Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Age of Extremes

Documentary series charting the story of human civilisation. In this episode, Andrew Marr brings the story right up to date with the twentieth century.

In the final episode of this landmark series charting the history of human civilisation, Andrew Marr brings the story right up to date with the twentieth century.

Marr suggests that humanity found itself propelled forward by our technological brilliance but limited by the consequences of our political idiocy. Democracy confronted communism and fascism, and two world wars would underscore our political failures more than ever before.

But our achievements were also astonishing, especially in the fields of science and technology. We invented machines of awesome speed and power, and reached beyond the limits of our planet. Now, more of us live longer, healthier and wealthier lives than our ancestors could ever have imagined.

But Marr argues that with seven billion of us on the planet, and rising fast, either we manage the earth's natural resources better or we risk global catastrophe. The decisions we make in the next 50 years, he argues, may well decide our fate. For Marr, the most interesting part of human history lies just ahead.

1 hour

Last on

Tue 11 Sep 2018 20:00

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Andrew Marr
Executive Producer Chris Granlund
Series Producer Kathryn Taylor
Director Guy Smith
Producer Guy Smith

Broadcasts

Get your free booklet from The Open University

Download your free 'How Do They Know That?' booklet