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You got to have restaurants and grocery stores
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It's hard to get guys to work in 90-degree weather
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And pick block and brick up all day.
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It's not an easy job.
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Narrator: So, if we built a great wall
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Around the united states,
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We'd quickly run out of bricklayers.
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Even if we could train them,
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We'd need to make sure we could accommodate them all.
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You know, if you're building a big project
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In the middle of nowhere,
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You got to have hotels, gas stations.
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♪
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To feed your guys,
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So that would be my first question, would be,
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How are we gonna feed the machine of manpower
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To produce this wall?
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Narrator: To answer this question,
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Many masons today turn to sam.
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♪
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♪
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♪
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♪
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Narrator: Sam would definitely help us cut down our manpower needs.
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Relied on soldiers, prisoners,
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And these troops were basically people who were
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Defending that northern border to keep the huns away,
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And they were successful militarily.
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And then, the general just kept the soldiers stationed there
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And then started to rebuild and to connect those walls
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That had already existed.
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Narrator: This back-breaking construction
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Was also done by prisoners and forced laborers.
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We would use paid skilled workers for our project,
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Which brings us to our biggest potential expense.
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Narrator: Ancient chinese emperors
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Narrator: The more sam works, the more we'd save.
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And forced laborers to complete their great wall.
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Today, we would hire and pay skilled workers
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To build our walls.
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We don't have a final tally yet,
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But this might be the most expensive part of our plan.
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It is the manpower.
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Not only is it the largest cost,
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But it's the most difficult to keep consistent.
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Where we have some great guys, it took years to get the crews
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That we have now versus how it was 20 years ago.
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We're envisioning not one
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Operate the heavy machinery,
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And oversee these walls from start to finish.
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And we have a lot of territory to cover.
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How long would it take? [ ticking ]
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How much would it cost? [ cash register dings ]
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Could we even pull this off?
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♪
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Narrator: We're imagining what it would take to recreate
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One of the wonders of the world, the great wall of china.
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In order to come close to the full length
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Of the great wall,
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Breathing skilled workers to help lay the stone,
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But two brick walls
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Along the land borders of the united states.
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Made out of long-lasting materials
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And by skilled workers, our walls might be so great,
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Seeing them will be on people's bucket lists.
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I don't know whether you know a chinese saying --
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"he who does not reach the great wall cannot be a true man."
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When we're growing up in china,
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That sort of concept actually deeply rooted
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In our mentality that great wall
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And if we have to transport materials,
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♪
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But before we can add up our final costs,
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We'd still need to get our team in place.
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And since our crews would be working in the southern heat
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And the northern cold, we'd need to make sure
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They'd be prepared for all types of weather.
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♪
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Narrator: The great wall of china
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Took the lives of almost a half-a-million workers.
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♪
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We would make sure everyone is safe on our jobsite.
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About 300,000 troops,
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We're going to borrow an idea from our local ski resort.
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Narrator: So, plans for our great walls are coming together.
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We're taking it one barrier at a time.
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We have a location along the northern and southern borders
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Of the united states.
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We decided on our material -- brick walls,
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Prefabricated off-site.
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We'll prime the pump and then we hit go.
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Narrator: We'd call on a handy robot, sam,
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But we would also need a total of 1,000 living,
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It binds with the fired clay on the brick,
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Turns out, the chinese had a secret ingredient,
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One that grew all around them.
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In modern times right now,
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We're using something called mortar,
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Which is mixture of cement, lime, sand, and water.
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In the old times, they clearly don't have cement
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So they used sticky rice,
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And the lime, and probably sand, and the water mixture.
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Narrator: Our workers wouldn't need to use
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What's in their lunch box to build our walls.
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Luckily for us, modern brick has the stickiness built right in.
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♪
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And basically what happens is when you lay the brick,
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You put the mortar on there.
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The brick pulls the moisture out of the mortar,
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And that creates the bond.
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Narrator: And, thanks to modern advancements,
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We'd be able to get things done much faster today
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Than they did in ancient china.
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Liu: You actually could build a section of the walls
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Off-site somewhere
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And then bring on-site to assemble them together.
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Is a lot more environmentally friendly than making steel.
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Narrator: The great wall of china is still standing tall
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After thousands of years.
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We're contemplating what it would take to build two walls
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Along the american borders that would last just as long.
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Even though, today, we have access to more modern materials
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Like steel, we've decided that we would use brick,
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Just like the ancient chinese did.
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The brick, essentially, that's coming out of earth,
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They fire the bricks in ovens,
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And then that's pretty much the final product.
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So the entire process of making brick
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So that's one way of potentially, you know,
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[ equipment whirs ]
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Narrator: But the brick-making process
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Is more complicated than it may seem.
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Bricks are made of shale, which is soft layer of rocks,
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And then they grind the rocks into almost powder,
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And then mix it with water to form a very stiff clay mix,
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And then the mix will form something called a slug.
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And then there will be a cutting process
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To cut the slug into sizes.
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Narrator: What goes between the bricks is a different matter.
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So, let's figure out how we build it
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But not everyone agrees with the idea of a wall.
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I don't know that there's a political will
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To put up a chain link fence on the border at this point.
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There's so much opposition to the very idea of it.
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♪
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Narrator: Assuming everyone was in favor of our walls,
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We'd make them out of brick.
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But not just any brick -- prefabricated brick panels.
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We'd want our walls to be as distinctive
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As the great wall of china,
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But stronger and more durable.
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And its neighbors to the north and south.
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And who would do the work.
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The united states has about 300 million residents.
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China is approaching 1.5 billion people.
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A big population is an advantage if you want to build a big wall.
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♪
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During the qin dynasty,
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The emperor had an army of people to call on.
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[ swords clanging ] [ people shouting ]
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♪
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During his years, the qin emperor sent out
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Which is typically about a day.
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Speed up the process.
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Hibbard: In today's processes, most everyone extrudes brick
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With a high-pressure, low-moisture machine,
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Presses the brick out into a column,
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Goes through a machine that pushes it through the wires,
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Cuts it into the individual brick,
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Basically sets it on a car,
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Takes it into a preconditioned shed for a day or so,
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And then it goes through a drying process,
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Which is about three or four days,
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And then it goes into the tunnel kiln for the firing process,
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Is one of the greatest achievements in the world.
