Mercator Projection...

[_hagoth7]

Because it isn't a big deal and nobody is getting hurt.

That's arguable...highly arguable, in my opinion.

One of the most glaring problems with mercator is that it distorts the North hemisphere into appearing much bigger. ..thus reinforcing a eurocentric bias...a visual promotion of dominance through a basic and primitive methodology.

...To underestimate the power and influence that cartography has, at any scale, is dangerous and naïve. And this applies to either being too accurate or not enough

I actually agree with you subgenius.

In films, subtle background things as seemingly innocuous as what books are in the bookshelves, or what pictures are on walls are not by chance. They are usually done intentionally, to help convey a message/theme.

If that's the case with something like the relatively small film industry, when it comes to the real world, where trillions of dollars are at stake, the suggestion that geopolitical powers flex muscle or influence in maintaining a skewed perception of their importance seems reasonable.

[Guest]

I couldn't help but imagine they all had the same jaded geography professor who spent his career trying to make a fortune by making a better map, but ended up settling for a university job and crushed dreams.

Why is it when someone challenges the status quo on this board, they are dismissed as being nothing more than nutty, whacko, or jaded...thereby supposedly no one who should be taken seriously, and nothing that needs to be considered?

Can't we engage/address new ideas without attacking every single one as coming from a deranged mind? This is part of what Joseph Smith talked about when he said:

I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to receive the things of God; but we frequently see some of them, after suffering all they have for the work of God, will fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions: they cannot stand the fire at all. How many will be able to abide a celestial law, and go through and receive their exaltation, I am unable to say, as many are called, but few are chosen...

How do each of you fare when your preconceptions are challenged by something new?

[_hagoth7]

...This sort of dominion is more akin to stewardship? How so you say

Interesting assertion.

Can you expand on that a bit?

[_canpakes]

One of the most glaring problems with mercator is that it distorts the North hemisphere into appearing much bigger. ..thus reinforcing a eurocentric bias...a visual promotion of dominance through a basic and primitive methodology.

...To underestimate the power and influence that cartography has, at any scale, is dangerous and naïve. And this applies to either being too accurate or not enough

I actually agree with you subgenius.

In films, subtle background things as seemingly innocuous as what books are in the bookshelves, or what pictures are on walls are not by chance. They are usually done intentionally, to help convey a message/theme.

If that's the case with something like the relatively small film industry, when it comes to the real world, where trillions of dollars are at stake, the suggestion that geopolitical powers flex muscle or influence in maintaining a skewed perception of their importance seems reasonable.

I would be more inclined to entertain subgenius' assertion of cartographic shenanigans designed to promote eurocentric bias if the Mercator projection somehow represented the 'North hemisphere' (per subs) in some way that it did not also alter the 'South' hemisphere - but that is not the case. The distortion applies to both equally. As well, the continent of Africa still appears substantially larger than the European countries area or the US (even with Alaska ballooning in size).

Context would also be important before preemptively inserting devious intent of construction; check out the history behind the Mercator projection and why it was created - see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercator_1569_world_map ...

Note that the first Mercator projection does no justice to the idea of inflating European influence through size manipulation -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercator_ ... r_1569.png