Are Maps Objective or Subjective?

Please comment with your opinions regarding our class discussion on the objectivity and subjectivity of maps. Do you feel that maps are primarily and objective tool or is there some amount of subjectivity involved when maps are made? Should maps be entirely objective or does it help/hinder the user interpret the map easier when the mapmaker's subjective perspectives are included in the map? Provide a thoughtful comment to these questions and feel free to respond to others' comments as well. Along with answering these questions, find one map on the web and describe how this map may or may not introduce some subjectivity to the user. Provide the URL address to your map. Your answers will be graded!

 



Impact of Privacy Laws on Geomatics

In the past, the only people who knew where we were at any given time were the people who saw us there and the people we told. This is changing due to geoinformation and it makes some people very uncomfortable. It is only to be expected that this development will result in some fundamental amendments to privacy laws, says Kevin Pomfret, executive director of the Centre for Spatial Law and Policy. He shares his thoughts on changes to privacy regulations and their potential impact on the geospatial community with GIM International.
Download full article...