Text Block #4

I thought that this article was pretty interesting, mainly because I really related to what the author was talking about. I too feel that humans are naturally drawn to maps, and the art of map-making. There is something somewhat enjoyable about planning out your own system of mapping an area, and drawing out all of the defining characteristics to make sure it is easily understood. The first article that I found in relation to this is about the evolution of the New York subway map.
(http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/03/nyregion/thecity/03maps.html?ref=thecity&pagewanted=all)
The article highlights all of the different maps that the city has gone through, and what worked/what didn't work about each of them. It was really interesting to see all of the extremely different interpretations of the subway system because each of them were essentially mapping the same information.
I then found a second article in the New York Times about 'mapping on the run.'
(http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/09/weekinreview/08basic.html?_r=1&oref=slogin)
It basically talks about the impact of global warming/shifting techtonic plates, and how they affect the world's landscape year by year. It also notes that until recently, the outline of the earth's major land masses were never changed drastically. It then explains that now cartographers really have to update their maps continually because the earth's geography is changing at such a rapid pace.
The last article I found was more about artistic mapping/graphic design.
(http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/09/books/review/Heller-t.html)
The author discusses Massimo Vignelli, both in terms of his contribution to the New York subway map and in his graphic/furniture design pursuits. Other famous graphic designers are also discussed for their contributions to type, image, etc. This does not necessarily relate directly to mapping, but it says something about the way that graphics/type/symbols can be used to convey different levels of meaning.