" The fact is if we followed the history of every little country in this world-in its dramatic as well as its quiet times- we would have no space left in which to live our own lives or to apply ourselves to our necessary tasks, never mind indulge in occasional pleasures, like swimming. Surely there is something to be said for drawing a circle around our attention and remaining within that circle. But how large should this circle be? "
― Zadie Smith , The Embassy of Cambodia