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So, generally, about a week from the time you extrude the brick,
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You can start packaging that brick
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And have it ready for shipment.
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Narrator: Brick also has another benefit -- its life-span.
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Basically, the brick made today will last forever.
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♪
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Narrator: We're envisioning a wall that would nearly equal
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The length of the great wall of china.
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We'll actually have to build two to come close.
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They'll mark the boundaries between the united states
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We'll start building simultaneously
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♪
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♪
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First, we'll drill down and set up a strong foundation.
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Terrain is always a factor,
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And that's where we're in close communication
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With the jobsite contractor and engineering.
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It takes a lot of labor, it takes a lot of design,
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And it takes a lot of people involved
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To make sure it's done right and done safely.
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Narrator: Then we'll gondola in the brick walls,
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Made tough enough to last for centuries.
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Now it's time to get started.
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On the east and west coasts.
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We'll give a bonus to the construction team
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That reaches the middle first.
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We'll install statues of the emblematic bald eagle
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In the most visible locations.
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We did it!
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We built barriers above and below
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One of the largest countries in the world.
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We used brick, one of the most trusted construction materials.
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We used the latest digital technology and robotics
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1,000 workers plus an army of robots like sam
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♪
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Narrator: We're conjuring up a modern-day wall
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That's greater than the great wall of china.
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Here's our plan -- we're going to get the brightest minds
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To plan a route that follows the border
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Between the u.S. And canada in the north,
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And the u.S. And mexico in the south.
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We'd want to use stable rock to anchor our wall,
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Then bring in prefabricated brick panels.
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We would transport them by gondola over the mountains
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And by helicopter over remote areas.
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To get the job done.
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Would put it up at super-high speed.
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Then, we could consider giving our walls a distinctive look.
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Liu: The bricks or blocks,
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Actually you could make different textures
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And make different colors,
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And then you could have some patterns.
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Narrator: We'd cover our great wall with the red, white,
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And blue of the american flag
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And add iconic stars that will fluoresce at night.
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It's going to take us 10 years and 1,000 workers.
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Indicates that we're simply not that different
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[ planes whooshing ]
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We know not everybody will be excited,
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But maybe some people will gain a greater sense of security.
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We are a species of wall builders,
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And even where there are no border walls,
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There are always walls.
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Tens of thousands of micro-walls,
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Walls around the homes of the rich,
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Around gated neighborhoods.
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I don't think walls are going anywhere anytime soon.
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The fact that we continue to build walls
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Because this is more than a wall.
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From the generations of people that came before us --
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That we prefer not to fight.
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That we prefer to have other people
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Or other things guard us.
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Narrator: We're hoping that like the great wall of china,
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The strength and design of our walls
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Will spark awe and enthusiasm for generations to come,
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And that it might be a reminder
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Of what great things can be accomplished
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If we built it today.
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[ fireworks exploding ]
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It took us 10 years, required 1,000 workers.
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So, how about our budget?
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We figured $2 trillion for bricks,
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At least $18 billion to transport the wall in panels,
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Another billion for labor,
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And half-a-billion for the latest in surveillance systems.
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No one's going to get over this wall
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Without our knowing about it.
264
00:40:28,940 --> 00:40:30,840
It's starting to add up.
265
00:40:30,850 --> 00:40:35,550
We're looking at a grand total of $2.25 trillion.
266
00:40:37,290 --> 00:40:41,050
But we have an idea to help bring down the cost.
267
00:37:22,360 --> 00:37:23,590
[ cash register dings ]
268
00:40:43,860 --> 00:40:46,090
We'll invite all the leaders in the world
269
00:40:46,090 --> 00:40:49,200
To the greatest fireworks display ever.
270
00:40:49,200 --> 00:40:54,130
♪
271
00:40:54,140 --> 00:40:57,370
We'll invite the biggest stars to stand atop our walls
272
00:40:57,370 --> 00:41:02,340
And perform in a concert they'll talk about for generations.
273
00:41:02,340 --> 00:41:05,910
[ cheering ]
274
00:41:05,910 --> 00:41:08,810
We'll christen the walls on the 4th of July
275
00:41:08,820 --> 00:41:11,550
And hold an anniversary event every year
276
00:41:11,550 --> 00:41:13,820
To help pay the maintenance costs.
277
00:41:13,820 --> 00:41:17,260
♪
278
00:34:18,710 --> 00:34:24,380
Down there no bigger than a canal is the border.
279
00:33:39,170 --> 00:33:41,870
Could probably build from two ends
280
00:33:41,870 --> 00:33:44,240
And then meet in the middle.
281
00:33:44,240 --> 00:33:46,140
Narrator: We'd want this wall done quickly,
282
00:33:46,140 --> 00:33:50,580
But the border with mexico is a major speed bump.
283
00:33:50,580 --> 00:33:58,450
♪
284
00:33:58,450 --> 00:34:01,020
It may look idyllic from a saddle,
285
00:34:01,020 --> 00:34:04,960
But for a structural engineer, it's a bit of a nightmare.
286
00:34:04,960 --> 00:34:08,030
Just ask a local like linda walker.
287
00:34:08,030 --> 00:34:12,370
♪
288
00:34:12,370 --> 00:34:14,630
I'm standing in the united states,
289
00:34:14,640 --> 00:34:18,700
And that teeny-weeny little strip of rocky water
290
00:33:35,130 --> 00:33:39,170
Obviously, you need multiple teams coming in --
291
00:34:24,380 --> 00:34:29,120
That is the international boundary between us and mexico.
292
00:34:29,120 --> 00:34:33,250
Everything that you see on that side, from the trees on up,
293
00:34:33,250 --> 00:34:35,820
Is another country.
294
00:34:35,820 --> 00:34:38,460
When they drew this boundary between us
295
00:34:38,460 --> 00:34:41,830
And mexico along texas, they chose to use a river.
296
00:34:41,830 --> 00:34:43,900
They didn't use a straight line.
297
00:34:43,900 --> 00:34:45,600
It's inconceivable to imagine
298
00:34:45,600 --> 00:34:49,140
How long this would take to build.
