Updated version 2 of Taming Time is out, again freely available

 We made a small update to particularly include the latest developments on the process of formalizing the Anthropocene Epoch (see Figure below).

(You can download the latest version via our eBook-page (or directly download it here, 62 MB))

PLEASE NOTE (as of 11 August 2026): Owing to technical changes of the Refubium Open-Access Server of Freie Universität Berlin, the download link above and the link given in the citation below) presently only work for members of the Freie Universität. Until this will be fixed please use -> this new download link. 

updated citation:

Hamann, Alexandra; Leinfelder, Reinhold; Shimizu, Maki (2024 (2nd ed.): Taming Time. A Golden Spike for the Anthropocene.- Refubium Open Access-Server, Freie Universität Berlin, http://dx.doi.org/10.17169/refubium-40617.2 

Fig. 1: additional scene from version 2: Reaction of Jan Zalasiewicz/AWG on SQS/ICS decision.. Illu. Maki Shimizu, © TamingTime-Authors/Illustrator

 

Taming Time will get an update

 Our "Taming Time"-science graphic novel was always meant to be free for anyone interested in the Anthropocene and the procedure for its definition, hence we produced and provide it as an open access pdf-ebook. However, we ourselves would like to  also hold it as a hard copy in our hands. Presently we are testing different formats and print techniques. Below are some snaps of a nearly perfect version.  However, we will only decide whether to offer a limited edition of a printed version (at a reasonable price) once we have finalised our small update on the future of the Anthropocene. And of course, this update will also be added to the free ebook-version.

Below are some first images of how a printed version might look like. Stay tuned!

 

Anthropocene - No epoch for humankind?

Making climate research accessible to all. The science graphic novel “Taming Time – A Golden Spike for the Anthropocene” takes readers on an entertaining journey through Earth history. Image Credit: Hamann, Leinfelder, Shimizu 2023 

A lot is going on presently (as of March 2024) with the Anthropocene which might result in an addition to our Science Graphic Novel, either here or as an additional postpublication chapter in the Novel. Readers, please stay tuned, thank you.

Meanwhile you may find some information on what's going on with the Anthropocene here:

in German:

• Artikel “ANTHROPOZÄN: Keine Epoche für die Menschheit” von Christian Schwägerl für Spektrum der Wissenschaft (6. Marc 2024)

• DPA/APA-Pressemeldung “Rückschlag für das Anthropozän”  (6.3.2024).

• "Geologie: Unterlegene Forscher fechten Entscheidung gegen Anthropozän an" Mit großer Mehrheit hat ein Gremium, das über die Einteilung der Erdgeschichte wacht, gegen eine neue, nach dem Menschen benannte Erdepoche gestimmt. Doch die Befürworter des Anthropozäns wollen das Votum annullieren lassen – sie sprechen von eklatanten Regelbrüchen.- Riffreporter, 11.3.2024 (von Christian Schwägerl): https://www.riffreporter.de/de/wissen/streit-um-das-anthropozaen-fuehrender-forscher-haelt-abstimmung-fuer-ungueltig

in English:

• "What the Anthropocene’s critics overlook – and why it really should be a new geological epoch". The Conversation (Statement der Convenors/Heads der Anthropocene Working Group): 12. March 2024: https://theconversation.com/what-the-anthropocenes-critics-overlook-and-why-it-really-should-be-a-new-geological-epoch-225493

• Official AWG proposal for the definition of the Anthropocene Epoch ( Executive Summary) now published in https://eartharxiv.org/repository/view/6853/ (15. March 2024)

• Recent Newsletter of the Anthropocene Working Group (18. March 2024). http://quaternary.stratigraphy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/AWG-2023-Newsletter_final_CWST_16-March.pdf

Contents:

• Chair’s Column (also on the current situation), 
• Obituary for Peter Haff† , 
• Voting Record on the Anthropocene Definition, 
• AWG Publications in 2023, 
• Reports, 
• Other Activities
• Media
• Membership
• News and Program for 2024

or check (D/E): Der Anthropozäniker (Blog by Reinhold Leinfelder), also for newer media articles on the Anthropocene status:  https://scilogs.spektrum.de/der-anthropozaeniker/anthropozaen-keine-epoche-fuer-die-menschheit/

Featured Story FUB

Featured Story of the Freie Universität Berlin on our Taming Time Novel (in English):

“Taming Time” – Writing a New Chapter in Earth’s History. - Freie Universität professor, Reinhold Leinfelder, gives time a voice in his “science graphic novel” (Nov 14, 2023) 

-> https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/featured-stories/research/2023/taming-time/index.html

First media feature is out!

First media feature on "Taming Time" is out 

• Oct 6, 2023 at "Campus Leben" - webpage  of Freie Universität Berlin, 
• Oct 8, 2023 in Berlin "Tagesspiegel - Sonntag" (newspaper supplement of the Freie Universität). 
• Oct 8, 2023 via  News section of Faculty of Geosciences, Freie Universität Berlin.

The original article by journalist Catarina Piechmann is in German, below are some excerpts in English:

How the Book of Earth History got a new chapter

In his "science graphic novel" on the Anthropocene, Reinhold Leinfelder lets time itself do the talking

Climate research for everyone. The science comic "Taming Time - A Golden Spike for the Anthropocene" sends its readers on an amusing journey through the history of the Earth.

Image source: Hamann, Leinfelder, Shimizu 2023

The Taming-Time Novel has been published!

 

Here it is - our new Science Graphic Novel

"Taming Time - A Golden Spike for the Anthropocene"

Cover of Taming Time, Illustration by Maki Shimizu

based on Reinhold Leinfelder's research and course lectures on Earth History, Reefs and the Anthropocene, and on scientific studies of the Anthropocene Working Group.

Authors/Illustrator: 

Alexandra Hamann (Concept and Script), 

Reinhold Leinfelder (Science), 

Maki Shimizu (Illustrations)

Graphic Design: 

Inês Gomes Ferreira

Copy Editing: 

Yoko Hamann

Many thanks for cooperation and support to Jan Zalasiewicz, Colin W. Waters, Simon Turner and Mark Williams (all members of the Anthropocene Working Group, AWG), and the entire AWG. Without the AWG studies this novel would not have been possible!

 Many thanks also to Marcia Bjornerud (Lawrence University, USA) for her support.

For more information see our pages here on this blog:

 Info/Preview

Team 

Communication 

Media

About this Blog

eBook

The Info/Preview page gives an overview of what awaits you in the Science Graphic Novel and includes a lot or preview pages

For free download of the entire Taming-Time eBook, 

go to eBook page

(or if you just can't wait go directly to 

https://refubium.fu-berlin.de/handle/fub188/40896.2, (versions 2/1)

then scroll down to the thumb preview or Download-Button, or to the selection of versions at bottom, click and enjoy.)