Supernovae and Life

Space and time began about 13.7 billion years ago but it consisted almost exclusively of hydrogen until some stars grew sufficiently massive to create the heavier elements in gigantic explosions called supernovae.

The Sun formed about 4.6 billion years ago with an orbiting disk of debris that became the Solar System and, about 4.4 billion years ago, the Earth was cool enough for liquid water.

Oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus make up 99% of the mass of the human body. These elements combine to form molecules ranging from water to the twin helices of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that specify the genetic code.

Life on Earth probably began with complex, virus-like molecules that over billions of years evolved cells and the ability to split carbon dioxide and water (H2O). The poisonous waste product, oxygen, released into the atmosphere, probably caused the first mass extinctions on Earth.

WHO THE HELL ARE WE? is a series of short books and videos describing the evolution of civilization.

Almost everyone on the planet is five times wealthier than their ancestors only 50 years ago. This astonishing phenomenon has also improved the health, education, and longevity of almost everyone. The cause; an explosive growth in ideas and productivity.

Civilization began when we discovered how to use fire and stumbled onto the way to create infinite wealth; free trade. The discovery of agriculture and trade made us richer but we also discovered how to destroy wealth. Great civilization grew up but then disappeared leaving only incredible ruins and ideas.

Later books detail some of the ideas and developments that increased the average life span from about 40 years to more than 80 and the average world income from less than $3 to more than $33 per person per day (and to $140 per day in some countries).