The annotated map below has been lighting up the the social mediasphere in the last couple days — and for good reason. It forces those of us outside the circle (I’m looking at you, America) to ponder what the next century will really be like.

circle map

13 Responses to “Are you inside the circle or outside?”

  1. Wow…this is crazy! As Americans we need to do a lot more bridge building.
    J

  2. John says:

    China and India. Is this really that surprising to anyone?

  3. Mark Welch says:

    I would be interesting to see, on this same map, a circle of an area that consumes most of the world’s natural resources.

  4. Anne says:

    I recently returned from a trip to China and let me just say, the traffic is better outside the circle! It was an eye-opener, however, simply in terms of how many people there are even in a ‘smaller’ Chinese city like Chengdu.

  5. Dave Freeman says:

    I would just like to point out that my home in Taiwan is (almost) at the center of the circle. Finally getting the recognition we’ve been wanting. Very neat visual. It’s the new 10/40 window in a way. As an interesting side note, the circle gets much smaller if you removed the ocean and the vast uninhabited area’s out in Western China. Thanks Dan. Always love reading your blog.

  6. What a powerful way to illustrate this fact.

  7. In Australia we are very aware of the billions living in what we used to call in Britain “The Far East” – not so far to Australia, a country which I am delighted to see, you will be visiting before too long, Dan.
    Down Under we console ourselves with a reminder of small nations with small populations like Finland, Denmark and New Zealand which “punch above their weight” creatively. Size isn’t everything.

  8. Markus says:

    Great infographic. The circle Reminds me on a black hole sucking all the energy in.

  9. Allen says:

    Interesting map. They should do one similar with innovation in the last 100 years.

  10. Blue Murphy says:

    This is and interesting factoid, but it would be more useful to see how/if the circle has changed over time.

  11. Greg says:

    Looks like a great market to me! Some of you are almost cheering The US and ROW out of relevance but quantity is not necessarily quality or productivity. Remember there are millions of people in that circle who don’t have the blessing of free speech and/or free trade. Are we supposed to feel less significant after looking at this?? Is this supposed to be some dramatic revelation? Looks like an opportunity to me.

  12. David A Olson says:

    For the past two months and the next two years, I am living and working inside the circle in the city of Pune, India. It is a vastly different, one rich with culture and heritage and fascinating people. I am a better human having this opportunity.

  13. stella says:

    I am obviously inside the circle in the city of New Delhi India where I could rich poor christian muslim and all other religions respecting and regarding one another. Hope one of the best places to visit for sure.