James Burke

James Burke is an Irish Author, journalist, television producer and science popularizer. In the late 1960s, James Burke became fascinated by the idea of using the media to spread knowledge and awareness of science, beginning with his work as host of the BBC's Tomorrow's World. In 1978, Burke attracted international attention with his ten-part documentary series Connections. Produced by the BBC and distributed in the United States by PBS, Connections spawned two sequels and a book. The Day the Universe Changed, another successful series and companion book, was released in 1985.

Burke continues to use different mediums to spread awareness and popularity of science, history, and art. His Knowledge Web Project aims to encourage learning by illustrating connections between seemingly separate events, personalities, and technologies.

In the documentary series Connections James Burke postulates that all of our modern inventions that we depend on to the point that most of us would be helpless without them are joined through a series of connections that extend back into ancient times. According to his investigations all of our current technologies depend on chains of events that began with actions that occurred in the dawn of human history. According to Burke these connections continue to have an effect on present day and are producing enormous potential for the benefit or destruction of mankind in the future. books.simonandschuster.com/Connections/James-Burke/9780743299558

James Burke's Latest project is the K-web, or knowledge web, which is currently being assembled by the K-web Institute which is a group of volunteers dedicate to the assembly of an interactive space on the internet connecting knowledge in a way that it can be explored in an interconnected holistic way. This interaction will also allow anyone to explore the connections that have led to where we are today and where our paths are leading us in the future. http://k-web.org/public_html/home.htm

1. The Burke Special
2. The End of The Beginning
3. Connections
4. The Men Who Walked on the Moon
5. The Other Side of the Moon
6. The Real Thing
7. The Neuron Suite
8. The Day the Universe Changed
9. After the Warming
10. Masters of Illusion
11. Connections 2
12. Connections 3
13. Stump the Scientist

1. Tomorrows World I
2. Tomorrows World II
3. Connections: Alternative History of Technology
4. The Day the Universe Changed
5. Chances
6. The Axemaker's Gift
7. The Pinball Effect
8. The Knowledge Web
9. Circles
10. Twin Tracks
11. American Connections

1. "There is always a connection but, if the link has never been made before, nobody knows its there."—James BurkePalmer's James Burke Fan Companion: James Burke Biography
2. "Why should we look to the past in order to prepare for the future? Because there is nowhere else to look."—James BurkeDedicatio.com: Quotations about time, passing, and eternity