[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fekFqyOPXq1obN2HSTLRMF6KZzSkEcAe1BtVUmsZQHfU":3,"$ffffLpHPHWwLYUyXaA2Oa7p0wsKbsmnmxY3J4zSkUUqQ":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},78131,"David Christian","D",43,null,"david-christian",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":79},[14,22,28,34,40,46,53,59,65,72],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":9},3627258,"Big History's not going to replace existing educational courses. It's not an attack on specialisation. It is simply the argument that specialisation needs to be complemented with an overview, which I think is scientific commonsense.",7,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":23,"quote_text":24,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":25,"source":26,"quote_tag":27,"commentary":9},3627253,"If, in schools, we keep teaching that history is divided into American history and Chinese history and Russian history and Australian history, we're teaching kids that they are divided into tribes. And we're failing to teach them that we also, as human beings, share problems that we need to work together with.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":29,"quote_text":30,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":31,"source":32,"quote_tag":33,"commentary":9},3627215,"We inhabit an obscure planet, in an obscure galaxy, around an obscure sun, but on the other hand, modern human society represents one of the most complex things we know.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":35,"quote_text":36,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":37,"source":38,"quote_tag":39,"commentary":9},3627200,"I have this fantasy that in future negotiations over climate change - instead of going into that room and saying, 'I'm defending Chinese interests,' or 'I'm defending Australian interests' - there will also be an identity inside of each of the negotiators thinking, 'I'm also defending human interests.'",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":41,"quote_text":42,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":43,"source":44,"quote_tag":45,"commentary":9},3627184,"I remember very vividly, as a child growing up in England, living through the Cuban Missile Crisis. For a few days, the entire biosphere seemed to be on the verge of destruction. And the same weapons are still here, and they're still armed. If we avoid that trap, others are waiting for us.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":47,"quote_text":48,"author_id":5,"source_id":49,"has_image":18,"author":50,"source":51,"quote_tag":52,"commentary":9},2964301,"Unlike water, which prefers to lie flat as it accumulates, material wealth in complex societies likes to pile itself up into huge pyramids.",6,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":54,"quote_text":55,"author_id":5,"source_id":49,"has_image":18,"author":56,"source":57,"quote_tag":58,"commentary":9},2964297,"Entropy is the loyal servant of the second law of thermodynamics. So, if we think of entropy as a character in our story, we should imagine it as dissolute, lurking, careless of others’ pain and suffering, not interested in looking you in the eye. Entropy is also very, very dangerous, and in the end it will get us all.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":60,"quote_text":61,"author_id":5,"source_id":49,"has_image":18,"author":62,"source":63,"quote_tag":64,"commentary":9},2964292,"So, as networks expand in size, their potential intellectual synergy increases much faster: “larger and denser populations equal faster technological advance.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":66,"quote_text":67,"author_id":5,"source_id":49,"has_image":18,"author":68,"source":69,"quote_tag":70,"commentary":71},2964289,"Like human lovers, electrons are unpredictable, fickle, and always open to better offers.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nThe quote \"Like human lovers, electrons are unpredictable, fickle, and always open to better offers\" is attributed to David Christian, a historian and author known for his work on Big History. The sentiment reflects his broader perspective on the nature of human relationships and the behavior of subatomic particles, suggesting a time of contemplation on the interconnectedness of all things. As a historian, Christian's work often explores the complexities of human experience, and this quote may have been part of a broader discussion on the dynamics of relationships and the unpredictability of human behavior.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe quote reveals a counter-intuitive truth about the nature of attraction and relationships. On the surface, it may seem to suggest that electrons are capricious and unreliable, much like human partners. However, upon closer examination, it reveals a deeper insight into the fundamental nature of attraction: that it is driven by a desire for connection and a willingness to seek out new experiences, rather than a fixed or static commitment. This paradox highlights the tension between stability and change, and the ways in which our desires and needs can shift over time.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset to your own life, consider embracing the idea that relationships, whether romantic or professional, are dynamic and subject to change. Rather than trying to pin down or control others, focus on cultivating a sense of curiosity and openness, allowing yourself to be drawn to new experiences and connections that may arise. By embracing this unpredictable nature of relationships, you may find that you become more adaptable, resilient, and open to new opportunities.",{"id":73,"quote_text":74,"author_id":5,"source_id":49,"has_image":18,"author":75,"source":76,"quote_tag":77,"commentary":78},2964286,"Quantum physics shows that it is in the nature of reality to be unpredictable.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nDavid Christian, a historian and professor, likely drew inspiration from the principles of quantum physics when reflecting on the nature of reality. As a scholar of world history, Christian has spent his career studying the complexities and unpredictabilities of human societies. The quote suggests that he was grappling with the idea that even in the face of chaos and uncertainty, there are underlying patterns and principles that govern the behavior of reality.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe quote reveals a deeper paradox: while the universe is governed by laws and principles, it is inherently unpredictable at the quantum level. This tension between order and disorder speaks to the human experience, where we strive for control and understanding, yet are constantly faced with the uncertainty and randomness of life.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, acknowledge that even in the midst of chaos, there are underlying patterns and principles at play. By embracing the unpredictability of reality, you can cultivate a sense of adaptability and resilience, allowing you to navigate complex situations with greater ease and confidence.",{"currentPage":80,"totalPages":81,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":82},1,5,10]