeded with life from elsewhere? Did the development of life create conditions that threatened to poison the biosphere? How have natural forces conspired, over and over, to remove most traces of life from the planet? And how has life itself responded with determination to survive and thrive in a multitude of astonishing forms? The story of our world and the different living things that have populated it is an amazing epic with millions of species both familiar and strange, exotic settings, planet-wide cataclysms, and surprising plot twists. Humans are only the latest characters in this long-running drama, which has always been utterly unpredictable, since periodic mass extinctions are inevitably followed by life rebounding in unexpected ways. Indeed, life and the planet have developed together, each driving the evolution of the other.
B**N
Very interesting introductory course
Dr. Sutherland of the Univ. of British Columbia covers the field of paleontology, from the formation of planet Earth to the present, in 36 absorbing lectures, unified under the theme of interconnectedness between the Earth's major systems: the atmosphere, the geosphere, the hydrosphere, and the biosphere. This course is so comprehensive and so thought-provoking that I intend to view it a second time. Dr. Sutherland's lecture style is direct and succinct, and although he is not shy about giving his own take on various issues, he is also careful to inform his students when the jury is still out, usually because of insufficient evidence in the geological record. The visuals are adequetae but not spectacular. The course guidebook is well-written and he provides a valuable bibliography of resources for further study, including books, articles, and web sites.
M**M
Very Interesting - Great professor
This had great content and was fun to watch. Very informative.
F**D
Superb introduction to paleontology and geology!
Superb introduction to paleontology and geology! Like the other Great Courses the teacher is superb. As a senior scientist, I already knew alot about this but it exceeded my expectations. Highly recommended.
A**A
Five Stars
another great course from the great course people
A**R
Five Stars
great deal. Thank you!
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