the Columbian exchange

We are still prickly from the recent divisive celebration of Columbus Day versus Indigenous Peoples Day here at wonder | wander | world. It is stunning how much we still need to decolonize ourselves to annihilate the level of ignorance and passive compliance we tend too easily towards. 

So enough about Christopher Columbus - the symbolic figurehead of evil empire erroneous eradication. An on to the Columbian Exchange - the history of disease and food, ideas and ideals between what we have come to commonly refer to as the New World and the Old World following the voyage to the Americas by that same Christopher Columbus in 1492.

a seaport at the height of mercantilism - Claude Lorrain, Wikimedia Commons

The crossing of the Atlantic by plants like cacao and tobacco illustrates the ways in which the discovery of the New World changed the habits and behaviors of Europeans. Europeans changed the New World in turn, not least by bringing Old World animals to the Americas. 

hellion heroes | forged in fire

As with everything going on in our lives today, the Tokyo Olympics has been fraught with challenges. Under the world's microscopic and persistent gaze, it's no wonder matters are exposed and exploding all over the place under all this pressure. 

Naomi Osaka lights the Olympic cauldron at the Opening Ceremony
of the Tokyo 2020 (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Under fire to produce the most gold for their country, in a blaze, for glory or bust. When did we turn on our gladiators and favor public demand instead? For whatever sells the tickets? Hell to pay, for sure then. 

held in near-empty stadium amid pandemic