HOW TO LIE WITH MAPS” BY MARK MONMONIER- BOOK REFLECTION PAPER
In the book How to lie with maps, the author opens the readers’ eyes with a compelling statement, “Not only is it easy to lie with maps, it’s essential. To portray meaningful relationships for a complex, three-dimensional world on a flat sheet of paper or a video screen, a map must distort reality.” Mr. Mark Monmonier goes ahead to explain the meaning of the statement arguing that the symbols used to represent real objects are too small to give precise details. Thus, the author concludes, maps hide a lot of information, and it is very easy to lie using the print-out or video visual maps.
I found the angle of discussion fascinating because, in the current society, people are so much relying on maps to explore and travel new places. Due to technology, maps have been installed on smartphones, and funny enough drivers are suing them to find new routes.
In chapter 2, the book points the mistake to all the elements of a map. He says the terms used in the formulation and interpretation of maps to be absurd. “Sometimes a mapmaker might say “equals” instead of “represents’.” He introduces a term, conformal projections, as a reason why the interpretation of a map leads to its distortion. Mapmakers should, therefore, be available to help people understand while giving meanings of the choice of symbols, labels, and pictures. The choice of symbols should be well thought because some of them combine visual variables.
“A good map tells a multitude of little white lies; it suppresses truth to help the user see what needs to be seen. Reality is three-dimensional, rich in detail, and far too factual to allow a complete yet uncluttered two-dimensional graphic scale model.” The author feels that for maps to be effective, they should have an element of 3D, just like the real object. Compressing a map into a scale leads to loss of fine details, for instance, through displacement or smoothening.
A proper map analysis can only be done with the help of technology, say computers. “Computer-generalized maps of land use and land cover illustrate how a single database can yield radically different cartographic pictures of the landscape.” The use of computer programs to generate a map produces a detailed representation of the actual land showing even smaller patches. The generalized maps, too, have limitations and bias just like the manuals but are not so vaguely defined, and labels are spread evenly.
The mistakes which lead to poor interpretation and lies from a map are due to human error, either carelessly or knowingly. In chapter 4, the author says,” map makers are human, and they can make mistakes.” To avoid the most common mistakes, the book suggests that mapping agencies should consider large-scale base maps. The mapmakers should give attention to details when many hands cross-check drawing maps and a scale and keen editing before the map before letting out to the public.
A good map should be like an advert. It should be clear, tell the truth, and avoid confusion and ambiguity as well as drawing attention. Mapmakers and cartographers can also decorate maps to create a sense of humor by using pictograms, graphic designs, and manipulation of map-like images.
A map plays a significant role in regional and city planning as well as in environmental and zoning protection. Well-drawn maps are critical in the day to day lives of people. “Without maps, urban and regional planning would be chaotic.” To avoid chaos resulting from the wrong interpretation of a map, the map should be clear and not easily manipulated.