Thresholds of Increasing Complexity
One way of understanding historical development is by considering thresholds of increasing complexity. These are moments when previously-unknown phenomena emerge in nature or human affairs—in other words, those moments when everything changes forever. Read on for examples of thresholds, and how they can inform historical inquiry.
Featured Materials
Mini-Thresholds of Life
Video
Mini-Thresholds of Life
Travel through time in a rowboat to consider some of the "mini-thresholds" in the development of life on Earth.
What Is Big History?
Video
What Is Big History?
An introduction to Big History. David Christian discusses the types of questions Big History asks, and the scale at which we will try to answer them.
BHP Narrative and Thresholds Graphic
Article
BHP Narrative and Thresholds Graphic
Complexity and Thresholds
Article
Complexity and Thresholds
An introduction to the concept of increasing complexity: What does it mean? Why is it important?
Are These the Right Mini Thresholds of Life?
Activity
Are These the Right Mini Thresholds of Life?
It's alive! Or is it? Test these claims to find out.
This Threshold Today – The Big Bang
Activity
This Threshold Today – The Big Bang
Reveal unexpected connections between today's world and the Big Bang by reading and interpreting news articles.