# "Connections" on BBC **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 14, 2000, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connections-on-bbc/45503 "2000-12-14T07:15:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hodge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Hodge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hodge)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2000, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connections-on-bbc/45503/21 "2000-12-20T02:42:07Z")
I can’t **believe** the prices for the video tapes. If they’re too pricey check out this, [The Pinball Effect: How Renaissance Water Gardens Made the Carburetor Possible and Other Journeys Through Knowledge" by James Burke](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0316116106/qid=977278924/sr=1-1/104-5428744-6439931). The book follows the format of his shows _Connections_ and _The Day The Universe Changed_, demonstrating how scientific progress builds on previous discoveries. It’s even cross-indexed so one can jump from one chapter to another, then back again in order to follow the differing threads of progress just one innovation can inspire. Cool concept, but somewhat awkward (I think I’ll stick to hypertext). But its just as fascinating when read in a linear fashion. Cheers, Hodge ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2000, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connections-on-bbc/45503/22 "2000-12-20T05:54:54Z")
My public library has them-- check yours if you’d just like to view them (as making COPIES is clearly illegal and I would never suggest it). ---
**Author:** ![muttrox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a8b319/32.png) [@muttrox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muttrox)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2000, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connections-on-bbc/45503/23 "2000-12-20T14:35:12Z")
The library is definitely the way to go. Between videotapes, books, and books and tapes, a good dealof Connections is available. ferfreeyet. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connections-on-bbc/45503/24 "2000-12-21T02:11:53Z")
Along with the original _ **Connections** _ another similar British series I would love to own is _ **The Secret Life of Machines** _. The Discovery Channel ran it a couple of years ago but I only got a few on tape. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connections-on-bbc/45503/25 "2000-12-21T02:30:29Z")
_ **The Secret Life of Machines!** _ I loved that show when it was on The Discovery Channel. Does anyone know if it’s available on VHS? Amazon doesn’t seem to carry it. –sublight. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connections-on-bbc/45503/26 "2000-12-21T03:16:09Z")
As a rule, documentary videos cost a lot more than theatrical feature films because of the darn rules of supply and demand. You might be able to find a deal on something by Ken Burns, but that’s about it. Most public libraries get videos from PBS series through special deals, although you’d be surprised how much it cost. Since “Connections” has been out for a while, you may have a hard time rounding up all the episodes. Public library videos tend to get pretty beat up. ---
**Author:** ![ticker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connections-on-bbc/45503/27 "2000-12-21T10:38:30Z")
Have you guys had [Local Heroes](http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/programmes/local_heroes/) yet? It is another minor BBC triumph. Basically it has this guy (Adam Hart-Davis) going around on his bicycle giving short biographies and recreating experiments/inventions of notable scientists and engineers who lived in the area his is in that episode. If you have not seen it I would suggest you petition PBS to run it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connections-on-bbc/45503.md?page=1)