World map we know is distorted. Increase the use of Winkel-Tripel maps
World map we know is distorted. Increase the use of Winkel-Tripel maps
Das Problem
The world map that we commonly look at is distorted and is misleading in terms of the land area shown. It might not be what we want our next generation to follow. The cultural bias it is bound to, makes it even worse.
The current Mercator map projections show Greenland to be similar in size to Africa, when in reality Africa is over 14 times larger. Times have updated, our maps have not. Using a conventional map does not reflect the truth. Continual use of it only promotes the inherent biases in society especially when alternate versions are available. Not only does it affect our perspective of the world, but it also puts a veil on how future generations see and relate to the rest of the world. The Mercator maps, which are widely used today (even in Google Maps), were created in the 16th century to serve a different purpose. Think of it this way - would you still be using a horse carriage today when you have an automobile?
Here is an excerpt from one of the articles on Winkel-Tripel projections:
"Th [is] map resorts to mathematics to curtail three major types of distortion - area, direction, and distance (and hence the German term for 'triple', Tripel, is in the name). This map projection shows Greenland as the same size as Argentina, and not as the size of all of South America.
The National Geographic Society has been drawing all its standard maps using the Winkel-Tripel projection since 1998, and many US schools have followed suit. However, despite its popularity, since the map doesn't preserve angles, it is nowhere close to replacing Mercator for navigation purposes. "*
So, the claims on cultural biases are alarming. You can read them up in the articles below. The aim of this petition is to point out and help increase the use of an alternative projection that is as close to reality as possible.
Numerous articles and posts are available on this topic.
http://metrocosm.com/mercator/
https://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/18/africa/real-size-of-africa/index.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/02/google-maps-gets-africa-wrong
Cited article from (with asterisk *):
191
Das Problem
The world map that we commonly look at is distorted and is misleading in terms of the land area shown. It might not be what we want our next generation to follow. The cultural bias it is bound to, makes it even worse.
The current Mercator map projections show Greenland to be similar in size to Africa, when in reality Africa is over 14 times larger. Times have updated, our maps have not. Using a conventional map does not reflect the truth. Continual use of it only promotes the inherent biases in society especially when alternate versions are available. Not only does it affect our perspective of the world, but it also puts a veil on how future generations see and relate to the rest of the world. The Mercator maps, which are widely used today (even in Google Maps), were created in the 16th century to serve a different purpose. Think of it this way - would you still be using a horse carriage today when you have an automobile?
Here is an excerpt from one of the articles on Winkel-Tripel projections:
"Th [is] map resorts to mathematics to curtail three major types of distortion - area, direction, and distance (and hence the German term for 'triple', Tripel, is in the name). This map projection shows Greenland as the same size as Argentina, and not as the size of all of South America.
The National Geographic Society has been drawing all its standard maps using the Winkel-Tripel projection since 1998, and many US schools have followed suit. However, despite its popularity, since the map doesn't preserve angles, it is nowhere close to replacing Mercator for navigation purposes. "*
So, the claims on cultural biases are alarming. You can read them up in the articles below. The aim of this petition is to point out and help increase the use of an alternative projection that is as close to reality as possible.
Numerous articles and posts are available on this topic.
http://metrocosm.com/mercator/
https://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/18/africa/real-size-of-africa/index.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/02/google-maps-gets-africa-wrong
Cited article from (with asterisk *):
191
Die Entscheidungsträger*innen
Petition am 17. Juni 2020 erstellt