30 - 14,460 leagues

Artwork by Ortelius in 1590; detail from Maris Pacifici.

The first expedition around the world took 14,460 leagues almost 500 years ago. Juan Sebastian Elcano of Getaria (Spain) was the master amid 18 out of 270 who managed to complete the expedition. One ship out of five survived, reaching back home after three years. Their calendar was conflicting the corresponding one in Spain. It was off by one night. Mystically here we can argue that they were sailing faster than the time of men who stayed. Or we keep that argument for whoever wants to end up in endless time consuming discussions. One finding is whole: that difference of one night was extremely important for both those who missed it, and for humanity in the path of its destiny. The world was spherical and if you were to go far enough what you would reach would be where you once were. A lesson learned hard.

Now in 2008, we are talking about and thinking about globalism of the world. 'It's a small world, you know' people are saying. And many more people are feeling it closer. A villager in Philippines is no longer thousands league apart from a villager in Spain today. Arguably they could even talk and see each other. And nobody has to fight for the queen Juana of the Cebu island from that remoteness. How naive, I am speaking of globalism. Should we blame Magellan or praise? How about Alfred Nobel? Not related, right?

I believe in the good of globalism with all the capabilities given to the ordinary people to explore the world. It gives the possibility to dream of a world that is much better than today's.

Suppose there is a village filled with people from every nation, race and religion (and all the remaining differences whatsoever) where the only light comes from the torches that the villagers carry. In this imaginary place, as long as people choose carrying torches, they increase the quality of living in that village. The question then is if the villagers will carry the torches! I chose 'the village' metaphor since it's a place where a person's activities can affect the lives of others. Through globalism, the world turns pretty much into a place where it's getting easier and easier to get involved in people's lives. And the question is the same; what to do with the torches. You can burn people or lighten up their lives. Always the same.