Lab 3: Best Bakeries in West LA

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Neogeography: The Potential, Pitfalls, and Consequences of interactive maps.

Neogeography pertains to the ability of people being albe to use and create their own maps, on their own terms through combining elements they feel relevant. With the ability for anybody with a computer online and map out what they believe to be significant, the potential for neogeography is great. Little known locations can become instant sensations and finding directions to an address has never been easier. There are also the humanitarian benefits of neogeography. When disaster stikes, people all over the world instantly know and can send aid whereever it is needed as was witnessed with various natural disasters that occured recently. In addition, protestors are better able to organize and meet up, as was seen in the Arab Spring. Parents most likely also appreciate interactive maps because with teens constantly giving minute by minute updates about what they are up to, parents are able to keeep track of their children. Overall, with neogeography, people have the potential to increase their geographic knowledge as well as that of others.

Though there are many great aspects about being able to create one's own map, there are issues as well with anybody being able to post anything online. Wikipedia has shown the fallacy of this with its system of allowing anyone with access to the internet to post on its website. In addition, many hold the view that if it is online, then it must be true. This is not always the case and has led people to question what is actually true. Furthermore, a pitfall of neogeography is the ability to make information public that may not be for the common good. It puts individuals at risk of being found who may be in hiding. In addition, lack of privacy becomes an issue and people can easily be stalked.

The consequences of interactive maps are both positive and negative. On one hand, people have the ability to express themselves through their surroundings and create the world they envision. On the other hand, people can easily post false information, demonstrating their own bias and insulting others in the process. However, neogeography is user-friendly and helpful to GIS; more people are aware of their surroundings and are taking a bigger part in the world at large through interactive maps.