TIME Mapping Mistake?

“China’s Reality” is the title of this week’s cover story in TIME magazine. The map on the cover shows both China and Taiwan in yellow. That’s angered Taiwanese authorities who have written the publication to insist the error be corrected. They feel that it suggests that Taiwan is in fact part of China, which, they believe is not the case. Just 26 countries in the world recognize Taiwan as an independent country.

Mental Maps

There’s been a lot of study about how we understand and interpret space. I was lucky enough to study with two key people who looked at those issues when I was at Penn State. Peter Gould, who authored the book in the title (and passed away a few years ago) and Roger Downs, who I understand is giving the keynote at UCGIS this week. Researchers in Germany have concluded from their studies that there is “no single brain region serves as a ‘map’ in our heads. Instead, some brain regions help us to learn information about landmarks and spatial layouts as we continue to move through a new environment, while other areas act to integrate this new information early on, and then their work is done.”

Greenwich Will Not Pursue Further Legal Action on Data Sharing Case

Town officials decided that due to a low likelihood of success, it will not challenge the Connecticut Supreme Court ruling that demands it turn over aerial images to a private consultant. The town did say it was not sure when the handover would occur as it must set up procedures and determine appropriate fees.

Geospatial Interoperability ROI Report

Booz Allen Hamilton released the Geospatial Interoperability Return on Investment Study (pdf) for NASA’s Geospatial Interoperability Office. It’s a bit long, but the executive summary is pretty readable. Short and sweet version: standards save money. Thanks to reader Allan for the link.

Redlands Council OKs Blocking New York Street

A 3-1 vote will block part of New York Street separating a residential area from a commercial one. Citizens were split on the issue. Some argued that the change would make it more difficult to reach the Post Office, an ESRI neighbor and increase traffic. ESRI and others argued that it would make the area safer, both in terms of pedestrian traffic and crime. Still, everyone agrees ESRI contributes to the community. УIt contributes about 450 million to the local economy each year and has added over 100 employees annually over the past several years.Ф