Societal Aspects of Map Use, or Abuse

Monmonier argues that a fifth dimension of map use concerns society. He makes a good argument for the case in his book: Cartographies of Danger: Mapping Hazards in America.

Meteorologists and civil defense persons use maps to predict the movement of something like a hurricane. Based in part on the maps they produce and their interpretations of those maps they declare which areas should be evacuated and which do not have to evacuate. Society pays dearly for such use of maps.

Gersmehl wrote about the Innocent Bystanders who are affected by a poorly designed map, the use of an inappropriate map, or the lack of skill by the user of a map. He illustrated his paper by reflecting on how his map of soils was misinterpreted and the policy implications of this action.

Two events recently in the news support the case for a fifth dimension – Society as map users. In northern Italy a cable was severed by a low flying fighter plane. Part of the blame for this tragedy was attributed to either the lack of the appropriate map or the failure to properly read the map. They buried in innocent bystanders and international relationships were changed. Then in 1999 the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade was struck with a bomb. Again, an inappropriate map use was used by persons who did not know what was appropriate. Society is paying a major price for this act of map use, or what should be called map abuse.

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Note: The effort to build these pages is on-going. If you have something to contribute, contact: Dr. James R. Carter, Illinois State University. jrcarter@ilstu.edu

last updated: 31 August 1999

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