In this week’s content, the idea of ‘maps’ was the main
focus point. It is important to remember that they do not all read the same
information, especially underlying differences. This focuses on the ideology
that maps can mean many different things to a diverse range of people. It
follows on with the theory that everyone’s brains functions a little
differently, therefore it perceives information differently.
I believe that maps are a narrative which can shape how we
see the world. There is no perfect map; referring to this week’s lecture it
personally became apparent that I perceived a map a certain way specifically
because of the way the map was diagrammed. Strategic mapping influences the
viewer in a way much like journalists influence the public.
Throughout the weeks readings Dennis Wood helps get a grasp
of maps and the reality of their creation, he believes there is no simple truth
or like, but the underlying complexity shapes what we know about maps and how
we perceive them (Wood, 2006). He goes on to prove how all maps are selective,
and are designed or drawn a certain way for very specific reasons, that the
ordinary viewer might not pick up at first. The sheer inaccuracy of maps make
it easier to represent them in a certain way. This is most evident in recent
times with technological advancements, we have the ability to create maps and
design them differently depending on our needs and wants. More importantly we
shape how we want our audience to view the map, determining what they gain from
it.
References:
Denis Wood, Ward L. Kaiser and Bob Abramms.(2006).Seeing Through
Maps:many ways to see the world. UK: New Internationalist Publications.
Kuttainen Victoria.(2015) BA1002: Our space: Networks
narratives and the making of place, Lecture 4: Maps [Power point slides].
Retrieved from http://learnjcu.edu.au
How would inaccuracy in a map make it easier to represent them ‘in a certain way’? The more inaccurate a map is (specific to the purpose of its design) the less they can function as an accurate representation of the world. I would say that the variability and manipulability of maps play more of a deciding factor in making maps easier to represent in certain ways. Aside from that, I agree that maps can mean different things to different people and that people can be influenced to an extent from mapping. Would the technological advancements made in recent, including the advent of the internet, make it easier for maps to be designed by people in such a way that they can determine how the audience can view the map?
ReplyDeleteI think what Sean means by “Inaccuracy of maps makes it easier to represent them in a certain way”. Means that, because maps don’t need to be completely accurate. Sean also adds that a person can use ‘modern technology to shape and design the map’, to demonstrate different demographics. Sean could be referring to programs like Google Maps and programs like GIS Mapping. These programs allow people to custom tailor maps. Allowing people to demonstrate how and what they want the map to display various sets of data or different types of demographics or landscapes. Which relates back to Sean’s post as it is mentioned that “Maps are designed or drawn a certain way for very specific reasons”.
DeleteReferences
Society, N., & Society, N. (2011). GIS (geographic information system). National Geographic Education. Retrieved 24 August 2015, from http://education.nationalgeographic.com/encyclopedia/geographic-information-system-gis/
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/accuracy
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