Human Travel

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resonate on a single individual and the potential unforseen consequences of his and his agents' perfectly intentional actions. In addition, it is far easier, more sensible, and productive, to examine a figure from the relatively distant past. So to begin with, take the case of John Jacob Astor, who died in 1848 as one of America's outstanding foreign merchants ' . Born in Germany, by the time he reached twenty, Astor had already traveled throughout Western Europe and to New York City when he began a trading business. Examine to this point the modes of transportation and distances Astor had traveled: roughly 1334 miles on land and 3670 miles by sea. To do so not only cost an enormous amount, but encouraged the travel of a number of unintended companions: rats, roaches, and pathogens, to ennumerate but a few of the most commonly encountered of parasites. In five short years of his lifespan, Astor traveled more in total distance than any member of the ancient hunter-gatherer cultures ...

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