>>Columbus did underestimate the size of the Earth by about a factor of 2 >>Columbus wasn't right, he was lucky. If Columbus had estimated it right, the sheer

>>Columbus did underestimate the size of the Earth by about a factor of 2 >>Columbus wasn't right, he was lucky. If Columbus had estimated it right, the sheer magnitude of task would have overwhelmed him from even trying. Getting into the game even by foolishness increased his chances of getting lucky by huge margin compared to the sailor who was sitting back at home in Spain. Sometimes you need to be the bozo the clown to be the best entertainer in the world.