Maps distort how we see the world
unchartedterritories.tomaspueyo.com
Maps distort how we see the world
1–10 of 351 posts
Re: Maps distort how we see the world
#2I'm not doing the math, but assuming it's correct, that's really impressive. It's all on perspective!
Re: Maps distort how we see the world
#3> Countries closer to the equator—which happen to be poorer1—seem smaller than they are.
Depends on the projection you use and its parameters. The "Web Mercator is racist" meme is just lazy.
One way around the issue is rendering a globe on a screen. Google maps does this when you zoom out far enough. By the same token, if you're using a screen, it's possible to dynamically reproject a map based on whatever is centered.
Re: Maps distort how we see the world
#4A good collection, I especially like the Mediterranean-in-Australia one.
Responding to the title itself, if you think "Maps Distort How We See the World" you should see what not having a map does!
Re: Maps distort how we see the world
#5Obligatory xkcd, with on-topic alt-text: https://xkcd.com/977/
For a more distorted way to see the world, try: http://andersk.mit.edu/euler-spiral-projection/
Re: Maps distort how we see the world
#6Interesting post with eye opening stats (even after reading many posts like this I'm still amazed at how big Brazil is!)
Another interesting effect maps have on worldview that was not mentioned is the placement of North at the top (https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/questions/7960/why-is...). The fact that in the South of Egypt was referred to as "Upper Egypt" has confused me to no end, since "clearly" it's the bottom part (roughly corresponding to middle part of the current country). This is an interesting example where an important geological feature trumps the maps.
See these interesting answers to get more information about the terms Upper/Lower Egypt: https://history.stackexchange.com/questions/47165/did-egypti...
Re: Maps distort how we see the world
#7Every kid should have a globe to understand countries and distortion better.
Re: Maps distort how we see the world
#8> We should be wary of flattening balls!
I agree.
Re: Maps distort how we see the world
#9[dead]
Re: Maps distort how we see the world
#10There was a memorable scene from "The West Wing" on the biases imposed by most map projections, in particular, how Mercator makes North America look huge: