John Unrbidge's Lying With Maps

A map is often characterized as a diagrammatic representation of areas of land or seas separated by boundaries, borders and frontiers, which are often at heated disputes and controversies within multiple nations. I believe the creation of maps should feature up to date and realistic representations of the what truly is out there in the world, despite the power of political geography that allows for the creation of maps to erase landscapes and present a rather more ‘broad representation’ that is misleading. Enbridge’s map further expands on my beliefs as the public were outraged by , Enbridge, an energy delivering company based in Canada, proposal to build a oil pipeline across British Columbia. Unbridle presented the public with a “broadly

Enrbidge’s map and explanation of the broad representational nature of their map is contradicting- my belief that maps should only be illustrated with up to date and true characteristics of an area. Though Unbridle was getting its message of the project accrues, it not only failed to communicate to the public the dangers but also presented data that was largely inaccurate. Thus it goes to show that maps are “powerful examples of how, when data is open and available, it can enable people to challenge the narratives being presented to them, even when those offering them up are powerful companies backed by a national government.”("Lying with Maps: How Enbridge is Misleading the Public in its Ads," 2012) Furthermore, to create an accurate map it should include up to date and realistic representations of whatever is being mapped, hence Enrbidge idea of removing landscapes already defeated the purpose of creating an accurate map. Thus an illustration of earth compressed, that embodies all the parts of the earth which are proportional to reasonable scale is ideal. To continue, Grek Martin’s argument relates to this Enbridge example in his field note, ‘Maps and power in a Canadian Colonial