299
00:34:49,140 --> 00:34:51,370
Narrator: But that's the thing about great walls --
300
00:34:51,370 --> 00:34:53,640
They seem impossible.
301
00:32:49,720 --> 00:32:53,750
There's a lot of planning before the first brick can be laid.
302
00:32:05,510 --> 00:32:09,210
Narrator: The ancient chinese built their wall by hand.
303
00:32:09,210 --> 00:32:12,410
It took 2,000 years.
304
00:32:12,410 --> 00:32:17,050
We'd want to build our wall much faster than that.
305
00:32:17,050 --> 00:32:19,220
And we know sam can dramatically speed up
306
00:32:19,220 --> 00:32:20,790
The process of brick laying.
307
00:32:34,440 --> 00:32:35,870
Narrator: And then there's all the time
308
00:32:35,870 --> 00:32:39,340
We could save by using computer technology.
309
00:32:39,340 --> 00:32:41,840
In theory, we could do it in a decade,
310
00:32:41,840 --> 00:32:45,080
So we're ahead of the game, right?
311
00:32:45,080 --> 00:32:48,150
Well, we may be forgetting one thing.
312
00:32:48,150 --> 00:32:49,720
In today's world,
313
00:34:53,640 --> 00:34:55,910
And, you know, get up high enough
314
00:32:56,660 --> 00:33:00,560
To build a wall of that scale, you need to do a very thorough
315
00:33:00,560 --> 00:33:04,330
Structural analysis, foundation analysis.
316
00:33:04,330 --> 00:33:06,130
And then you need to go through
317
00:33:06,130 --> 00:33:09,000
Environment impact assessment.
318
00:33:12,240 --> 00:33:15,910
Narrator: We're hoping that by using a natural material like brick
319
00:33:15,910 --> 00:33:18,610
And doing the work with the help of robots,
320
00:33:18,610 --> 00:33:22,380
We would ace the environmental assessment.
321
00:33:22,380 --> 00:33:25,390
Then, we'll have to consider the foundation,
322
00:33:25,390 --> 00:33:30,520
Or should we say, the many foundations we'll have to build.
323
00:33:30,530 --> 00:33:35,130
Here's an idea that will cut our build time in half.
324
00:36:46,960 --> 00:36:50,120
Such as india, as a deterrent to terrorism.
325
00:36:14,720 --> 00:36:16,920
Out of the river." no.
326
00:36:16,930 --> 00:36:19,530
First of all, half of that water belongs to mexico,
327
00:36:19,530 --> 00:36:22,760
Not so sure that's gonna work out real well.
328
00:36:22,760 --> 00:36:24,630
Narrator: There seem to be quite a few obstacles
329
00:36:24,630 --> 00:36:26,730
Standing in the way of our plan.
330
00:36:29,600 --> 00:36:33,140
But other countries are still finding ways to build walls.
331
00:36:33,140 --> 00:36:36,180
Countries are building walls around the world today.
332
00:36:36,180 --> 00:36:39,510
Some of them don't technically fit the definition of a wall.
333
00:36:39,510 --> 00:36:42,150
They are, you know, high-tech fences,
334
00:36:42,150 --> 00:36:44,350
But they serve the function of a wall.
335
00:36:44,350 --> 00:36:46,950
Those walls are being built in many countries,
336
00:36:12,750 --> 00:36:14,720
So you'd go, "okay. Well, we can use water
337
00:36:50,120 --> 00:36:53,560
Same can be said for israel and saudi arabia.
338
00:36:53,560 --> 00:36:56,360
In other countries, they're being constructed
339
00:36:56,360 --> 00:36:58,630
To deter unwanted migration.
340
00:36:58,630 --> 00:37:01,270
You see that especially in southeastern europe.
341
00:37:04,170 --> 00:37:07,740
Narrator: We know two border walls could be controversial,
342
00:37:07,740 --> 00:37:10,510
But if this country decides this the antidote
343
00:37:10,510 --> 00:37:12,380
To our anxious times,
344
00:37:12,380 --> 00:37:16,350
We think we can build two walls in 10 years.
345
00:37:16,350 --> 00:37:18,750
We're almost ready to build this thing.
346
00:37:18,750 --> 00:37:22,360
So, how staggering will the cost be?
347
00:35:32,950 --> 00:35:34,710
And get us a straight shaft
348
00:34:55,910 --> 00:34:57,180
And it doesn't look as though
349
00:34:57,180 --> 00:35:00,510
The chinese wall follows a straight line either.
350
00:35:03,180 --> 00:35:06,290
If the chinese could build their great wall by hand,
351
00:35:06,290 --> 00:35:09,790
Surely we could manage with today's technology.
352
00:35:11,330 --> 00:35:15,260
But we have our work cut out for us.
353
00:35:15,260 --> 00:35:18,870
Our geological challenges range from building into solid rock
354
00:35:18,870 --> 00:35:23,540
On a steep cliff or slope down to a river basin
355
00:35:23,540 --> 00:35:26,010
Where we just have uncontrolled alluvial deposits
356
00:35:26,010 --> 00:35:28,340
That are soft, compressible.
357
00:35:28,340 --> 00:35:30,810
But for the most part, we can get modern equipment
358
00:35:30,810 --> 00:35:32,950
In the way of augers to drill down
359
00:19:13,470 --> 00:19:16,340
The wall is still standing today.
360
00:35:34,720 --> 00:35:36,280
Where we'll sock it into that rock.
361
00:35:36,280 --> 00:35:37,950
♪
362
00:35:37,950 --> 00:35:41,850
Narrator: So, let's sock it to the most stable rock,
363
00:35:41,860 --> 00:35:47,030
And dig six feet underground to prevent any tunneling.
364
00:35:47,030 --> 00:35:51,730
The foundation work would definitely take a while.
365
00:35:51,730 --> 00:35:56,400
But we'll plan to fly our wall in in pieces to save time.
366
00:35:57,770 --> 00:36:00,640
♪
367
00:36:00,640 --> 00:36:06,080
This region is vast, and it's dry.
368
00:36:06,080 --> 00:36:10,080
To avoid any delays, we would need water to keep our equipment
369
00:36:10,080 --> 00:36:12,750
And our workers cool.
370
00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:42,650
Narrator: But that wouldn't work for us during warmer months.
