You Are Here: Towards a Cartography of Knowledge Spaces

Andre Skupin
San Diego State University

Cartography has been recognized as a source of powerful metaphors for dealing with ever more voluminous, heterogeneous and dynamic artifacts produced in the intertwined knowledge ecosystems of our private and professional lives. However, cartography can provide far more than superficial lessons on the value of map-like appearance. It can also suggest particular conceptual approaches, prescriptions for algorithmic solutions, and proven principles for user engagement. Examples are the design of locational reference systems, the creation of base maps derived from comprehensive survey efforts, and the ability to determine one's location in said reference systems and project it onto a base map. All of this translates into specific approaches to measurement, inference, and symbolization. The presentation will include examples drawn from domains as diverse as social media and biomedicine.


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