Map as Metaphor

Here is the text based notes I made... I refined the lecture notes when I put it all together in power point. If anyone would like to see my power point email me.

Map as Metaphor

A metaphor is… something expressed in the terms of something else.

All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely actors;
They have their exits and their entrances; — William Shakespeare, As You Like It.

Show historical Map of Texas.

The Road to Success - Allegorical Cartoon from the National Cash Register Co. 1913.

Why do we use metaphors?
* The process of translating one idea into another often yields insights into the original idea.
* Metaphors are useful tools for understanding complex or abstract concepts.

Love is a rose
but you better not pick it
It only grows when it's on the vine.
A handful of thorns and
you'll know you've missed it
You lose your love
when you say the word 'mine'.

- Neil Young.

Complex Concept Map
Herman Moll: A new map of the whole world with the trade winds, in: Atlas minor, 3rd ed., London 1736

Abstract Concept Map
Connecting Distant Dots Author(s):
Tyler Lang, Elsa Chaves
Institution:
Seed Magazine…

Created for Seed Magazine, this diagram maps the connections between the most disparate of forces, events and systems affecting our planet. In the center of the concentric circles are the most fundamental influences (population growth, deforestation, increased fertilizer demand, etc). Rippling outward are the effects, which create a surprising number of synergies. Red lines depict reinforcing relationships, while blue lines show some of the inhibitory forces that also come into play.


All Metaphors break down.

The Wold is NOT a stage. (If we are actors who is the audience?)
Love is NOT a rose. (Do you feed love with dirt?)
A Map is NOT reality.

World Map.

Mercator Projection (1569) - Useful for sailing because of its ability to represent lines of constant course, known as rhumb lines or loxodromes, as straight segments. Distorts size and shape as you move toward poles.

James Gall (1855) - (1970) Arno Peters Projection - Equal-area Projection. Does a good job of showing the relative sizes of land but distorts the shape quite a bit.

Winkel Tripel projection (1920s) - adopted in 1998 as the National Geographic Society map of choice. Does the best job of compromising size and shape.

Show WorldMapper.org