‘Our Story’ – an Immersive experience at the Natural History Museum
(NOTE: Not being able to take notes, I remembered what I could and jotted some things down in the café afterwards. But, I can’t promise this article is factually correct or that I have remembered everything in the right order. However, it gives the sense and overall message of the experience).
It all begins with stunning pictures imagining the formation of the universe (nearly 14 billion years ago) – planets appearing, stars exploding, the emerging solar system surrounding us as we sit in the immersive display. Soon, a familiar voice begins the narration. Sir David Attenborough talks us through the creation of our own planet (4.6 billion years ago) and the very first life forms. However, one of the first matters he addresses is our own place in the life of the universe: what significance can each of us possibly have in the vastness and endlessness of outer space?
The amazing pictures with accompanying sounds (and, sometimes, sense of movement) continue all around us (different images on different walls). The first microbes turn into more evolved forms. But the planet is not stable and there are ice-ages, meteorite hits, dramatic weather events with global impact and mass extinctions on at least 3 occasions. But, after each extinction, life recovers and develops once again.
Then, 66 million years ago, after the last extinction (dinosaurs??), a new form of life appears. Primates develop – able to use their hands, having forward facing eyes, and large brains. These ancient ancestors evolve over millions of years with one branch of a large family tree – homo sapiens – eventually establishing itself as hunter gatherers surviving by the ability to think and adapt and use tools.
And then, around 15 thousand years ago, something changes. The climate warms – no more ice-ages – and settles down. Human beings settle down with the climate and start to farm crops and animals, they no longer have to be continually on the move. Cities develop and the pictures across the walls of the room now show ancient civilisations in Egypt, in Europe, in the Americas.
The pace moves quickly now and I am nearly in tears as I anticipate what is coming. There are empires and conquests (not sure these were mentioned!), development in skills, arts, tools and weaponry. The printing press is invented and there are explorations and discoveries. With the Enlightenment come more inventions, new technologies, increased mining for fossil fuels, eventually the arrival of the internal combustion engine. The planet is being changed – this time by those who inhabit it as evolved creatures. The conditions for life that make our planet unique (as far as we know) are being undermined, overused and irreparably (as far as we know) damaged.
There is another historic turning point. 1969 – and the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. We are shown moving pictures (in both senses) of an astronaut leaning out of the spacecraft to take a photograph. We are shown the picture that he beamed back to earth. It is of the earth, the first time humankind has seen the planet as viewed from space – beautiful but relatively small (as seen from the moon) and fragile. The narration now begins to tell of a global movement to save the planet from further damage. David Attenborough talks about the ‘biosphere’ which protects our environment and the need to preserve it and cherish it.
But, of course, the depletion of the ozone layer, the destruction of forests, the increased endangerment of wildlife, the change in our weather patterns, continues and increases. David tells us that we are heading for the 4th mass extinction and, for those alive at the time, it is not going to be comfortable.
However! The final message of this powerful presentation is one of Hope and one of Challenge. The Hope comes from the proven ability of humans to save the day if they think, and work, and co-operate together. The example is given of certain species of whale which have been saved from near certain extinction by nations across the planet entering into agreements and then implementing them together. The planet can be saved through determination, effort and ingenuity.
The Challenge comes from the answer to the question David posed at the beginning. What significance do we have in this vast universe? The atmosphere in the room is completely attentive. “Every significance”, he says, as he sits in a chair projected on all the walls. We are living at the most exciting time in history. We can play a crucial part in saving our planet, the only planet that has the perfect conditions for sustaining life. It is up to each of us, and each of us leaves the room quietly in a very reflective mood indeed.
There was no mention of God in this presentation and David Attenborough is not a Christian. But, to my mind, he is a prophet and agent of God’s purposes. The story he tells can easily have God’s power and goodness woven into it as well as humankind’s fallenness, selfishness and greed.
I would strongly recommend this experience to anyone who is able to get to London and sit through (although one is allowed to move around) a 50 minute presentation.
Find out more: nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/our-story-with-david-attenborough