Minds Behind Maps How Ex-Vox Video Producer Phil Edwards thinks about Maps to tell stories - MBM77
Phil Edwards is a video producer who worked at Vox for nearly 10 years, and now runs his own Youtube channel exploring the history of businesses, and lately has been using more and more maps. We go over one of his latest videos, “The Secret Economics of Google Street View” as a case study of how Phil thinks about maps to tell stories. We also talk about journalism on Youtube, and the business behind running a Youtube channel today.
Sponsor: Beemaps by Hivemapper
Get access to high quality, fresh map data at https://beemaps.com/minds
Use promo code MINDS to get 50% off your API credits through Dec. 31 2024
About Phil
Shownotes
Note: Links to books are Amazon Affiliate links. I earn a small commission if you buy any of these books.
- Phil’s trivia site
- GeoGuessr
- Phil’s video about Google Street View
- Book & Podcast recommendations:
- 3 Scientists & Their Gods by Robert Wright (Affiliate Link)
- The Evolution of God by Robert Wright (Affiliate Link)
- On the Edge by Nate Silver (Affiliate Link)
- Freakonomics podcast
- Acquired Podcast
- My conversation with Ashlee Vance
- Wild Wild Space documentary
- Neo
- Hoog
Timestamps
(00:00) - Intro
(00:52) - Sponsor: Beemaps
(02:08) - Who is Phil Edwards?
(03:13) - What does a Video Producer do?
(04:29) - Chosing topics & stories
(06:38) - Maps in video production
(10:14) - Bringing a different element to maps stories
(12:15) - Explaining Complicated Things
(15:49) - Case Study: Google Street View Video
(20:07) - Geoguessr
(23:03) - Story & Journalism on Youtube
(27:25) - Stories that Phil wants to work on
(30:54) - Importance of visuals
(34:58) - Learning Curve in Mapping & Animation
(40:26) - Balancing Scientific Rigour and Story
(49:53) - The Business of Youtube
(54:09) - Choosing to scale or not
(59:14) - Creating "content"
(01:01:56) - Authenticity
(01:05:00) - Valuing High Quality Journalism
(01:10:18) - Succeeding on Patreon
(01:13:46) - Creators that Phil admires
(01:16:56) - Books & podcasts Recommendations
(01:28:54) - Reporting On Vs Working In a field
(01:31:40) - Where Phil finds inspiration
(01:35:14) - Support the podcast on Patreon