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Intriguing maps that reveal alternate histories

bbc.com

21–26 of 26 posts

Re: Intriguing maps that reveal alternate histories

#21

There are games devoted to this, best known is probably Europa Universalis IV [1] and the corresponding reddit [2] often shows maps in alternate histories, aptly named "map porn". There are challenging achievements in the game, such as: - Become the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire as Spain. - As Byzantium, restore the old borders (i.e., stop and reverse the Ottoman conquest in the 15th century) - As France, own Vien…

Due to my son's love of Stellaris I became quite acquainted with Paradox's games, to the extent of attending three PDXCons so far. My absolute favourite is Crusader Kings (both II and the recent III), because they are much more personal -- you're leading a dynasty by playing their current leading lord/lady, and their descendants, rather than a vague nation state.

Re: Intriguing maps that reveal alternate histories

#22
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think GP means that the projection used appears to be an Azimuthal equidistant projection [0] - which doesn't really make it a 'flat Earth map' as such, but if the Earth were flat I suppose it would be the only logical (non) projection. [0]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azimuthal_equidistant_projecti...

Is there a schism in the Flat Earth community about which pole is a point and which is a circle?

Well presumably there's no accepted concept of a 'pole'. (If there were, yes I'm sure the Antarctican Flat Earth community is adamant it is the inverse of the above link..!)

But, generalising, 'where is the centre', I don't know.

Back in the day they presumably didn't claim to know, because obviously nobody had reached the edge, so there was just known area, and unknown beyond it, in every direction.

Re: Intriguing maps that reveal alternate histories

#23
post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is there a schism in the Flat Earth community about which pole is a point and which is a circle?

Well presumably there's no accepted concept of a 'pole'. (If there were, yes I'm sure the Antarctican Flat Earth community is adamant it is the inverse of the above link..!) But, generalising, 'where is the centre', I don't know. Back in the day they presumably didn't claim to know, because obviously nobody had reached the edge, so there was just known area, and unknown beyond it, in every direction.

The Charlie Stross story "Missile Gap" has a literal flat Earth and just that "and unknown beyond it, in every direction"... The 'Earth' there definitely doesn't have poles.

Re: Intriguing maps that reveal alternate histories

#24
post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd be more interesting in alternate histories where, for example, western Europe never rose to power (it was pretty much a backwater during the Roman age and only crept forward slowly during the Middle Ages; it was colonialism that made it insanely rich and influential).

The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson may fit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt > The Years of Rice and Salt is an alternate history novel by American science fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson, published in 2002. The novel explores how world history might have been different if the Black Death plague had killed 99% of Europe's population, instead of a third as it did in reality.…

Yep great book quite an interesting read it was.

The article in OP has a link to such a map too.

Re: Intriguing maps that reveal alternate histories

#25

There are games devoted to this, best known is probably Europa Universalis IV [1] and the corresponding reddit [2] often shows maps in alternate histories, aptly named "map porn". There are challenging achievements in the game, such as: - Become the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire as Spain. - As Byzantium, restore the old borders (i.e., stop and reverse the Ottoman conquest in the 15th century) - As France, own Vien…

> Become the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire as Spain. This one actually happened under Charles V (Charles I of Spain).

To be fair, he was Flemish so he was already half way there.

He was also a Hapsburg, so he was already half way there on both sides of the family since they were both the same side to start with.

Re: Intriguing maps that reveal alternate histories

#26

There are games devoted to this, best known is probably Europa Universalis IV [1] and the corresponding reddit [2] often shows maps in alternate histories, aptly named "map porn". There are challenging achievements in the game, such as: - Become the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire as Spain. - As Byzantium, restore the old borders (i.e., stop and reverse the Ottoman conquest in the 15th century) - As France, own Vien…

> Become the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire as Spain. This one actually happened under Charles V (Charles I of Spain).

Isn’t this disputed by European history scholars? You should be less sure of yourself before you check the facts:

https://youtu.be/QB7ACr7pUuE

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