Lab Assignment #3: Neogeography

View Experiencing the Most Sustainable City in the U.S.: Portland, Oregon in a larger map

            As I was exploring google maps and all of the resources at my disposal I realized the power that neogeography has to both improve and destroy the legitimacy and use of maps. One of the major pitfalls of neogeography is misinformation. Usually when a person examines a map, the most difficult tasks are to find out where you are and where you need to go. However, if neogeography takes over and inexperienced mapmakers show incorrect information on their maps, unintentionally or not, then people will have to think critically about whether maps are trustworthy and reliable. Furthermore, within neogeography there is no requirements, standards, or guidelines that must be followed when creating a map. This makes neogeographical maps widely inconsistent and much more difficult to read and interpret.

            In spite of these flaws in the neogeography trend, it seems as though neogeography will revolutionize and advance the way we think about space and locations. Personalized maps created through google maps and other websites allow the public to view a location through the eyes of another person and opens up a new world of experiences. Formerly maps were meant to be object, clear, and for very limited purpose; neogeography has brought mapping into a subjective realm, where learn more about a location beyond just the physical elements. GIS is considered a branch of neogeography due to the combined use of cartography with population data. This program has been a major improvement to mapping since it shows the relationship between location and population characteristics.

            The consequences of neogeography are going to be a combination of benefits and disadvantages. However, the flaws can be minimized by regulation of certain maps that contain essential information and the banning of misinformation of these specific maps. The benefits will continue to increase as new mapping tools and purposes are discovered, especially for GIS.