The Violence Paradox

Is violence simply part of human nature? NOVA takes you on a journey through history and the human mind to explore what triggers violence and how it may have decreased over time. Taking clues from a Kenyan archaeology site, modern laboratory experiments, and even literature, researchers trace the social and neurobiological roots of human violence. They look at how individual forces, like income equality or personal contact through sports may curb violence in modern societies.

There are over 30 minutes of animation ranging from graphic art portraying violence in different cultures and societies throughout human history to visualization of data covering prehistoric violence, interstate wars, genocides, homicides, slavery, civil wars, domestic violence and child maltreatment.

Art Direction & Animation by: Ekin Akalin

Illustrator: Ali Cagan Uzman

Produced by: Little Bay Pictures, LLC

Directors: Anna Lee Strachan, Michael Bicks

Reel Soundtrack: Dark Future by Ketsa

Frame Grabs