1. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) Lying with Maps Maps and graphs Map misuse

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

3. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) Thematic Maps Educatinal Attainment in Kansas

4. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) Utilization of Graphs as an Aiding Tool

5. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) Population Profiles

6. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) Climatograph Showing the Seasonal Climate Change

7. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) Map Misuse Power 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.

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

9. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) Map Inaccuracy Errors –Overgeneralization –Poor boundary placement –Misclassification Deliberate errors –Copyright protection Oversimplification of county boundary lines and poor boundary placement

10. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) Why would a map-maker lie? For self-promotion (advertising) Security, defense, warfare For political or ideological reasons (propaganda)

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

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

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

14. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) Symbolization Text, TEXT, text, text,, text, text, text, text Action symbols Place symbols Quick, bold actionIndecisive, wandering Capital City Nowheresville

15. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) Other symbols and design techniques Inclusion of icons, logos, graphs and tables Feature size, placement Orientation: which way is north?

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

17. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) The Peters Projection

18. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) Peters Projection Mercator Projection The Peters Projection

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

20. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) Maps that advertise Many examples of selective map design Note use of symbols, text, color

21. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) Maps that advertise

22. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) Maps that advertise

23. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) Maps that advertise

24. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) Maps that advertise

25. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) Defense Maps Issues of national security –Cities and road networks –Power and weapons facilities –Camp David

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

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

28. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) German WWII maps

29. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) German WWII maps

30. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with 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.

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

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

33. Introduction to GIS: Lecture #11 (Lying with Maps) 1556 map of New France Long Island, NY in 1556

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

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

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