371
00:05:58,010 --> 00:06:01,110
Along the northern and southern borders of america.
372
00:06:01,110 --> 00:06:07,150
♪
373
00:06:07,150 --> 00:06:09,820
When considering this massive undertaking,
374
00:06:09,820 --> 00:06:11,990
We can learn from the original.
375
00:06:11,990 --> 00:06:13,920
When the great wall was constructed,
376
00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:18,960
The chinese took advantage of the colder seasons.
377
00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:24,300
Sun: In winter, they would fell some of the trees to have a slope
378
00:06:24,300 --> 00:06:28,570
And then to pour water down and let the water freeze
379
00:06:28,570 --> 00:06:31,710
So then they have this smooth slide
380
00:06:31,710 --> 00:06:37,510
That could make transportation a lot easier to carry large rocks.
381
00:06:37,510 --> 00:06:39,510
♪
382
00:05:54,840 --> 00:05:58,010
We have to imagine building two walls
383
00:06:45,160 --> 00:06:47,960
Venegas: The heat can cause the hoses to overheat
384
00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:50,890
And the hydraulic fluid to rupture the hoses.
385
00:06:50,890 --> 00:06:54,260
The machinery is actually very hot to touch.
386
00:06:54,260 --> 00:06:56,860
You have to be very careful when you're climbing onto it
387
00:06:56,870 --> 00:06:59,130
That you don't burn your hands as you're climbing up and down,
388
00:06:59,140 --> 00:07:01,000
Even to get a break.
389
00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:03,270
♪
390
00:07:03,270 --> 00:07:07,480
Narrator: And if would require a massive workforce.
391
00:07:07,480 --> 00:07:11,280
We know, back in the qin dynasty,
392
00:07:11,280 --> 00:07:13,680
There were about a million laborers
393
00:05:19,300 --> 00:05:23,970
Is one of the greatest achievements in the world.
394
00:04:47,940 --> 00:04:50,310
And it was bridges that were built in order
395
00:04:50,310 --> 00:04:54,540
To make invasions possible.
396
00:04:54,540 --> 00:04:56,680
Could we do it? Oh, yeah, we could do it.
397
00:04:56,680 --> 00:04:58,910
Yeah, it would be expensive, but we could pull it off.
398
00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:00,550
♪
399
00:05:00,550 --> 00:05:03,320
Narrator: After two millennia, the great wall of china
400
00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:05,990
Has become more than a dividing line,
401
00:05:05,990 --> 00:05:09,060
It has become a symbol of national pride.
402
00:05:09,060 --> 00:05:13,490
When we're growing up in china, that sort of concept, perception
403
00:05:13,500 --> 00:05:17,130
Actually deeply rooted in our mentality,
404
00:05:17,130 --> 00:05:19,300
That the great wall
405
00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:16,380
Being involved in the construction.
406
00:05:23,970 --> 00:05:26,110
Narrator: We want to know how the ancient chinese
407
00:05:26,110 --> 00:05:29,780
Managed to pull off such a remarkable feat.
408
00:05:29,780 --> 00:05:34,050
So, for the challenges of transporting building materials,
409
00:05:34,050 --> 00:05:37,450
Like moving bricks, to the top of a hill,
410
00:05:37,450 --> 00:05:41,760
You know, people had carried these bricks on their backs.
411
00:05:41,760 --> 00:05:44,330
When the slope was not too steep,
412
00:05:44,330 --> 00:05:48,000
They can use donkey-pulled carts.
413
00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:51,030
♪
414
00:05:51,030 --> 00:05:52,770
Narrator: To come close to the full length
415
00:05:52,770 --> 00:05:54,840
Of the great wall,
416
00:08:59,690 --> 00:09:01,920
We have become a more secure world
417
00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:26,850
By the time of the ming,
418
00:08:26,860 --> 00:08:30,120
There was mainly the concerns about the mongols.
419
00:08:30,130 --> 00:08:33,360
And by the time of the end of the ming,
420
00:08:33,360 --> 00:08:36,430
The concerns were about the manchus.
421
00:08:36,430 --> 00:08:38,200
Narrator: Attila the hun may not be lurking
422
00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:40,370
Over the next hill in america,
423
00:08:40,370 --> 00:08:43,440
But every age has its own worries.
424
00:08:43,440 --> 00:08:47,540
And walls make some people feel safe.
425
00:08:47,540 --> 00:08:50,910
Walls do provide a certain degree of security,
426
00:08:50,910 --> 00:08:54,550
But the more we become accustomed to security,
427
00:08:54,550 --> 00:08:59,690
The lower the threshold required to trigger our insecurities.
428
00:08:22,120 --> 00:08:25,120
And so it was a military defense.
429
00:09:01,930 --> 00:09:03,720
In the past several decades,
430
00:09:03,730 --> 00:09:06,430
Especially since the end of the cold war.
431
00:09:06,430 --> 00:09:07,930
We just don't feel it,
432
00:09:07,930 --> 00:09:11,470
And therefore we are wracked by what would have been considered,
433
00:09:11,470 --> 00:09:14,300
I think, lesser concerns 20 years ago,
434
00:09:14,300 --> 00:09:19,870
30 years ago, 40 years ago, but those same concerns are,
435
00:09:19,880 --> 00:09:22,710
You know, driving us to distraction.
436
00:09:22,710 --> 00:09:24,150
Narrator: We've been building protective walls
437
00:09:24,150 --> 00:09:28,250
Since the 21st century b.C.
438
00:09:28,250 --> 00:09:30,120
In many ways, the history of the walls
439
00:07:49,250 --> 00:07:51,550
♪
440
00:07:16,390 --> 00:07:19,350
For us to commit that amount of people,
441
00:07:19,360 --> 00:07:23,460
That amount of labor someplace in the world
442
00:07:23,460 --> 00:07:26,230
Would likely only be to save our planet.
443
00:07:26,230 --> 00:07:30,030
If we were to start over today trying to recreate
444
00:07:30,030 --> 00:07:31,300
That physical barrier
445
00:07:31,300 --> 00:07:34,200
Which is a very large, massive wall,
446
00:07:34,200 --> 00:07:35,670
And we look at the prototypes
447
00:07:35,670 --> 00:07:37,840
That have been proposed for this,
448
00:07:37,840 --> 00:07:42,980
Even given our technology today, the best estimates tell us
449
00:07:42,980 --> 00:07:45,410
That we would have had to started this
450
00:07:45,420 --> 00:07:49,250
Sometime right after the war of independence.
