Maps

Visual representation of data is something that goes hand and glove with my love of numbers and statistics.  Maps is a close second but probably was the earliest pictoral delivery of critical data (where are you and where might you go).  The treasure map was always a fun fantasy that delivered an award for dechipering the code and/or clues. 

How ironic that maps become obsolete within minutes of being published.  Our GPS devices are only as good as the location data that it contains.  Google Earth as sophisticated as it is (with Satellite photos) is only a "snapshot" in time.  Nature changes the landscape and we adjust our maps. 

I remember in mathematics courses on topology learning about maps.  Proving why four colors will cover the topology of maps (the four color theroem).  One of my favorite print advertisements (by Y&R)  for Accenture (at that time called Andersen Consulting in 1989) was a map of the U.S.A. completely reconfigured with the states in different locations with the by line "Sometimes Success requires a little reorganization". 

Click for larger view

A map visualizes a space - provides some identity of where you are relative to that space - and can encourgage discovery or a journey.  For some "collectors" (and maybe crossed with the "traveler gene") it is an index of places to go.  We have a map of the world on the wall downstairs with pin points of the locations visited by Susan and/or myself (and/or is important as it creates more pinned locations).  But the country names, city names and borders change --- so did you visit Peking (pre 1979) or Beijing (post 1979)?

Topographical maps are the most pleasing to my eye.  I like the extra diminsion of data representation.  But there is still the challenge of taking a sphere and squashing it onto a two dimensional page.  Try taking a map of the world on paper and creating a globe (or visa versa) - not so easy!

Where exactly is "Middle Earth" - just ask Tolkien for the map!  :)