Lab 3

View Survey of Los Angeles Architecture in a larger map

My dynamic map created using Google Maps software illustrates information about significant architectural contributions in the Los Angeles and surrounding areas. The buildings are marked on the map and show a cohesive relationship in describing the area and vicinity around the buildings. The markers when clicked includes a picture and a description of its architectural and regional significance. The potential of neogeography is vast with the introduction and popularity of Google maps and other map API systems the ease of use has been transferred to the public for use. Now anyone can compile data and information of particular interest and create a mashup of information which points to a particular trend. The map then assumes a certain insider's viewpoint that to those on the outside may not have been obvious. With this tool new issues and awareness can be made more readily accessible to a wider audience. What is particular interesting in these map creations is with subjects that do not normally assume a position on the map and is then superimposed on a planar surface. The relationships between the subjects on the map in terms of size and other measures is what helps the viewer in understanding the relative importance of the subject in reality. For example the 2010 social networking map consists of a mashup of social networking sites depicted as countries on the map in relation to each other. This can present the information of how truly large facebook is in comparison to other less known social networking sites or reveal information on other sites not known in the United States.

The potential disadvantages of neogeography include its ease of use factor which leads to many people expressing their information and particular viewpoints. Accuracy becomes less important and certain subjects can be dramatized on a map to show a greater importance than would be expected in reality. When only a certain subject is highlighted on a map, no comparison can be made with other subjects as reference. Detail is another issue in neogeography, the representation of the map created may include full graphical representations but often time in neogeography explanations and details included in traditional maps are left out. The third issue is with the issue of privacy. Information before not easily accessed may now be plotted and integrated in online maps for anyone to view without many restrictions. This can include privacy and security issues with an individual's personal living space as with a satellite image of a home or on information related with national security issues. There are both positive and negative aspects to new technology like neogeography and API-based maps but I believe a majority of the information presented and provided in maps online allow for a greater circulation of knowledge and awareness.