why your image of the world could be wrong
DESCRIPTION
Your view of the world is wrong. In this session we learn how and why many conventional maps are incorrect and why it may or may not matter. We also look at some of the sad, gory and checkered stories that have lead to what we know about the world. Or think we know… Maps, more than ever, are everywhere we look and in many things we do. Often the perspective of the world they give you is wildly inaccurate, sometimes for very good reason, sometimes for not so good reasons. We also look at some stories and legends behind maps from lost priests to lost continents and the discovery that built empires. Strap yourself in, it will be a bumpy voyage of discovery…TRANSCRIPT
WTF?
Maps aren’t always accurate…
The reasons just vary…
It’s good and bad…
THE WORLDReal life myths…
Peters vs Mercator
• Mercator – 1569 / Peters – 1974• The ‘Greenland problem’• Colonial power bias or Convenience• North vs South
THE TUBEReal life myths…
Henry Beck
• Electrical draughtsman background• Stripped to the basics• Clarity• Influential• Has it reached it’s limits?
SOLVING LONGITUDETime for a story…
What is latitude?
• North/South position of a point on the earth• Relatively easy to determine
What is longitude?
• East/West position of a point on the earth• Easy on land, but hard to determine at sea
Why was this a problem?
• Slowed down journeys• It could be solved with clocks• The sea fluctuates• Led to many shipwrecks
Enough was enough!
• By the 1700s, sea trade was too valuable• A prize was announced for £20,000 (£2.87
million)
Enter John Harrison
• 1693 – 1776• Trained as a carpenter
The Harrison clock(s)
• 1730• Used some wooden
components• No pendulum
Finally… The Sea watch
• 1759, Harrison is now 66
• 5.2”• A considerable feat of
engineering
Trials and Tribulations
• Trial after trial…• Clocks vs Sky• Fighting the establishment• Captain Cook• Cost• Took until the 1800s to finally be recognised
Want to know more?
THE QUEST FOR PRESTER JOHNNew knowledge leads to legend
Who or What?
• Popular in Europe 1th-17th Centuries
• His ‘land’ contained many other myths
• Draws on other legends of the East – Alexander, Sinbad
• India, Central Asia, Ethiopia
The Letter of Prester John
• 1165• The legend is rekindled
Good news! We found him!
Actually no…
The Fearsome Mongols…
End of the legend
• By 17th Century• Inspired many explorers• Even found it’s way into
fiction…
BORNHOLMMaps leading to what maybe isn’t there…
Sacred geometry
LOST LANDSMissing from Maps
Atlantis
Many other mythical lands
• Hyperborea• Thule• Mu• Lemuria• Shangri-La• El Dorado
Many that actually existed
• Sundaland• Zealandia• Kerguelen Plateau• Beringia• Doggerland• Maui Nui• Verdronken Land van Reimerswaal• Strand• Jordsand• Ferdinandea• Sarah Ann Island
Summary
The World and our view of it are always changing
• GPS• Mobile Maps• Climate Change• Cultural viewpoints
Thank you!
@chrischinch