CriticalCartography
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http://mondediplo.com/maps/IMG/arton2005.jpg
Oil routes - cartographer: Philippe Rekacewicz
Critical Cartography is based on the understanding of maps as texts to be read and analysed with the same rigour that is more commonly applied to texts, film, art, politics etc.. For some reason, possibly because of the scientistic style associated with maps since their use in 17th Century imperial expeditions, maps are often simply accepted as objective reports.
In A Political Look at Territory . Philippe Rekacewicz (of Le Monde Diplomatique) indicates that this may be a result of the implicit simplification and editing of the cartographic process. Maps are necessarily lies by omission, so political wrangling and ideological influence is, possibly, less easy to spot.
This may also be a result of the lack of critical discussion of maps, outside a limited "post-colonial" discourse that is very specific and quite academic. Whereas spoken lies, televised lies and textual lies are ridiculed by a long and interesting history of political satire, the same can't be said for maps, where the most shocking lies often remain hidden.
Here's a list of bibliographic resources to books on/relating to critical cartography . Maybe if someone reads them a small review / distillation of each would be useful.
There doesn't seem to be much on-line about critical cartography, apart from the text (mentioned above) by Philippe Rekacewicz (see A Political Look at Territory .), on http://mondediplo.com/, the english language version of Le Monde Diplomatique. (LMD)
This is an interesting example because LMD seem to be the only international press group (admittedly small) that publish critical maps on a regular basis. All other newspapers, websites, TV etc.. seem to pulish incredably politicised, but completely uncritical maps every day. It is testament to LMD's high standards that they take the issue seriously.
we want more critical cartography!
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