451
00:04:44,870 --> 00:04:47,940
It was walls that were built in order to deter war,
452
00:07:51,550 --> 00:07:54,560
Narrator: But why would we consider building one today?
453
00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:56,420
City walls, historically,
454
00:07:56,430 --> 00:07:59,830
Were especially effective at repelling attacks.
455
00:07:59,830 --> 00:08:02,600
If you don't believe me, just ask attila the hun
456
00:08:02,600 --> 00:08:03,930
What he thought of city walls.
457
00:08:03,930 --> 00:08:07,000
♪
458
00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:08,600
Narrator: More than 2,000 years ago,
459
00:08:08,610 --> 00:08:12,810
China was facing threats inside and outside its country.
460
00:08:12,810 --> 00:08:16,380
They build this wall to protect themselves,
461
00:08:16,380 --> 00:08:22,120
Basically to keep the tribal peoples from raiding, looting,
462
00:01:50,930 --> 00:01:52,790
-- Captions by vitac -- www.Vitac.Com
463
00:01:17,830 --> 00:01:20,630
Narrator: But perhaps the greatest thing about the great wall
464
00:01:20,630 --> 00:01:23,200
Was its spectacular failure.
465
00:01:23,200 --> 00:01:27,600
Once you have this wall built, it may not be efficient enough
466
00:01:27,600 --> 00:01:30,810
To keep the archers or the arrows away.
467
00:01:30,810 --> 00:01:32,910
♪
468
00:01:32,910 --> 00:01:36,740
Narrator: We're on the jobsite of one of the world's greatest wonders.
469
00:01:36,750 --> 00:01:40,680
And we're wondering -- how long would it take?
470
00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:42,820
How much would it cost?
471
00:01:42,820 --> 00:01:44,690
How many workers would we need?
472
00:01:44,690 --> 00:01:48,020
Could we even do it if we built it today?
473
00:01:48,020 --> 00:01:50,930
♪
474
00:01:14,260 --> 00:01:17,830
Was something that will never happen again in human history.
475
00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:54,700
Captions paid for by discovery communications
476
00:01:54,700 --> 00:01:57,470
♪
477
00:01:57,470 --> 00:02:00,370
Narrator: It's the most famous wall on the planet,
478
00:02:00,370 --> 00:02:03,740
And the longest structure ever built --
479
00:02:03,740 --> 00:02:06,370
The great wall of china.
480
00:02:06,380 --> 00:02:09,440
It's probably one of the most recognizable landmarks
481
00:02:09,450 --> 00:02:10,910
In the world.
482
00:02:10,910 --> 00:02:12,950
Narrator: It begins in the gobi desert
483
00:02:12,950 --> 00:02:15,080
And snakes its way east
484
00:02:15,090 --> 00:02:17,390
All the way to the border of north korea.
485
00:00:42,230 --> 00:00:43,930
You're only as good as your foundation.
486
00:00:05,490 --> 00:00:08,820
Narrator: They say good fences make good neighbors.
487
00:00:08,830 --> 00:00:11,730
Frye: We've been building walls for at least 10,000 years,
488
00:00:11,730 --> 00:00:14,760
Beginning with the city of jericho, the biblical city.
489
00:00:14,770 --> 00:00:18,470
Narrator: We're exploring the engineering epic of the longest wall
490
00:00:18,470 --> 00:00:23,410
In history, the great wall of china.
491
00:00:23,410 --> 00:00:28,010
One of the seven wonders and also the longest manmade
492
00:00:28,010 --> 00:00:32,350
Structural defense system from ancient times.
493
00:00:32,350 --> 00:00:36,250
Narrator: But do we have the need for a new great wall today?
494
00:00:36,250 --> 00:00:38,490
Modern designers are on the fence
495
00:00:38,490 --> 00:00:41,020
About what makes a great wall.
496
00:00:41,020 --> 00:00:42,220
Man: Whatever you're setting on,
497
00:02:17,390 --> 00:02:20,490
♪
498
00:00:43,930 --> 00:00:45,290
And if you don't do it right,
499
00:00:45,300 --> 00:00:48,930
That scaffolding's gonna come down.
500
00:00:48,930 --> 00:00:51,400
Narrator: The great wall of china is one of the greatest
501
00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:54,600
Architectural achievements in human history.
502
00:00:54,600 --> 00:00:56,910
It's the number-one wall.
503
00:00:56,910 --> 00:01:01,310
Narrator: But hundreds of thousands of people perished putting it up.
504
00:01:01,310 --> 00:01:03,480
Their remains have never been found,
505
00:01:03,480 --> 00:01:08,320
And some say it's because they lie within the wall itself.
506
00:01:08,320 --> 00:01:11,150
Castle: The amount of skilled labor in the thousands
507
00:01:11,150 --> 00:01:14,260
That they were able to apply and put on their project
508
00:04:07,460 --> 00:04:09,960
The wall of china must have been built over centuries,
509
00:03:36,170 --> 00:03:37,530
♪
510
00:03:37,530 --> 00:03:38,930
Narrator: 10 million people travel
511
00:03:38,940 --> 00:03:40,570
To the great wall each year
512
00:03:40,570 --> 00:03:44,210
To take a once-in-a-lifetime walk.
513
00:03:44,210 --> 00:03:48,540
The biggest and the best and the most beautiful,
514
00:03:48,550 --> 00:03:53,280
Most architecturally pleasing, structurally sound,
515
00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:55,420
Actually used as a defensive barrier
516
00:03:55,420 --> 00:03:58,420
Is the great wall of china.
517
00:03:58,420 --> 00:04:01,920
Narrator: It took 2,000 years to build.
518
00:04:01,930 --> 00:04:04,260
Could we use modern technology to build a wall
519
00:04:04,260 --> 00:04:07,460
Like this in less time?
520
00:03:31,930 --> 00:03:34,830
The great wall is about seven times longer.
