Propaganda Maps

Map Link

Though it is blurry, it is evident that this map works as a propaganda map. It's purpose is to promote a particular political issue, (marijuana dispensaries) in a biased fashion. In this map, we can clearly see two things, icons that represent medical marijuana dispensaries and cups that represent Starbucks coffee locations. The article attached to the map states that the creator claims that there are more medical marijuana dispensaries than there are Starbucks locations. The author of the article itself criticizes the creator and says that the numbers found in this map are not true. There are far fewer dispensaries than Starbucks locations. Obviously in the creation of the map, a street view map of the San Francisco area was imported from most likely Google. They then, using huge bias, added false information on the map to skew the views of the readers. For someone who may have not read the article attached to the map, they may be led to believe that the information in it is true, that there are in fact more dispensaries than Starbucks. That could be a very detrimental thing because it could seriously sway people's opinions on drug wars based on this biased map with inaccurate information. Therefore, if this map were to be given to someone who is "on the fence" or uneducated on the drug war issue, this map could definitely serve as a propaganda map to sway opinions.

Mental Map

Map Link

This map is an example of a mental map. It is something that we covered in the notes in the first week of class. In this map, the drawings are very gestural and loose. It is obvious that the scale of things may be a bit of and is evident by looking at how large the trees are compared to the roads. Upon first thing we see when we look at this map is its title, "Coal City, Illinois 1940's" the creator is calling upon what he remembers of this period to generate this map. One thing that is especially interesting about this map is that, yes, it does recreate what the area visually looks like, with roads and buildings, but it mainly works to describe the creators memories. We see where he/she used to make mud pies, or where the baby sitter lives. None of these things are important to orienting one in space, yet it works to create a bigger picture for the reader. The creator of the map remembers these specific events and memories upon calling on the mental map of this area. Thinking about the trees reminded him/her of mud pies and a nearby garden. With mental maps, we are able to recall physical attributes of a place with the help of experiences and landmarks that we encounter in these areas. When we combine the experiences and the concrete things such as buildings and schools, we can create a full mental map that helps orient us in space.