What's the Oldest Living Thing?

Big thank you to Rachel for lending her voice and photos to this episode!

"The Oldest Living Things In The World" by Rachel Sussman:

Species featured in this video:

Joe Hanson - Host and writer
Joe Nicolosi - Director
Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen IncKate Eads - Associate Producer
Editing/Motion Graphics - Andrew Matthews
Gaffer - John Knudsen

Theme music:
"Ouroboros" by Kevin MacLeod

Stock images via Shutterstock

Produced for PBS Digital Studios

Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are © Rachel Sussman, used with permission

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[yengthao]

If trees could talk I bet they'd make the best story tellers.

[tobitjustinetumamao]

can we just take time to appreciate the decade-long dedication of Rachel Sussman, # respect

[whatyouguysmissed]

...I am not trying to be overly sentimental or meaningful, but the world needs more videos like this.

[Tlactl]

I will think about how those frozen bacteria take thousands of years to do something the next time I get angry at my internet for not loading within 5 seconds

[Squigdude]

For some reason, a tear rolled down my face. I don't know why. It just got to me.

[SuperNerd]

As a biology student, really loved this video! It is always an adventure to study living things

[martinpoole]

3:39 imagine being one for the people to burn down a 3, 500 year old tree.

[SharmishthaBasu]

Rachel certainly has a fabulous hobby which i for sure am grateful to her. Thanks rachel.

[kariheredia]

THE BURNT DOWN TREE I USED TO VISIT ALL THE TIME WHEN I WAS LITTLE AND CRIED WHEN I FOUND OUT IT DIED

[ManuelLopezAteaga]

As a Chilean, I thank you for mentioning our long, thin yet amazingly diverse country.

[rydemk]

This was just really great to enjoy the pacing and the editing and the message.

[minmax]

Wow, this video was really gorgeous! I'm honestly nearly speechless, thank you!

[Zerepzerreitug]

Your production values are getting better and better. Great work guys!

[Northbound]

Another great video. Very humbling to watch this.

[xdevinmartinez]

I can't watch this, make me think to much about life and realize one day my parents are not gonna be here, one day I'm gonna be looking at photos of my mother, father, brothers and sisters and remembering every moment with them. Missing them and wishing I could go back. Looking my kids in the eye knowing that one day there gonna be remembering me... I can't think about this shit makes me to upset

[vwrjeep]

I am acutely aware of every passing moment and it is the source for my unyielding sadness. Whenever I must go, it will be too early.

[infgmz-callofdutyminecraft]

The oldest living thing is TheLegend27

[rosstrimble]

"Think of all the things you've forgotten"

*Head implodes*

[ronkirk]

A walk among the Bristlecone Pine trees in the White Mountains in California is a truly spiritual experience. They are so old that soil erosion which is a very slow process up there has uncovered several feet of the tree's roots and bark has grown down on the roots to protect them.

[sinbads]

My parents taught me to be respectful of my elders, so should I grovel before them?