521
00:04:09,970 --> 00:04:13,370
And, you know, we can't even wait for a highway
522
00:04:13,370 --> 00:04:15,140
To be built in two to four years.
523
00:04:15,140 --> 00:04:19,040
It's ridiculous to try to build a wall across.
524
00:04:19,040 --> 00:04:23,040
It's just simply an enormous undertaking.
525
00:04:23,050 --> 00:04:26,250
It's almost impossible.
526
00:04:26,250 --> 00:04:30,650
Narrator: And does the world even need another great wall?
527
00:04:30,650 --> 00:04:33,250
Historically, walls were constructed for the purpose
528
00:04:33,260 --> 00:04:37,730
Of diminishing conflict, deterring attack, or invasion.
529
00:04:37,730 --> 00:04:40,830
You know, it's ironic a lot people nowadays say,
530
00:04:40,830 --> 00:04:44,870
"build bridges, not walls," but historically speaking,
531
00:02:57,530 --> 00:02:59,930
Narrator: It's as high as a 4-story building...
532
00:02:20,490 --> 00:02:23,390
The wall is actually more than one wall,
533
00:02:23,390 --> 00:02:27,960
It's a series of walls built starting in 717 b.C.
534
00:02:27,960 --> 00:02:30,830
♪
535
00:02:30,830 --> 00:02:33,540
Liu: The emperor of qin dynasty, ying zheng,
536
00:02:33,540 --> 00:02:35,800
Decided to connect all those walls
537
00:02:35,810 --> 00:02:41,010
Together to form the initial form of the great wall later.
538
00:02:41,010 --> 00:02:45,650
The most recent section actually was built in the ming dynasty,
539
00:02:45,650 --> 00:02:48,680
That's about 1300 a.D.,
540
00:02:48,690 --> 00:02:51,190
And that's the section actually most tourists
541
00:02:51,190 --> 00:02:53,620
Around the world visit every year.
542
00:02:53,620 --> 00:02:57,530
♪
543
00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:32,090
Is the history of civilization.
544
00:02:59,930 --> 00:03:02,430
♪
545
00:03:02,430 --> 00:03:04,070
...And is wide enough to accommodate
546
00:03:04,070 --> 00:03:06,170
A horse-drawn carriage.
547
00:03:06,170 --> 00:03:09,000
But it's most well-known for its length,
548
00:03:09,010 --> 00:03:12,140
More than 13,000 miles long.
549
00:03:12,140 --> 00:03:14,380
♪
550
00:03:14,380 --> 00:03:19,680
That's the equivalent of more than halfway around the world,
551
00:03:19,680 --> 00:03:24,150
A lot longer than any walls being considered today.
552
00:03:24,150 --> 00:03:26,650
♪
553
00:03:26,660 --> 00:03:31,930
Liu: The american and mexico border is about 1,900 miles.
554
00:16:19,430 --> 00:16:22,560
With blades, with large industrial equipment.
555
00:15:43,630 --> 00:15:48,130
And to cut and address stone to different shapes.
556
00:15:48,130 --> 00:15:52,430
Narrator: Some of the greatest buildings in the world are made of stone.
557
00:15:52,440 --> 00:15:56,070
So, could we use it for our wall?
558
00:15:56,070 --> 00:15:57,600
♪
559
00:15:57,610 --> 00:16:00,310
[ whirring ]
560
00:16:00,310 --> 00:16:04,180
Venegas: In this particular area, we're gifted with masons
561
00:16:04,180 --> 00:16:08,280
That still can do rock masonry walls.
562
00:16:08,280 --> 00:16:09,850
It's a dying art.
563
00:16:09,850 --> 00:16:12,620
We don't have that type of labor skilled with their hands
564
00:16:12,620 --> 00:16:14,820
To be able to accomplish that anymore.
565
00:16:14,820 --> 00:16:19,430
We don't cut stone by hand, we cut stone with machines,
566
00:15:40,690 --> 00:15:43,620
During that period, they learned probably how to chisel
567
00:16:22,570 --> 00:16:24,000
♪
568
00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:25,800
Narrator: So, our walls would be forced
569
00:16:25,800 --> 00:16:29,170
To have a more modern look.
570
00:16:29,170 --> 00:16:31,940
What about concrete?
571
00:16:31,940 --> 00:16:34,210
So, to me, you know, aesthetically,
572
00:16:34,210 --> 00:16:36,810
It's just a chunk of concrete,
573
00:16:36,810 --> 00:16:39,910
It doesn't have that unique character that bricks
574
00:16:39,920 --> 00:16:42,580
Or even rammed earth offer.
575
00:16:42,590 --> 00:16:46,450
And secondly, when you have a massive concrete structure,
576
00:16:46,460 --> 00:16:48,960
Think about the hoover dam.
577
00:15:07,060 --> 00:15:09,360
But they do have a lot of soils and the rocks,
578
00:14:32,560 --> 00:14:37,190
The next big question is, what could we build it out of?
579
00:14:37,190 --> 00:14:40,560
The oldest portions of the ancient chinese wall,
580
00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:42,860
Which most tourists never get to see,
581
00:14:42,870 --> 00:14:45,970
Were made of what's called rammed earth,
582
00:14:45,970 --> 00:14:49,900
The same color as the nearby desert.
583
00:14:49,910 --> 00:14:52,910
They perma-mix the soil and the rocks
584
00:14:52,910 --> 00:14:54,510
And the small stones together,
585
00:14:54,510 --> 00:14:59,750
And basically just hammer down to compact to form a shape.
586
00:14:59,750 --> 00:15:03,220
Mind you, that was built around 700 b.C.
587
00:15:03,220 --> 00:15:05,690
So they don't really have a modern technology
588
00:15:05,690 --> 00:15:07,050
To make bricks,
589
00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:52,690
You will be dealing with the thermal cracking.
590
00:15:09,360 --> 00:15:13,130
And they somehow figure out a way to make a stable structure
591
00:15:13,130 --> 00:15:16,530
Just by compacting them into shapes.
