Ologies with Alie Ward Syndesiology (CONNECTIONS) with James Burke
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Dec 6, 2023 Science historian James Burke discusses the importance of connections in historical events and between humans. Topics covered include Napoleon's toothpick, dog pee, shipworms, writer's block, TV shoots, and his new Connections season on Curiosity Stream.
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Early Historical Influence
- James Burke's early academic focus was Old English, immersing him in 9th and 10th-century history.
- This sparked his interest in the differences between then and now, a theme central to his work.
Cross-Cultural Childhood
- Born in Derry, Northern Ireland, Burke's family moved to England after World War II when he was seven.
- This cross-cultural move early in his life furthered his interest in different perspectives.
Unconventional Path to Film
- After Oxford, Burke opted for a less conventional path, spending five years in Italy teaching English and running a language school.
- A chance encounter led him to film directing, starting with a documentary about the mafia, which surprisingly, according to locals, didn't exist.