map fact/ map fiction

So, I'm sitting around thinking about assignment given during class and it hits me: maps can be what ever you want them to be, and in any case, they can be both fact and fiction. What I mean by this is that the map creator will create a map based on a specific audience and that audience is the only ones who will benefit completely from the map. On the flip side of that, if a different audience tries to use that map for purposes other than it was intended for, the information could be taken completely out of context and the map would be considered fictional information rather than factual information. With this being said, I believe that all maps that are created are going to fall into both categories just because you can not create a map to suit every possible purpose for the area being mapped. Examples: Topographic maps are of very little use to people navigating through cities, tourist maps are of no use to most researchers , and road maps are of little use to aviators and back country hiking enthusiasts.

Going along with this map fact/ map fiction theme, it is the map creators literal duty to create a map that accurately expresses what they are trying to convey to the audience in the best way possible and while presenting this map, clearly define the audience so as not to confuse anyone else who may want to unknowingly use it for other than its intended purposes. By doing this, the map creator reduces the liability of their information, and reputation. They will be able to produce an accurate, well planned map and know that it is being used so as to maximize the information it has to offer within.

That is my take on this map fact/ map fiction theme. I just know that information can be portrayed in so many different forms and used to sway an audience either in favor, or against a topic or issue and the misuse of this resource could be detrimental in the wrong circumstance. Just as in medicine, law and government...well maybe not so much in government, there is a strict code of ethics that should be followed, so too must the geographer when producing these maps because one never knows when it could be used wrongfully and what the consequences of that may be.

That is all...