592
00:15:16,530 --> 00:15:18,230
♪
593
00:15:18,230 --> 00:15:20,130
Narrator: It would be almost 10 centuries
594
00:15:20,140 --> 00:15:23,170
Before the chinese would invent the wheelbarrow,
595
00:15:23,170 --> 00:15:25,910
Easing the burden of generations of wall builders
596
00:15:25,910 --> 00:15:27,840
And earning the eternal gratitude
597
00:15:27,840 --> 00:15:30,340
Of gardeners everywhere.
598
00:15:33,320 --> 00:15:35,880
While in the mountainous area of the country,
599
00:15:35,890 --> 00:15:40,690
The ancient chinese built with stone.
600
00:18:43,640 --> 00:18:45,310
And then transport
601
00:18:07,040 --> 00:18:09,940
It's not integrated well with the environment.
602
00:18:09,940 --> 00:18:12,510
Steel more feels like a foreign material
603
00:18:12,510 --> 00:18:16,010
When you see it within nature, with trees, with soils.
604
00:18:16,010 --> 00:18:18,650
And the third, I think there might be a long-term
605
00:18:18,650 --> 00:18:20,980
Corrosion problem, as well.
606
00:18:20,980 --> 00:18:24,650
So that will also raise the maintenance cost.
607
00:18:24,650 --> 00:18:29,120
Narrator: We wouldn't want our walls to crack, rust, or even worse.
608
00:18:29,130 --> 00:18:30,860
Why don't we look into one of the strongest-
609
00:18:30,860 --> 00:18:35,500
And longest-lasting building materials in existence -- brick.
610
00:18:35,500 --> 00:18:41,340
Liu: You can mass manufacture bricks and the blocks.
611
00:18:41,340 --> 00:18:43,640
And the stones, you have to quarry the stones
612
00:18:05,300 --> 00:18:07,030
And secondly,
613
00:18:45,310 --> 00:18:48,080
Because they're heavier and will have heavier
614
00:18:48,080 --> 00:18:52,210
Transportation cost than the other two materials.
615
00:18:54,520 --> 00:18:56,480
Narrator: Brick is a combination of good looks
616
00:18:56,490 --> 00:18:58,290
And low maintenance.
617
00:18:58,290 --> 00:18:59,990
It would be the perfect building material
618
00:18:59,990 --> 00:19:03,220
For our two hypothetical walls.
619
00:19:03,230 --> 00:19:05,490
Brick was eventually used to finish construction
620
00:19:05,490 --> 00:19:08,830
Of the great wall of china, but the ancient chinese builders
621
00:19:08,830 --> 00:19:11,830
Also added an unconventional ingredient
622
00:19:11,830 --> 00:19:13,470
That just might be the reason
623
00:17:29,470 --> 00:17:32,770
Castle: It has properties that make it susceptible to weathering,
624
00:16:52,700 --> 00:16:55,400
♪
625
00:16:55,400 --> 00:16:59,800
Narrator: Here's the cold, hard truth about concrete.
626
00:16:59,800 --> 00:17:02,070
If it's mass concrete -- that is,
627
00:17:02,070 --> 00:17:05,770
Bigger than 3 square feet -- there's a lot of surface area
628
00:17:05,780 --> 00:17:09,680
That reacts to a change in temperature.
629
00:17:09,680 --> 00:17:14,050
The problem is the inside takes longer to adjust.
630
00:17:14,050 --> 00:17:15,480
If, for instance,
631
00:17:15,480 --> 00:17:18,790
The interior has been slowly heating up and expanding
632
00:17:18,790 --> 00:17:22,820
While the outside is quickly starting to cool and contract,
633
00:17:22,830 --> 00:17:24,630
Something's got to give.
634
00:17:24,630 --> 00:17:27,190
It's called thermal cracking.
635
00:14:26,480 --> 00:14:32,550
Oceans to the east and west act as natural barriers in our plan.
636
00:17:32,770 --> 00:17:35,040
Wearing, it's gonna break down eventually.
637
00:17:35,040 --> 00:17:37,810
The rebar inside of it can corrode, expand.
638
00:17:37,810 --> 00:17:40,010
And for these reasons, I really don't see concrete
639
00:17:40,010 --> 00:17:42,640
As a viable solution for a wall
640
00:17:42,650 --> 00:17:44,750
That needs to last several thousand years.
641
00:17:44,750 --> 00:17:49,450
♪
642
00:17:49,450 --> 00:17:51,950
Narrator: We wouldn't want the repair costs for our walls
643
00:17:51,950 --> 00:17:53,220
To be as insurmountable
644
00:17:53,220 --> 00:17:57,890
As the walls themselves, so let's consider steel.
645
00:17:59,830 --> 00:18:05,300
So, one, it's expensive to have a steel wall of that size.
646
00:11:13,690 --> 00:11:15,860
Narrator: A lot people were happy to see the berlin wall
647
00:10:46,530 --> 00:10:47,800
Rather than a beginning.
648
00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:51,800
They hoped that it would avert thermonuclear war
649
00:10:51,800 --> 00:10:54,140
And de-escalate tensions.
650
00:10:54,140 --> 00:10:56,740
The kind of strength we build in the united states
651
00:10:56,740 --> 00:10:58,540
Will be the defense of freedom.
652
00:10:58,540 --> 00:11:00,040
Frye: John kennedy said,
653
00:11:00,040 --> 00:11:03,940
"a wall is a hell of a lot better than a war."
654
00:11:03,950 --> 00:11:06,350
What changed opinions was the presence
655
00:11:06,350 --> 00:11:09,050
Of western news correspondents in berlin
656
00:11:09,050 --> 00:11:11,990
And ever after the wall has been symbol of infamy.
657
00:11:11,990 --> 00:11:13,690
♪
658
00:10:44,690 --> 00:10:46,530
They saw it as the end of a crisis,
659
00:11:15,860 --> 00:11:18,030
Come down in 1989.
660
00:11:18,030 --> 00:11:21,600
And walls have been a contentious subject ever since.
661
00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:23,760
Frye: There's no doubt that the berlin wall
662
00:11:23,770 --> 00:11:28,900
Was the key to our re-evaluation of walls.
663
00:11:28,910 --> 00:11:33,510
Walls for most of 10,000 years were entirely noncontroversial.
