During this time one obstacle I've faced is that most people don't use maps this way, or focus more on other geo-based issues, such as conservation. Below is a Tweet that came across my feed. I encourage you to read the article.
We create maps of pristine area or wilderness, but what are the implications of our creations? Interesting piece on @mongabay discussing how the targets we set include and exclude and the potential injustices we risk. #Wilderness @ConservationGIS #Mappinghttps://t.co/YaysbMkgx5 pic.twitter.com/zxgnVQnVd2— Katherine Markham (@K_Markham_) February 7, 2019
The argument in this article is "We already have enough maps. Why create more?" I can appreciate that.
While I've been trying to map poverty and locations of tutor/mentor programs in Chicago since 1994, few have come forward to say "Let me help you". Instead, new platforms with a similar focus have been created. Furthermore, I find too few efforts where people are using the data-maps in stories intended to influence public policy, volunteer involvement, business and philanthropic support, etc. for work that needs to be done within any specific map area.
I have been aggregating links to data and mapping platforms for many years and created the concept map shown below to share some of these. Look at articles on this blog and the Tutor/Mentor blog to see ways I've used maps in stories for many years.
I don't think we'll ever reach a point where there is just one data-map that everyone uses. That's just not the way people work. Thus, my recommendation to the conservation people is that someone create similar concept maps and web libraries, so at least people who focus on conservation (or other issues) could find these and learn to build stories from multiple platforms of information.
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