To The Best Of Our Knowledge
Off The Map
Apr 12, 2025
Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, a Samoan journalist, shares her poignant experiences documenting climate change's impact on Pacific islands. Bill Limpisathian, a cartography professor, explains how our brains interact with maps and the shift from paper to digital navigation. Uzbekistani electronic musician Andrew Pekler introduces his innovative project featuring a sonic atlas of phantom islands, blending music with geography. Together, they discuss the cultural, emotional, and cognitive dimensions of mapping in the face of environmental challenges.
52:10
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Quick takeaways
- The shift from traditional to digital maps highlights a decline in navigation skills, impacting our connection to geographical knowledge.
- The disappearance of South Pacific islands due to climate change uproots communities, threatening their cultural heritage and identity linked to the land.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Mapping
Maps have transitioned from complex paper formats to user-friendly digital platforms, such as Google Maps, simplifying navigation for many. This shift raises questions about the implications of a generation relying heavily on GPS technology instead of traditional navigation skills. The convenience of instant location access comes at the expense of losing deep connections with geographical knowledge. The decline in map-reading skills may affect how individuals perceive and engage with their surroundings, transforming how we understand our relationship with the world.
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