664
00:11:34,580 --> 00:11:36,440
♪
665
00:11:36,450 --> 00:11:37,980
Narrator: It seems there are pros and cons
666
00:11:37,980 --> 00:11:40,650
To constructing a modern-day great wall,
667
00:11:40,650 --> 00:11:42,980
But before we draw up our blueprint,
668
00:11:42,990 --> 00:11:46,920
We need to decide if it's worth taking on the challenge.
669
00:10:06,460 --> 00:10:09,960
Frye: At the time, the roman empire was the defender
670
00:09:32,090 --> 00:09:33,920
Every man was trained to be a warrior,
671
00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:36,690
He was trained to defend his community.
672
00:09:36,690 --> 00:09:39,260
The building of walls alleviated that necessity,
673
00:09:39,260 --> 00:09:43,030
And that enabled men to follow different avocations,
674
00:09:43,030 --> 00:09:44,530
To specialize in different things,
675
00:09:44,530 --> 00:09:48,040
To become writers, artists, scientists, philosophers.
676
00:09:48,040 --> 00:09:52,110
♪
677
00:09:52,110 --> 00:09:53,610
Narrator: In the u.K.,
678
00:09:53,610 --> 00:09:57,880
You can still see the remains of hadrian's wall.
679
00:09:57,880 --> 00:10:02,220
It was built in the year 122 by emperor hadrian,
680
00:10:02,220 --> 00:10:06,450
Primarily to keep the scots out of the roman empire.
681
00:11:55,730 --> 00:11:58,670
Narrator: The great wall of china helped protect and unify
682
00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:12,390
Of much of civilization on three continents.
683
00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:14,500
So what the romans were concerned about were
684
00:10:14,500 --> 00:10:18,430
The people they knew as the barbarians.
685
00:10:18,430 --> 00:10:22,770
Narrator: The most infamous wall in modern times is the berlin wall.
686
00:10:22,770 --> 00:10:24,810
The nearly 12-foot-high cement barrier
687
00:10:24,810 --> 00:10:28,540
Was built to keep east germans from defecting to west berlin
688
00:10:28,540 --> 00:10:32,980
When the city was divided after world war ii.
689
00:10:32,980 --> 00:10:37,250
Frye: Construction of the wall was scary to people on both sides.
690
00:10:37,250 --> 00:10:40,860
Outside berlin, western leaders oddly enough
691
00:10:40,860 --> 00:10:42,590
Viewed it with a sigh of relief.
692
00:13:52,680 --> 00:13:56,180
A hostile environment can improve a wall,
693
00:13:16,780 --> 00:13:19,910
Especially along the southern border with mexico.
694
00:13:21,980 --> 00:13:23,980
Walker: If you were to fly over this,
695
00:13:23,990 --> 00:13:28,620
The sheer amount of uninhabited landscape
696
00:13:28,620 --> 00:13:30,890
Is mind-boggling.
697
00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:35,930
You have a million-acre national park,
698
00:13:35,930 --> 00:13:38,530
You have a 350,000-acre state park,
699
00:13:38,530 --> 00:13:41,670
And you have ranches that are typically in the 200,000
700
00:13:41,670 --> 00:13:45,240
To 300,000-acre size range.
701
00:13:45,240 --> 00:13:48,040
It's big, and it's rough.
702
00:13:48,040 --> 00:13:50,680
♪
703
00:13:50,680 --> 00:13:52,680
Narrator: But we have an engineer who says
704
00:13:13,980 --> 00:13:16,780
But we'd need to consider the tricky terrain,
705
00:13:56,190 --> 00:13:59,050
Especially if it's as hilly as china.
706
00:14:00,690 --> 00:14:03,490
So, these large grade changes made it incredibly difficult
707
00:14:03,490 --> 00:14:05,860
To access the wall, so even if an enemy
708
00:14:05,860 --> 00:14:09,400
Was to scale a mountain or a hill or a ridge
709
00:14:09,400 --> 00:14:11,230
To get up to the base of the wall,
710
00:14:11,230 --> 00:14:15,140
They then had to try to get up and over the wall.
711
00:14:15,140 --> 00:14:16,970
Narrator: So, we'll be prepared to handle
712
00:14:16,970 --> 00:14:18,810
Any bumps in the road.
713
00:14:18,810 --> 00:14:21,140
America's top and bottom land borders
714
00:14:21,140 --> 00:14:24,040
Equal over 6,000 miles.
715
00:12:37,770 --> 00:12:40,540
That's the directive that will guide every decision
716
00:11:58,670 --> 00:12:02,140
One of the most populated countries in the world.
717
00:12:02,140 --> 00:12:06,340
We're imagining what it would take to do that around america.
718
00:12:06,340 --> 00:12:09,180
We have the great wall in china already,
719
00:12:09,180 --> 00:12:11,510
Serving as a symbol of culture,
720
00:12:11,510 --> 00:12:16,250
Civilization, human wisdom, achievements.
721
00:12:16,250 --> 00:12:18,450
Walls provide a physical barrier,
722
00:12:18,450 --> 00:12:23,390
And as long as they're guarded, they tend to be very effective.
723
00:12:23,390 --> 00:12:27,360
A wall was a tool, it's a force multiplier.
724
00:12:27,360 --> 00:12:30,260
Narrator: So, what would it take to erect a structure
725
00:12:30,270 --> 00:12:32,800
That's impressive, innovative,
726
00:12:32,800 --> 00:12:37,770
And built to last for the next 2,000 years?
727
00:00:00,850 --> 00:00:05,490
♪
728
00:12:40,540 --> 00:12:44,550
We consider about our two new walls.
729
00:12:45,780 --> 00:12:48,750
What route are we going to take?
730
00:12:48,750 --> 00:12:51,490
What kind of materials will we use?
731
00:12:51,490 --> 00:12:53,590
How are we going to do it?
732
00:12:53,590 --> 00:12:56,020
Who's going to build it?
733
00:12:56,030 --> 00:12:58,130
How long will it take?
734
00:12:58,130 --> 00:13:01,800
And how much will this whole thing cost?
735
00:13:01,800 --> 00:13:04,730
We're envisioning two walls across america's north
736
00:13:04,730 --> 00:13:10,570
And south borders, but we need to map a precise route.
737
00:13:10,570 --> 00:13:13,970
Our walls wouldn't have to be quite as long as china's,
58175
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