Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Origin Story summary
A Big History of Everything
31 mins
Brief summary
"Origin Story" by David Christian explores the history of the universe from the Big Bang to modern times, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things. It's a compelling and accessible account of how we got to where we are today.
Topics
Table of Contents
Origin Story
Summary of 12 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 12
The Big Bang created the Universe 13.8 billion years ago, the first of a series of key events in our history.
The tale of our origins is told through thresholds – key transition points when more complex things appeared. These moments happen under what’s known as goldilocks conditions – when things are not too hot or too cold, but just right.
For most of the thresholds in our story, we can explain what those goldilocks conditions were, and why the threshold was reached. But what about the Big Bang?
We simply don’t know the conditions that allowed our universe to emerge. Perhaps the best way to explain what happened is to use the words of science fiction author Terry Pratchett: “In the beginning, there was nothing, which exploded.”
What we do know is that the Big Bang created the universe 13.8 billion years ago – the first of a series of key events in our history. And we know what happened next, a fraction of a billionth of a second after that moment.
At this point, the universe was smaller than an atom. It’s hard for human brains to comprehend the size of things like atoms, but you could comfortably fit a million of them into the dot of this “i.”
To begin with, we only had energy, which quickly split into different forces, such as gravity and electromagnetism. Within a second, simple matter emerged and was followed by more complex structures, while protons and neutrons – extremely tiny particles – teamed up to become nuclei. All this happened within minutes, but as the universe cooled things slowed down a bit. 380,000 years later, electrons became trapped in orbit around protons, pulled together by electromagnetic forces, and the first atoms of helium and hydrogen were formed.
The universe began as something unimaginably small, with all the energy and matter present in the universe today packed into it, and it’s been growing ever since.
Want to see all full key ideas from Origin Story?
Key ideas in Origin Story
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Origin Story about?
Origin Story (2018) tells the story of our universe, from the Big Bang to the present day. It traces how the right conditions have allowed the development of forms, organisms and ultimately societies of incredible complexity. From the emergence of single-celled organisms to the development of agriculture, it tells the epic story of our origins.
Origin Story Review
Origin Story by David Christian (2018) is a captivating exploration of the history of the universe, from the Big Bang to the rise of human civilization. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It presents a grand narrative of how we came to exist, weaving together science, anthropology, and history, allowing us to see the bigger picture of our place in the cosmos.
- Christian's ability to simplify complex concepts and connect seemingly disparate ideas makes the book accessible to readers of all backgrounds, sparking curiosity and understanding.
- With its engaging storytelling and thought-provoking insights, the book challenges our perspective on existence, making it anything but boring.
Who should read Origin Story?
- Anyone interested in the history of natural and human innovation
- Anyone with an interest in popular science
- Those seeking to understand our place in the universe
Categories with Origin Story
Book summaries like Origin Story
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
35 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Origin Story FAQs
What is the main message of Origin Story?
The main message of Origin Story is to understand the interconnectedness and unity of all life on Earth.
How long does it take to read Origin Story?
The reading time for Origin Story can vary but it typically takes several hours. You can read the Blinkist summary in just 15 minutes.
Is Origin Story a good book? Is it worth reading?
Origin Story is definitely worth reading. It provides a fascinating and thought-provoking exploration of our shared history and the forces that have shaped humanity.
Who is the author of Origin Story?
David Christian is the author of Origin Story.
What to read after Origin Story?
If you're wondering what to read next after Origin Story, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Grid by Gretchen Bakke
- Moon by Ben Moore
- Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari
- Chasing the Sun by Linda Geddes
- Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari
- Who We Are and How We Got Here by David Reich
- Building Your Money Machine with ChatGPT by Larry Wheeler
- How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
- Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford
- The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene