In "A Short History of Nearly Everything," Bill Bryson emphasizes the astonishing speed at which the universe was formed. He points out that within just three minutes after the Big Bang, the vast majority of all the matter that exists or will ever exist was created, accounting for 98 percent of it. This highlights the rapid and monumental events that took place in the early universe, shaping everything that followed.

By illustrating how fundamentally quick and efficient the formation of the universe was, Bryson invites readers to appreciate the complexity and vastness of creation. This summary of cosmic history serves as a reminder of the remarkable processes that give rise to all matter, encouraging contemplation of our existence within the broader framework of the universe.