introduction to gis: lecture #11 (lying with maps) lying with maps maps and graphs map misuse

Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps)

Lying with Maps

• Maps and graphs

• Map misuse


Maps and Graphs

Graphs can be associated with maps as map symbols or as supporting illustrations.

They can convey various quantitative information and can also visualize various social attributes that are assigned to each geographical location.

Maps and graphs can be used independently. Some maps and graphs are used as a pair, while in some instance, a map may actually contain a graph.


Thematic Maps

Educatinal Attainment in Kansas


Utilization of Graphs as an Aiding Tool


Population Profiles


Climatograph Showing the Seasonal Climate Change


Map MisusePower of Maps: Maps have credibility, but it can be complex and is never totally objective.

Map content and presentation are selective.

—Map misuse can be accidental, but it my also involve deliberate manipulation such as systematic propaganda.

1. simple design, lack of a scale, a missing graticule

2. inappropriate projections (exaggeration of distance or size)

3. strong colours and bold symbols

4. mapping of purely imaginary events or features

Given all of the possible ploys, map users must be wary of propagandastic products.


Maps are Powerful

• Perception that maps are credible and objective

• Lack of user-knowledge• Be critical:

– Who made the map, and why?– What is included and what is left out?– What is the source of the information on the

map?


Map Inaccuracy

• Errors– Overgeneralization– Poor boundary placement– Misclassification

• Deliberate errors– Copyright protection

Oversimplification of county boundary lines and poor boundary

placement


Why would a map-maker lie?

• For self-promotion (advertising)

• Security, defense, warfare

• For political or ideological reasons (propaganda)


Ways map-makers deceive

• Symbols, colors, graphic design

• Choice of projection– Emphasize or de-emphasize different areas

• Selectivity– The map-maker includes things that are

important for the message he or she is propagating


Graphic design elements

• Color– Logical use of color

• To show an increase in intensity:

• To show positive and negative relationships:

• To emphasize demarcations:

Low High

Loss Gain


Color preferences and meaning

• Vary with culture, life cycle and demographics– Preschoolers prefer bright, primary colors

• RED = fire, warning, heat, blood, anger, courage, power, love, military force, Communism

• PINK = feminine; BLUE = masculine, water• GREEN = calm, lush vegetation; YELLOW =

wealth, desert


Symbolization

• Text, TEXT, text, text,, text, text, text, text

• Action symbols

• Place symbolsQuick, bold action Indecisive, wandering

Capital CityNowheresville


Other symbols and design techniques

• Inclusion of icons, logos, graphs and tables

• Feature size, placement

• Orientation: which way is north?


Projection and Power: The Peters Map

• A world projection devised by the German Marxist Arno Peters, released in 1973.– “An Area Equal Map”

• Peters argued that maps were inherently political.– The traditional Mercator gave far too much

emphasis on the northern hemisphere countries.– The Peters map was advertised as being egalitarian

and was adopted by several prominent international aid organizations.


The Peters Projection


PetersProjection

MercatorProjection

The Peters Projection


Criticisms of Peters

• Suspiciously similar to another projection developed by Gall (and the projection is now sometimes referred to as the Gall-Peters map).

• Serious shape distortion.• Associated with “a dangerous dogmatism”

(Black, J. Maps and Politics. The University of Chicago Press. Chicago: 1997 p.36-37)


Maps that advertise

• Many examples of selective map design

• Note use of symbols, text, color


Maps that advertise


Defense Maps

• Issues of national security– Cities and road networks– Power and weapons facilities– Camp David


Propaganda maps

• Propaganda– “The systematic propagation of information or ideas

by an interested party…in order to encourage or instill a particular attitude or response. Also, the ideas, doctrines, etc., disseminated thus; the vehicle of such propagation.” (Oxford English Dictionary)

– “Deliberate introduction of misleading information into map products.” (Campbell)

• Maps are great for propaganda purposes.


German WWII maps

• Effective and prolific exploitation of the map as a Nazi propaganda tool

• Bold, black-and-white maps published in Facts in Review (1933-1945)– Germany as a threatened nation

– Britain as the aggressor

– Justified Germany’s advancing western front


German WWII maps


Maps of the Cold War

Grumman aircraft advertisement published in January 1953 edition of Life showing a fantasy bobbing of the Soviet Union.

In the March 10, 1952 Life, this map shows the threat of creeping communism that reaches all the way into north Africa.


Other propaganda maps

• Environmental activists

• Political lobbyists

A map showing human-induced threats to the coral reefs in south-east Asia. High threat is in red, low threat is in blue.


Maps, territory and power

• Maps that show territorial boundaries are persuasive tools for staking a claim

• Expeditions of “discovery”– When European explorers mapped “newly

discovered” lands, they were exerting the power of their sponsoring nations over that land.

• The importance of place names


1556 map of New France

Long Island, NY in 1556


Maps of Africa:A continent without history

A “Map of African Literature”, in Winwood Reade’s An African Sketchbook (1873), directs students to the writings of European explorers in Africa.

In the Oxford Historical Atlas (1929), this “historical” map of Africa shows only the history of the European colonial powers, with an emphasis on Britain.


Gerrymander


Summary

• Map misuse may be accidental or deliberate– Maps should always be critically evaluated—never

take a map at face value.

• Map-makers can employ a variety of techniques to mislead their audience, including choice of projection and graphic design.

• Maps reflect the culture, politics, and agenda of the map-maker.

introduction to gis: lecture #11 (lying with maps) lying with maps maps and graphs map misuse

Documents

maps maps

maps map misuse power

maps climatograph

maps utilization of

maps ways mapmakers

maps color preferences

maps symbolization text

maps population profiles