Why Are Maps Still So Powerful? 19.08.14 - 9.30 p.m.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Can a map reveal too much? How do they direct our thinking? From ancient atlases to satnav and Google, maps continue to be a key planning tool.
Rana Mitter hosts a discussion recorded at BBC Radio 3's Free Thinking Festival at Sage, Gateshead between Vanessa Lawrence CB, head of Ordnance Survey and Professor Jerry Broton. They look at who owns the data? What are they doing with it? Who are they selling it to? Who has peer reviewed the maps?
Professor Jerry Brotton, Professor of Renaissance Studies in the Department of English, Queen Mary, University of London is the author of A History of the World in Twelve Maps and presenter of the BBC Four TV series Maps: Power, Plunder and Possession.
Vanessa Lawrence is advisor to the British government on mapping, surveying and geographic information. She is honorary vice-president of the Geographical Association and visiting Professor at the University of Southampton and Kingston University.
First broadcast in November 201.



This was a fascinating programme - one I missed first time around. As someone who has collected and used maps for many years, I have many books on the subject, including Jerry Brotton's A History of the World in Twelve Maps, which is utterly fascinating.

An interesting aspect of the discussion was the concern that Google has become too powerful in the collection of mapping data.

And the possibility that paper maps may not be available in the future. Personally, when fell-walking I use an electronic SatMap with an OS map with the relevant SD card, alongside a Harvey's paper map - the best of both worlds.

[Old Grumpy]

Can a map reveal too much? How do they direct our thinking? From ancient atlases to satnav and Google, maps continue to be a key planning tool.
Rana Mitter hosts a discussion recorded at BBC Radio 3's Free Thinking Festival at Sage, Gateshead between Vanessa Lawrence CB, head of Ordnance Survey and Professor Jerry Broton. They look at who owns the data? What are they doing with it? Who are they selling it to? Who has peer reviewed the maps?
Professor Jerry Brotton, Professor of Renaissance Studies in the Department of English, Queen Mary, University of London is the author of A History of the World in Twelve Maps and presenter of the BBC Four TV series Maps: Power, Plunder and Possession.
Vanessa Lawrence is advisor to the British government on mapping, surveying and geographic information. She is honorary vice-president of the Geographical Association and visiting Professor at the University of Southampton and Kingston University.
First broadcast in November 201.



This was a fascinating programme - one I missed first time around. As someone who has collected and used maps for many years, I have many books on the subject, including Jerry Brotton's A History of the World in Twelve Maps, which is utterly fascinating.

An interesting aspect of the discussion was the concern that Google has become too powerful in the collection of mapping data.

And the possibility that paper maps may not be available in the future. Personally, when fell-walking I use an electronic SatMap with an OS map with the relevant SD card, alongside a Harvey's paper map - the best of both worlds.

Fascinating - indeed it was, I woz there. Interesting to see Rana Mitter trying to open on OS 1:25 000 map too - more of a SatNav man, I think.

OG

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Fascinating - indeed it was, I woz there. Interesting to see Rana Mitter trying to open on OS 1:25 000 map too - more of a SatNav man, I think.

OG

Those hand-held devices are rather good, though not as waterproof as they would have you believe.

[Old Grumpy]

Those hand-held devices are rather good, though not as waterproof as they would have you believe.

Agreed, EA - I use both map and GPS handheld as you. I will remember the bit about the water though.

OG

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Agreed, EA - I use both map and GPS handheld as you. I will remember the bit about the water though.

OG

It's a big issue in the Lake District - just tuck it under your coat in heavy rain.

[Old Grumpy]

[I]

Jerry Brotton's A History of the World in Twelve Maps... ...is utterly fascinating.

Again, agreed. Map lovers (including EA) may also like these:

On the Map: Why the world looks the way it does, by Simon Garfield

Map of a Nation: A Biography of the Ordnance Survey, by Rachel Hewitt

OG

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

…and The Map Book by Peter Barber - this one is a large format book with better images of the maps in A History of the World in Twelve Maps.

[Sir Velo]

It's a big issue in the Lake District - just tuck it under your coat in heavy rain.

Of course, there are the folding laminated OS Explorer maps for those of us who like to go old school with a "proper map"!

Satmaps have their place but they don't give the detailed overview of a whole area which opening up an Explorer or Landranger gives.

Following on the recommendations, I'll add a shout out for "The Sale of the Late King's Goods" by Professor Bruton. A fascinating glimpse into the tragic dispersal of the unrivalled collections of Charles I.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Satmaps have their place but they don't give the detailed overview of a whole area which opening up an Explorer or Landranger gives.

Agreed. That's why I carry a paper map as well, albeit a different one from the one on the SatMap.

[clive heath]

Another map of historical interest is the subject of the book by Simon Winchester,

"The Map That Changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology"

We saw the original a few years ago in the hallway of the Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD which is right next to the archway entrance to the Royal Academy.

[Old Grumpy]

I also take a copy of the British Mountain Map for the Lake District (Harvey Maps 2011). This is waterproof and gives an overview of what you are looking at (if you are lucky and can see that far!).:cool1:

OG

[Serial_Apologist]

As one who has lately developed a strong interest in local history, I would put in a word for old maps, Ordnance Survey and other, and the part they can play in tracing geographical developments over time, thereby drawing attention to traces of what went before, deepening our appreciation of our surrounds by way of how a district evolved, as well as still present features in the landscape, such as a line of urban trees that were once part of a field boundary. For me these things add to what the landscape architect Jeffrey Jellicoe (and others before him) called "the genius of the place" - that atmosphere that clings to a place where our forbears had different outlooks in every sense - as well as offering a basis for finding out about different architectural periods and styles, from buildings of state down to the domestic. People - and I would once have included myself in this - walk down a familiar street without noticing or taking interest in any of these things!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Those old Bartholomew's half inch maps are particularly interesting in that they continued to show old railway stations long after their closure.

[Old Grumpy]

Those old Bartholomew's half inch maps are particularly interesting in that they continued to show old railway stations long after their closure.

Fell off the back of a cartographer's lorry, then, EA?

[kernelbogey]

I find that by looking at a map and consciously memorising a journey, whether on foot or by car or bike, I retain a memorised map of sorts and can turn left/right etc without reference back to the map - at least for a distance. This can work even for checking a route (e.g for a car journey) in advance on the computer (Google maps etc). I suppose this is a matter of unconscious training over many years. With the OS one inch or Explorer maps it's possible to retain geophysical details as well in this way (turn left at the top of the hill etc) which I think is much more difficult with digitised versions (albeit my experience of these is limited). But, yes, hurrah for paper maps of all kinds! And thanks to posters for interesting information, e.g the various books.