One particular note is that simplification is almost always purposeful, that it makes it easier to do something—one could say the same of certain scientific ideas/models, such as Newtonian physics. We find it incompatible with Einstein and Quantum, and misconstrues the nature of mass, matter, speed, and time --- but it's super useful for certain things at certain speeds.
To make a broader point, James C Scott's masterful Seeing Like a State (a must-read) argued that nations more or less do this with all kinds of phenomena -- creating simplified abstraction from complexity. Sometimes, the consequences are disastrous.
Exactly. Simplifications are made to be able to understand in a simple way a reality that, sometimes, is very complex if we look at it completely. The problem is that there is always an inevitable bias when simplifying. That bias can sometimes have disastrous consequences, you couldn't have described it better.
Great article. I've never thought of it this way. I do like to use paper maps, but especially when wandering in a wilderness, the roads can get a little wonky. Actually, urban areas have their pitfalls too with road construction, unnoted signage about one-ways, etc. Whew! I'll be sharing this with my husband who want to consult the economists at his workplace to find out what apps he can build that would help them do their jobs. He's speculating right now, but checking the terrain will certainly straighten out any misconceptions he has now.
Great post. There is a delightful video from Vox, the news site, that explains the different map projections. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIID5FDi2JQ
One particular note is that simplification is almost always purposeful, that it makes it easier to do something—one could say the same of certain scientific ideas/models, such as Newtonian physics. We find it incompatible with Einstein and Quantum, and misconstrues the nature of mass, matter, speed, and time --- but it's super useful for certain things at certain speeds.
To make a broader point, James C Scott's masterful Seeing Like a State (a must-read) argued that nations more or less do this with all kinds of phenomena -- creating simplified abstraction from complexity. Sometimes, the consequences are disastrous.
Exactly. Simplifications are made to be able to understand in a simple way a reality that, sometimes, is very complex if we look at it completely. The problem is that there is always an inevitable bias when simplifying. That bias can sometimes have disastrous consequences, you couldn't have described it better.
Interesting video, I'll take a look at it :)
Great article. I've never thought of it this way. I do like to use paper maps, but especially when wandering in a wilderness, the roads can get a little wonky. Actually, urban areas have their pitfalls too with road construction, unnoted signage about one-ways, etc. Whew! I'll be sharing this with my husband who want to consult the economists at his workplace to find out what apps he can build that would help them do their jobs. He's speculating right now, but checking the terrain will certainly straighten out any misconceptions he has now.