Why are traditional maps considered misleading by experts like William Rankin?

Traditional maps, stemming from 18th-century educational tools, present a deceptively tidy and objective view that oversimplifies complex realities and inequalities.

What does Henk van Houtum mean by 'Free the Map'?

Van Houtum calls to replace state-centric map views with a focus on mobility and human connections, emphasizing dynamism over fixed borders.

How is 'countermapping' used by marginalized communities?

Countermapping allows marginalized groups, like pavement dwellers in Mumbai, to create their own spatial representations to be seen by those in power and challenge official narratives.

Home / Science / Maps Lie: How Cartography Shapes Our Reality

Maps Lie: How Cartography Shapes Our Reality

14 Dec

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Summary

Traditional maps present a deceptive, tidy view of the world.
Cartography needs to embrace uncertainty, subjectivity, and multiplicity.
Countermapping empowers marginalized groups to be seen by authorities.

Maps Lie: How Cartography Shapes Our Reality

The way we visualize the world through maps is being challenged, as new knowledge demands more nuanced representations. Traditional maps, originating from 18th-century educational aids, present a simplified, often misleading, view of countries and global data. This approach is criticized for causing significant damage to our understanding of complex realities and inequalities.

A growing movement advocates for a "mapping revolution," seeking to replace state-centric views with an emphasis on mobility and human connections. This new cartography aims to embrace uncertainty, subjectivity, and multiplicity, acknowledging that data collection and visualization are inherently human and interpretive processes.

This shift is also empowering marginalized communities. "Countermapping" initiatives, where groups create their own maps, have been instrumental in challenging official narratives and highlighting overlooked populations. Such efforts demonstrate the evolving role of maps in reflecting a more complex and interconnected world.