Around the World in 80 Hours
As a teenager, I loved the book Around the World in Eighty Days. It was not only an adventure, but also a story about the technological innovations of the 19th century. They had opened the possibility of faster transportation, and the prospect fascinated Jules Verne and his readership so much, that he embarked on his now famous journey.
I am setting out an a 21st century adaptation of the adventure. This is an exploration of our technology revolution, and how global air transportation has since changed not only transportation, but has also changed how we live and communicate with each other in a world that is more of a village than a planet.
Episode 1: New York City
Crossroads of the World
My name is Andy Yardy. I am about to take a journey around the world in only 80 hours. Today, we start in New York City: the crossroads of the world. It's a great place to set the stage for the questions that got me started on this adventure.
Episode 2: Community Revolution
In Your Hand
Connecting with each other has been one of the key motivators that has been driving human technological innovation. Isn't that why we are all hooked to our smart phones? Human connections are one of the main reasons I'm going around the world. It's also what keeps me thinking on this long flight to Dubai.
Episode 3: DUBAI
A City in the Making
Dubai is extreme. The Burj Kalifa, the worlds tallest building. Palm Island, the biggest man made island. Indoor skiing, world's largest mall, and the Dubai Fountains. A 12-hour layover on my trip around the world provides a look at the "WOW" of Dubai that you would expect, and some that you wouldn't.
Getting around the world in 80 hours involves lots of FLYING. Along with flying, I'm sure you can think of a long list of complaints that go along with it: tiny seats, tiny bathrooms, terrible food, crying babies.This episode is about none of that and all of that.
Episode 4: JETSETTER
Episode 5: Beijing
The Great Wall of China
One point four billion people, a global factory, ancient culture, a great mystery, a great wall. I don't think there is any way to really understand this country by walking through Tiananmen Square. China has thousands of years of history. It's been a key player in global history for millennia and always has a complicated relationship with the west. Today is no different. Is this a communist country, is this just the factory for the technology revolution, or is it something more?
Episode 6: Circumference
Can I actually make it back to Time square in 80 hours? After nearly missing my flight out of Beijing, I am running out of time to make it! It's late and there is bad weather rolling into New York. Either way, I need a shower and to sleep in an actual bed.
So what did I learn on this trip?
And what did you learn?
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