(2)I always keep my mind open to new thoughts and research. If it wasn't for somebody thinking it was possible to circumnavigate the earth, I do believe we might be sitting in Europe wondering what was to the west.
Just a nit-pick.
Columbus wasn't trying to circumnavigate the Earth, he was trying to find a shorter route to India. At the time of his voyage Europeans knew Asia was to the West - what they didn't know that the Americas were in the way.
Confused ? You will be...