week3 lab

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The pitfalls, potential and consequences of neogeography

Neogeography has transitioned the map making process from cartographers to the general public. Especially after some websites lilk google map has released an API(application programming interface), map making doesn't require that much acadamical understanding of the geography and expertise on cartography as it did before. Consequensely, people start to make their own maps, which maybe be less acurrate but more personal and more entertaining.  Neogeography has lots of potential on introducing geography to massive amout of people. Also as people have maken their own maps, they put lots of information on the map,like travel guide, restaurant information etc. This large volume of information sharing make mashup map more like a personal blog and social network. In a nutshell, all of this has pushed geography to the general public and has made geography be more available and understandable to normal people.

Though neogeography has lots of potential and advantages, it has some inevitable downfalls. As the application on google map is so easy to use. There is a large proportion of map makers who lack of basic knowledge of geography  making their own maps. So those maps' accuracy and reliablity are always in question. After all, map making is not just about having fun. The map we make should be useful to people instead of misleading.  In addition , neogeography might mislead people into thinking  that it can replace the traditional way of map making.

In spite of all the pitfalls Neogeography it has, it is still a pretty innovative way of providing a more accessable and easy-use geographical tool to the general public. Nowadays, geography is not a field that only scientists can set their foot on. It now has becamed a website application which lots people can easily get access to.

The impact made by neogeography are obiviously to be seen in our dialy life. It has improved our life quality in a large amout. There are boundless opportunities for neogeography in the future.