Save Big on Coursera Plus. 7,000+ courses at $160 off. Limited Time Only! Grab it Explore a thought-provoking lecture examining the evolution of human narratives from religious worldviews to scientific understanding, and the emergence of a new universal story. Delve into how traditional religious narratives (the "first story") provided psychological meaning and social cohesion through myths and rituals, while the scientific revolution brought forth the "second story" - the epic of evolution spanning 14 billion years. Learn why neither narrative fully satisfies humanity's need for both scientific grounding and meaningful purpose, and discover the concept of the Noosphere as a potential "third story" that bridges this gap. Through the lens of the Human Energy Project, examine how our increasingly interconnected global civilization represents a major evolutionary transition, potentially forming a global superorganism through shared culture, technology, and thought. Gain insights from philosopher Dr. Clément Vidal, a visiting scholar at Berkeley SETI Research Center, as he explores big questions at the intersection of cosmology, physics, astrobiology, complexity science, and evolutionary theory. Understand the importance of developing a new universal narrative that can provide direction and purpose while remaining scientifically sound in our modern interconnected world. Read more