Vox Gets Into Treble: Columbus’ Asian vacation

It’s Columbus Day on Monday, so you already know Vox is going to be enjoying that three-day weekend. Even so, Vox really isn’t clear on why this is a holiday. Chris Columbus, who sailed in 1492, had no idea where he was going. This was a road trip disaster of epic proportions: not only did he effectively instigate and enable the destruction of multiple indigenous cultures, but he also brought syphilis to the New World. According to Scientific American:

“What it really shows to me is that globalization of disease is not a modern condition,” Armelagos said. “In 1492, you had the transmission of a number of diseases from Europe that decimated Native Americans, and you also had disease from Native Americans to Europe.”

But don’t forget another huge problem with Columbus Day: Columbus failed to reach Asia. So, in order to give Asia its full due, Vox has a playlist for you that will be a perfect soundtrack to Columbus’s missed Asian vacation.

“Big in Japan” by Alphaville

“Moon Over Japan” by Ghost Beach

“Japanese Eyes” by Kitten

“Tokyo Drift” by Teriyaki Boyz

“Lovers in Japan / Reign of Love” by Coldplay

“Harajuku Girls” by Gwen Stefani

“China Girl” by David Bowie

“Chinatown” by Kitten