The map I created is a prime example of how the concept of “neogeography” may be used as an excellent educational tool, but also abused as a tool of the creator’s intentions, whatever they may be. In my map, I chose to mark locations affected by what has been called the “Arab Spring” of last year. While the elements of the map regarding the locations themselves were entirely factual according to my research, the presentation of them was completely subjective. Each piece of media utilized is highly sympathetic towards the revolutionaries of a given region; some even go so far as to villainize the suppressive regimes. If you’ll note my previous sentence, even my chosen rhetoric reflects my personal opinions as I label whatever powers may have been in place “suppressive”. In the environment of neogeography, mapmakers are not acting simply to record physical elements. We are presented with social, political, cultural, and other biases in the commentary and artistic elements that they incorporate. This gives them a phenomenal opportunity to make a more personal connection with the “audience” of the map, and therefore to produce a more lasting impact.

            Unfortunately, this means that as we deal with controversial topics in terms of neogeography, whoever stands on the opposite end of an issue is equally capable of exploiting this technology. With regard to my own map, I am not a person who actually experienced any of these conflicts first hand. From the beginning, whatever angle I take on the presentation of my map will already be highly influenced from outside sources as I’ll be getting all my information second, third, or fourth hand. Following whatever research I did, my selection of media and style of writing quite clearly indicates that I sympathize with the rebels. If the viewers of the map knew my background, they would know that I am a young, American citizen who has been deeply involved with Amnesty International for over a year now, and no one would really be surprised by my stance on these issues. If supporters of the political authorities in place prior to the uprisings had the same abilities and tools as I with the maps, they would have produced quite the opposite image. We will always have differences in opinions on whatever issue is presented in a map, but that is the nature of subjectivity. The danger lies where bias overtakes fact and we sacrifice accuracy of documentation for the success of our intentions, something our own media seems to capitalize on quite well in recent times. Consequentially, our best chance is to continue to think critically as we analyze information presented to us. Question who created the map, where they came from, what their goal is, and anything else that may lead to conflict with the truth.

http://g.co/maps/4u2gq