Assignment 6- Andrew Rogers

Potatoes. A simple word and food on the surface, but much much more when you look at its impact on the world. I personally love history. Last year, I read the book 1493 which talks about how the Columbian exchange has changed the way we live and the enormity that it has had on our world and society. It was this that made me fall in love with the Columbian Exchange. The idea that one event shaped the entire world as we know it is fascinating to me, so I love learning more about certain aspects of this exchange.

That brings me back to potatoes. In 1493, there are multiple sections that speak of the influence these menial roots have had on the world. These roots originated in the new world making them foreign to Europe, Asia, and Africa. Potatoes are very resilient plants, growing in almost every condition, and they reproduce quickly, which makes them fantastic to support communities for long periods of time. They quickly changed the face of the world, supported almost the entirety of the Irish population, and sweet potatoes saved the rural Asian population.

The Columbian Exchange shifted my whole worldview because I never thought that something so small like the potato could have such a massive impact on the entire world. It has allowed me to look at things differently, becoming more aware of my world around me. It's insane for me to think that the world that I know with all its food items and so many other products didn't exist around 500 years ago. It's enlightening to realize no matter what happens you what you do, even if it seems menial and useless, will have lasting effects.