This story caught my eye yesterday. A handmade map that won what is essentially "best in show" from his fellow mapmakers. You can purchase one of the maps here.
The United States of America by David Imus
Yep, I'm a map geek. Are you one too? I am guilty of having purchased maps (only a few, I promise) to destinations I hope to visit one day. I also have kept maps from earlier travels, and squirreled away maps that caught my eye from old National Geographics. I guess it is an eccentricity, but as these things go, not a bad one.
In this digital age I wonder if map reading is becoming a lost art. I'm from the pre-GPS era (cue the sad curmudgeon music) so looking at road map was pretty much how you got around. I don't like GPS units. I don't like having another voice telling me when to turn when I should be able to sort that out for myself. I'm not a complete dinosaur - I do employ sites like Mapquest from time to time, mainly to optimize driving time and to help figure out how long a trip might take. And map reading for outdoor pursuits is an essential skill. I don't know many tree huggers out there who don't also have a thing for maps.
So digital navigation has it's role. But paper maps and atlases are a wonder. Especially when they are works of art as well. It's heartening to see this art form still lives. Santa? Are you listening? Rats......late again!
6 comments:
they are saying maps will be something from the past as well books but I don't know You can't trust electronics.I personally love maps and books . They are personal and something that can be savored.You don't get the same feeling from a computer screen.
There is still the old Christmas on the 6th so don't fret lol
ALL - Thanks for the Jan 6 reminder. The holidays never end! :)
Map geek? Oh, yeah, count me in. I use a GPS where essential (and for recording data), but otherwise it's maps and atlases all the way.
(Mind you, Google Maps/Earth and Street View are both fun and handy, although not necessarily useful on the move where wireless internet is patchy to non-existent. That is, most of this continent.)
Snail- Yes, I am a fan of GPS too, for the reasons you list. (I got one for use in rare plant surveys)
Maps are dangerous in all forms, however. I came this close to getting one of the OES map apps (for the UK!) for my phone. Now just what is practical about that?!
Very cool! I only use GPS to find someplace I've never been. I always use a paper map to navigate in a general way.
Marvin - Paper maps rule :)
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